Houston dubbed one of many “unhappiest” cities in U.S., once more

Houston is continuous a dismal streak of being labeled as one of many “unhappiest” cities within the nation for the second 12 months in a row. Town has sank to the underside in private finance web site WalletHub’s new record of the “Happiest Cities in America (2025).”

WalletHub yearly ranks 182 of probably the most populous U.S. cities primarily based on 29 metrics, categorized by every metropolis’s emotional and bodily well-being; revenue and employment; and neighborhood and setting.

Houston ranked because the No. 151 happiest metropolis nationwide out of all 182 U.S. cities within the report.

The highest three happiest cities on the record are all situated in California: Fremont (No. 1), San Jose (No. 2), and Irvine (No. 3), adopted by Sioux Falls, South Dakota at No. 4, and Overland Park, Kansas at No. 5.

Houston’s status as a depressing metropolis is effectively established: It was named the No. 81 happiest metropolis in America in a separate 2024 report by SmartAsset (that solely analyzed 90 U.S. cities).

This is how WalletHub broke down Houston’s rating among the many three main classes:

• No. 128 – Emotional and bodily well-being rank
• No. 152 – Earnings and employment rank
• No. 170 – Group and setting rank

The U.S. Census Bureau says Houston households make a median revenue of $62,894 yearly, which can be a trigger for distress amongst many residents. However analysis says cash would not assure happiness: People making greater than $75,000 a 12 months aren’t more likely to be any happier than those that aren’t.

Monetary stability can result in extra flexibility in the case of an individual’s way of life decisions, however it’s not the one issue that contributes to somebody’s happiness, the report says.

“Due to this fact, when deciding the place to reside to maximise your happiness, you’ll wish to choose a metropolis that provides greater than only a respectable common revenue,” WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “The best metropolis supplies situations that foster good psychological and bodily well being, like cheap work hours, brief commutes, good climate, and caring neighbors.”

There’s a lot extra to Houston’s happiness that may’t be outlined by a group of rankings. Town has the help from its many hometown hero celebrities, the colourful restaurant scene is continually innovating to carry new eating ideas to residents, and there is loads of hometown leisure taking place all year long.

Different joyful cities in Texas
Plano was dubbed the No. 1 happiest Texas metropolis, and ranked No. 20 general. Austin appeared in second place statewide however No. 59 nationally. However on the whole, Texas cities aren’t very joyful.