When it comes to finding happiness in the workplace, some U.S. cities are better than others. According to a recent report from WalletHub, the following five cities have the happiest workers: San Francisco, CA; Seattle, WA; Austin, TX; Minneapolis, MN; and San Diego, CA.
These cities were ranked highly for their overall work environment, including job satisfaction, employee benefits, and leisure time spent with co-workers. In addition, all five towns scored well for average commute times and rates of unemployment.
So what makes these cities so great for workers? They offer a good mix of fun and relaxation and a healthy dose of career opportunities. Most of them are located in desirable locations with plenty to do outside of work hours.
The 10 U.S Cities With The Happiest Workers
10. Fresno, California
Happiness score on a scale of 1-5: 3.82
In a study of the happiest workers in the United States, Fresno, California, came in at five. The survey asked workers to rate their happiness on a scale of one to 10, and Fresno scored 7.3. The factors that contributed to this high score were low cost of living, good weather, and a strong sense of community.
Fresno is a great place to live if you’re looking for a happy and affordable life. The cost of living is much lower than in other major cities, and the weather is great year-round. Plus, there’s a strong sense of community in Fresno; people are friendly and supportive of one another.
9. Seattle, Washington
Happiness score on a scale of 1-5: 3.83
In a study of the happiest workers in America, Seattle came in third place. Despite the rain and cold, Seattleites are some of the most contented employees in the country. The city’s workers have plenty to be happy about: a strong economy, good pay, and ample opportunity for career growth.
Seattle’s ranking may come as a surprise to some people, but it’s well-deserved. The city is home to some of the biggest tech companies globally, including Amazon and Microsoft. These companies are known for offering high pay and excellent benefits, which helps keep Seattle’s workers happy.
The city also has a vibrant arts scene and plenty of outdoor activities. There’s something for everyone in Seattle, from hiking in the Cascade Mountains to sailing on Puget Sound.
8. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Happiness score on a scale of 1-5: 3.84
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was recently named one of the happiest cities in the United States for workers. The study, conducted by WalletHub, looked at 18 different factors to determine how happy workers are in each city. Some factors include average workweek hours, income growth, unemployment rate, and commute time.
Oklahoma City ranked #10 on the list, with a total score of 62.69 out of 100. The city ranked high in income growth (#4) and commuted time (#5) but scored low in average workweek hours (#116) and unemployment rate (#129).
Despite ranking lower than some other cities on the list, Oklahoma City is still considered a great place to work. With a low cost of living and a thriving economy, it’s no wonder that so many people are happy to call OKC home.
7. Sacramento, California
Happiness score on a scale of 1-5: 3.85
Sacramento, California, is one of the happiest cities in the United States for workers. According to a study by WalletHub, Sacramento came in at number six on the list of cities with the most satisfied workers. The study looked at income growth, commute time, and job satisfaction.
Sacramento’s ranking is due in part to its strong economy. The city has seen rapid income growth in recent years, and unemployment is currently at 3.2 percent. Sacramento also has a relatively short commute time, with an average commute of just over 20 minutes.
Sacramento residents are also generally happy with their jobs. Seventy-eight percent of respondents to a recent Gallup poll said they were satisfied with their work situations. This high level of job satisfaction helps contribute to Sacramento’s overall happiness score.
6. San Jose, California
Happiness score on a scale of 1-5: 3.85
San Jose, California, is one of the U.S cities with the happiest workers. A study by CareerBliss found that San Jose workers are among the most content in the country. . The city’s high salaries and strong economy may be factored in its ranking. Other cities include Austin, Texas and Raleigh, North Carolina.
San Jose workers reported being satisfied with their work environment, relationships with co-workers, and job security. The city’s unemployment rate is also lower than the national average. In addition, San Jose has been ranked as one of the best places to live and work in America numerous times.
5. Omaha, Nebraska
Happiness score on a scale of 1-5: 3.86
In a recent study by WalletHub, Omaha was named one of the happiest cities in the United States for workers. The study looked at 28 different factors, including job satisfaction, income growth, leisure time and work-life balance. Omaha came in at number 10 on the list, with 63.14 out of 100.
Omaha’s ranking is likely due to its low unemployment rate (2.8 percent as of March 2019) and healthy economy. Workers in Omaha also seem to be enjoying their leisure time; the city ranked third in the nation for the highest percentage of residents who report having enough free time.
Despite its high ranking, Omaha still has room for improvement. The city scored poorly in Income Growth (44th) and Work-Life Balance (28th).
4. Louisville, Kentucky
Happiness score on a scale of 1-5: 3.88
Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the happiest cities in the United States when it comes to worker satisfaction. A recent study by WalletHub placed Louisville as the seventh-happiest city for workers and the third most comfortable city for job security. The study looked at job satisfaction, income growth potential, unemployment rate, and other metrics to come up with its rankings.
One reason for Louisville’s high ranking may be its low cost of living. The city has a median household income of $53,000, which is lower than many other cities. This allows people to live comfortably without having to worry about their finances.
Another reason for Louisville’s high ranking may be its strong economy. The city has a low unemployment rate of just 3.8%, and it is projected to have some of the highest job growth in the country over the next few years.
3. Raleigh, North Carolina
Happiness score on a scale of 1-5: 3.90
Raleigh, North Carolina, is one of the happiest cities in the United States when it comes to workers. A recent study by WalletHub looked at 182 cities across the country to find which had the most satisfied employees. Raleigh ranked #10 on that list.
What makes Raleigh a great place for workers? It has a lot to do with the city’s overall economy. There are plenty of jobs available in various industries, and workers in Raleigh enjoy a high median income. In addition, the cost of living in Raleigh is relatively low, which means that people can afford to live comfortably without having to spend all their money on housing and other expenses.
Raleigh also has an excellent quality of life, thanks to its many amenities and its friendly, welcoming community.
2. Los Angeles, California
Happiness score on a scale of 1-5: 3.96
A recent study by WalletHub ranked the happiest workers in the United States, and Los Angeles, California, came in at number one. The study looked at 116 of the largest U.S. cities and evaluated them based on 26 different factors, such as income growth, job security, and work-life balance.
San Francisco and Washington D.C. followed Los Angeles in the top three spots. The top ten were Seattle, Boston, New York City, Minneapolis, Denver, and Austin.
The factors contributing to Los Angeles’s ranking as the city with the happiest workers included a high median income (adjusted for cost of living), low unemployment rate, and high levels of happiness and satisfaction with work-life balance.
1. Miami, Florida
Happiness score on a scale of 1-5: 3.99
According to kununu, many of the top 10 cities earned their spot not only for being home to companies with great culture and management but also for having great weather, a growing tech scene and a relatively low cost of living compared to other cities.
At the bottom of the top 50 list are New York, New York, and Oakland, California. According to PayScale, the average cost of living in Oakland, California, is 49 percent higher than the national average. The average cost of living in New York is 129 percent higher than the national average.
