Why America’s Happiest City Is Drying Americans
The happiest place to live also happens to be one of the most expensive housing markets in the country, a new analysis shows.
WalletHub ranks Fremont, CA, #1 on the list of the happiest cities in America.
“Fremont is located in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont metro area, one of the most expensive housing markets in the country, with an affordability score of 0.71,” says Anthony Smith, senior economist for Realtor.com®. “Homes across the metro start around $907,000. When you zoom in to the city of Fremont itself, the average sales price rises to about $1.25 million.”
Smith says the median household income in the United States is $86,867.
“At that income level, the top end of an affordable home price would be around $343,300,” he says. “In Fremont, where the median sales price is about $1.25 million, a typical home costs about 3.6 times more than what the average American household could reasonably afford.”
Before the pandemic, the city’s median sales price was about $998,000 in February 2019. Prices rose significantly after the pandemic, peaking in April 2022 at just under $1.45 million.
Although prices have fluctuated since then, they remain high relative to pre-pandemic levels. As of February 2026, the average listing price is around $1.25 million, up 4.2% from a year ago and 25.3% higher than in February 2019.
Affordability challenges are something local real estate agents face every day.
“Breaking into the Fremont market can definitely give you that feeling of wanting to go backstage at a sold-out concert,” says Fremont real estate agent Cat Sellis by The good agent team at Real Broker.
“Homes are expensive and the competition is fierce, so first-time buyers sometimes have to get creative, whether that means starting with an apartment, expanding their search area or partnering with family. In the Bay Area, buying a home can be a real team sport.”
How happiest cities were determined
To determine where Americans are happiest, WalletHub analyzed more than 180 of the largest U.S. cities using insights from positive psychology research. Each city was rated on 29 key indicators of happiness, including rates of depression, income growth and average daily leisure time.
“The results of this year’s Happiest Cities in America survey show that happiness is strongest in cities that strike the right balance between economic stability and overall quality of life,” said WalletHub writer and analyst. Chip Lupo tells Realtor.com.
“While income and employment are important, the data make clear that money alone does not determine how happy people are, especially when incomes are around $75,000 a year.”
WalletHub’s top 10 happiest cities are: Fremont, CA; Bismarck, N.D.; Scottsdale, AZ; South Burlington, VT; Fargo, ND; Overland Park, KS; Charleston, S.C.; Irvine, CA; Gilbert, AZ; and San Jose, CA.
“There are several common threads running through the cities that are among the happiest places to live,” says Smith. ‘Many of these are high-income regional hubs or affluent suburbs with strong employment anchors linked to sectors such as technology, government, healthcare or regional services.
“Many of these cities also offer strong lifestyle appeals, making them attractive places to live. In many cases, these are higher-income ‘second cities’, meaning they are located just outside a major metropolis rather than serving as the primary urban center.”
Lupo says many of the top-ranked cities – such as Fremont, Bismarck and Scottsdale – are performing well not only economically, but also in areas such as mental and physical health, community well-being and access to leisure.
“Overall, the results highlight that where people live can have a meaningful impact on their well-being, and that the happiest cities are often those that offer a strong mix of economic opportunity, healthy living conditions and a sense of community,” he explains.
Top 10 happiest cities to live in
These are the cities on WalletHub’s list.
1. Fremont, CA
Median offer price: $1,250,000
WalletHub ranked Fremont as the happiest city in America, and a contributing factor is that the city has the highest share of households with an income above $75,000, at almost 80%.
“Fremont has a lot to offer,” Sellis says. “Great schools, tons of parks and hiking, diverse communities and easy access to Silicon Valley jobs. It’s the kind of place where you can spend the morning hiking Mission Peak and get to a tech meeting before lunch. That balance is a big reason why families love it.”
2. Bismarck, N.D
Median offer price: $484,150
Bismarck has the ninth highest percentage of adults reporting good or better health, which Lupo said allows residents to maintain a higher quality of life.
Bismarck also has the largest average amount of free time per day, measured in minutes, giving residents more opportunities to relax, spend time with loved ones and focus on personal interests.
3. Scottsdale, AZ
Median offer price: $1,113,750
“One of the biggest reasons people love Scottsdale is the weather,” says Scottsdale real estate agent Stacy Molenaar by Re/Max fine properties tells Realtor.com. “With more than 300 days of sunshine each year, residents enjoy outdoor activities almost every day. From hiking in the beautiful McDowell Sonoran Preserve to exploring the scenic trails of Camelback Mountain, the city makes it easy to stay active and connected to nature. Scottsdale also consistently ranks among the best places in the country when it comes to golf, spas, dining and luxury resorts.”
4. South Burlington, VT
Median offer price: $661,000
According to WalletHub’s research, South Burlington topped the charts for sports participation and healthy sleep habits, while also boasting the lowest unemployment rate.
South Burlington combines small-town charm with easy access to nature, from Lake Champlain to the Green Mountains, and offers year-round outdoor activities. It also has excellent schools and safe neighborhoods.
5. Fargo, ND
Median offer price: $399,175
“Fargo is the largest city in the state and only continues to grow as more young people and families choose to call Fargo their home,” Jayci Altenbernddigital marketing manager at Visit Fargo-Moorhead, Realtor.com tells us. “The area boasts a growing economy with a strong high-tech presence, quality healthcare, excellent education and entertainment galore – including easy access to the beautiful North Dakotan outdoors. Fargo is a welcoming community by its people, with the perfect balance of small-town charm and big-city fun.”
6. Overland Park, Kansas
Median offer price: $687,338
Majid Ghavamia real estate agent in Overland Park with ReeceNichols Real Estatetells Realtor.com, “You’ve got good schools, really nice subdivisions and a lot of amenities in town like parks and attractions. It’s just a very family-friendly community. It’s always been a nice place, but with the expansion of everything they’re building in south Overland Park, you’re starting to see bigger businesses and attractions coming here as well.”
7. Charleston, SC
Median offer price: $649,438
“Charleston is such a great place to be on so many levels,” Charleston real estate agent Rik Horger by Corcoran HM properties tells Realtor.com. “First, the weather is so ideal. You can enjoy almost any outdoor activity year-round: tennis, golf, boating and sports, to name a few. The restaurant scene is phenomenal. History and culture are everywhere, and the design and art scene also rivals other places in the US. Beaches and waterways are easily accessible from anywhere in the area. Take a walk on the beach in the morning and be at the office by 9am”
8. Irvine, CA
Median offer price: $1,762,500
“Irvine is a well-planned city with many parks and many planned communities that offer a suburban quality of life with newer homes, parks, pools, walking trails and a variety of amenities,” Cara Ameera real estate agent in Irvine Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realtytells Realtor.com. “Irvine has excellent schools, an international airport, plus great shopping and dining. It is convenient to multiple businesses and offices, making for a short commute. It also has world-class medical care and universities.”
9. Gilbert, AZ
Median offer price: $605,000
“One of the biggest reasons residents love Gilbert is the strong sense of community,” Miller said. “The city hosts year-round events, outdoor concerts, farmers markets and seasonal celebrations that bring neighbors together. Gilbert also offers exceptional outdoor recreation with scenic hiking trails, lakes and green spaces. The city is known for highly rated schools and safe neighborhoods.”
10. San Jose, CA
Median offer price: $1,149,450
San Jose ranked seventh overall for emotional and physical well-being.
“What makes San Jose so attractive is the weather, the land, the schools, the prestige of the neighborhood and the proximity to irreplaceable employment centers,” says San Jose real estate agent. Alexander Kalla of Keller Williams tells Realtor.com.
