Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
New Study Says New Yorkers Are Miserable!
By
Jen Carlson
Published Dec 18, 2009
Modified Dec 18, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Dec 18, 2009
Modified Dec 18, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The Center for Disease Control, of all people, says that New Yorkers are the unhappiest people in the entire country... with New Jersey, Connecticut, Michigan and Indiana rounding out the Top 5. On the other side of the spectrum, Hawaii, Louisiana, Colorado, Florida and Tennessee are filled with the happiest folks. All in all 1.3 million people were surveyed over the course of four years, and the least miserable were those residing in states that do well in quality-of-life studies.
The survey focused on the question, "How satisfied are you with your life?" However, one psychologist opined, "How do you measure happiness? It might be the things they're looking at are not the things that make New Yorkers happy."
Another expert suggested that long commutes, congestion and high prices are making us sad. To prove them wrong, 1010Wins did their own street survey and found plenty of smiling people! Except one sad sack who blamed being a Mets fan for part of his woes.
Tagged
cdc
happy
miserable
study
Survey
unhappy
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
GOP candidates in NY face a changed landscape on immigration
The 'migrant crisis' has changed markedly since the voters went to the polls two years ago.
By
Arya Sundaram
Published Oct 28, 2026 at 6:30 a.m. ET
Mamdani plans redesign of Brooklyn's Third Avenue after nurse killed in hit-and-run
Sunset Park residents and street safety advocates have called on city officials to make the avenue safer for years.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
News
Mamdani plans redesign of Brooklyn's Third Avenue after nurse killed in hit-and-run
Sunset Park residents and street safety advocates have called on city officials to make the avenue safer for years.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
NJ Gov. Sherrill: Election is secure, noncitizens taken off voter rolls
By
Michael Sol Warren
Ex-NYPD officer again faces murder charge in George Washington Bridge shooting
By
Samantha Max
Former NYC buildings boss helped reopen mayor's favored restaurant despite health violations
By
David Brand
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .