In today’s materialistic world, the phrase that money can’t buy happiness is proving to be rather accurate. According to a scientific study — published in the latest issue of the journal Science — of state-by-state happiness by two economists, Andrew J. Oswald of the University of Warwick in England and Stephen Wu of Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y., some of the highest income states are among the unhappiest.
Comparing states on a variety of criteria using both subjective and objective measures, the peer-reviewed study used factors such as sunshine, congestion, air quality, home prices and other metrics that are known to impact quality of life, to determine which states have the happiest – and unhappiest – residents. People in sunny, outdoorsy states – Louisiana, Hawaii, Florida – said they’re the happiest Americans.
But, what are the unhappiest states in the US? The results might shock you!
PBN: “Many people think [some of the most populated states in the US] would be marvelous places to live in,” Oswald said. But, he continued, “The problem is that if too many individuals think that way, they move into those states, and the resulting congestion and house prices make it a non-fulfilling prophecy.”
“In a way, it is like the stock market,” he said. “If everyone thinks it would be great to buy stock X, that stock is generally already overvalued. Bargains in life are usually found outside the spotlight. It seems that exactly the same is true of the best places to live.”
The researcher used as a basis for their study, among other data, a randomized survey from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that asked 1.3 million Americans about their health and life satisfaction.
Click ahead to find out America’s top 10 states of discontent!
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