Dear New Jersey resident, smile! You’re supposed to be happy! At least that’s what a recent report naming New Jersey as the second happiest state in America suggests.
A new WalletHub study set out to determine the nation’s happiest—and least happiest—states. The findings were somewhat surprising.
Hawaii is the happiest state in the country. That one is certainly no surprise. Turquoise waters, sandy beaches, volcanoes, rolling green hills, tasty BBQ, surfing—the list goes on and on.
But right behind it? That’s right, New Jersey edges out Utah for the No. 2 spot. The state of Taylor Ham, Bruce Springsteen, the Jersey Shore, getting cut off in bumper-to-bumper traffic, high property taxes, and pumping your own gas.
Methodology
In all seriousness, New Jersey does have a lot going for it regarding reasons to be happy.
WalletHub analyzed all 50 states across 30 metrics, spanning emotional health, economic stability, healthcare outcomes, and so on. Using the metrics, three key dimensions were determined:
- Emotional & Physical Well-Being
- Work Environment
- Community & Environment
New Jersey was middle-of-the-pack for Work Environment and Community & Environment, scoring 24 and 23 respectively. However, it’s Emotional & Physical Well-Being where the Garden State makes up ground, scoring No. 1 in the entire country, landing NJ a respectable overall score of 67.09—just behind Hawaii’s 69.53.
Adding to this, New Jersey has the lowest rate of adult depression, the lowest suicide rate, lowest rate of traumatic events in childhood, and among the lowest divorce rate—just behind Utah, which, well, makes sense.
New Jersey’s success grows with the second-highest share of households earning over $75,000 a year, and the seventh-lowest food insecurity rate.
“The happiest states are those that provide above-average quality of life in a wide variety of areas, from strong state economies and great physical and mental healthcare to adequate amounts of leisure time,” said WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo, adding that while money alone doesn’t guarantee happiness, having enough to comfortably live remains crucial.
The ranking comes as a genuine relief. New Jersey often places high on these lists for the wrong reasons: most financially stressed state, most expensive state to retire in, and highest property taxes, to name a few. But, we’re happy. There’s no denying it.
Next time you curse someone out for cutting you off on the Parkway, remember that you’re happy. At least that’s what the data says.
Peter Candia is the Food + Drink Editor at New Jersey Digest. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Peter found a passion for writing midway through school and never looked back. He is a former line cook, server and bartender at top-rated restaurants in the tri-state area. In addition to food, Peter enjoys politics, music, sports and anything New Jersey.
