The Happiest Cities – The Not So Happiest – And Why!

Check out this Harris poll survey of U.S. adults living in the 10 largest American cities. The poll reveals that the happiest folks of all live in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas where 38 percent describe themselves “very happy.” People in San Francisco are the least happy of the 10 cities polled, with only 28 percent saying they are “very happy.” Below are the Happiness results measured by city:

Who’s Happy, Who’s Not–And Why

1. Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas: 38 percent “very happy”

Why they are happy: People who live here are most likely to say their spiritual beliefs are a positive guiding force to them (75 percent) and that they rarely worry about their health (59 percent), as well as being among the least likely to feel their voices are not heard in national decisions that affect them (67 percent).

2. Houston, Texas: 36 percent “very happy”
Why they are happy: Like their Dallas/Fort Worth neighbors, Houston residents are among those most likely to say their spiritual beliefs are a positive guiding force to them (79 percent) and among the least likely to feel their voices are not heard in national decisions that affect them (67 percent).

3. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: 34 percent “very happy” (tie)
Why they are happy: Those in the city of brotherly love are among the most likely to say their relationships with friends bring them happiness (92 percent) and they’re generally happy with their lives at this time (86 percent), while being the least likely by far to agree that they won’t get much benefit from the things they do anytime soon (24 percent).

3. Atlanta, Georgia: 34 percent “very happy” (tie)
Why they are happy: Atlanta residents are among those most likely to agree that they are optimistic about the future (81 percent) and that their spiritual beliefs are a positive guiding force to them (77 percent), as well as being among the least likely to feel their voices are not heard in national decisions that affect them (67 percent).

5. Los Angeles, California: 33 percent “very happy” (tie)
Why they are happy: Angelenos are the group least likely to agree that their work is frustrating (32 percent) and are among those least likely to agree that they rarely engage in hobbies and pastimes they enjoy (28 percent).

5. New York City Metro Area: 33 percent “very happy” (tie)
Why they are happy: New Yorkers are among those most likely to say they rarely worry about their health (57 percent), but also they are among those most likely to feel their voices are not heard in national decisions which affect them (73 percent), to frequently worry about their financial situations (67 percent) and to find their work frustrating (41 percent).

5. Washington, D.C.: 33 percent “very happy” (tie)
Why they are happy: The District of Columbia is home to many highs and lows. Residents say their relationships with friends bring them happiness (94 percent), they have positive relationships with their family members (91 percent) and they’re generally happy with their lives at this time (85 percent). They are also among the least likely to frequently worry about their financial situation (56 percent). However, District residents are also less likely than those in other major markets to feel optimistic about the future (70 percent), among those most likely to find their work frustrating (40 percent) and to say they won’t get much benefit from the things they do anytime soon (39 percent).

8. Chicago, Illinois: 32 percent “very happy”
Why they are happy: Chicagoans are among those least likely to agree that their voices are not heard in national decisions that affect them (67 percent) and least likely to say they rarely engage in hobbies and pastimes they enjoy (27 percent).

9. Boston, Massachusetts: 31 percent “very happy”
Why they are happy: On the up side, Bostonians are among those least likely to frequently worry about their financial situation (56 percent); however, on the down side, they are among those least likely to feel their spiritual beliefs are a positive guiding force to them (60 percent) and to agree that they rarely worry about their health (46 percent).

10. San Francisco, California: 28 percent “very happy”
Why they are happy: Bay area residents are among those most optimistic about the future (79 percent), but they have plenty of negative attitudes as well. San Franciscans are among the least likely to feel their spiritual beliefs are a positive guiding force to them (60 percent) and to say they rarely worry about their health (46 percent).