Happiest States in the Union

Why does sunflowers follow the sun – Search

Young sunflowers track the sun from east to west throughout the day.

This movement is regulated by the plant’s internal circadian clock, allowing it to anticipate the sun’s position. At night, the sunflower reorients itself, returning to an eastward facing position for the next sunrise.

When it comes to choosing where to live, nothing matters more than your health—and some states do a far better job than others at keeping residents thriving.

A new WalletHub study compared all 50 states using 51 key indicators of livability, with broader categories like affordability, economy, education & health, and safety. The education & health category considered metrics such as hospital quality, life expectancy, and obesity rates.

The top three states overall were Massachusetts, Idaho, and New Jersey—but Massachusetts and New Jersey stood out for their health outcomes.

Massachusetts ranked first overall, thanks in large part to its health care system. It has the lowest premature death rate in the country, the fifth-lowest share of adults in poor or fair health, and a nation-leading 97.4 percent of residents with health insurance.

Public hospitals in Massachusetts are among the best in the U.S., helping residents live longer, healthier lives.

Coming in third overall, New Jersey stands out in preventive health and active living. Residents have the second-lowest premature death rate, the sixth-lowest obesity rate, and one of the highest life expectancies in the nation.

“One reason for the low obesity rate in particular is the fact that the state has the sixth-most miles of trails and the fifth-most fitness centers per capita, which gives people plenty of opportunities to stay active,” the study reads.

If you’re in the market for a move, choosing where to live is tough. And while factors like affordability and job opportunities play a role in deciding where to live, health-focused states give residents an advantage, offering a solid foundation for the future.

These States Are Redefining Healthy Living in America, Study Finds – Search

Per diem healthcare staffing platform Nursa analyzed all 50 states using metrics including pollution levels, smoking rates, hospital readmissions, and access to wellness facilities to create the first Healthy States Index. The results expose a sharp divide: while some states have built wellness ecosystems that promote long, healthy lives, others struggle with limited infrastructure and poorer health outcomes that cost residents precious years.

Stowe, Vermont (Photo by Jeffrey Clayton on Unsplash)

Vermont Leads the Way For Healthiest States

Vermont tops the rankings with a score of 8.69 out of 10, thanks to exceptional access to healthy living resources. The Green Mountain State boasts the highest concentration of healthy food stores in America — 37.95 per 100,000 residents — which is about 75% higher than the national average. Residents also enjoy some of the cleanest air in the country and relatively low smoking rates at 13.23%.

The state’s health infrastructure runs deep: 13.11 gyms per 100,000 people, 17.43 parks per 100,000 residents, and an extensive network of 31.01 walking and running routes per 100,000 people. Vermont’s hospital readmission rate of 14.51% is about average compared to other states, suggesting consistent care access for residents.

New Hamp shire claims second place with 8.43 points, featuring the cleanest air of any state (pollution score of 3.63) and strong access to both gyms and healthy food options. The state’s 78.5-year life expectancy ranks seventh nationally, supported by outdoor recreation opportunities like skiing, hiking, and kayaking that help residents stay naturally active.

Washington rounds out the top three with 8.35 points, distinguished by an extensive walking infrastructure. It ranked among the highest nationally at 73.63 routes per 100,000 people, although New Mexico actually has the highest rate at 172.71. Washington’s 1,404 total parks help residents stay active and connected to nature. The study found that the number of parks per state had a negative correlation with hospital readmission rates.

The Middle Tier Shows Different Approaches to Wellness

Maine (8.33 points) leverages its coastal geography despite having fewer gyms, compensating with the highest park concentration in America at 50.20 per 100,000 people. Utah (8.28 points) demonstrates how culture affects health, with the lowest smoking rate among top performers at just 10.14%.

Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Iowa complete the top 10, each bringing different strengths. Colorado offers 16.53 gyms per 100,000 residents, while Massachusetts achieves an impressive 79.6-year life expectancy. Maryland provides relatively strong swimming pool access compared to some other top states, though Arizona and South Carolina have the highest pool rates nationally.

Hawaii deserves special recognition despite not making the top 10: the state claims the highest life expectancy in America at 79.9 years, proving that some factors can overcome infrastructure limitations.

Louisiana Ranks as the Unhealthiest State

Louisiana ranks last with just 4.97 points, representing a health crisis across multiple measures. The state has the fewest gyms per capita — only 2.84 per 100,000 people — less than a quarter of Vermont’s rate. With smoking rates reaching 21.01% and life expectancy dropping to 72.2 years, Louisiana residents face shorter lifespans than their healthier-state counterparts.

The bottom five states — Tennessee (5.46), West Virginia (5.47), Alabama (5.76), Nevada (5.48), and Louisiana — all face combinations of environmental challenges, fewer wellness facilities, and higher hospital readmission rates.

“High hospital readmission rates strain both patient outcomes and healthcare facilities striving to meet patient care demand. As facilities work to manage fluctuating patient volumes and avoid financial penalties, they are often faced with increased pressure to scale staff up quickly and flexibly,” says Curtis Anderson, CEO of Nursa. “Managing this effectively requires flexibility and careful workforce planning.”

Why Infrastructure Determines Health Outcomes

The connection between available resources and health outcomes goes beyond individual choice. It reflects systematic access to wellness tools. States with abundant gyms, parks, and clean air consistently show higher life expectancy, while those lacking these resources see residents struggle with preventable conditions.

The smoking rate variations tell a clear story: Utah’s 10.14% rate versus Louisiana’s 21.01% reflects different cultural norms, tobacco policies, and public health initiatives built over decades. Similarly, pollution levels vary dramatically based on environmental policies that continue affecting health outcomes years later.

The eight-year life expectancy gap between Hawaii (79.9 years) and Louisiana (72.2 years) represents more than statistics — it’s lost time with family, missed career milestones, and life experiences that geography has essentially taken from residents of less healthy states.

The top-performing states offer a clear improvement blueprint: invest in parks and recreation, implement policies promoting clean air while discouraging smoking, and ensure widespread access to healthy food. Vermont’s success came from sustained commitment to environmental protection, outdoor recreation, and public health that created positive cycles where healthy infrastructure enabled healthy choices.

Disclaimer: This report summarizes findings from the Healthy States Index created by Nursa using publicly available data sources including OpenStreetMap, the EPA, and the CDC. While correlations between infrastructure and health outcomes are highlighted, individual health outcomes vary. Quotes and statistics are sourced directly from the official press releases and dataset provided by Nursa.

Methodology

Nursa researchers used U.S. OpenStreetMap data to county parks, gyms, walking routes, pools, and food stores in each state, normalizing all numbers per 100,000 residents for fair comparison. Pollution data came from the Environmental Protection Agency, while smoking rates, hospital readmission rates, and life expectancy information were gathered from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other federal sources. Each state received a score out of 10 using a percentile ranking system.

Note: The study did not publish detailed category definitions for facilities or food sources beyond the main categories reported.

This approach captures both health outcomes and the underlying infrastructure that makes healthy living possible — or difficult — for millions of Americans.

The glaring problem with this study is that it mirrors what the results would be if education and income were the only factors under consideration. In other words, Low education and income result in poor health. Nothing to do with parks or health food stores. Dumb people do dumb things and thus have shorter lives.

Btw: The Hawaiian diet is extremely unhealthy (spam, salted fish, lots of booze). One more factor is consumption of vitamin D, a known longevity and health promoting substance. Hawaii’s day-long sunshine for much of the year and the lack of outdoor pests probably account for its longevity.

WOODY14623

July 8, 2025 at 5:53 pm

I wish they would split off NYC/ Long Island cancer rates from the rest of NY when doing these types of things. Upstate NY is nothing at all like the little islands & they skew the statistics significantly.

John Surless

July 8, 2025 at 3:28 pm

The study missed one major (and if you listen to healthcare professionals looking for more money) factor: RACE and DEMOGRAPHICS. The top five states have the lowest percentage of minorities of all the states.

TalonF

July 8, 2025 at 9:11 pm

Idk about that. Lookin at the map they present, CA and NY both rank pretty high despite having many minorities.

How on Earth did “Study Finds” miss that?
Worried that the truth might be upsetting?

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