What features of a city make for happy inhabitants? Most of them are pretty predictable: Mass transit, an environment conducive to raising kids, and affordability all ranked highly in a survey published in Urban Affairs Review.

But, as Kaid Benfield reports in the Atlantic Cities, there was one surprise in this research. It was very important to people’s happiness to see their city of residence as beautiful — but not at all important to see their city as clean.

Your support powers solutions-focused climate reporting — keeping it free for everyone. All donations DOUBLED for a limited time. Give now in under 45 seconds.
Secure · Tax deductible · Takes 45 Seconds

Stories like this don’t tell themselves.

Make others like it possible. Your support powers solutions-focused climate reporting — keeping it free for everyone. Give now in under 45 seconds.
Secure · Tax deductible · Takes 45 Seconds

[T]he researchers found that the perception of “clean streets, sidewalks, and public spaces” actually had a somewhat negative association with happiness. Happy people apparently find their urban environments both beautiful and messy.

Of course, this survey could have been pretty skewed just by how much people love New York and Chicago.

To support our nonprofit environmental journalism, please consider disabling your ad-blocker to allow ads on Grist. Here's How