12 Exciting Girls Trip Ideas For Women Over 40 To Reunite & Recharge

WalletHub first compared the 50 states across 30 key indicators of happiness, with a date set that ranged from the depression rate and the share of adults feeling productive to income growth and the unemployment rate. Hawaii has the lowest share of adult depression, which is 2.3 times lower than in Tennessee, the state with the highest. New Jersey has the fewest suicides (per 100,000 residents), which is 3.7 times fewer than in Montana, the state with the most. Utah has the highest volunteer rate, which is 2.6 times higher than in Florida, the state where the rate is the lowest. Volunteerism is another way people find purpose and joy in life.

In order to determine the happiest cities in America, WalletHub compared 182 of the largest cities — including the 150 most populated U.S. cities — across three key areas:

• Emotional & Physical Well-Being
• Income & Employment
• Community & Environment

“When individuals have a high sense of community...well-being increases, and stress, anxiety, and depression decrease. Neighborhoods with high walkability scores that are also safe and near things like parks or trails help sustain our physical and mental health, which are key factors in determining happiness,” adds Dr. Longmire-Avital.

Here are the top 20 happiest U.S. cities, many of which score high on the nature and family-friendly aspect. Ready for a new start or planning local travel this season? Check them out!

Fremont, CA

According to the WalletHub report, Fremont, CA, located in the San Francisco Bay Area, is the happiest city in America, and one reason why is income: the city has the highest share of households with an income above $75,000, at nearly 80 percent. Studies have shown that increasing your income also increases your happiness up to $75,000 (but not beyond). With a rich history tied to the California Gold Rush, Fremont has evolved into a hub for the tech industry, including Tesla's Fremont Factory. The city offers excellent schools, a wide range of cultural experiences, and outdoor spaces like Mission Peak. People in Fremont also have a high rate of life satisfaction, a low depression rate, and a long lifespan on average. It also has the lowest share of adults who report having mentally unhealthy days, so people in the city seem to be doing the self care needed to keep themselves happy.

Overland Park, KS

Overland Park, KS, has earned its spot as the second-happiest city in the U.S., thanks to several key factors that contribute to its residents' well-being. With the lowest poverty rate in the nation at just 4.2 percent and an impressively low unemployment rate of 3 percent, it's clear that financial stability plays a huge role in their happiness. The city also boasts one of the lowest food insecurity rates, meaning more families have what they need to thrive. Residents of Overland Park also enjoy a lot of leisure time each week, which many spend participating in sports — one of the top ways to stay emotionally and physically healthy. Overland Park boasts a rich cultural scene, including the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, and a variety of dining and shopping options. People in Overland Park tend to get more sleep than those in most other cities, a crucial factor for maintaining a positive mindset.

San Jose, CA

Not far from Fremont is the third-happiest city: San Jose, CA, in the heart of Silicon Valley and home to tech giants like Adobe and eBay. San Jose has a diverse food scene, art galleries, and beautiful outdoor spaces, including nearby hiking trails in the Santa Cruz Mountains, which you can enjoy year-round. The city has the longest average life expectancy in the country. It also has one of the lowest separation and divorce rates and scores the best on the health and wellness company Sharecare’s Community Well-Being Index, which measures how much residents like where they live, feel safe and have pride in their community. It also scores extremely well on Sharecare’s Life-Satisfaction Index, which measures people’s health risks based on various physical, financial and social factors.

Madison, WI

Nestled between lakes Mendota and Monona, Madison offers stunning waterfront views, beautiful parks, and a ton of Midwestern charm. The University of Wisconsin-Madison brings in some of its youthful energy while the city boasts a strong local food, music, and art scene. It's also a great place to live, work, and explore.

Irvine, CA

Irvine, California in sunny Orange County is known for its family-friendly vibe, excellent schools, and thriving economy. Home to the University of California, Irvine, the city offers a mix of culture and nature with great parks, bike paths, nearby beaches and the Irvine Spectrum Center, a popular shopping and entertainment destination.

Honolulu, HI

This tropical paradise and state capital, located on the island of Oahu, is famous for its stunning beaches, including the iconic Waikiki Beach, and its rich cultural heritage. Honolulu offers world-class shopping, dining, and entertainment alongside scenic landscapes like Diamond Head and lush rainforests. Home to landmarks like Iolani Palace and the Pearl Harbor Memorial, Honolulu is known for its warm aloha spirit.

San Francisco, CA

Hop on a cable car ride in San Francisco, the #7 happiest city on the list. It's year-round mild climate and stunning hilltop views remind us just how stunning this city is. From the Golden Gate Bridge, Crissy Field, and Presidio Tunnel Tops to bustling Fillmore Street in Pacific Heights, Valencia Street in the Mission, and Hayes St. in Hayes Valley, there's tons to explore from a world-class food scene to indie shopping to museums and coastal views.

Pearl City, HI

Pearl City is a charming suburban community located on the island of Oahu, just west of Honolulu. The nearby Pearl Harbor National Memorial and surrounding waters with scenic views hold both historical significance and recreational activities like boating. The city itself has a peaceful close-knit community and is family-friendly with excellent schools, parks, and shopping centers.

Columbia, MD

Located between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., Columbia is known for its diverse neighborhoods, excellent schools, and many green spaces with parks, lakes, and over 90 miles of walking and biking trails. Columbia’s town center features shopping, dining, and entertainment options, including the Merriweather Post Pavilion, a renowned concert venue. With a strong sense of community, access to major cities, and a focus on sustainability, Columbia is not surprisingly in the top 10 happiest cities in the U.S.

Scottsdale, AZ

Stunning desert landscapes, including hiking trails at Camelback Mountain and McDowell Sonoran Preserve, make Scottsdale a destination for nature lovers. Rounding out the top 10 happiest cities, Scottsdale is famous for its wellness resorts, golf courses, and thriving arts scene, including galleries, museums, and events like the Scottsdale ArtWalk. With a growing economy, delicious dining options, and a warm, sunny climate, Scottsdale is a popular destination for tourists and locals looking for a southwestern lifestyle.

Here are the remaining top 20 happiest cities.

11. Sioux Falls, SD

12. Huntington Beach, CA

13. Minneapolis, MN

14. Garden Grove, CA

15. San Diego, CA

16. Fargo, ND

17. Portland, ME

18. Seattle, WA

19. Lincoln, NE

20. Bismark, ND

Did your city make the cut? Check out the full list of Happiest Cities in America in 2024 at WalletHub.

The beloved international pop star posted an image of herself and her adorable cat, Benjamin Button, to tell her audience about the importance of voter registration — and ultimately truth in an election. This call for truth follows images that circled the internet, exhibiting Taylor Swift fans — some real women, and some AI-generated — endorsing Donald Trump. One image features a shirt with a depiction of Swift with an Uncle Sam-esque look that reads, "Taylor Swift wants you to vote for Donald Trump!" The former President even shared these images on Truth Social, posting, "I accept!"

After addressing the Donald Trump-supporting AI-generated elephant in the room, she said, “The simplest way to combat misinformation is the truth. I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election.”

Swift went on to describe that Harris “fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them.” She explained that she sees Harris as a “steady, gifted leader” who will ultimately help the country accomplish more through “calm and not chaos.”

The Grammy winner then talked about Vice Presidential candidate, Governor Tim Walz, noting that she was “heartened and impressed” by his selection for the ticket. She continued by praising how Walz “has been standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman’s right to her own body for decades.”

Swift closed out her statement, saying that she’s done her research and made a choice, and encouraging her audience to do the same. She highlighted the fact that first-time voters need to remember to register soon, and that she finds “it’s actually much easier to vote early.” With a callout to go to her link in bio for more voter resources, she signed her post in the only way she could: “Taylor Swift, Childless Cat Lady.”

The sign-off is in reference to a comment made by Republican Vice Presidential Candidate, Senator JD Vance. Vance previously alleged that the country was being run by “a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they've made and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable, too.”

One thing we know about Miss Taylor Swift? You don’t wanna mess with her or her three cats.

This massive political move comes five years after Swift’s Netflix documentary, Miss Americana — a film that followed her life post-Reputation and pre-Lover, but essentially acted as a “coming out” documentary for being a Democrat. In the documentary, she stressed to her family and team that she didn’t want to sit idly by while people’s rights are on the line. She said, “If you can just shift the power in your direction by being bold enough, then it won’t be like this forever.”

Since then, she's endorsed Democratic State Senate hopeful, Phil Bredesen, and House of Representatives candidate, Jim Cooper, in the 2018 Tennessee elections. In her endorsement post, Swift explained that Bredesen's opponent, Marsha Blackburn, was a big concern for her. She wrote, "Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me. She voted against equal pay for women. She voted against the Re-authorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape." Swift continued, "She believes businesses have a right to refuse service to gay couples. She also believes they should not have the right to marry. These are not MY Tennessee values."

And while she noted her own political beliefs, Swift was sure to also remind folks that registering to vote is very important, no matter what!

Though her efforts in Tennessee didn't turn out the way Swift wished, that didn't stop her from remaining politically involved. In the 2020 election, Swift took this a step further to endorse Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on Twitter and in V Magazine. In the article, Swift expressed concern for a woman's right to choose, the LGBTQIA+ community, people of color, global and health. This all came on the heels of the 2020 COVID pandemic and sweeping Black Lives Matter movement. She said, “I will proudly vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in this year’s presidential election. Under their leadership, I believe America has a chance to start the healing process it so desperately needs.”

And now her efforts continue for the 2024 general election. Swift's Instagram post has 8 million likes — and counting! — so far. Plus, since this post, a study conducted found that Swift gained over 165,000 followers on the platform. While not every single one of these Instagram users may be eligible U.S. voters, it does show the incredible influence Taylor Swift is able to wield at any given moment.

Ultimately, this Taylor Swift fan is just happy to see her able to express her opinions more freely, time after time.

Read Taylor Swift's Full Statement Here:

"Like many of you, I watched the debate tonight. If you haven’t already, now is a great time to do your research on the issues at hand and the stances these candidates take on the topics that matter to you the most. As a voter, I make sure to watch and read everything I can about their proposed policies and plans for this country.

Recently I was made aware that AI of ‘me’ falsely endorsing Donald Trump’s presidential run was posted to his site. It really conjured up my fears around AI, and the dangers of spreading misinformation. It brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter. The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth.

I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election. I’m voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them. I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos. I was so heartened and impressed by her selection of running mate @timwalz, who has been standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman’s right to her own body for decades.

I’ve done my research, and I’ve made my choice. Your research is all yours to do, and the choice is yours to make. I also want to say, especially to first time voters: Remember that in order to vote, you have to be registered! I also find it’s much easier to vote early. I’ll link where to register and find early voting dates and info in my story.

With love and hope,

Taylor Swift
Childless Cat Lady"

SKIMS

Soft Lounge Long Slip Dress ($80)

This lounge dress is great for the days you want to lounge in bed without feeling restricted by pants, or if you wanna put on an effortlessly chic — but totally comfy — look for you next BFF date. It's one of SKIMS' bestselling dresses that glides over all your curves and it comes with shoulder straps you can easily adjust.

Amazon

REORIA Women's Basic Sexy Lounge Slip Long Dress ($30)

But, who wants to pay $80 for a dress? The cost has honestly kept me from adding that cozy little number to my cart.

LUCKILY, this bodycon dress has a 4.5 rating on Amazon and only costs $30! You'll get the same effect as the dress above without the shocking price. Both dresses are made out of over 90% modal fabric, with only a little bit of added spandex for stretch, so you're getting virtual the same exact experience for much less.

SKIMS

Stretch Cotton Rib Leggings ($56)

I talked about these leggings before, but I can't help but mention them again. Although I just complained about paying $58 for a dress, I gladly purchased these for my postpartum body. They're incredibly soft and have a nice stretch that doesn't feel like they're cutting off my circulation.

Amazon Dupe

Casual Work Out Set ($20)

But, you can buy this cute workout set that features the cropped tank top and matching leggings that are similar to what SKIMS has on-site! The biggest difference is that the Amazon leggings are made of mostly polyester, whereas the SKIMS leggings are mostly cotton. That means the SKIMS pair will likely be more breathable and less likely to snag or pill. Still, this is a great deal for more than half the price.

SKIMS

Outdoor Midi Thigh Bodysuit ($80)

I technically refer to this as a romper, but that's neither here nor there! This bodysuit replaced my maternity body shapewear once I realized I'd gone up a few sizes, and it's been in my closet ever since.

It does have a snug fit, so you may want to go up a size to get a little more room.

Amazon

Yoga Workout Romper ($15)

Frankly, this workout romper fits better thank the SKIMS option, IMO — and it's nowhere near $80. In my experience, the bodysuit is true-to-size, unlike its SKIMS counterpart, which was definitely an added bonus.

It could be me, but the nylon and spandex blend seems to feel better on my skin too! That being said, this option doesn't have any cotton in the blend, so it may not be as breathable.

SKIMS

Soft Lounge Mock Neck Dress ($92)

Similar to SKIMS' bestselling tank dress, this option is just too good for fall! It has the same amazing slinky texture that customers love, and it can easily be worn to lounge around at home, or dressed up for an evening out! I can totally picture it with a leather jacket and some black tall boots!

Amazon

Casual Mock Turtleneck Dress ($20)

But you don't need to spend $92 to get the look. Though the color options are different, both dresses are made of mostly modal fabric (with some spandex for stretch). Customers love this dress because it's "super comfortable" and is made of "great quality."