There’s plenty to love about New Jersey—great schools, beautiful beaches, not to mention our diners, malls, and theme parks. The property taxes and cost of living? Not so much.
According to a study from WalletHub, New Jersey is No. 4 in the country for the happiest people. The firm compared the 50 states across 30 key indicators of happiness. The data set ranges from the depression rate and the share of adults feeling productive to income growth and the unemployment rate.
New Jersey’s total score is 63.42, compared to No. 1 Hawaii, with 65.50 points.
The ranking of happiness in New Jersey:
Overall Rank: 4th
1st – Emotional and Physical Well-Being
1st – Percent of Depressed Adults
1st – Suicide Rate
2nd – Separation & Divorce Rate
13th – Number of Work Hours
13th – Share of Adults Feeling Active & Productive
17th – Safety
23rd – Work Environment
36th – Community & Volunteer Rank
38th – Volunteer Rate
These are the Happiest States in America for 2025, according to WalletHub:
- Hawaii
- Maryland
- Nebraska
- New Jersey
- Connecticut
- Utah
- California
- New Hampshire
- Massachusetts
- Idaho
Despite those rankings, WalletHub ranked New Jersey at No. 36 on its list of the Most Fun States in America. How is this possible you may ask?
WalletHub compared the 50 states across 26 key indicators of fun activities that are also affordable (we know, affordability is not our strong suit). The indicators range from movie costs to accessibility of national parks to nightlife options per capita.
With a total score of 31.70, compared to No. 1 California’s 66.89 points, NJ ranked 34 for entertainment & recreation, and 41 for nightlife.
Of course it’s our job to share everything we love about New Jersey, starting with the host of free things to do, like seeing the wildlife art at The Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum, taking a hike in the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, and gazing up at the stars from the William D. McDowell Observatory.
The Jersey Shore is the definition of fun, from Wildwood and Cape May to Atlantic City, Sea Bright and Union Beach–and these particular beaches are cost-free. We have spectacular lakes, too.
NJ is home to a bunch of zoos and aquariums, like the free Cape May County Zoo; and Adventure Aquarium in Camden, which offers free pre-K admission for a year (guidelines apply).
There are top notch museums, amusement and water parks, lots of festivals, and we are hosting the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals next summer!
And what’s a bigger sign of fun than celebrities? Frank Sinatra, Charles Addams of the Addams Family, Jon Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift, Whitney Houston, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Count Basie and the Jonas Brothers all have connections to the Garden State. Add a visit to the New Jersey Hall of Fame Entertainment & Learning Center to your list of places to visit for more about each celeb.
Top 20 Most Fun States in 2025, according to WalletHub:
- California
- Florida
- Nevada
- Illinois
- New York
- Colorado
- Washington
- Texas
- Minnesota
- Oregon
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