We all want to be happy, and in some cities it's easier to make that happen
As someone who has lived on both coasts and in the Rocky Mountains, I know firsthand that location absolutely impacts happiness. That said, the factors that contribute to happiness aren’t the same for everyone—some people want 300-plus days of sunshine per year, while others seek abundant nightlife or short commute times.
What makes us happy also changes as we age. Sometimes our needs are just different, but by the time we round the corner to middle age, we’ve also done enough “research” to know what works for us and what doesn’t. “As we gain more self-awareness, we can ensure that our basic values align with our life and career choices,” says Lisa Jane Laird, director of the Career Center at Snow College in Utah.
So it makes perfect sense that the place that made you happy after college might not be right for you in your 40s or when you’re looking to retire. “As we age, our relationships and friendships are more secure too,” Laird says. “We have a shared history and values that have grown with time.”
With all this in mind, WalletHub decided to crunch the numbers to find out exactly which city is the happiest in America in 2026. Ahead, we talked to Laird and Julianne Holt-Lunstad, director of the Social Connection and Health Lab at Brigham Young University, to dive into the results. Have you found a city that makes you happy, or are you still searching for the place where you can be your best self? Keep reading to learn more about 2026’s happiest cities in America.
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How did WalletHub determine the happiest cities in the U.S.?
To determine the happiest cities in the United States, WalletHub identified 182 of the largest U.S. cities, keying in on the 150 most populated cities overall, plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state. While some of the United States’s largest cities are on the list, there are also plenty of charming small towns and quirky cities on this year’s happiest cities list.
WalletHub looked at 29 key indicators of happiness across three key dimensions:
- Emotional and physical well-being
- Income and employment
- Community and environment
The study considered everything from depression and suicide rates to commute times and poverty rates. Because hobbies impact our health and happiness, WalletHub gave extra weight to factors like the sports-participation rate and how much time people spend on leisure activities.
Which city is the happiest in America?
For seven consecutive years, WalletHub has ranked Fremont, California, as the happiest city in America. This city of roughly 230,000 people sits squarely in Silicon Valley on the east side of San Francisco Bay and calls itself the “hardware side of the Bay,” because it’s where Steve Jobs opened Apple’s first manufacturing facility back in 1984.
Why is Fremont the happiest city in America?
Fremont residents have a lot to be happy about! Fremont is the fourth-largest city in the Bay Area, and its prime location means residents have access to just about everything—without the hassles of San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose. Let’s take a closer look at what makes Fremont the happiest city in America.
High incomes
Nearly 80% of Fremont’s households have an income over $75,000, which is a significant number when it comes to happiness. “Research shows that having more money only increases your happiness until you’re making at least $75,000 per year—anything more you earn likely won’t have an impact,” says WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo in the study’s press release.
It’s important to note that $75,000 doesn’t go as far in the Bay Area as it does in more affordable states, but there are other factors contributing to Fremonters’ happiness.
Highest rate of life satisfaction
When you can say “I love this life I’ve built,” you’re going to be happier, and Fremont residents have the highest rate of life satisfaction of any city in the U.S. (Not surprisingly, they also have the seventh lowest rate of depression.)
Happiness and life satisfaction are highly correlated to environment: “Features such as the extent of green space (access to nature), how much sunlight you get, congestion of cars and crowds, and the safety and walkability of your community—can all influence happiness,” says Holt-Lunstad, who is also a professor of psychology and neuroscience at BYU. And you guessed it, Fremont sits at fourth overall in the environment and community ranking.
Low divorce and separation rate
Another metric in WalletHub’s overall environment and community ranking is the divorce and separation rate—and Fremont has the lowest one in the country at only 9.3%. Why couples stay together or separate is complicated, but research supports the idea that relationship stability has an impact on overall happiness.
In fact, a comprehensive (and ongoing) study called the Harvard Study of Adult Development finds that the quality of our relationships is the single most important factor in determining happiness. This research, which has followed more than 2,500 participants over many decades, has been conducted continuously since 1938.
“The clearest message is this: Good relationships keep us happier and healthier,” the current study director, Robert Waldinger, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and a psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital, told the Harvard Gazette.
Caring neighbors
Given Fremont’s good vibes and community spirit, you won’t be shocked to learn that the city ranks highly in another WalletHub study: The most caring cities in the U.S. (where it came in fifth). Holt-Lunstad points out that friendlier communities with expected norms of responsibility tend to help each other out; in others, people may keep to themselves and not expect a high level of reciprocation.
“More socially connected communities are safer, more resilient and more prosperous—all of which can influence happiness,” Holt-Lunstad says.
Where does Fremont rank low?
No place is perfect, and Fremont is no exception. Despite 80% of households passing the $75,000 salary threshold, Fremont ranks 89th in the income and employment metric. That’s about the middle of the pack for that category, but since Fremont dominates the emotional and physical well-being category (No. 1), as well as the community and environment category (No. 4), they easily came out on top overall.
Which other cities round out the top 10?
The other cities rounding out the top 10 happiest places in America are diverse and spread out—quite literally—all across the country.
- Fremont, California
- Bismarck, North Dakota
- Scottsdale, Arizona
- South Burlington, Vermont
- Fargo, North Dakota
- Overland Park, Kansas
- Charleston, South Carolina
- Irvine, California
- Gilbert, Arizona
- San Jose, California
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Sources:
- Lisa Jane Laird, director of the Career Center at Snow College; interviewed, March 2026
- Julianne Holt-Lunstad, director of the Social Connection and Health Lab at Brigham Young University; interviewed, March 2026
- WalletHub: “Happiest Cities in America (2026)”
- WalletHub: “Most Caring Cities in America (2026)”
- Harvard Gazette: “Things money can’t buy — like happiness and better health”
- City of Fremont, California: “About”
