It turns out money does buy you happiness, unfortunately, it's pretty expensive in Aotearoa.
In 2018, researchers at Purdue University found that there is an amount of money that “boosts emotional well-being” ($60,000 - $75,000). Importantly, they said this amount differs depending on where you live.
This year, S Money - an Australian foreign currency exchange company - took Purdue’s findings and adjusted them to the local cost of living in cities around the world.
In New Zealand, a household needs $193,741 to reach peak happiness. Jeepers weepers.
Auckland is the most expensive NZ city to be happy in ($207,560) and Christchurch is the cheapest ($180,187). Wellingtonians need $207,030 to have a smile on their dial, while those in Hamilton need $181,782.
These income levels are the point at which any increase in money made won’t lead to further happiness. So, @every-billionaire-ever: Give us regular people money since it’s literally proven it’s not doing you any good.
Overall, NZ has the 7th highest price of happiness in the world. Iran is at #1 ($405,000), then it goes Yemen ($291,000), Australia ($205,000), Zimbabwe ($200,000), Norway ($199,000) and Switzerland ($195,000).
Countries with the highest price of happiness (in $US). Credit: S-Money
Although you may think you are now doomed to a life of living on a quarter tank of happiness, most Kiwis are not close to reaching that peak happiness dollar amount and I’ve seen plenty of smiling strangers lately.
I leave you with a quote from one of our generation’s wisest souls, Taylor Alison Swift:
“Happiness isn't a constant. You get fleeting glimpses. You have to fight for those moments, but they make it all worth it.”
Wow. If you're wondering if she's sharing those words of wisdom with her new boo Travis Kelce, she isn't.
However, lipreaders have shared their theories on what she's actually been saying at Kelce's NFL games.
