Despite the popular saying, a new study reveals that money does buy you happiness, and 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. Sheesh.
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 hip-hop's most respected lyricists, Tupac Shakur:
"Smile, keep your head up, I know you fed up, But life don't give a damn, keep your head up".
If you're a fan of Tupac - or think someone else is the GOAT - make sure to vote for your favourite hip-hop and RnB songs of all time for the Mai Hot 1000.
Going off your votes, we'll find the greatest song of all time.
