Vermont has demonstrated measurable progress in national well-being, rising seven places in WalletHub’s 2026 Happiest States in America study to claim the No. 22 spot overall. While the Green Mountain State showed marked improvement from its previous ranking, it ultimately finished outside the nation's top 10 happiest states.
The comprehensive annual evaluation from the personal finance platform evaluated all 50 states using a multi-dimensional framework. The researchers assessed jurisdictions across various core domains, including emotional and physical well-being, the quality of work environments, financial stability, and community life.
Vermont's placement at No. 22 represents a notable upward climb compared to its performance in 2025, when the state was positioned at No. 29. This year-over-year jump highlights positive shifts across multiple quality-of-life metrics, even as other regional and national peers outpaced the state in aggregate scoring.
At the very top of the national standings, Hawaii secured the No. 1 position as the happiest state in the country. Following closely behind were New Jersey at No. 2, Utah at No. 3, Idaho at No. 4, and Maryland at No. 5, completing the study’s upper tier.
The remainder of the top 10 featured Nebraska in sixth place, Connecticut in seventh, Minnesota in eighth, and California in ninth. New Hampshire, Vermont's neighboring New England state, rounded out the top tier by securing the No. 10 spot on the list.
The annual findings arrived during a period in which many residents across the country continue to grapple with broader economic uncertainty. Referencing data from Gallup, the study pointed out that only 44% of Americans currently report feeling "very satisfied" with their lives, illustrating how heavily health, career conditions, relationships, and financial security influence collective contentment.
A detailed examination of the report's subcategories reveals sharp contrasts in how Vermont scored across different aspects of everyday life. The state performed exceptionally well in social and occupational categories, capturing No. 7 nationwide for community and environment and No. 9 for its overall work environment.
Vermont distinguished itself by securing the No. 1 rank across several individual health and lifestyle metrics. The state placed first in the nation for its adequate-sleep rate, first for its sports participation rate, and first overall for safety, underscoring an active, secure, and restful environment for its residents.
The state's labor force conditions also contributed favorably to its overall placement. Vermont registered the second-fewest mean work hours in the country and tied with South Dakota, Hawaii, and Montana for the second-lowest rate of long-term unemployment.
Despite these notable strengths, Vermont was held back from a top-tier finish due to lower scores in core wellness metrics. The state ranked No. 31 in the emotional and physical well-being subcategory, pointing to ongoing hurdles in mental and bodily health outcomes relative to the rest of the nation.
On the total leaderboard, Vermont settled directly behind Florida, which captured the No. 21 ranking, and positioned itself immediately ahead of Kansas at No. 23. The state’s middle-tier placement places it securely in the top half of the country, despite falling short of the elite top 10.
Demographically, Vermont stands as one of the country's smaller states, with an estimated population of 644,600 as of July 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The state includes well-known communities such as Burlington, Montpelier, and Stowe, and contains roughly 273,400 households with an average of 2.28 persons per household.
Economic benchmarks from the U.S. Census Bureau further show that Vermont maintained a median household income of $81,203 between 2020 and 2024. These financial metrics provide important context regarding the baseline economic resources available to households across the state.
WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo provided perspective on the broader factors separating high-ranking states from the rest of the country. Lupo explained that the happiest states consistently deliver an above-average quality of life across multiple areas, ranging from strong economies and robust physical and mental healthcare systems to ample leisure time and favorable climate conditions.
Lupo also highlighted the complex relationship between financial resources and genuine satisfaction. While acknowledging the traditional belief that money cannot buy happiness, he emphasized that sufficient financial security to live comfortably remains vital, though additional income beyond that point rarely enhances happiness as effectively as fulfilling hobbies, personal connections, and avenues for personal development.
Across the complete 50-state roster, the report illustrated wide regional divides, ending with West Virginia at No. 50, preceded by Louisiana at No. 49 and Arkansas at No. 48. As the national dialogue continues surrounding work-life balance and community wellness, Vermont's rise to 22nd demonstrates strong foundation stones in safety and recreation alongside opportunities for broader well-being gains.
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