Where people live can play a big role in their overall happiness and quality of life. Factors such as income, job opportunities, health, community support and available leisure time can all affect how satisfied residents feel with their daily lives. A new national study has ranked the happiest and least happy cities in the United States, and several Louisiana cities appear near the bottom of the list.
WalletHub Study Ranks Happiest and Least Happy Cities in the U.S.
According to a recent report by WalletHub, happiness levels vary widely across cities in the United States.
The study compared 182 major U.S. cities using multiple indicators connected to overall life satisfaction. These indicators included:
- Depression rates
- Income growth
- Job opportunities
- Average daily leisure time
- Community and environment factors
Researchers grouped the data into three major categories:
| Category | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Emotional & Physical Well-Being | Mental health, depression rates, life expectancy |
| Income & Employment | Household income, job security, economic growth |
| Community & Environment | Social connections, weather, recreation and safety |
The results show that a city’s economic stability, community support and overall lifestyle opportunities can strongly influence how happy residents feel.
Three Louisiana Cities Rank Among Least Happy
Three cities in Louisiana ranked near the bottom of the list.
Shreveport
Shreveport ranked 180th out of 182 cities, making it the third least happy city in the United States.
Its category rankings were:
- Emotional and physical well-being:Â 179
- Income and employment:Â 180
- Community and environment:Â 141
Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge ranked 170th, placing it among the 13 least happy cities in the country.
Category rankings:
- Emotional and physical well-being:Â 169
- Income and employment:Â 140
- Community and environment:Â 165
New Orleans
New Orleans ranked 159th, making it the 24th least happy city in the U.S.
Category rankings:
- Emotional and physical well-being:Â 154
- Income and employment:Â 104
- Community and environment:Â 149
These rankings suggest that economic challenges, health concerns and community factors may be impacting overall happiness levels in these cities.
25 Least Happy Cities in the United States
According to the WalletHub report, the following cities ranked as the least happy in the country:
| Rank Area | City |
|---|---|
| 1 | Detroit, Michigan |
| 2 | Memphis, Tennessee |
| 3 | Shreveport, Louisiana |
| 4 | Cleveland, Ohio |
| 5 | Huntington, West Virginia |
| 6 | Toledo, Ohio |
| 7 | Augusta, Georgia |
| 8 | Fort Smith, Arkansas |
| 9 | Dover, Delaware |
| 10 | Akron, Ohio |
| 11 | Baltimore, Maryland |
| 12 | Birmingham, Alabama |
| 13 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
| 14 | Columbus, Georgia |
| 15 | Montgomery, Alabama |
| 16 | Gulfport, Mississippi |
| 17 | Charleston, West Virginia |
| 18 | Jackson, Mississippi |
| 19 | St. Louis, Missouri |
| 20 | Knoxville, Tennessee |
| 21 | Wilmington, Delaware |
| 22 | Little Rock, Arkansas |
| 23 | Mobile, Alabama |
| 24 | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| 25 | Tulsa, Oklahoma |
Happiest Cities in the United States
While some cities struggle with happiness rankings, others scored highly thanks to strong economies, healthy lifestyles and strong communities.
The top 25 happiest cities in the U.S. include:
| Rank | City |
|---|---|
| 1 | Fremont, California |
| 2 | Bismarck, North Dakota |
| 3 | Scottsdale, Arizona |
| 4 | South Burlington, Vermont |
| 5 | Fargo, North Dakota |
| 6 | Overland Park, Kansas |
| 7 | Charleston, South Carolina |
| 8 | Irvine, California |
| 9 | Gilbert, Arizona |
| 10 | San Jose, California |
| 11 | Burlington, Vermont |
| 12 | Madison, Wisconsin |
| 13 | Columbia, Maryland |
| 14 | Chandler, Arizona |
| 15 | Seattle, Washington |
| 16 | Plano, Texas |
| 17 | San Francisco, California |
| 18 | Lincoln, Nebraska |
| 19 | Portland, Maine |
| 20 | Tempe, Arizona |
| 21 | San Diego, California |
| 22 | Raleigh, North Carolina |
| 23 | Peoria, Arizona |
| 24 | Durham, North Carolina |
| 25 | Huntington Beach, California |
