The interesting thing about the site linked is you can adjust the weights of the parameters.
So, for me, much of the EU ranks higher than the U.S., in large part due to better work-life balance.
Another factor that isn't a top-level slider on that site is transportation. It's so much easier to travel around Europe without driving than it is in the U.S. For some, driving is their first choice; for me, I'd rather have the option of taking a bus or a train or a subway, particularly in areas with lots of traffic.
If we look at the
life satisfaction metric, the usual Scandinavian suspects along with Germany, Iceland, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg top the charts. And why wouldn't they? Fairly low income inequality, fairly consistently good education, good public transport, good to excellent (Norway) environments, and in some areas, fantastic bakeries just around the corner. I know I'd be happier if I could get a fresh German pretzel for breakfast every morning while catching up with neighbors who were at the bakery with the same goal.
One thing that's always fascinated me is how the cold countries up north consistently rank so highly on the happiness scale. Is it not depressing having five hours of sunlight per day for two months in the winter? But perhaps that very challenge is part of what led to better ways of improving happiness.
