Charleston, S.C., September 6, 2025
News Summary
Charleston, S.C. has been recognized as the happiest small beach town in the U.S. by Beach.com, utilizing AI to analyze Instagram photos. The study found 606 faces showing happiness in the city, achieving a score of 54 out of 100 on the happiness index. Charleston outranked Mount Pleasant and Huntington Beach, receiving accolades for its lively community activities and scenic beauty. This recognition adds to Charleston’s reputation for happiness, previously rated as the 14th happiest city in other evaluations.
Charleston, S.C. has been officially recognized as the happiest small beach town in the United States, according to a recent study conducted by Beach.com. This study, which employed advanced artificial intelligence techniques to analyze thousands of Instagram photos, placed Charleston at the top of the happiness index, surpassing other popular beach destinations across the nation.
The analysis involved using an AI emotion recognition model named DeepFace to evaluate a total of 1,060 faces captured in Instagram photos from Charleston. Of these, 606 faces displayed dominant expressions of happiness, contributing to Charleston’s overall score of 572 out of a possible 1,060. This score translates into a happiness index of 54 out of 100, which is the highest among the 100 small beach towns evaluated.
Mount Pleasant, located across the harbor from Charleston, ranked second with a happiness index of 50.2, while Huntington Beach, California, known as “Surf City,” came in third with a happiness score of 49.4.
Several key activities contribute to the high levels of happiness among residents and visitors in Charleston. These include enjoying picturesque sunrises at Folly Beach, exploring the historic cobblestone streets, and attending vibrant live music events on King Street. All of these activities foster a sense of joy and community engagement.
In addition to the recent recognition by Beach.com, Charleston has also been acknowledged as one of the happiest cities in the U.S. In a separate study conducted by WalletHub, Charleston ranked No. 14 among the top 20 happiest cities in the nation. Columbia, South Carolina, was ranked at No. 102 in the same study.
WalletHub’s evaluation ranked Charleston as 20th in emotional well-being, 9th in income, and 48th in community strength, using 29 indicators of happiness such as rates of depression, income growth, and available leisure time.
Charleston’s appeal continues to attract attention, often placing high on various “best-of” lists. It has received accolades from reputable national publications like Travel + Leisure and House Beautiful, and was listed among Liveability’s best 100 places to live in the U.S. last year. The city’s tourism industry is booming, contributing an estimated $13.1 billion to the Greater Charleston Area’s economy in 2023.
Southern Living has consistently named Charleston the best city in the South for eight consecutive years. Last year, WalletHub identified Hawaii as the happiest state in the country, while South Carolina ranked 11th.
Research in the study indicates that happiness may be influenced by factors such as social connections, financial stability, job satisfaction, and overall health, underscoring the multi-faceted nature of well-being in communities.
Summary of Charleston’s Happiness Rankings
| Ranking | Happiness Index | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 54/100 | Happiest Small Beach Town |
| Mount Pleasant | 50.2/100 | Second Place |
| Huntington Beach | 49.4/100 | Third Place |
| Charleston (WalletHub) | 14th | Happiest City in the U.S. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors contribute to Charleston being the happiest beach town?
Charleston’s happiness is attributed to activities such as enjoying beach sunrises, exploring historic areas, and attending live events, alongside social connections and financial stability.
How was the study that ranked Charleston conducted?
The study analyzed Instagram photos from 100 small beach towns using artificial intelligence to assess expressions of happiness in 1,060 identified faces.
What are some high rankings Charleston has received in other studies?
Charleston ranked No. 14 in WalletHub’s happiest cities list, with commendable scores in emotional well-being and income.
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Additional Resources
- Count on 2: Charleston is the happiest small beach town in America
- Wikipedia: Charleston, South Carolina
- The State: Charleston’s Happiness Recognition
- Google Search: Charleston happiness index
- iHeart: South Carolina City Named Among Happiest Cities
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Happiness
Author: STAFF HERE CHARLESTON
The CHARLESTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREcharleston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charleston, Charleston County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Spoleto Festival USA, Charleston Wine + Food Festival, and the MOJA Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Charleston Museum, plus leading businesses in tourism and maritime industries that power the local economy such as South Carolina Ports Authority and the Charleston Visitor Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREaiken.com, HEREbeaufort.com, HEREchapin.com, HEREcharleston.com, HEREclinton.com, HEREcolumbia.com, HEREgeorgetown.com, HEREgreenwood.com, HEREgreenville.com, HEREhiltonhead.com, HEREirmo.com, HEREmyrtlebeach.com, HEREnewberry.com, HERErockhill.com, HEREspartanburg.com, HEREaustin.com, HEREcollegestation.com, HEREdallas.com, HEREhouston.com, and HEREsanantonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
