You Can Afford To Live in These 6 States, but Study Says You Would Be Happier Elsewhere
Written by
Preston Hartwick
Edited by
Joe Evans
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If you’re on a budget, your potential quality of life varies significantly from state to state. In some states, you can get by comfortably on a modest income. In others, you may need to earn a much higher salary to achieve a similar standard of living.
In this article, you’ll find out how six of the most affordable states compare to those with higher happiness ratings. In some cases, moving to one of these states could result in a notable boost in happiness while living on the same budget.
Let’s take a look at some alternative options for folks seeking a happier lifestyle.
How Does Where You Live Affect Your Happiness?
They say that money can’t buy happiness, but research shows that many people experience greater emotional well-being once they reach a certain income level. According to Purdue University, most Americans who bring home an income of $105,000 feel they’ve reached a threshold where more money doesn’t have a noticeable effect on their happiness.
This number would be higher for families. So, when you consider the fact that the median household income in the U.S. is around $74,580, it makes sense that people report they’re less happy in states where the median income is lower than average.
While earning more income could change your outlook on life, it isn’t the only way to improve your happiness and well-being. Moving to a state where residents report being happier with factors like their work environment, community, and cost of living could make a significant difference in your life.
GoBankingRates determined the cost of living in every state based on housing, utilities, groceries and transportation. This list was compared with the minimum salary you need to be happy in each state, as well as other factors like cost of living and median household income in the happiest states.
In the end, some states came out on top as having an excellent combination of affordability and happiness scores, while others ranked poorly for both. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of some of these states and their alternatives.
6 Affordable States With Low Happiness Scores
Residents in these states report being less happy than people in other states. West Virginia had the lowest happiness quotient at 35.1, and Alabama’s wasn’t much higher at 40.8. For reference, states that scored at the top of the list for happiness, like Maryland and Utah, came in at 64.6 and 69.8 respectively.
| State | Happiness Quotient | Median Household Income | Cost of Living Index | Total Monthly Cost of Living | Minimum Salary Needed To Be Happy | Minimum Salary for Emotional Well-being |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 40.8 | $59,609 | 88.3 | $3,142.68 | $92,610 | $52,920 |
| Kentucky | 40.6 | $60,183 | 92.0 | $3,039.06 | $97,860 | $55,920 |
| Arkansas | 39.7 | $56,335 | 89.0 | $2,982.69 | $92,925 | $53,100 |
| Tennessee | 38.3 | $64,035 | 90.3 | $3,641.00 | $94,920 | $54,240 |
| Louisiana | 35.9 | $57,852 | 91.0 | $3,030.13 | $95,235 | $54,420 |
| West Virginia | 35.1 | $55,217 | 87.7 | $2,827.01 | $89,460 | $64,140 |
All six of these states had median household incomes between $55,217-$64,035, below the national median. But they also had lower minimum salaries needed to achieve happiness. Whereas most Americans in the Purdue study needed to reach an annual threshold of $105,000, residents of these six affordable states only had to reach between $89,460-$97,860.
This difference is a reflection of lower living costs than in more expensive states.
5 Affordable States With High Happiness Scores
Compared to the previous list, residents in these states have relatively high happiness quotients, ranging from Kansas at 54.5 to Nebraska at 58.9. While a higher median household income has something to do with it, it’s not the only factor.
When you compare the cost of living indexes with the previous list, the happier states are almost on par — both groups hovering around 90.
| State | Happiness Quotient | Median Household Income | Cost of Living Index | Total Monthly Cost of Living | Minimum Salary Needed To Be Happy | Minimum Salary To Achieve Emotional Well-being |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 58 | $73,959 | 94.6 | $3,499.27 | $99,015 | $56,580 |
| Nebraska | 58.9 | $71,722 | 90.9 | $3,388.09 | $95,550 | $60,000 |
| Illinois | 56.2 | $78,433 | 92.1 | $3,439 | $96,390 | $55,080 |
| Iowa | 55.0 | $70,571 | 90.3 | $3,199.88 | $94,395 | $54,780 |
| Kansas | 54.5 | $69,747 | 87.1 | $3,207.92 | $91,770 | $52,440 |
Likewise, the five happier states in this list have below-average requirements for reaching the happiness threshold compared to the national average of $105,000.
And if income above $90,000 isn’t possible at the moment, you can take comfort in the fact that most people in these states report achieving emotional well-being at a much lower income range of $52,440 to $60,000.
Final Take
If you’re looking for an affordable place to live, it’s not as simple as comparing median income rates. You should also factor in the happiness levels of residents in that state and evaluate whether it’s worth it to spend extra for greater life satisfaction.
Happiness doesn’t always come at a premium. If you compare the happiness quotients in affordable states with the cost of living index, you’ll find that simply living in a different state could help you improve your quality of life without costing significantly more than you’re currently spending.
If making a big move for happiness is on the table for you, take a closer look at GoBankingRate’s affordability rankings for America’s happiest states to help you narrow down your options.
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