Bun B’s rodeo bonanza tops our 5 hottest tales

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 listing of the “Happiest Cities in America (2025).”

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

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 listing are all positioned 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 fame as a depressing metropolis is properly 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).

Here 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 atmosphere rank

The U.S. Census Bureau says Houston households make a median earnings of $62,894 yearly, which can be a trigger for distress amongst many residents. However analysis says cash does 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 with regards to an individual’s life-style decisions, nevertheless it’s not the one issue that contributes to somebody’s happiness, the report says.

“Subsequently, when deciding the place to dwell to maximise your happiness, you’ll wish to choose a metropolis that provides greater than only a respectable common earnings,” WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “The best metropolis gives circumstances that foster good psychological and bodily well being, like affordable 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 set of rankings. Town has the assist from its many hometown hero celebrities, the colourful restaurant scene is consistently innovating to carry new eating ideas to residents, and there is loads of hometown leisure occurring all year long.

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