The Unhappiest States in America

As it turns out, some of the highest income states are among the unhappiest, according to a recent study by economists Andrew J. Oswald and Stephen Wu, of the University of Warwick and Hamilton College, respectively.Taking into account both subjective and objective factors such as sunshine, congestion and pollution in a survey of 1.3 million Americans between 2005 and 2008, the researchers determined which states have the happiest – and unhappiest - residents. Among the happiest are Louisiana, Hawaii and Florida."Some might be surprised that states in the south with lower income ranked as high as they did," said Wu, economist at Hamilton College. "States with high income rate fairly low on the happiness levels. To some it might seem counterintuitive; it's not just about income levels, but those places might be more crowded, more congested on the roadway, [have] less available land."So, what are the 10 unhappiest states in the US? Click ahead to find out!By Natalie Erlich

Photo Credit: AP Man uses snowblower to remove snow from sidewalk in Providence, Rhode Island        unemployment: 12.7%         median household income: $57,445        sales tax: 7%

Photo Credit: Timothy A. Clark | Getty Images A sale sign sits in front of a home in the Shaker Heights section of Cleveland, Ohio        unemployment: 10.6%         median household income: $48,960        sales tax: 5.5%

Photo Credit: Lou Jones | Image Bank | Getty Images Snow trekkers in Downtown Boston        unemployment: 8.8%         median household income: $60,515        sales tax: 5%

Photo Credit: Getty Images Job seekers wait in line for a job fair in Chicago, Illinois        unemployment: 10.9%         median household income: $53,889        sales tax: 6.25%

Photo Credit: Getty Images Cars sit in traffic in San Francisco, California        unemployment: 12.3%         median household income: $57,445        sales tax: 7.25%

Photo Credit: David Zimmerman | Iconica | Getty Images Aerial view of the Holland Tunnel from New Jersey        unemployment: 9.7%         median household income: $64,070        sales tax: 7%

Photo Credit: Getty Images A store is offered for lease along South Main in Elkhart, Indiana             unemployment: 9.6%         median household income: $47,898        sales tax: 7%

Photo Credit: Bill Pugliano | Stringer | Getty Images A boarded up house sits for sale in Detroit, Michigan        unemployment: 14.7%         median household income:  $50,528        sales tax: 6%

Photo Credit: AP Amtrak worker clears snow off station platform, Windsor Locks, Connecticut       unemployment: 8.2%        median household income: $65,644       sales tax: 6%

Photo Credit: Getty Images Commuters ride the 6 train during the morning rush hour in New York City        unemployment: 8.6%         median household income: $50,643               sales tax: 8.5%

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