When it comes to achieving a state of happiness, Missouri’s reach seems to have fallen short.
Missouri ranks No. 43 on a list of the “Happiest States in America,” from the list-lovers at WalletHub, a personal finance website.
According to the numbers, Missouri finishes in the bottom 10 in two of the three main categories: No. 41 in “emotional and physical well-being,” which included suicide rates, depression and life expectancy; and No. 44 in “community and environment, which focuses on weather and safety issues.
In the sub-category of “safety,” Missouri was No. 46 out of the states.
Our only strong, relatively, showing was in the area of “work environment,” where we came in at No. 26. The category focused on employment rate, salary and credit scores.
The list also indicates that the sun may be shining brighter on the other side of the Mississippi. Illinois came in at No. 20 on the list, even finishing in the top 10 (No. 7) when it comes to emotional and physical health.
The five happiest states, according to the list are Minnesota, Utah, Hawaii, California and Nebraska.
On the other end of the stick lie Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, not-so-OK Oklahoma and, lastly, almost heaven West Virginia.