New York City Named Happiest City in the US

New York City ranked 17th globally in the annual Happy City Index, making it the highest-ranking U.S. city. The Big Apple scored well in categories such as economic performance, education and digital skills, and transportation and mobility.

Hoping to add a bit more joy to your life? You might want to consider moving to New York City (or at least visiting for a couple of days). According to the Institute for Quality of Life, which releases its Happy City Index each year, the Big Apple is the happiest city in the U.S.

While the organization acknowledges that the concept of happiness is subjective, it explains that it ranks cities that are “committed to cultivating and growing happiness.” The destinations are analyzed using 82 indicators, such as housing affordability, renewable energy resources, and GDP per person. Interviews with residents were also conducted to determine the final ranking.

The report noted that New York City scored high in several categories, including economic performance, education, and mobility.

“With a staggering budget of 187.18 billion GBP in 2024, the city accounts for 2.6 percent of the U.S. population and continues to be a driving force in the nation’s economy, boasting a GDP per capita of 67,742 GBP and a robust growth rate of 2.9 percent,” the report stated. Describing NYC as an “intellectual and technological powerhouse,” it also shared that New Yorkers value education, digital skills are “widespread,” and the city has a high number of patents (10.02 patents per 10,000 residents).

New York's transportation system also performed well. Per the report: “New York’s transport infrastructure is vast and complex, supporting millions of daily commuters. With a green mobility share of 40 percent, the city continues to expand its sustainable transport options. An intelligent traffic management system optimizes movement, while digital payment options streamline public transport access.”

That said, a survey from the Citizens Budget Commission found that only 30 percent of New Yorkers are happy with their quality of life in the city.

New York City ranked No. 17 on the overall list, trailing a number of European and Asian cities. Copenhagen snagged the top spot, with Zurich, Switzerland; Singapore; and Aarhus, Denmark, following close behind. The second-highest ranking U.S. city was Minneapolis, Minnesota (No. 30).

Discover the full rankings and data for each city at happy-city-index.com.