Folks in SC reach peak life satisfaction earlier than average, study says. Here’s when

At what point are we supposed to feel satisfied with our lives? Satisfaction may be a personal goal, but data suggests seniors reach their peak level of peace at an age earlier than you might have guessed.

Satisfaction can feel like something that is always just ahead: a better job, a higher salary, the right relationship, a more settled home, more travel, stronger friendships or simply the feeling that life has finally found its rhythm.

According to a new survey, many Americans do eventually reach that sense of contentment, and on average, it happens at age 52.

Cherry Data Signals, a survey platform that helps brands launch low-cost surveys, polled over 6,400 respondents aged 65 and older to find out when they felt they had reached their highest level of life satisfaction.

Respondents were asked to reflect on their happiness across areas such as career, family, friendships, relationships and the general direction their lives had taken.

This is the age at which most South Carolinians feel content with their life, according to the survey:

Peak life satisfaction in SC

Respondents in SC argue that they’ve experienced the best part of their life a little earlier than the national average.

While it takes 52 years of life for the average American to reach peak life satisfaction, South Carolinians find that 50 years is enough to grasp the highest level of satisfaction.

The following states have residents who reach peak life satisfaction later in life:

10 states with the latest peak life satisfaction age

There isn’t much change in age for these states, but Californians and New Yorkers believe that life doesn’t get much better past 57.

• #1. California: 57 years old
• #2. New York: 57 years old
• #3. Nevada: 56 years old
• #4. Washington: 56 years old
• #5. Texas: 56 years old
• #6. Florida: 56 years old
• #7. Massachusetts: 56 years old
• #8. Alaska: 55 years old
• #9. New Jersey: 55 years old
• #10. Virginia: 55 years old

Other key findings

The survey also asked respondents their opinions on certain life choices and what they felt contributed the most to their happiness.

According to the survey, around 75% said they would choose love over wealth if forced to pick between the two. Relationships and friendships were also the most commonly cited sources of happiness in later life.

Respondents said happiness also came from these other sources:

• Health: 18%
• Romantic partner: 15%
• Career: 14%
• Home: 11%

Overall, 79% of respondents said they were happy with how their working lives turned out, and 58% said they were content with the personal relationships they had formed.