According to the Associated Press, residents of Utah, Hawaii and Wyoming top a new “happiness” poll designed to measure people’s well-being.

The massive poll, conducted by Gallup with Healthways and America’s Health Insurance Plans, involved more than 350,000 interviews, rating variables such as mental, physical and economic health. It examined eating and exercise habits, work environments and access to basic necessities. Examples of the questions included: Did you smile or laugh a lot yesterday? Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with your job or the work you do? Did you eat healthy all day yesterday? Do you feel safe walking alone at night in the city or area where you live?
 
The highest well-being scores generally came from states in the West, while the lowest were concentrated in the South. The bottom three states were Mississippi, Kentucky and West Virginia.

For more info,  http://www.gallup.com/poll/116497/Rankings-Reveal-State-Strengths-Weaknesses.aspx#1