Nevada 32nd in National Happiness Ranking
Nevada ranks 32nd in a 2026 happiest-states study. WalletHub scored all 50 states on 30 measures of health, work, income, and community. Nevada’s overall score is 48.39.
Hawaii finished first at 69.53. New Jersey was second at 67.09. Utah was third at 66.45. West Virginia finished last at 31.88, ahead of only Louisiana at 34.49 and Arkansas at 38.44.
WalletHub weights emotional and physical well-being at half the score. Work environment and community and environment each count as one quarter. That mix explains Nevada’s split. The state placed 5th in community and environment, which includes weather, leisure time, and safety. It placed 37th in emotional and physical well-being and 39th in work environment. The work measures include jobless rates, underemployment, hours, commutes, and financial anxiety. The health measures include depression, suicide, sleep, and food insecurity.
Among nearby states, Utah is 3rd, Idaho 4th, California 9th, and Arizona 17th.
WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said the highest-ranked states combine a stronger economy with better physical and mental health, leisure time, and weather. Gallup found that 44% of Americans are very satisfied with their personal lives, a figure WalletHub cited in its happiest-states report.
Nevada’s high leisure rank did not offset its weaker work and health ranks. That is why the state sits at 32.
