Introduction to the Unhappiest Cities in America
Houston is continuing a dismal streak of being labeled as one of the "unhappiest" cities in the nation for the second year in a row. The city has sunk to the bottom in personal finance website WalletHub’s new list of the "Happiest Cities in America (2025)". This ranking is based on 29 metrics, categorized by each city’s emotional and physical well-being; income and employment; and community and environment.
Ranking and Comparison
WalletHub annually ranks 182 of the most populous U.S. cities. Houston ranked as the No. 151 happiest city nationwide out of all 182 U.S. cities in the report. The top three happiest cities on the list are all located in California: Fremont (No. 1), San Jose (No. 2), and Irvine (No. 3), followed by Sioux Falls, South Dakota at No. 4, and Overland Park, Kansas at No. 5.
Breakdown of Houston’s Ranking
Houston’s reputation as a miserable city is well established: It was named the No. 81 happiest city in America in a separate 2024 report by SmartAsset (that only analyzed 90 U.S. cities). Here’s how WalletHub broke down Houston’s ranking among the three major categories:
- No. 128 – Emotional and physical well-being rank
- No. 152 – Income and employment rank
- No. 170 – Community and environment rank
Factors Contributing to Happiness
The U.S. Census Bureau says Houston households make a median income of $62,894 annually, which may be a cause for misery among many residents. But research says money doesn’t guarantee happiness: Individuals making more than $75,000 a year aren’t likely to be any happier than those who aren’t. Financial stability can lead to more flexibility when it comes to a person’s lifestyle choices, but it’s not the only factor that contributes to someone’s happiness, the report says.
Ideal City for Happiness
According to WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo, "The ideal city provides conditions that foster good mental and physical health, like reasonable work hours, short commutes, good weather, and caring neighbors.” Therefore, when deciding where to live to maximize your happiness, you’ll want to pick a city that offers more than just a decent average income.
The Bright Side of Houston
There’s so much more to Houston’s happiness that can’t be defined by a collection of rankings. The city has the support from its many hometown hero celebrities, the vibrant restaurant scene is constantly innovating to bring new dining concepts to residents, and there’s plenty of hometown entertainment happening throughout the year.
Other Happy Cities in Texas
Plano was dubbed the No. 1 happiest Texas city, and ranked No. 20 overall. Austin appeared in second place statewide but No. 59 nationally. But in general, Texas cities aren’t very happy. Houstonians can at least find some solace in not being as miserable as Brownsville, a South Texas border town that took the title as the unhappiest city in Texas. Brownsville ranked dead last in the statewide comparison and No. 170 nationwide.
Ranking of Other Texas Cities
Here’s how other Texas cities fared in the report:
- No. 81 – Irving
- No. 101 – Garland
- No. 113 – Grand Prairie
- No. 124 – Dallas
- No. 125 – Fort Worth
- No. 128 – Arlington
- No. 152 – Laredo
- No. 155 – Lubbock
- No. 156 – Amarillo
- No. 158 – El Paso
- No. 164 – San Antonio
- No. 167 – Corpus Christi
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Houston ranks low in the happiness index, there are many factors that contribute to a city’s overall happiness. The city’s vibrant culture, entertainment scene, and community support are just a few aspects that make Houston a great place to live. Although Texas cities may not rank high in the happiness index, each city has its unique charm and attractions that make them special. By considering multiple factors and not just income, individuals can make informed decisions about where to live to maximize their happiness.
