The best and worst US states to live in

Aug 01, 2026 07:58 PM - 1 day ago 119

Every authorities has its pros and cons — but which 1 came retired connected top?

US News & World Report released its yearly database of the champion states to unrecorded in, evaluating each successful 8 categories: education, healthcare, the economy, infrastructure, opportunity, fiscal stability, the earthy environment, and crime and corrections. The categories are weighted otherwise based connected a study of 25,000 Americans that asked what they attraction astir about.

US News & World Report elder information editor Evan Comen told Business Insider that since the categories aren't evenly weighted, a authorities excelling successful 1 class doesn't guarantee a precocious wide ranking — and successful immoderate instances, occurrence successful 1 class could lead to the illness of another.

Texas, for example, vanished extracurricular the apical 25 contempt ranking first successful economy.

"The measurement we've system our index, it does bespeak immoderate of these trade-offs among categories," Comen said. "Texas is No. 1 successful the system — a batch of that system is tied to lipid and state manufacturing. But then, Texas is No. 46 successful earthy environment. And our earthy situation class is composed of metrics related to aerial and h2o value and pollution."

Though Southern states person typically performed good connected lists that rank the champion places to live, Florida and North Carolina were the only Sun Belt states to decorativeness successful the apical 25. According to Comen, it's not that Southern states are getting worse; rather, different states are improving.

"A diminution successful rankings doesn't needfully mean a authorities is performing poorly successful immoderate metric, but alternatively that they are being outpaced by different states," he said. "Some states successful the South mightiness person knowledgeable ranking decline, but it's much because they're being outperformed by different states, particularly the Midwest."

One authorities that kept its ranking from the erstwhile twelvemonth was Utah, which vanished first for the 4th consecutive year. While Utah vanished 48th successful the earthy situation category, it had 1 of the astir balanced rankings crossed categories, including the second-best economy.

Keep reference to spot what each authorities is champion astatine and what it needs to amended on, according to US News & World Report.

The organization information comes from the US census.

50. Louisiana

An aerial position of Shreveport, Louisiana.

Shreveport, Louisiana. Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Population: 4,618,189

Best ranking: Fiscal stableness (43)

Worst ranking: Crime and corrections (50)

49. Alaska

Coastal houses beryllium on a forested shoreline pinch upland peaks and reflections connected calm bluish water.

Homer, Alaska. Jay Berkow Photography/Getty Images

Population: 737,270

Best ranking: Opportunity (30)

Worst ranking: Economy (49)

48. Mississippi

Government building successful Jackson, Mississippi.

Jackson, Mississippi. SeanPavonePhoto/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Population: 2,954,160

Best ranking: Crime and corrections (23)

Worst ranking: Healthcare (50)

47. New Mexico

Buildings successful Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Albuquerque, New Mexico. Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Population: 2,125,498

Best ranking: Fiscal stableness (12)

Worst ranking: Education (50)

46. Michigan

Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA College Town Skyline banal photo

Ann Arbor, Michigan. Sean Pavone/Getty Images

Population: 10,127,884

Best ranking: Healthcare (24)

Worst ranking: Education (45)

45. Arkansas

Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA Townscape banal photo

Hot Springs, Arkansas. Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Population: 3,114,791

Best ranking: Economy (23)

Worst ranking: Crime and corrections (49)

44. West Virginia

Buildings successful Wheeling, West Virginia.

Wheeling, West Virginia. Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Population: 1,766,147

Best ranking: Opportunity (4)

Worst ranking: Healthcare and system (50 successful some categories)

43. Alabama

Buildings successful Birmingham, Alabama.

Birmingham, Alabama. Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Population: 5,193,088

Best ranking: Opportunity (19)

Worst ranking: Education and healthcare (44 successful some categories)

42. Ohio

Buildings successful Columbus, Ohio.

Columbus, Ohio. Sean Reid/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Population: 11,900,510

Best ranking: Opportunity (18)

Worst ranking: Natural situation (43)

41. Kentucky

Bardstown, Kentucky.

Bardstown, Kentucky. Brian Koellish/Getty Images

Population: 4,606,864

Best ranking: Crime and corrections (10)

Worst ranking: Healthcare (46)

40. Pennsylvania

Statue and buildings successful Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia. f11photo/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Population: 13,059,432

Best ranking: Healthcare (11 )

Worst ranking: Economy (47)

39. Oregon

Portland, Oregon, skyline.

Portland, Oregon. Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Population: 4,273,586

Best ranking: Infrastructure (2)

Worst ranking: Economy (48)

38. Nevada

Aerial position of Reno, Nevada.

Reno, Nevada. Jacob Boomsma/Getty Images

Population: 3,282,188

Best ranking: Infrastructure (1)

Worst ranking: Natural situation (47)

37. Illinois

Chicago, Illinois.

Chicago. marchello74/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Population: 12,719,141

Best ranking: Education (13)

Worst ranking: Fiscal stableness (50)

36. Oklahoma

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA downtown skyline astatine twilight.

Oklahoma City. Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Population: 4,123,288

Best ranking Economy (11)

Worst ranking: Education (47)

35. California

Skyline successful Los Angeles, California.

Los Angeles. choness/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Population: 39,355,309

Best ranking: Healthcare (7)

Worst ranking: Opportunity (50)

34. Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona, USA Downtown Skyline Aerial banal photo

Phoenix. Kruck20/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Population: 7,623,818

Best ranking: Economy (4)

Worst ranking: Education (43)

33. Rhode Island

Newport, Rhode Island.

Newport, Rhode Island. Beth Fitzpatrick/Getty Images

Population: 1,114,521

Best ranking Healthcare (4)

Worst ranking: Infrastructure (47)

32. South Carolina

Houses successful Charleston, South Carolina.

Charleston, South Carolina. Kruck20/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Population: 5,570,274

Best ranking: Economy (6)

Worst ranking: Education and crime and corrections(42 successful some categories)

31. Missouri

Aerial twilight position of a riverfront municipality pinch bridges, marinas, wooded neighborhoods, and metropolis lights.

Branson, Missouri. JeremyMasonMcGraw.com/Getty Images

Population: 6,270,541

Best ranking: Opportunity (8)

Worst ranking: Crime and corrections (44)

30. Indiana

Indianapolis, Indiana.

Indianapolis. Nicholas Klein/Getty Images

Population: 6,973,333

Best ranking: Opportunity (17)

Worst ranking: Natural situation (50)

29. Montana

Missoula, Montana.

Missoula, Montana. Jon Bilous/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Population: 1,144,694

Best ranking: Opportunity (15)

Worst ranking: Healthcare (41)

28. Hawaii

Downtown Honolulu, Hawaii aerial.

Honolulu. ehabaref/Getty Images

Population: 1,432,820

Best ranking: Healthcare (1)

Worst ranking: Economy (46)

27. Maine

Buildings successful Portland, Maine.

Portland, Maine. Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Population: 1,414, 874

Best ranking: Crime and corrections (2)

Worst ranking: Infrastructure (41)

26. Texas

Buildings successful Dallas, Texas.

Dallas, Texas. travelview/Getty Images

Population: 31,709,821

Best ranking: Economy (1)

Worst ranking: Opportunity (48)

25. Tennessee

Aerial position of the downtown Nashville, Tennessee skyline from the Cumberland River.

Nashville, Tennessee. Jeremy Poland/Getty Images

Population: 7,315,076

Best ranking: Fiscal stableness (5)

Worst ranking: Crime and corrections (40)

24. Kansas

Aerial view of Topeka, Kansas.

Topeka, Kansas. Ultima_Gaina/Getty Images

Population: 2,977,220

Best ranking: Infrastructure (5)

Worst ranking: Natural situation (39)

23. New York

An aerial position of Albany, New York skyline during autumn pinch vibrant foliage and clear bluish sky

Albany, New York. Wirestock/Getty Images

Population: 20,002,427

Best ranking: Natural situation (6)

Worst ranking: Opportunity (49)

22. Georgia

Atlanta authorities capitol pinch the skyline.

Atlanta. adamkaz/Getty Images

Population: 11,302,748

Best ranking: Fiscal stableness (10)

Worst ranking: Healthcare (35)

21. Maryland

Baltimore downtown skyline aerial.

Baltimore, Maryland. Kruck20/Getty Images

Population: 6,265,347

Best ranking: Healthcare, earthy situation (5)

Worst ranking: Economy (37)

20. New Jersey

Newark, New Jersey, skyline reflection connected the banks of the Passaic River astatine night.

Newark, New Jersey. DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images

Population: 9,548,215

Best ranking: Education (2)

Worst ranking: Fiscal stableness (49)

19. Virginia

A colorful sunrise complete the metropolis of Richmond, Virginia skyline and the James River.

Richmond, Virginia. Sky Noir Photography by Bill Dickinson/Getty Images

Population: 8,880,107

Best ranking: Crime and corrections (13)

Worst ranking: Infrastructure (39)

18. Connecticut

Hartford, Connecticut skyline.

Hartford, Connecticut. Sean Pavone/Getty Images

Population: 3,688,496

Best ranking: Healthcare (3)

Worst ranking: Fiscal stableness (47)

17. Colorado

Aerial position of Denver, Colorado skyline astatine sunset.

Denver, Colorado. Ultima_Gaina/Getty Images

Population: 6,012,561

Best ranking: Education (1)

Worst ranking: Crime and corrections (47)

16. Wyoming

Snow-dusted mountains emergence down a metropolis skyline nether pinkish clouds astatine sunset.

Casper, Wyoming. DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images

Population: 588,753

Best ranking: Fiscal stableness (1)

Worst ranking: Healthcare (38)

15. Wisconsin

Downtown Madison pinch the State Capitol, Wisconsin, astatine dusk.

Madison, Wisconsin. benedek/Getty Images

Population: 5,972,787

Best ranking: Education (5)

Worst ranking: Infrastructure (37)

14. Delaware

Aerial changeable of downtown Wilmington successful New Castle County, Delaware connected an overcast time successful Fall.

Wilmington, Delaware. halbergman/Getty Images

Population: 1,059,952

Best ranking: Fiscal stableness (4)

Worst ranking: Education (37)

13. North Carolina

Aerial position of downtown Charlotte, North Carolina.

Charlotte, North Carolina. Kruck20/Getty Images

Population: 11,197,968

Best ranking: Education (10)

Worst ranking: Infrastructure, earthy situation (26)

12. Iowa

Aerial of the Des Moines Riverwalk span and the Des Moines River, pinch the Downtown Des Moines skyline successful the background.

Des Moines, Iowa. Dee Liu/Getty Images

Population: 3,238,387

Best ranking: Opportunity (2)

Worst ranking: Economy (39)

11. Massachusetts

Springfield, Massachusetts, downtown skyline connected the stream astatine dusk.

Springfield, Massachusetts. Sean Pavone/Getty Images

Population: 7,154,084

Best ranking: Healthcare (2)

Worst ranking: Opportunity (41)

10. Vermont

Autumn position complete the historical metropolis of Montpelier, Vermont, pinch religion spires and colorful autumn leaves

Montpelier, Vermont. jenifoto/Getty Images

Population: 644,663

Best ranking: Opportunity (1)

Worst ranking: Fiscal stableness (41)

9. Washington

A position of buildings successful Tacoma, Washington, pinch Mount Rainier behind.

Tacoma, Washington. gmc3101/Getty Images

Population: 8,001,020

Best ranking: Natural situation (7)

Worst ranking: Opportunity (34)

8. Florida

Downtown St. Petersburg, Florida.

St. Petersburg, Florida. RudyBalasko/Getty Images

Population: 23,462,518

Best ranking: Education (3)

Worst ranking: Opportunity (47)

7. Idaho

Boise, Idaho, skyline view pinch autumn colors

Boise, Idaho. Darwin Fan/Getty Images

Population: 2,029,733

Best ranking: Economy (3)

Worst ranking: Education (30)

6. New Hampshire

Autumn trees, achromatic riverside buildings, religion steeples, and a chromatic span bespeak successful calm bluish water.

Peterborough, New Hampshire. DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images

Population: 1,415,342

Best ranking: Crime and corrections (1)

Worst ranking: Fiscal stableness (36)

5. Nebraska

Sunny vicinity successful Downtown Lincoln, Nebraska.

Lincoln, Nebraska. Alex Potemkin/Getty Images

Population: 2,018,006

Best ranking: Infrastructure (3)

Worst ranking: Healthcare (34)

4. North Dakota

Aerial changeable of downtown Fargo, North Dakota, connected an overcast sunset successful Fall.

Fargo, North Dakota. halbergman/Getty Images

Population: 799,358

Best ranking: Fiscal stableness (3)

Worst ranking: Healthcare (29)

3. Minnesota

City position of Minneapolis by the 3rd Avenue Bridge

Minneapolis. Claire Gentile/Getty Images

Population: 5,830,405

Best ranking: Infrastructure (9)

Worst ranking: Economy (24)

2. South Dakota

Aerial position of Rapid City, South Dakota.

Rapid City, South Dakota. Ultima_Gaina/Getty Images

Population: 935,094

Best ranking: Natural situation (2)

Worst ranking: Crime and corrections (41)

1. Utah

Aerial of downtown of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Salt Lake City, Utah. Vadym Terelyuk/Getty Images

Population: 3,538,904

Best ranking: Economy, fiscal stableness (2 successful some categories)

Worst ranking: Natural situation (48)

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