Finance Index: Nebraska is the Happiest

It’s true, says Main Street, that money can’t buy happiness. But it sure can contribute to it. MainStreet.com put together the Happiness Index, which measures the financial happiness of different states. In case you’re wondering, Nebraska is the financially happiest state. My birthplace of Iowa comes in at #2. My current state of residence, Utah, weighs in at #23. And the place I grew up, Idaho, is #43 (incidentally, Idaho was also the 43rd state admitted to the Union). New York, my former state of residence — where my husband is from — placed #14. But I think I’ll have to rethink my dream of living in Oregon; it came in dead last.

The Happiness Index measures the following indicators of financial well-being to come up with rankings:

1. Foreclosures.
2. Employment rate.
3. Non-mortgage debt by income.

You can see below how all the states ranked:

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It’s an interesting measure, and one that is telling. If you are looking to move, you might be better off to look in a state that is financially happy.

image source: MainStreet.com