All 50 US states are ranked from best to worst to live in in 2024 and the results, especially the top 10, may come as a surprise.
US News and World Report's Best States Rankings released Tuesday are based on assessments of healthcare, education, economy, infrastructure, opportunities for residents, financial stability, public safety and natural environment. The categories are weighted in that order from most to least important.
“Some categories were given more weight than others, based on a survey of what people consider most important,” said the publication known for its annual university rankings.
Here are the top 10 states, along with some of the most famous states.
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 economics and infrastructure. crime and corrections.
The Beehive State has a gross domestic product (GDP) of $273 billion and a population of more than 3.4 million. Nearly half, or 47.9%, of residents have a college education and the median income is $40,959.
“Utah's mountains, highlands and deserts—including the Western Hemisphere's largest saltwater lake, near the state capital of Salt Lake City—are bordered perpendicularly by Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona,” wrote US News and World Report.
“The 'Four Corners' area marks the only such settlement in the US.”
2. New Hampshire
Despite being one of the smallest states, New Hampshire took second place in the rankings. The country ranks first in crime and corrections, seventh in the economy, eighth in natural environment and ninth in education.
The Granite State has a GDP of $111 billion and a population of over 1.4 million. More than half, or 50.6%, of citizens have a college education and the average income is $49,617.
“Traditionally, it has played an outsized role in the nation's greatest task: electing the president,” the release said.
“Political careers were made, saved and destroyed in these first-in-the-nation primaries, though their true impact may be overstated as many winners of the New Hampshire primary failed to win the White House.”
3.Nebraska
Nebraska, which has a large agricultural industry, placed in the top three. It ranks third in fiscal stability, fourth in infrastructure and ninth in natural environment.
The Cornhusker State has a GDP of $178 billion and a population of more than 1.9 million. Less than half, or 46.2% of the population, has a college education and the average income is $41,403.
“A major urban center in the state is Omaha, home to Warren Buffett, one of the richest men in the world,” the publication wrote.
“Shares in his holding company Berkshire Hathaway, which manages a wide range of companies, have made many Americans wealthy over the past fifty years.”
4. Minnesota
Minnesota, the northernmost area of the 48 contiguous states, ranked fourth. The country ranked second in natural environment and seventh in fiscal stability.
The North Star State has a GDP of $472 billion and a population of more than 5.7 million. More than half, or 51%, of residents have a college education and the median income is $47,393.
“The Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit healthcare organization, is headquartered in Rochester and is among the state's top employers,” the release said.
“Manufacturing and retail are two other major industries in Minnesota, home to many Fortune 500 companies such as UnitedHealth Group, Target, 3M and General Mills.”
5. Idaho
Idaho, famous for its potatoes, gemstones and trout, rounded out the top five. It ranks number 2 in terms of economy and number 9 in terms of fiscal stability.
The Gem State has a GDP of $119 billion and a population of more than 1.9 million. Only 42.1% of the population has a college education and the average income is $37,395.
“It is because of the pristine, rugged landscapes,” the publication wrote.
“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 number 6, Vermont at number 7, Washington state at number 8, Florida at number 9 and Massachusetts at number 10.
Florida, the Sunshine State, ranks number 1 in both education and economy. It has a GDP of $1,580 billion and a population of 22,610,726. Less than half, or 44.5%, of residents have a college education and the median income is $39,920.
“Tourism, which pays a significant portion of the state's sales taxes, has also allowed Florida to remain among the no-personal-tax states, boosting its position as the nation's top retirement haven,” the statement said. publication.
Meanwhile, Massachusetts ranks second in health care, third in education, fourth in crime and corrections, seventh in natural environment, and eighth place in terms of economics. It has a GDP of $734 billion and a population of over 7 million. More than half, or 54%, of residents have a college education and the median income is $52,528.
“Legally, Massachusetts paved the way for other states: It led the way in universal health care coverage, with a 2006 plan that inspired former President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act,” the publication wrote. “It was also the first state to legalize same-sex marriage and the second to pass discrimination laws for people who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual.”
New York reached the top half of the rankings, at number 23. It ranked number 5 in natural environment and number 8 in healthcare. The Empire State has a GDP of $2.152 billion and a population of 19 million. Nearly half, or 48.8%, of residents have a college education and the median income is $47,414.
“The industry for which New York City is best known – the financial world of Wall Street – dates back to the era of the American Revolution,” the publication wrote.
California is much lower in the rankings, at number 37. The nation's most populous state is number 6 in health care and not in the top 10 in any other category. It has a GDP of $3,862 billion with more than 38 million inhabitants. Less than half, or 44.9%, of the population has a college education and the average income is $45,575.
“While the Gold Rush resulted in unprecedented population and economic growth — it remains the largest mass migration in U.S. history — it also displaced Native Americans and foreigners as gold became harder to find,” the release said.
The last place at number 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 $310 billion and a population of more than 4.5 million. Only 34.3% of residents have a college education and the average income is $37,554.
“Louisiana has long been vulnerable to Atlantic Ocean hurricanes barreling into the Gulf of Mexico,” the publication wrote.
“In 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans and other low-level regions of the Gulf Coast, causing widespread damage and flooding in one of the most destructive natural disasters in U.S. history.”
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