WalletHub ranked all 50 states to determine the happiest and saddest places to live in the U.S., examining 30 factors ranging from depression to income growth. The analysis looked at three main groupings: Emotional & Physical Well-Being (accounting for half the total score), Work Environment, and Community & Environment. Mississippi ranked 42nd-happiest in the nation with a score of 43.9.
Mississippi’s Regional Performance
Mississippi’s highest ranking was 32nd for Work Environment, where it tied for 45th place nationally for longest work hours. The state ranked 38th for Community & Environment, with the fourth-highest divorce rate in the U.S. Mississippi ranked 41st in Emotional & Physical Well-Being, placing dead last in sports participation and being considered the second least-safe state in the country, with only Louisiana more dangerous.
Methodology and Top States
The Emotional & Physical Well-Being category examined life expectancy, physical health index, adult depression, suicide rates, mental health, sports participation, and alcohol abuse issues. Work Environment factors included work hours, unemployment, underemployment, median credit scores, economic security, and commute time. Community & Environment scores were based on weather, volunteering, leisure time, safety, and divorce rates. The happiest states in the nation were Hawaii, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, Connecticut, Utah, California, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Idaho. The saddest states were West Virginia, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, Alaska, Tennessee, New Mexico, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Colorado.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2025/09/13/how-happy-is-mississippi-new-study-ranks-states-health-work-community/86072487007/