WalletHub Study on America's Happiest Cities in 2025
WalletHub released a study on the happiest cities in the U.S. for 2025, with Fremont, California topping the list. Factors like income, mental and physical health, and community well-being contribute to residents' happiness. Western and Midwestern cities tend to be happier than those in the South and old industrial towns. The analysis considered emotional & physical well-being, income & employment, and community & environment metrics.
Key Points
- Income plays a role in happiness, but social relationships are the top contributor
- Cities with fewer cases of depression and healthy residents tend to score higher on the happiness scale
- Mid-sized cities like Fremont, Sioux Falls, and Overland Park perform exceptionally well in the study
Pros
- Fremont, California tops the list as America's happiest city in 2025
- Factors like income, mental and physical health, and community well-being contribute to residents' happiness
Cons
- Cities like Cleveland, Detroit, and Memphis ranked poorly in terms of happiness
- Improving mental health services, building stronger communities, and creating better jobs could boost happiness in cities at the bottom of the list