List is here: https://archive.ph/fF4ct or https://web.archive.org/web/20240611152445/https://happy-city-index.com/ (data tables might not fully display properly)
Note: this is not a "are you happy here" survey, but rather calculations using factors that "research says" make city folk happier.
A few highlights:
Top 3 overall are 1. Aarhus, Denmark 2. Zurich, Switzerland and 3. Berlin, Germany.
Top 3 from America are 18. Minneapolis, MN 38. Boston, MA and 57. Baltimore, MD.
Tops from some Commonwealth countries (I know some of you are out there, frens): 7. Bristol, GBR 21. Brisbane, AUS 25. Cork, IRL 37. Ottawa, CAN.
Obviously, you'll want to know what criteria they used in their assessment.
https://archive.ph/Sclj3 or https://web.archive.org/web/20240516041602/https://happy-city-index.com/HCI/happycityindex.html
Their explanation has a bunch of word salad, but they do give a somewhat concise listing of their intended dimensions towards the end. 24 "areas" sorted into 5 seemingly weighted categories. Each factor is very easily quantifiable and definitely all contribute to a functional and comfortable living environment.
[Please pardon the formatting]
AREA CATEGORY
- educational system CITIZENS
- social inclusion of residents CITIZENS
- Gross Domestic Product and Productivity ECONOMY
- involvement of residents in decision-making processes GOVERNANCE
- transparency in operation and openness of data GOVERNANCE
- accessibility of public e-services GOVERNANCE
- management of natural resources, including renewable energy sources ENVIRONMENT
- innovation and creativity of residents CITIZENS
- conscious strategies GOVERNANCE
- use of information and communication technologies in transport MOBILITY
- innovation and creativity of enterprises ECONOMY
- anti-pollution ENVIRONMENT
- waste, wastewater management and recycling ENVIRONMENT
- accessibility and efficiency of public transport MOBILITY
- availability of green areas ENVIRONMENT
- access to culture, including libraries CITIZENS
- entrepreneurship ECONOMY
- safety of the transport system MOBILITY
- labour market flexibility and unemployment ECONOMY
- ICT [information and communication technology] area as a sphere of activity and its availability in enterprises ECONOMY
- protection of biodiversity ENVIRONMENT
- openness of transport data MOBILITY
- availability of multimodal transport MOBILITY
- internationalisation of enterprises ECONOMY
The happiest city in Québec ( Saguenay ) is ( or was untill recently ) 99% ethnic Quebecois. And yes, being ethnically homogenous plays a large role in people being happy.