In the United States Declaration of Independence, the pursuit of happiness is considered an inalienable right of all Americans. But finding happiness and fulfillment is no easy feat, and the likelihood of doing so can vary a great deal depending on your place of residence.

The odds of finding happiness is measured annually by the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index, which polls more than 350,000 people across nearly 200 metropolitan areas. The index measures whether individuals feel a sense of purpose, have supportive relationships, are financially secure, satisfied with their community, and are in good physical health.

Well-being in the United States reached a low point last year. In an interview with 24/7 Wall St., Dan Witters, research director of the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index, said “[This] is the first time that we’ve had such substantial drops across much of the country in well-being.” Not since the recession year of 2009 had there been such declines in well-being. While well-being improved in four states in 2009, no state improved last year.

The picture is more nuanced within states, where there are plenty of communities that — while not reporting record-breaking improvements — remain home to some of the nation’s most contented residents.

Across the dozens of questions used to gauge the general well-being of Americans, several stand out as the most basic measures of well-being. Liking what you do on a day-to-day basis is one such measure. Approximately three in four people nationwide agree they are doing something they like everyday. Even a higher share of adults like what they do in all but two of the top 25 metro areas. Such a sense of purpose is considerably lower in low well-being areas.

For the social aspect of well-being the Gallup-Sharecare poll asked whether or not your friends and family give you positive energy and support on a regular basis. Such social connections are critical to happiness, said Witters. Nationwide, approximately 75% of adults report such strong social connections. The share is higher in 18 of the 25 happiest cities, and in seven of them it is greater than 80%.

Financial stability and money management are also important to well-being. Gallup asked respondents whether they have enough money to do everything they want to do. In 22 of the 25 happiest cities, the share of residents who report having enough money is larger than the 43% of Americans who report such financial security. The opposite is generally true in low well-being cities.

Click here to see the happiest cities in America.
Click here to see the most miserable cities in America.
Click here to see our detailed findings and methodology.

Happiest Cities in America

25. Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL
> You like what you do every day: 75.8% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 77.2% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 45.7% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 66.5% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 68.8% agree
> Median household income: $58,624
> Violent crime rate: 382.4 per 100,000 people

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24. Kennewick-Richland, WA
> You like what you do every day: 79.5% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 77.2% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 46.0% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 65.9% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 70.5% agree
> Median household income: $61,021
> Violent crime rate: 193.2 per 100,000 people

23. Visalia-Porterville, CA
> You like what you do every day: 79.8% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 81.8% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 39.5% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 63.9% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 75.8% agree
> Median household income: $45,881
> Violent crime rate: 352.9 per 100,000 people

22. Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
> You like what you do every day: 78.0% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 73.9% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 44.8% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 70.6% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 70.0% agree
> Median household income: $52,909
> Violent crime rate: 355.4 per 100,000 people

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21. Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
> You like what you do every day: 78.4% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 80.1% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 47.3% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 66.7% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 66.3% agree
> Median household income: $56,182
> Violent crime rate: N/A

20. San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
> You like what you do every day: 78.4% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 77.2% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 46.6% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 73.0% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 70.1% agree
> Median household income: $70,824
> Violent crime rate: 330.4 per 100,000 people

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19. Asheville, NC
> You like what you do every day: 78.1% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 74.6% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 44.1% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 75.2% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 69.2% agree
> Median household income: $50,541
> Violent crime rate: 240.4 per 100,000 people

18. Urban Honolulu, HI
> You like what you do every day: 82.2% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 76.4% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 51.2% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 73.7% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 70.0% agree
> Median household income: $80,513
> Violent crime rate: 334.6 per 100,000 people

17. Lancaster, PA
> You like what you do every day: 80.1% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 78.0% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 44.7% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 69.6% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 70.2% agree
> Median household income: $61,335
> Violent crime rate: 175.3 per 100,000 people

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16. Portland-South Portland, ME
> You like what you do every day: 76.8% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 80.8% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 46.6% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 73.2% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 70.6% agree
> Median household income: $63,422
> Violent crime rate: 134.3 per 100,000 people

15. El Paso, TX
> You like what you do every day: 77.6% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 81.7% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 40.6% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 66.6% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 71.6% agree
> Median household income: $42,116
> Violent crime rate: 365.4 per 100,000 people

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14. Fort Collins, CO
> You like what you do every day: 73.4% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 80.1% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 44.1% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 77.5% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 73.4% agree
> Median household income: $66,469
> Violent crime rate: 209.1 per 100,000 people

13. Salinas, CA
> You like what you do every day: 85.3% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 78.2% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 45.5% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 68.4% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 76.4% agree
> Median household income: $63,876
> Violent crime rate: 419.3 per 100,000 people

12. Ann Arbor, MI
> You like what you do every day: 80.3% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 77.5% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 52.5% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 77.3% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 68.1% agree
> Median household income: $65,601
> Violent crime rate: 317.3 per 100,000 people

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11. Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
> You like what you do every day: 77.6% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 79.4% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 45.8% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 71.7% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 67.4% agree
> Median household income: $67,436
> Violent crime rate: 342.4 per 100,000 people

10. San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA
> You like what you do every day: 77.6% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 77.9% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 46.9% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 75.9% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 70.8% agree
> Median household income: $70,564
> Violent crime rate: 395.6 per 100,000 people

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9. Prescott, AZ
> You like what you do every day: 79.4% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 76.4% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 42.5% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 74.6% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 71.1% agree
> Median household income: $50,420
> Violent crime rate: 290.2 per 100,000 people

8. Santa Rosa, CA
> You like what you do every day: 78.3% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 75.0% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 47.9% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 75.4% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 71.5% agree
> Median household income: $73,929
> Violent crime rate: 371.9 per 100,000 people

7. North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL
> You like what you do every day: 78.4% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 75.2% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 51.9% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 71.6% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 69.3% agree
> Median household income: $53,625
> Violent crime rate: 341.4 per 100,000 people

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6. Lynchburg, VA
> You like what you do every day: 80.9% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 75.1% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 43.7% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 74.3% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 72.6% agree
> Median household income: $48,530
> Violent crime rate: 203.9 per 100,000 people

5. Charlottesville, VA
> You like what you do every day: 76.0% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 75.2% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 46.8% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 74.4% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 69.8% agree
> Median household income: $62,523
> Violent crime rate: 198.4 per 100,000 people

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4. Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
> You like what you do every day: 79.7% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 74.1% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 47.5% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 76.9% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 66.2% agree
> Median household income: $77,613
> Violent crime rate: 401.1 per 100,000 people

3. Boulder, CO
> You like what you do every day: 76.8% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 78.5% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 51.5% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 77.7% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 73.3% agree
> Median household income: $74,615
> Violent crime rate: 236.3 per 100,000 people

2. Barnstable Town, MA
> You like what you do every day: 81.9% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 82.6% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 54.3% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 80.0% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 77.6% agree
> Median household income: $67,898
> Violent crime rate: N/A

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1. Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL
> You like what you do every day: 86.1% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 82.8% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 48.9% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 77.8% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 74.2% agree
> Median household income: $61,228
> Violent crime rate: 263.3 per 100,000 people

Most Miserable Cities in America

25. Shreveport-Bossier City, LA
> You like what you do every day: 74.9% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 76.1% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 36.6% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 54.4% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 66.8% agree
> Median household income: $40,445
> Violent crime rate: 650.9 per 100,000 people

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24. New Orleans-Metairie, LA
> You like what you do every day: 73.7% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 74.1% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 36.2% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 55.8% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 64.8% agree
> Median household income: $48,804
> Violent crime rate: 558.8 per 100,000 people

23. Killeen-Temple, TX
> You like what you do every day: 75.6% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 73.0% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 40.1% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 52.3% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 73.3% agree
> Median household income: $52,202
> Violent crime rate: 386.9 per 100,000 people

22. Scranton–Wilkes-Barre–Hazleton, PA
> You like what you do every day: 73.7% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 74.8% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 43.7% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 53.2% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 65.7% agree
> Median household income: $47,422
> Violent crime rate: N/A

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21. Columbia, SC
> You like what you do every day: 71.8% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 73.9% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 35.6% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 56.9% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 63.3% agree
> Median household income: $52,247
> Violent crime rate: 589.5 per 100,000 people

20. Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA
> You like what you do every day: 69.9% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 74.0% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 37.1% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 57.9% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 64.2% agree
> Median household income: $44,981
> Violent crime rate: N/A

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19. Montgomery, AL
> You like what you do every day: 72.1% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 76.2% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 37.9% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 52.7% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 68.3% agree
> Median household income: $47,265
> Violent crime rate: 471.7 per 100,000 people

18. Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH
> You like what you do every day: 72.3% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 76.1% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 37.4% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 53.2% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 65.4% agree
> Median household income: $42,420
> Violent crime rate: N/A

17. Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ
> You like what you do every day: 74.7% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 75.3% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 36.9% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 61.4% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 56.9% agree
> Median household income: $42,423
> Violent crime rate: N/A

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16. Bakersfield, CA
> You like what you do every day: 74.2% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 73.5% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 36.6% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 50.7% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 64.0% agree
> Median household income: $49,903
> Violent crime rate: 579.8 per 100,000 people

15. Roanoke, VA
> You like what you do every day: 73.9% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 68.6% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 39.0% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 64.5% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 61.1% agree
> Median household income: $50,551
> Violent crime rate: 243.0 per 100,000 people

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14. Oklahoma City, OK
> You like what you do every day: 72.7% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 73.6% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 38.9% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 58.4% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 61.1% agree
> Median household income: $55,065
> Violent crime rate: 490.8 per 100,000 people

13. Medford, OR
> You like what you do every day: 71.6% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 75.2% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 39.2% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 64.3% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 64.1% agree
> Median household income: $48,563
> Violent crime rate: 357.8 per 100,000 people

12. Tulsa, OK
> You like what you do every day: 76.3% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 71.6% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 36.5% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 60.1% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 66.2% agree
> Median household income: $51,623
> Violent crime rate: 588.9 per 100,000 people

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11. Memphis, TN-MS-AR
> You like what you do every day: 72.5% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 75.5% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 38.9% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 50.4% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 64.0% agree
> Median household income: $49,809
> Violent crime rate: 1,082.1 per 100,000 people

10. Flint, MI
> You like what you do every day: 74.5% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 74.8% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 42.5% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 55.5% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 67.6% agree
> Median household income: $43,955
> Violent crime rate: 628.1 per 100,000 people

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9. Rockford, IL
> You like what you do every day: 75.7% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 77.1% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 50.0% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 47.7% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 69.9% agree
> Median household income: $50,324
> Violent crime rate: 871.3 per 100,000 people

8. Fayetteville, NC
> You like what you do every day: 67.6% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 75.3% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 39.7% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 44.5% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 67.5% agree
> Median household income: $45,293
> Violent crime rate: 523.8 per 100,000 people

7. Erie, PA
> You like what you do every day: 72.6% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 70.9% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 41.3% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 51.6% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 62.9% agree
> Median household income: $48,964
> Violent crime rate: 214.7 per 100,000 people

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6. South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI
> You like what you do every day: 72.7% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 71.3% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 36.8% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 47.6% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 58.2% agree
> Median household income: $49,117
> Violent crime rate: 463.2 per 100,000 people

5. Binghamton, NY
> You like what you do every day: 66.2% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 71.3% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 48.8% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 43.5% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 60.0% agree
> Median household income: $51,360
> Violent crime rate: 289.3 per 100,000 people

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4. Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
> You like what you do every day: 67.7% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 72.6% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 36.0% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 64.8% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 60.9% agree
> Median household income: $42,572
> Violent crime rate: N/A

3. Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS
> You like what you do every day: 67.9% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 71.6% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 33.3% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 58.6% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 66.5% agree
> Median household income: $46,434
> Violent crime rate: N/A

2. Canton-Massillon, OH
> You like what you do every day: 69.2% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 68.0% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 33.4% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 54.5% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 64.9% agree
> Median household income: $50,811
> Violent crime rate: N/A

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1. Fort Smith, AR-OK
> You like what you do every day: 72.1% agree
> Your friends and family give you positive energy every day: 72.6% agree
> You have enough money to do everything you want to do: 35.9% agree
> The area where you live is a perfect place for you: 58.8% agree
> In the last 7 days you’ve felt active and productive every day: 62.6% agree
> Median household income: $40,970
> Violent crime rate: 497.6 per 100,000 people

Detailed Findings & Methodology

While the ability to do everything one wants to do intuitively should improve with income, it is not necessarily the case. “[We] find a lot of people that will strongly agree with that statement in low income bands. They have a budget, they stick to it, and they live within their means,” Witters said.

It seems that higher income tends to contribute to higher well-being. Median household incomes in a majority of the 25 highest well-being metro areas are well above the national median of $55,617 a year, while a majority of low well-being cities report lower incomes.

In most of the 25 happiest cities, residents report healthy behaviors and generally better health outcomes. By contrast, residents of low well-being areas tend to report relatively poor health behaviors and outcomes. When asked if in the last week they have felt active and productive every day, around two-thirds of Americans replied affirmatively. A greater share of adults agreed in 22 of the 25 happiest cities.

All of these well-being metrics are higher for Americans 55 and older. And while significant numbers of metro areas on both ends of the index report high shares of elderly residents, retirement communities are clustered at the top, including Naples, Florida, which has remained in the No. 1 position for three consecutive years.

Witters explained that for older Americans, while physical health inevitably worsens in some respects, diets tend to improve, chronic conditions tend to improve, older individuals are much less likely to be obese, and they smoke less than younger cohorts. Also, with hangups like vanity long gone, Witters noted, older Americans are also more likely to feel good about their physical appearance. “You just kind of feel more comfortable in your own skin,” he said.

To determine the happiest and most miserable cities, 24/7 Wall St. used the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. Gallup’s results are based on some 354,500 telephone interviews conducted nationwide between January 2017 and December 2017. Gallup only reports the results for metropolitan areas in which at least 300 interviews were completed. 24/7 Wall St. supplemented Gallup’s response-based data with several socioeconomic, health, and crime data. Income and poverty statistics came from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2016 American Community Survey (ACS). Violent crime rates came from the FBI’s 2016 Crime in the U.S. report. All other data were aggregated from the county level using 2017 data from County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a joint program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.

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