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# Want to Increase Your Chance of Being Happy? Live in These States
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/happy_states_0901100925/
- Published: 2010-01-09T09:25:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T18:45:52.000Z
- Description: A CDC survey of 1.3 million people ranked Louisiana, Hawaii, Florida, Tennessee and Arizona the happiest states and New York the least happy. Researchers found high-scoring states also rate well on climate, crime rates, air quality and schools. Mercola credits sun exposure too.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Environment, Health News, #vivvo-import

Posted by: [Dr. Mercola](http://articles.mercola.com/members/Dr.-Mercola/default.aspx?ref=foodconsumer.org)  
January 09 2010

![happy](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f5/c2/f5c28c07-f2c7-440d-8161-125a09d9bc91/content/images/2026/08/c3269b2bdef59b62801a5699604ce41ce21e0250.jpg)

People in sunny, outdoorsy states, like Louisiana, Hawaii, and Florida, say they're the happiest Americans, and researchers think they know why.

A new study comparing self-described pleasant feelings with objective measures of good living found that people in such states generally have reason to be happy.

The places where people are most likely to report happiness also tend to rate high on studies comparing factors such as climate, crime rates, air quality and schools.

The happiness ratings were based on a survey of 1.3 million people across the country by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It used data collected over four years that included a question asking people how satisfied they are with their lives.

The happiest states were Louisiana, Hawaii, Florida, Tennessee, and Arizona. The least happy state was New York.

Of course, it could also be that those in southern states are enjoying some of the powerful [mood-boosting effects of regular sun exposure](http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/08/30/how-sunlight-can-improve-your-mental-health.aspx?ref=foodconsumer.org) … a key factor to health and happiness you can [learn more about here](http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/12/16/my-one-hour-vitamin-d-lecture-to-clear-up-all-your-confusion-on-this-vital-nutrient.aspx?ref=foodconsumer.org).

  
Sources:

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f5/c2/f5c28c07-f2c7-440d-8161-125a09d9bc91/content/images/2026/08/ad07fcc2c1b88ea962a7acfb617d9fce0d5472f0.gif)

[Forbes December 18, 2009](http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/12/18/science-us-sci-who-apos-s-happy-out-there%5F7223712.html?ref=foodconsumer.org)  

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f5/c2/f5c28c07-f2c7-440d-8161-125a09d9bc91/content/images/2026/08/ad07fcc2c1b88ea962a7acfb617d9fce0d5472f0.gif)

[USA Today December 18, 2009](http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-12-18-happiest-states%5FN.htm?loc=interstitialskip&ref=foodconsumer.org)