Report Lists 10 of the Happiest States to Live in

If you want a happier life, consider moving to Hawaii. According to a new Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index report, people who live on the island report the highest happiness levels. This is the fifth time that Hawaii was deemed the happiest state in the U.S. since the poll first started in 2008.

The other states that made it to the top 10, from No.2 to No.10, are: Alaska, Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, Utah, Arizona and California.

The ranking is based on interviews conducted nearly every day in 2015 on 177,281 people living in the U.S. The interviews collected information on five aspects of one's wellbeing, which were: purpose, social relationships, financial security, community and physical health.

The authors of the report noted that Alaska was the only state to earn a top 10 spot for all five aspects. Hawaii was in the top 5 for four categories and was No. 16 under social relationships.

"Culture is hard to quantify in survey research, but it's very real and very significant," Dan Witters, research director for the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, told The Huffington Post. "If you look at the top states on the list, many of them have a pretty distinct brand and identity about them. I think that unique identity can grease the wheels to having a more unified culture around well-being."

A Hawaiian resident, Danny Quan, explained what he loves most about his state.

"Even if you wake up kind of sad or unhappy, you can just come down to the beach. Or just enjoy the mountains, go hiking or something," Quan, who owns a taxi company, said reported by FOX News.

Witters added that states that are ranked on the lower end of the list should not feel disappointed or discouraged. Instead, these states could benefit from modeling certain programs after programs in states that have happier residents. Programs can range from increasing parks to creating a unique community.

"While it may sting for the states on the low end of the spectrum, the rankings can provide them with a real call-to-action," Witters said. "We can look at the states that are getting it done year end and year out, see what they're doing differently, look at the kind of culture they've built and make that the foundation upon which our change is based."

The states that ranked the lowest at No. 49 and No. 50 were Kentucky and West Virginia, respectively.

To download the full report, "State of American Well-Being: 2015 State Rankings," click here.