Last year, the winner was Lincoln, Nebraska (who would have thought?), but this year's title goes to Provo-Orem, Utah. The nation's happiest cities are concentrated in the northeast (thriving job markets), northwest (abundant coffee and nature) and California (enough said).
In statewide measures, the states you might think are the happiest are not. New York, with all its riches, foodie havens and sparkling skyscrapers, ranked in one of the lowest spots. Some of the happiest states are surprises, like Montana, Minnesota and the Dakotas. The unhappiest states are concentrated in the southeast, perhaps where poverty and racial segregation are still issues. Download the full report from Healthways here.
The top 10 cities for overall well-being:
1. Provo-Orem, Utah
2. Boulder, Colo.
3. Fort Collins-Loveland, Colo.
4. Honolulu
5. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif.
6. Ann Arbor, Mich.
7. Naples-Marco Island, Fla.
8. San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, Calif.
9. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, Calif.
10. Lincoln, Neb.
The bottom 10 communities for overall well-being :
180. Evansville, Ind.-Ky.
181. Mobile, Ala.
182. Shreveport-Bossier City, La.
183. Columbus, Ga., Ala.
184. Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas
185. Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, N.C.
186. Spartanburg, S.C.
187. Redding, Calif.
188. Charleston, W.Va.
189. Huntington-Ashland, W.Va.-Ky.-Ohio
