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The 10 unhappiest states in the US, ranked

Talia Lakritz   

The 10 unhappiest states in the US, ranked
West Virginia was found to be the unhappiest state in the US according to WalletHub's ranking.Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
  • WalletHub released a report ranking the happiest states in the US.
  • States were ranked across 30 metrics including unemployment rates, mental health, and commute times.

The personal-finance website WalletHub released a 2023 report ranking the happiest states in the US according to 30 metrics across three categories: emotional and physical well-being, work environment, and community and environment.

By examining factors such as life expectancy, unemployment numbers, depression rates, and safety, WalletHub scored each state to determine its level of happiness.

These 10 states earned the lowest scores in WalletHub's ranking.

10. Oklahoma

10. Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.      Marcus Elwell/Getty Images

WalletHub ranked Oklahoma 46th in emotional and physical well-being and 43rd in work environment, but its community and environment ranked higher, in fourth place. Oklahoma's income growth was also the fifth-lowest in the US, according to the study.

9. New Mexico

9. New Mexico
Santa Fe, New Mexico.      Jimack/shutterstock

New Mexico had the fourth-highest suicide rate, the fifth-lowest volunteer rate (tied with Hawaii), and the highest divorce rate in the US.

The state's emotional and physical well-being was ranked 43rd overall. It placed 45th in work environment and 17th in community and environment.

8. Alaska

8. Alaska
Juneau, Alaska.      Tim Hancock/Shutterstock

Workers in Alaska work more hours than any other state, yet it also features the lowest income growth, contributing to its ranking as 48th in work environment.

The state was also ranked 36th in emotional and physical well-being and 47th in community and environment.

7. Mississippi

7. Mississippi
Jackson, Mississippi.      Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

Mississippi featured the second-lowest safety ranking and the fourth-highest divorce rate. It ranked 42nd in emotional and physical well-being, 47th in work environment, and 41st in community and environment.

6. Alabama

6. Alabama
Huntsville, Alabama.      RobHainer/Getty Images

Alabama was ranked 44th in emotional and physical well-being and work environment, and 42nd in community and environment. It featured the third-lowest adequate-sleep rate, the second-lowest sports-participation rate, and the fifth-lowest safety ranking out of all the states.

5. Kentucky

5. Kentucky
Frankfort, Kentucky.      Sean Pavone/Getty Images

Kentucky featured the second-highest rate of adult depression and the fourth-lowest adequate-sleep rate, contributing to its ranking as 47th in emotional and physical well-being. It placed 41st in work environment and 26th in community and environment.

4. Arkansas

4. Arkansas
Hot Springs, Arkansas.      Sean Pavone/Getty Images

Arkansas was ranked 49th in emotional and physical well-being, 42nd in work environment, and 18th in community and environment. WalletHub reported it had the fifth-highest rate of adult depression, the fourth-lowest sports-participation rate, and the third-lowest safety ranking.

3. Tennessee

3. Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee.      Connor D. Ryan/Shutterstock

Tennessee earned rankings of 45th in emotional and physical well-being, 38th in work environment, and 49th in community and environment. It had the fourth-highest rate of adult depression among all states.

2. Louisiana

2. Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana.      John Coletti/Getty Images

Louisiana's safety ranking was the lowest of any state, according to the WalletHub report. It also featured the third-highest divorce rate, the fifth-lowest sports-participation rate, and the fifth-highest number of mean work hours. Overall, it earned rankings of 48th in emotional and physical well-being, 49th in work environment, and 43rd in community and environment.

1. West Virginia

1. West Virginia
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.      Ali Majdfar/Getty Images

West Virginia had the highest rate of adult depression and the lowest adequate sleep rate of any state, putting it last in emotional and physical well-being. It also ranked 50th in work environment. Its community and environment ranking was 33rd.

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