Understanding Happiness in Urban Landscapes Happiness is a fundamental human aspiration, influenced by both internal factors and external environments.
While personal well-being is key, certain cities present challenges to happiness due to economic, social, and environmental factors.
WalletHub conducted a study evaluating 182 major U.S. cities, focusing on exogenic factors to determine the happiest and unhappiest urban centers.
1. Detroit, Michigan: The City Facing Profound Challenges
Detroit, Michigan, ranks as the unhappiest city in the U.S., with a total score of 31.43. The city struggles significantly across multiple dimensions, reflected in its category rankings: 180 for emotional and physical well-being, 182 for income and employment, and 176 for community and environment.
These low scores highlight deep-seated issues, including economic hardship, lack of job opportunities, and a challenging community environment, all contributing to the pervasive unhappiness among its residents.
2. Cleveland, Ohio: Grappling with Economic and Social Hardships
Cleveland, Ohio, holds the second-lowest happiness ranking with a total score of 34.83. Its individual category rankings reveal significant struggles: 172 in emotional and physical well-being, 161 in income and employment, and a concerning 182 in community and environment.
These figures suggest that Cleveland faces substantial challenges in fostering a positive community and providing economic opportunities, which greatly impact the overall happiness of its residents.
3. Montgomery, Alabama: Overcoming Well-being and Economic Barriers
Montgomery, Alabama, is the third unhappiest city, with a total score of 35.70. The city’s rankings across the three main categories are notably low: 177 for emotional and physical well-being, 177 for income and employment, and 167 for community and environment.
These scores indicate that Montgomery struggles with providing its residents with adequate economic stability and a supportive community, leading to lower levels of happiness.
4. Birmingham, Alabama: Striving for Community and Economic Improvement
Birmingham, Alabama, ranks as the fourth unhappiest city in the U.S., with a total score of 36.22. The city’s category rankings are concerning: 171 for emotional and physical well-being, 148 for income and employment, and 180 for community and environment.
These scores highlight significant challenges in fostering a positive community environment and ensuring economic opportunities, which are essential for enhancing the overall happiness of its residents.
5. Shreveport, Louisiana: Addressing Economic and Well-being Deficits
Shreveport, Louisiana, is the fifth unhappiest city, with a total score of 36.54. The city’s individual category rankings are 179 for emotional and physical well-being, 173 for income and employment, and 140 for community and environment.
These metrics point to significant challenges in providing economic stability and promoting the well-being of its residents, which are critical factors in improving overall happiness.
6. Huntington, West Virginia: Balancing Well-being with Economic Opportunities
Huntington, West Virginia, ranks as the sixth unhappiest city in the U.S., with a total score of 37.31.
Notably, it scores 182 in emotional and physical well-being but shows relative strength in income and employment (18) and community and environment (22).
This unique combination suggests that while the city struggles with residents’ emotional and physical health, it offers some economic opportunities and a sense of community, providing a mixed picture of happiness factors.
7. Toledo, Ohio: Enhancing Well-being and Community Engagement
Toledo, Ohio, holds the seventh-lowest happiness ranking with a total score of 37.51. Its category rankings reveal significant challenges: 174 in emotional and physical well-being, 164 in income and employment, and 166 in community and environment.
These figures suggest that Toledo needs to focus on enhancing the well-being of its residents and fostering a more positive and engaged community to improve overall happiness.
8. Jackson, Mississippi: Boosting Economic Prospects and Community Support
Jackson, Mississippi, ranks as the eighth unhappiest city, with a total score of 38.79. The city’s individual category rankings are 161 for emotional and physical well-being, 178 for income and employment, and 177 for community and environment.
These low scores highlight significant challenges in providing economic opportunities and fostering a supportive community, which are essential for improving the overall happiness of its residents.
9. Mobile, Alabama: Strengthening Community Bonds and Economic Stability
Mobile, Alabama, is the ninth unhappiest city in the U.S., with a total score of 38.97. The city’s category rankings include 175 for emotional and physical well-being, 172 for income and employment, and 107 for community and environment.
While its community and environment ranking is relatively better, there are still notable challenges in ensuring economic stability and enhancing the well-being of its residents to foster greater happiness.
10. Akron, Ohio: Improving Emotional Health and Community Infrastructure
Akron, Ohio, holds the tenth-lowest happiness ranking, with a total score of 39.15. Its individual category rankings are 166 in emotional and physical well-being, 145 in income and employment, and 175 in community and environment.
These figures suggest that Akron needs to prioritize improving the emotional health of its residents and building stronger community infrastructure to enhance overall happiness.
11. Gulfport, Mississippi: Balancing Economic Opportunities and Emotional Support
Gulfport, Mississippi, ranks as the eleventh unhappiest city, with a total score of 39.25. The city’s category rankings are 173 for emotional and physical well-being, 162 for income and employment, and 146 for community and environment.
These scores indicate that Gulfport faces challenges in providing adequate economic opportunities and ensuring the emotional well-being of its residents, which are crucial for improving overall happiness.
12. Augusta, Georgia: Fostering Community Engagement and Economic Growth
Augusta, Georgia, is the twelfth unhappiest city in the U.S., with a total score of 39.44. The city’s rankings across the three main categories are 163 for emotional and physical well-being, 156 for income and employment, and 178 for community and environment.
These scores highlight the need for Augusta to focus on fostering greater community engagement and promoting economic growth to enhance the happiness of its residents.
13. Memphis, Tennessee: Addressing Economic Disparities and Well-being Concerns
Memphis, Tennessee, holds the thirteenth-lowest happiness ranking with a total score of 39.85. The city’s individual category rankings are concerning: 158 for emotional and physical well-being, 181 for income and employment, and 159 for community and environment.
These figures suggest that Memphis must address significant economic disparities and well-being concerns to improve the overall happiness of its residents.
14. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Strengthening Community Ties and Economic Prospects
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, ranks as the fourteenth unhappiest city, with a total score of 40.10. The city’s category rankings are 167 for emotional and physical well-being, 114 for income and employment, and 171 for community and environment.
While its income and employment ranking is relatively higher, there remains a need to strengthen community ties and improve overall economic prospects to enhance the happiness of its residents.
15. Fort Smith, Arkansas: Capitalizing on Economic Strengths for Community Development
Fort Smith, Arkansas, shares the fourteenth position with Baton Rouge, with a total score of 40.10.
The city’s individual category rankings present a mixed picture: 181 for emotional and physical well-being, 9 for income and employment, and 106 for community and environment.
While Fort Smith excels in income and employment, it needs to capitalize on these economic strengths to foster community development and improve the emotional and physical well-being of its residents.
16. Fayetteville, North Carolina: Balancing Community Engagement with Well-being Support
Fayetteville, North Carolina, ranks as the sixteenth unhappiest city in the U.S., with a total score of 40.56.
The city’s rankings across the categories are 170 for emotional and physical well-being, 146 for income and employment, and 152 for community and environment.
These scores indicate that Fayetteville needs to focus on enhancing community engagement and providing better support for the well-being of its residents to improve overall happiness.
17. Columbus, Georgia: Prioritizing Community Development and Economic Opportunities
Columbus, Georgia, holds the seventeenth-lowest happiness ranking with a total score of 40.91. The city’s individual category rankings are 168 for emotional and physical well-being, 142 for income and employment, and 148 for community and environment.
These figures suggest that Columbus should prioritize community development and strive to create more economic opportunities to enhance the happiness of its residents.
18. San Antonio, Texas: Addressing Community Needs and Fostering Emotional Health
San Antonio, Texas, ranks as the eighteenth unhappiest city, with a total score of 42.31. The city’s category rankings are 155 for emotional and physical well-being, 130 for income and employment, and 169 for community and environment.
These scores highlight the need for San Antonio to address community needs and foster emotional health to improve the overall happiness of its residents.
19. St. Louis, Missouri: Enhancing Community Support and Economic Stability
St. Louis, Missouri, is the nineteenth unhappiest city in the U.S., with a total score of 42.99. The city’s rankings across the three main categories are 149 for emotional and physical well-being, 166 for income and employment, and 147 for community and environment.
These scores indicate that St. Louis should focus on enhancing community support and promoting economic stability to improve the happiness of its residents.
20. Lubbock, Texas: Leveraging Economic Assets for Community and Well-being Improvement
Lubbock, Texas, holds the twentieth-lowest happiness ranking with a total score of 43.17. The city’s individual category rankings present a mixed picture: 164 for emotional and physical well-being, 47 for income and employment, and 155 for community and environment.
While Lubbock performs relatively well in income and employment, it needs to leverage these economic assets to improve community infrastructure and enhance the well-being of its residents.
Alicia Richards