These Are the Happiest Cities in the United States

National Geographic Explorer and best-selling author Dan Buettner searched for the happiest Americans. Where he found them will surprise you.

Who are the happiest Americans? Ask this question anywhere from Montauk to Maui and you’re bound to pique interest (you may even pick a fight). While fans of the film Moana might sing the lyrics “Happiness is where you are,” for scientists studying the roots and fruits of happiness, location-specific qualities of place, community, and opportunity powerfully inform the way we feel about our lives.

National Geographic bestselling author Dan Buettner and Gallup’s social scientists teamed up to develop an index that assesses measurable expressions of happiness and identifies where Americans are living their best lives. Designed by Gallup senior scientist Dan Witters, the study established 15 metrics—from eating healthy and learning something new every day to civic engagement, financial security, vacation time, and even dental checkups—that signal happiness. The National Geographic Gallup Special/Blue Zones Index draws on nearly 250,000 interviews conducted with adults from 2014 to 2015 in 190 metropolitan areas across the U.S as part of the Gallup-Sharecare Well Being Index.

The winner: Boulder, Colorado. Bolstered by a sense of community, access to nature, sustainable urban development and preservation policies, and perhaps even that clean mountain air, Boulderites overwhelmingly feel “active and productive every day,” according to Buettner’s research. Per capita, more people walk to work in Boulder than in any other city in the U.S. Low rates of smoking and obesity, and high rates of exercise, contribute to the satisfaction locals feel. Life is not always rosy in the Rockies—stress is on the rise; on average, 49 percent of locals surveyed reported feeling stress—but the qualities that keep Boulder on top make this city America’s happiest.

9 EASY WAYS TO FIND HAPPINESS EVERY DAY How does one find happiness? Following these nine steps can go a long way in increasing your happiness over time.
National Geographic’s list of the 25 Happiest Places in the United States includes cities from Ann Arbor to Austin, San Diego to Charlottesville. At the bottom of the index (not included in our list) are America’s least-happy places, according to the study: Charleston, West Virginia; Fort Smith, Arkansas; and Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, North Carolina. Research indicates that the variabilities of place play an important role in whether locals feel happy. In happier places, according to Buettner, locals smile and laugh more often, socialize several hours a day, have access to green spaces, and feel that they are making purposeful progress toward achieving life goals. For our index, it tracked factors that are statistically associated with doing well and feeling well; these include feeling secure, taking vacations, and having enough money to cover basic needs.

Buettner reports on the qualities that make Boulder a happy place in November’s National Geographic cover story. His article focuses on three strands of happiness—pleasure, pride, and purpose—that lead to a resilient sense of well-being in cities around the world, from Europe, to Asia, to Central America. His new book, The Blue Zones of Happiness advances his premise that improved environments lead to increased happiness.

A “happiness planner” by trade, Buettner is also a passionate traveler. His work unites his zeal for exploring new places and asking questions with his skill in statistical research and adroitness at weaving compelling stories. The same qualities of place that inform our list of the 25 Happiest Places in the United States also influence travelers’ experiences. Happy places for locals tend to be hospitable places for visitors.

The United States’
25 Happiest Places

1. Portland-South
   Portland
   Author Dan Buettner and Dan
   Witters of Gallup put together a list
   of 16 questions relating to physical,
   social, community, financial, and
   purpose well-being, drawing on
   nearly 250,000 interviews
   conducted with adults from 2014 to
   2015 as a part of the comprehensive
   Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index.
   After averaging the responses to
   those questions in 190 metro areas
   across the United States, they
   produced the National Geographic
   Happiest Places list.
2. Minneapolis-St. Paul-
   Bloomington
3. Manchester-
   Nashua
4. Ann
   Arbor
5. Bridgeport-
   Stamford-
   Norwalk
6. Barnstable
   Town
7. San Francisco-
8. Provo-
9. Fort Collins
   Oakland-Hayward
   Orem
10. Washington-
11. Santa Cruz-
12. San Jose-Sunnyvale-
13. Boulder
    Arlington-Alexandria
    Watsonville
    Santa Clara
14. Charlottesville
15. Colorado
16. Salinas
    Springs
17. San Luis Obispo-Paso
18. Santa Maria-
    Santa Barbara
    Robles-Arroyo Grande
19. Oxnard-
    Thousand Oaks-
    Ventura
20. San Diego-
    Carlsbad
21. Austin-
    Round Rock
22. North Port-
    Sarasota-
    Bradenton
23. Anchorage
24. Urban
    Honolulu
25. Naples-Immokalee-
    Marco Island
    ✕
    Powered by VIDSqaure
    JON BOWEN, NG STAFF
    “There’s a high correlation between bikeability and happiness in a city. In Boulder you’re more likely to hear the whoosh of a cyclist than the shrill of a siren compared to places like Dallas, Tallahassee, or Los Angeles. Cities like Boulder question the unquestioned virtues of development,” says Buettner. “This benefits visitors, who can experience an emphasis on greenery, a high-quality culinary community, limited marketing onslaught and no billboards.”

Among the surprises Buettner turned up while drilling down into his place-based research: “There’s a strong correlation between quality of water and happiness. And places where people frequent their dentists report being more satisfied with their lives,” he says.

The greater message, for locals and travelers alike, is that happiness doesn’t just happen. “There’s a genesis to it. Enlightened leaders make conscious decisions to favor quality of life over economic development or political expediency,” Buettner notes.

For visitors eager to take their own measure of America’s happiest places, Buettner’s advice is simple: linger longer, stay in a B&B, and walk a lot (though perhaps not to the dentist’s office). “My findings indicate that if you want to get happy, don’t try to change your belief system. Change your environment,” Buettner says. A call to action for travelers everywhere.
Read the November cover story and join the conversation on the world’s happiest places by visiting #QuestForHappiness.

George Stone is the Editor-in-Chief of Traveler magazine at National Geographic. You can follow him and his travels on Twitter.
PUBLISHED OCTOBER 18, 2017
FROM THE WEBSponsored By ZergNet

15 Famous People Who May Never Have Existed

Study Reveals After You Die, Your Brain Knows You're Dead

The Untold Truth of Steve Irwin

Viking Skeleton's DNA Proves Historians Wrong

Scientists Say Something Is Very Wrong With the Tomato

Study Examines How a Psychopath Is Made
LATEST TRAVEL STORIES
This Freshwater Sport is Taking on Its Saltwater Sister
River surfing was inspired by ocean surfing, but its popularity is growing all on...
This is the Least Visited Country in Europe
It’s also one of the oldest and smallest nations in the world.
Welcome to the World's Oldest Surviving Doll...
Nestled among Lisbon's busy storefronts, Hospital de Bonecas gives dolls of all...
PERPETUAL PLANET
How Rescuers Save Climbers on the World's Tallest...
When disaster strikes in the Himalaya, this rescue team can be the difference...
The World's Greatest Scuba Diving Spots
Discover the biggest fish, brightest coral, and wildest wrecks across the seven seas.
Meet the Man Living in a Lost City Carved in Stone
After being designated a World Heritage site in 1985, UNESCO and the Jordanian...
Brilliant Photos of Campsites Under the Stars
Let this gallery of stunning nighttime shots inspire your outdoor-sleeping adventures.
Top 10 Compact Cameras for Travelers
Upgrade your travel photos with these lightweight cameras that pack a punch.
All The Gear You Need This Winter
Get the lowdown on what you should buy for yourself and your adventurous loved ones...
SPONSOR CONTENT
See More for Less with Qantas Explorer
Multi-city booking program saves over stand-alone fares.
Magical Must-Do Hikes in Olympic National Park
Trek through the rainforest, along the shoreline, and atop towering peaks.
These Vintage Photos Remind Us of the Glamour of...
Step back in time through incredible photos from deep inside the National...
Photos of a Paradise Island, Frozen in Time
The Island of Mozambique was spared from the ravages of modern development during...
From Whales to Buoys: Finding a New Sport in an...
These historic and decommissioned whaleboats are connecting young...
Vibrant Photos of Foliage From Above
If you missed this fleeting, colorful season, immerse yourself in these stunning...
Adventures on Ice: 21 Dazzling Photos of Frozen Exploits
See winter through the eyes of these bold, cold-weather adventurers.
Veterans Return to Iraq, Seeking Peace Through Adventure
In climbing Mount Halgurd, Iraq War veterans find healing—and an opportunity to...
No, You Definitely Did Not Sleep There
Here's what the owner of Instagram's @youdidnotsleepthere...
PARTNER CONTENT PRODUCED BY NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC WITH DESTINATION CANADA
The New Calgary
National Geographic photographer Katie Orlinsky uncovers the best of the...
Play the Forgotten Arcade Games of the Soviet Union
The retro machines are, against all odds, fully functional.
13 of the World's Greatest Kiteboarding Spots
Catch the wind in these destinations promising perfect weather, water, and vibes.
BRANDED CONTENT IN COLLABORATION WITH TOYOTA CAMRY
Top 5 Happiest Cities in the United States
These centers of serenity earn the highest marks in the nation—and they just might...
Go Inside These World-Famous, Rarely Seen River...
See stunning photos of these strictly protected underground caves in Slovenia.
This Man Just Swam in Antarctic Waters in Next to Nothing
Extreme swimmer Lewis Pugh braved extreme temperatures to advocate for a pristine...