While the two lottery winners splitting the $588 million Powerball jackpot are predictably ecstatic, it turns out they could be pretty darn content with $162,000.
That's the figure identified as being enough to make people feel "happy."
Skandia International, a British firm specializing in offshore investment solutions, developed a "wealth sentiment monitor," which asked 5,000 people in 13 countries how much money they needed to feel happy.
Globally, the average "happiness income" was $161,810 (in U.S. dollars).
That figure took in a low of $85,781 for ever-stoic Germans to a high of $276,150 from Dubai residents, who presumably are otherwise melancholic.
The survey also went a step further, asking how much money it would take to feel wealthy. In a word: more.
Citizens of Singapore said they'd need $2.91 million to feel wealthy, while Americans lowballed the feeling at $1 million.
So how do Minnesotans stack up? Well, despite our outward demeanor, we could be happier.
According to most recent U.S. Census figures, the median per capita income here is $29,404.
By household, the figure rises to $56,954.
That's still a good $100,000 shy of Skandia's "happiness income."
Then again, Minnesotans make more money than Iowans. That alone might make us giddy.
Kim Ode • 612-673-7185