New Jersey ranks fifth in the list of happiest states, report shows

How are you feeling? According to a new study, you're living in one of the happiest states in the country.

WalletHub's annual study, ranking the most joyful states, plotted New Jersey at number five - higher than our neighbors: Delaware, 11; New York, 16; and Pennsylvania, 25.

The research-based study, published this week, ranked levels of happiness in all 50 states through three assessments: emotional and physical well-being, community and environment and work environment. The assessments considered data on 30 happiness benchmarks such as depression rates, financial problems, productivity levels, sleep rates, commute time and unemployment rates.

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This is not the first time New Jersey ranked among the top five, according to WalletHub. In 2019 and in 2022, the Garden State ranked fifth as well.

In the assessment, New Jersey stood out because it has the fewest suicides per capita. Conversely, it scored among the worst states for long-term unemployment.

Source: WalletHub

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This year's study also found that high inflation is jeopardizing Americans' well-being. More than 75% of Americans reported feeling “very” or “moderately” stressed because of soaring costs of living.

Experts consulted by WalletHub suggest a strong correlation between financial health and happiness, but the personal finance website claims that people who make $75,000 a year are unlikely to become happier by making more money. While the U.S. is one of the richest countries in the world, it ranks 16th on the World Happiness Report.

The happiest places are usually characterized by societies that need less, rather than those that have more, said Sharon Sassler, sociology professor at Cornell University.

“If we look at the countries that score highest in terms of happiness, they are not characterized by the highest wealth levels but by more universal access to things that challenge happiness,” she said.

Access to universal health care, family support and college education without massive levels of debt “enable people to live solid middle-class lives,” she added.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Wallethub: New Jersey ranks fifth in the list of happy states