Utah is the 2nd happiest — but only the 44th sexiest — state in America

Utah is the second-happiest state in the union … despite the fact that it’s rated the 44th-sexiest state. The somewhat non sequitur results of two studies that show decidedly different results.

According to an analysis by personal finance website WalletHub.com that compared states across 31 key indicators, the only place in America that's happier than Utah is Hawaii.

In three comprehensive categories, the Beehive State ranked first in work environment; second in community and environment; and 15th in emotional and physical well-being. In subcategories, Utah was first in number of work hours, volunteer rate and separation and divorce rate; fourth in safety; sixth in income growth and long-term unemployment rate; and seventh in adequate-sleep rate.

On the other hand, global travel site Big 7 Travel released a ranking of the sexiest states, and Utah ranked 44th — right there between No. 43 Oklahoma and No. 45 West Virginia. And, according to the site, “Utah’s score is surprising for a state that has produced models and actresses such as Chrissy Teigen and Loretta Young.”

Before you take any of that in the least bit seriously, the ranking was determined by a vote of Big 7 Travel readers in December 2018, and they were given “no further specifications of the term 'sexy,' so interpretation of the word was up to them.”

For what it’s worth (which isn’t much), here are Big 7 Travel’s results: