The happiest place to live also just happens to be one of the most expensive housing markets in the country, a new analysis shows.
WalletHub ranks Fremont, CA, No. 1 on its Happiest Cities in America list.
“Fremont lies within 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 into the city of Fremont itself, the median listing price rises to roughly $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 listing price is roughly $1.25 million, the typical home costs about 3.6 times more than what the average American household could reasonably afford.”
Prior to the pandemic, the city’s median listing price was roughly $998,000 in February 2019. Prices increased significantly post-pandemic, peaking in April 2022 at just under $1.45 million.
While prices have fluctuated since then, they remain elevated relative to pre-pandemic levels. As of February 2026, the median listing price sits around $1.25 million, up 4.2% from one year ago and 25.3% higher than February 2019.
Affordability challenges are something local real estate agents see play out every day.
“Breaking into the Fremont market can definitely feel like trying to get backstage at a sold-out concert,” says Fremont real estate agent Kat Sellis of The Good Agent Team at Real Broker.
“Homes are expensive and competition is strong, so first-time buyers sometimes need to get creative, whether that means starting with a condo, expanding their search area, or teaming up with family. In the Bay Area, sometimes buying a home really is a team sport.”
How happiest cities were determined
To identify where Americans are happiest, WalletHub analyzed more than 180 of the largest U.S. cities using insights from positive-psychology research. Each city was evaluated across 29 key indicators of happiness, including depression rates, income growth, and average daily leisure time.
“The results of this year’s Happiest Cities in America study show that happiness tends to be strongest in cities that strike the right balance between economic stability and overall quality of life,” WalletHub writer and analyst Chip Lupo tells Realtor.com.
“While income and employment are important, the data makes it clear that money alone doesn’t determine how happy people are, especially once incomes reach around $75,000 per year.”
WalletHub’s top 10 happiest cities are: Fremont, CA; Bismarck, ND; Scottsdale, AZ; South Burlington, VT; Fargo, ND; Overland Park, KS; Charleston, SC; Irvine, CA; Gilbert, AZ; and San Jose, CA.
“Several common threads run across the cities that ranked among the happiest places to live,” says Smith. “Many are high-income regional hubs or affluent suburbs with strong employment anchors tied to industries such as technology, government, health care, or regional services.
“Many of these cities also offer strong lifestyle appeal, helping make them attractive places to live. In many cases, these are higher-income ‘second cities,’ meaning they sit just outside a major metro core rather than serving as the primary urban center.”
Lupo says many of the top-ranked cities—such as Fremont, Bismarck, and Scottsdale—perform well not just economically but also in areas like mental and physical health, community well-being, and access to leisure time.
“Overall, the results highlight that where people live can have a meaningful impact on their well-being, and the happiest cities tend to be those that provide a strong mix of economic opportunity, healthy living conditions, and a sense of community,” he explains.
Top 10 happiest cities to live
Here are the cities that made WalletHub’s list.
1. Fremont, CA
Median listing price: $1,250,000
WalletHub ranked Fremont the happiest city in America, and one contributing factor is that the city has the highest share of households with an income above $75,000, at nearly 80%.
“Fremont has a lot going for it,” says Sellis. “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 still make it to a tech meeting before lunch. That balance is a big reason families love it.”
2. Bismarck, ND
Median listing price: $484,150
Bismarck has the ninth-highest percentage of adults who report having good or better health, allowing residents to maintain a higher quality of life, according to Lupo.
Bismarck also has the largest average amount of leisure time per day, measured in minutes, allowing residents more opportunities to unwind, spend time with loved ones, and focus on personal interests.
3. Scottsdale, AZ
Median listing price: $1,113,750
“One of the biggest reasons people love Scottsdale is the weather,” Scottsdale real estate agent Stacy Miller of Re/Max Fine Properties tells Realtor.com. “With more than 300 days of sunshine each year, residents enjoy outdoor activities nearly every day. From hiking in the stunning 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 for golf, spas, dining, and luxury resorts.”
4. South Burlington, VT
Median listing price: $661,000
According to WalletHub’s study, South Burlington topped the charts for sports participation and healthy sleep habits, while also boasting the lowest unemployment rate.
South Burlington blends small-town charm with easy access to nature, from Lake Champlain to the Green Mountains, offering year-round outdoor activities. It has excellent schools and safe neighborhoods, as well.
5. Fargo, ND
Median listing price: $399,175
“Fargo is the state’s largest city, and it only continues to grow as more and more young people and families choose to call Fargo home,” Jayci Altenbernd, digital marketing manager at Visit Fargo-Moorhead, tells Realtor.com. “The area boasts a surging economy with a strong high-tech presence, high-quality health care, outstanding education and entertainment galore — including easy access to the stunning North Dakotan outdoors. Fargo is a welcoming community through the people, with the perfect balance between small-town charm and big-city fun.”
6. Overland Park, KS
Median listing price: $687,338
Majid Ghavami, an Overland Park real estate agent with ReeceNichols Real Estate, tells Realtor.com, “You have good schools, really nice subdivisions, and a lot of amenities throughout the city, like parks and attractions. It’s just a very family-friendly community. It’s always been a nice spot, but with the expansion of everything they’re building in south Overland Park, you’re starting to see bigger businesses and attractions come here, too.”
7. Charleston, SC
Median listing price: $649,438
“Charleston is such a happy place to be on so many levels,” Charleston real estate agent Rick Horger of Corcoran HM Properties tells Realtor.com. “First off, the weather is so ideal. You can enjoy most all outdoor activities year round—tennis, golf, boating, and working out, to name a few. The restaurant scene is phenomenal. History and culture are prevalent everywhere—and the design and arts scene also rivals anywhere else in the U.S. Beaches and waterways are easily accessible from anywhere in the area. Stroll on the beach in the morning, and be at your office by 9 a.m.”
8. Irvine, CA
Median listing price: $1,762,500
“Irvine is a well-planned city with lots of parks and many master-planned communities that offer a suburban quality of life with newer homes, parks, pools, trails, and a variety of amenities,” Cara Ameer, an Irvine real estate broker at Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty, tells Realtor.com. “Irvine has excellent schools, an international airport, plus great shopping and dining. It’s convenient to multiple companies and offices which makes for a short commute. It also has world-class medical care and universities.”
9. Gilbert, AZ
Median listing price: $605,000
“One of the biggest reasons residents love Gilbert is its strong sense of community,” says Miller. “The town hosts year-round events, outdoor concerts, farmers markets, and seasonal celebrations that bring neighbors together. Gilbert also offers exceptional outdoor recreation with scenic walking paths, lakes, and green spaces. The town is known for highly rated schools and safe neighborhoods.”
10. San Jose, CA
Median listing price: $1,149,450
San Jose ranked seventh overall for emotional and physical well-being.
“What makes San Jose so desirable is weather, land, schools, neighborhood prestige, and proximity to irreplaceable employment centers,” San Jose real estate agent Alexander Kalla with Keller Williams tells Realtor.com.
