What does it take to be happy? About $75,000 (Chicago Tribune)

It is often said that "money doesn't buy you happiness" but some certainly helps relieve unhappiness.

And from decades of research we now know that poverty, or low social status is definitely correlated with poor health and early mortality.

Stanford researches quantify what is the threshold in income to be 'happy' (at least in the USA).

Does happiness rise with income? In one of the more scientific attempts to answer that question, researchers from Princeton have put a price on happiness. It's about $75,000 in income a year.

They found that not having enough money definitely causes emotional pain and unhappiness. But, after reaching an income of about $75,000 per year, money can't buy happiness. More money can, however, help people view their lives as successful or better.

...

The study found that people's evaluations of their lives improved steadily with annual income. But the quality of their everyday experiences -- their feelings -- did not improve above an income of $75,000 a year.

A previous article placed the figure at around $40,000 for Australians.