You’ll Never Guess Which Iowa Town ChatGPT Called the Happiest

We've seen so many studies that claim to prove the happiest, the saddest, the wildest, the drunkest, etc., city in Iowa.

But how accurate are those studies?

Maybe somewhat. Maybe not at all.

So, with the thought of being able to call anything a study, I decided to do one of my own. Well, I decided to let AI do one of its own, and take credit....

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How I Determined Our Happiest Cities

I figured ChatGPT has access to zillions of articles and opinions. It should be able to form an educated opinion. or, whatever robots call "opinions" that is.

Photo by Drew Dau on Unsplash

I asked it to give me its picks. Not a whole bunch to make everyone feel included. Just a top 5. It did, plus some honorable mentions.

So what are Iowa's happiest 5 cities?

Iowa's Happiest Cities (According to AI)

Did ChatGPT use any bias? Maaaybe. It picked two cities I frequently write about and live or have lived in.

Was it trying to please me? Use the same prompt I did and find out. Ask it to give you an unbiased top 5 cities, and let me know.

Here are the results I got, including why the town was selected, starting with number 5:

5. Cedar Falls (I live here - did that factor in?)

Why it’s happy: Excellent bike trails, UNI pride, historic downtown, and a strong local arts community. It's clean, walkable, and well-run.
Vibe: Active, close-knit, and smart.

4. West Des Moines

Why it’s happy: Great schools, safe neighborhoods, thriving local businesses, and proximity to everything in Des Moines without the congestion.
Vibe: Suburban comfort with city perks.

3. Decorah (I used to live/work here)

Why it’s happy: Beautiful scenery, rich Norwegian heritage, a strong sense of community, and access to outdoor recreation like biking, kayaking, and hiking.
Vibe: Quirky, outdoorsy, and artsy.

2. Ames

Why it’s happy: Iowa State University keeps it energetic and full of opportunity. It has strong schools, green spaces, and a vibrant local food and music scene.
Vibe: Chill college town meets brainy small city.

1. Iowa City

Why it’s happy: Home to the University of Iowa, it’s youthful, diverse, walkable, and full of art, culture, and bookstores. It’s also a UNESCO City of Literature!
Vibe: Progressive, friendly, and buzzing with activity year-round.

Honorable Mentions:

Waverly – Friendly people, good schools, and great public spaces.
Pella – Gorgeous Dutch architecture, tulip festivals, and small-town charm.
Mount Vernon – Liberal arts vibe, artsy, welcoming, and full of personality.
Okoboji – Happiness peaks in the summer with lakeside fun and vacation energy.

How Did AI Do?

Again, no sources to cite, ChatGPT simply rattled off this list, though it did tell me the list is "what people would consider the happiest," so perhaps it pulled from other conversations with Iowans?

Or, it's just smart. Because that list is, in my opinion, really hard to dispute.

But can you dispute ChatGPT's picks for our snobbiest towns?