Illinois and Wisconsin Cities Ranked Among Happiest in America

Turns out, happiness isn't just for sunny beaches and palm trees—it’s right here in the Midwest too! Believe it or not, both Illinois and Wisconsin have cities that made the cut on the 2024 "Happiest Cities in America" list. So, while we may deal with polar vortexes and cheese curd overloads, there's still plenty to smile about in our neck of the woods. Let's dive into what makes our Midwest charm unbeatable when it comes to living the good life.

MORE: The 5 'Must-Try' Chicago Hot Dog Experiences In Illinois

Happiest Cities in America

Spoiler Alert: Happiness Is Now a Math Problem

Happiness isn’t something you just feel anymore. Nope, it's been boiled down to a neat little number by the folks at Hims in 2024. So grab a calculator, because we’re about to figure out why some cities are living in eternal sunshine while others are… well, Tampa.

San Diego, home of beaches, tacos, and a general “we don’t even have winter” vibe, took the top spot in the “Who’s the Happiest?” rankings.

Apparently, 82% of residents are floating around rating their happiness at a 4 or 5 on a scale of 1 to “life is amazing.” Meanwhile, the rest of the country limps along with a national average of 65.5%. Talk about setting the bar high, San Diego.

New Orleans and Albuquerque made the podium too, because who wouldn’t be happy in a city with beignets or… whatever it is people in Albuquerque enjoy besides desert vibes and wide-open spaces?

But wait, here’s the twist: the next cities on the list aren’t the tropical paradises you’d expect. Nope, we’re talking about Minneapolis, Omaha, and Seattle. Yes, Minneapolis, where “frigid” is a season, and Seattle, where locals basically have gills because it rains so much.

Next up on the Happiest list:

Chicago, IL 76%

and, Milwaukee, WI at 75%

Hims looked at things like money, pets, and commutes to explain all this, but the takeaway? Happiness, like the meaning of life, remains an unsolved mystery—unless you live in San Diego, apparently.

MORE: Romantic Weekends Are Best Spent In This Wisconsin Town