America’s Happiest Cities according to Wallethub

Hey there, fellow wanderers and dreamers. Ever wonder if your zip code is secretly sabotaging your vibe? Well, according to a fresh survey from WalletHub—the folks who crunch numbers on everything from credit scores to, apparently, your overall glee—the happiest places in America aren’t always the ones with palm trees and ocean views. Nope, they based this on some real-life factors like income levels, divorce rates, and physical well-being, all scored on a scale from 1 to 100. Because nothing says “happiness” like not getting divorced while raking in a decent paycheck and feeling kinda sorta healthy, right?

WalletHub dug into data from over 180 cities, weighing emotional and physical well-being, income and employment, and community and environment. Spoiler: California and North Dakota are weirdly dominating the list. Who knew freezing your butt off or dodging wildfires could lead to such bliss? Let’s break down the top 10 happiest havens, complete with their scores. If your town’s not on here, maybe it’s time to pack a bag—or at least blame your bad mood on the traffic.

1. Fremont, CA – 74.09
   Topping the charts is this Bay Area gem. High incomes, low divorce rates, and folks who apparently jog more than they argue. Must be all that tech money buying inner peace.

2. Bismarck, ND – 73.11
   North Dakota? Really? Turns out, affordable living and a tight-knit community can thaw even the coldest winters. Bundle up and smile, I guess.

3. Scottsdale, AZ – 71.36
   Desert vibes with a side of luxury. Low unemployment and plenty of sunshine probably help drown out any marital spats.

4. South Burlington, VT – 70.15
   Vermont’s entry brings the maple syrup and mellow moods. Solid well-being scores mean these folks are hiking their way to happiness.

5. Fargo, ND – 69.36
   Another North Dakota shoutout. Woodchipper jokes aside (thanks, Coen brothers), this place boasts strong job markets and folks who actually like their neighbors.

6. Overland Park, KS – 68.45
   Kansas sneaks in with suburban charm. Think barbecue, low crime, and enough income to afford that extra side of ribs.

7. Charleston, SC – 68.44
   Southern hospitality at its finest. Beaches, history, and apparently happy marriages—Charleston’s got that Lowcountry glow.

8. Irvine, CA – 67.99
   Planned perfection in Orange County. Master-planned communities mean everything’s in its place, including your serotonin levels.

9. Gilbert, AZ – 67.96
   Arizona’s family-friendly suburb scores big on safety and schools. Who needs drama when you’ve got desert sunsets?

10. San Jose, CA – 67.79
    Silicon Valley’s heartbeat rounds out the list. Tech jobs pay the bills, but hey, maybe cut back on the startup stress for extra points.

    ( * Denver ranked at #38 with a 62.89 )

So, what’s the takeaway? Happiness might just be a state of mind—or a state like California or North Dakota. If you’re stuck in a lower-ranked spot (looking at you, Detroit, which WalletHub says scraped the bottom with a 32.77), maybe it’s time for a road trip. Or, you know, just work on that divorce rate. WalletHub’s full report has all the nitty-gritty if you want to geek out on the data.  Cheers to chasing joy, wherever it hides.