Happiest U.S. Cities Consider Working Conditions

California contains the happiest cities in America, according to a nationwide comparative analysis. Reviewing the social-emotional, economic, and environmental conditions impacting individuals across 182 of the U.S.'s largest cities, WalletHub determined why a developed nation like the U.S. could rank 24th in the World Happiness Report. The results reveal insights for commercial cleaning executives looking to engage employees and improve staff retention.

One factor that can affect human happiness is income growth. The study found that the city with the highest income growth was Miami, which was greater than six times the income increase recorded in Juneau, Alaska. Economic security is a growing concern among employees in the commercial cleaning sector, and many are turning to jobs that offer compensation and benefits that align with local market conditions.

In a CleanLink monthly poll, 44 percent of industry members determined competitive wage pressures as a top challenge in staff recruitment and retention. Equitable compensation packages remain a solution to the constant turnover churn. Additional local measures, including minimum wage hikes, aim to address increasing inflation rates affecting individual economic stability.

Another metric measuring American happiness is work-life balance. Residents in Cheyenne, Wyoming, work the most hours, averaging over 40 hours per week. In comparison, city dwellers in Burlington, Vermont, work 34.8 hours per week.

A company's culture is indicative of its work-life balance. As affirmed in the EBRI/Greenwald Research Workplace Wellness Survey (WWS), over 50 percent of prospective employees say work-life balance is one of their top priorities when considering job offers. Commercial cleaning executives can consider flexible scheduling models and internal boundaries to ensure work-life balance remains a foundation for ongoing operations.

Check out where each of the 182 U.S. cities ranks in terms of happiness here.