All 50 US states have been ranked from best to worst to live in for 2024 and the results, particularly the top 10, may come as a surprise.
U.S. News and World Report’s Best States Rankings released on Tuesday are based on assessments of healthcare, education, economy, infrastructure, opportunity for residents, financial stability, public safety and natural environment. The categories were weighted in that order from most to less important.
‘More weight was accorded to some categories than others, based on a survey of what matters most to people,’ stated the publication known for its annual college ranking.
Here are the top 10 states, along with where some of the most famous ones placed.
1. Utah
Utah took the top spot on the list, ranking No 2 in education, No 3 in both economy and infrastructure, No 6 in fiscal stability and No 9 in crime and corrections.
The Beehive State has a gross domestic product (GDP) of $273billion and a population of more than 3.4million. Nearly half, or 47.9%, of residents are college educated and the median income is $40,959.
‘Utah’s mountains, high plateaus and deserts – containing the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere, at the state capital of Salt Lake City – are bordered by Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona at right angles,’ wrote U.S. News and World Report.
‘The “Four Corners” area marks the only such arrangement in the US.’
2. New Hampshire
Despite being one of the smallest states, New Hampshire has earned the No 2 spot on the ranking. It placed first in terms of crime and corrections, No 7 in economy, No 8 in natural environment and No 9 in education.
The Granite State has a GDP of $111billion and a population of more than 1.4million. More than half, or 50.6%, of its citizens are college educated and the median income is $49,617.
‘It traditionally has played an outsized role in the nation’s greatest task: election of the president,’ stated the publication.
‘Political careers were made, salvaged and busted in this first-in-the-nation primary, though its actual impact may be overstated, as many New Hampshire primary winners have failed to win the White House.’
3. Nebraska
Nebraska, which has a big agricultural industry, made the cut for the top three. It ranked No 3 in fiscal stability, No 4 in infrastructure and No 9 in natural environment.
The Cornhusker State has a GDP of $178billion and a population of more than 1.9million. Less than half, or 46.2% of its population is college educated and the median income is $41,403.
‘A major urban center in the state is Omaha, home to Warren Buffett, one of the world’s richest men,’ wrote the publication.
‘Stock in his Berkshire Hathaway holding company, managing a wide array of companies, has made many Americans wealthy over 50 years.’
4. Minnesota
Minnesota, the northernmost territory in the 48 contiguous states, was ranked No 4. It placed No 2 in natural environment and No 7 in fiscal stability.
The North Star State has a GDP of $472billion and a population of more than 5.7million. More than half, or 51%, of residents are college educated and the median income is $47,393.
‘The Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit health organization, is headquartered in Rochester and is among the state’s top employers,’ noted the publication.
‘Manufacturing and retail trade are two other major industries in Minnesota, which houses many Fortune 500 companies such as UnitedHealth Group, Target, 3M and General Mills.’
5. Idaho
Idaho, which is famous for its potatoes, precious stones and trout, rounded out the top five. It ranked No 2 in economy and No 9 in fiscal stability.
The Gem State has a GDP of $119billion and a population of more than 1.9million. Only 42.1% of its population is college educated and the median income is $37,395.
‘It is for its unspoiled, rugged landscapes,’ wrote the publication.
‘Snowy mountains, deep valleys, lakes and rivers cover the Gem State, which is twice the size of the six New England states combined.’
The top 10 states include Iowa at No 6, Vermont at No 7, Washington state at No 8, Florida at No 9 and Massachusetts at No 10.
Florida, the Sunshine State, ranked No 1 in both education and economy. It has a GDP of $1,580billion and a population of 22,610,726. Less than half, or 44.5%, of residents are college educated, and the median income is $39,920.
‘Tourism, which pays a sizable share of the state’s sales tax, also has enabled Florida to remain among the states without a personal income tax – adding a lure as the nation’s leading retirement haven,’ noted the publication.
Meanwhile, Massachusetts ranked No 2 in healthcare, No 3 in education, No 4 in crime and corrections, No 7 in natural environment and No 8 in economy. It has a GDP of $734billion and a population of over 7million. More than half, or 54%, of residents are college educated and the median income is $52,528.
Photographer: Nafiz Rahat
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‘Legislatively, Massachusetts has paved the way for other states: It led the way in universal health care coverage, with a plan enacted in 2006 that inspired former President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act,’ wrote the publication. ‘It was also the first state to legalize gay marriage and the second to pass discrimination laws for individuals who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual.’
New York made it to the top half of the ranking, at No 23. It ranked No 5 in natural environment and No 8 in healthcare. The Empire State has a GDP of $2,152billion and a population of 19million. Nearly half, or 48.8%, of residents are college educated and the median income is $47,414.
‘The industry for which New York City is best known – the financial world of Wall Street – dates to the era of the American Revolution,’ wrote the publication.
Several spots down is Texas, which ranked No 6 in economy and No 8 in fiscal stability. The Lone Star State has a GDP of $2,564billion and a population of over 30million. Its college educated population is 41.7% and the median income is $41,277.
‘Texas’ diverse industrial base has drawn many businesses and workers in recent decades,’ stated the publication. ‘The state capital of Austin, in particular, emerged as a major player in the technology industry in the 1990s.’
California ranked much lower, at No 37. The nation’s most populous state ranked No 6 in healthcare and in no other category in the top 10. It has a GDP of $3,862billion with more than 38million residents. Less than half, or 44.9%, of the population is college educated and the median income is $45,575.
‘While the Gold Rush resulted in unprecedented population and economic growth – it remains the largest mass migration in US history – it also forced out Native Americans and foreigners once gold became harder to find,’ stated the publication.
Ranking last at No 50 is Louisiana. The Pelican State ranked No 50 in crime and corrections and No 49 in economy, infrastructure and natural environment. It has a GDP of $310billion and a population of more than 4.5million. Only 34.3% of residents are college educated and the median income is $37,554.
‘Louisiana has long been vulnerable to Atlantic Ocean hurricanes that barrel into the Gulf of Mexico,’ wrote the publication.
‘In 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and other low regions of the Gulf Coast, causing large-scale damage and flooding in one of the most destructive natural disasters in US history.’
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