'Happiest' US cities revealed: See where yours ranks

A new study is revealing which cities in America are considered to be the "happiest," and the top and bottom spots may or may not surprise you.

WalletHub released its 2025 report after conducting research across 180 major cities. The cities that ranked were based on 29 key metrics, ranging from the depression rate to the income-growth rate and factoring in average leisure time spent per day.

Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst, said that salary does have an impact on happiness. 

See if your city landed in one of the top spots.

Fremont, California took first place as the happiest city in America. Wallethub notes that "one contributing factor is that the city has the highest share of households with an income above $75,000, at nearly 80%."

The West Coast city came in sixth place for the most caring city.

"San Jose has the third-highest share of households whose annual income is above $75,000, at over 72%. This allows people to afford both necessities and some luxuries, keeping them content," said WalletHub in a press release.

It was noted that 84% of residents participate in physical activities with the seventh-highest life expectancy. 

"Nearly 68% of households in the city make over $75,000 per year, the income level that's been demonstrated to maximize happiness," said the release.

The least happy city listed was Cleveland, Ohio.