The top 10 U.S. states for well-being are Minnesota, New Hampshire, Iowa, Vermont, Massachusetts, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin, North Dakota and Utah

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/06/opinion/happiness-trust-americans-states.html?unlocked_article_code=1.oFA.aZe_.nZz0j24OGjXw

26 points · 9 comments · view on lemmy.world

9 Comments

Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world · 30 pts · 90d (2 replies)

I'm guessing Utah is only there because Mormons aren't allowed to admit when they are unwell.

HeHoXa@lemmy.zip · 12 pts · 90d

10,000% chance they are fudging numbers.

The church approved population is doing very well. The rest are not measured / severely misrepresented.

PerogiBoi@lemmy.ca · 7 pts · 90d

Everything I know about Mormons has been taught to me by Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. What a joyous, wholesome, and healthy group of individuals!

joeljoelle@piefed.blahaj.zone · 14 pts · 90d (2 replies)

I'm from WI, people here just have their head in the ground. KInd of always have, it's the midwest nice. It's actually quite disturbing when you observe it, people are nice to each other but don't give a shit about each other at the same time. They are nice if you are exactly like them mostly.

negativenull@piefed.world · 6 pts · 90d (1 reply)

Nice, but not kind.

Fits Utah as well

joeljoelle@piefed.blahaj.zone · 4 pts · 90d

Ah yes that's a bit more succint :)

birdwing@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 8 pts · 90d

Mass FTW. One of the shining beacons.

State with good:

  • labour rights: check
  • queer & women's rights: check
  • governance: check
  • safety: check

(Most of New England + the Pacific Coast and Minnesota qualify for this too, tbh).

And in there, Cambridge's got:

  • walkability: check
  • bicycleability: check
  • public transit: check
AbouBenAdhem@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 90d

My first thought is survivorship bias: in states with harsh winters, the unwell move away or die.

dditty@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 4 pts · 90d

Was this from their 2025 state of the nation report or the 2026 state of the states report? I see that well-being is trending down nationwide (no surprise), but I'd be curious if MN being #1 for well-being took Dec/Jan Operation Metro Surge into account or not.