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    The Best US States to Live in, Ranked

    Press RoomBy No Comments6 Mins Read

    Every state has its pros and cons — but which one came out on top?

    US News & World Report released its annual list of the best states to live in, evaluating each in eight categories: education, healthcare, the economy, infrastructure, opportunity, fiscal stability, the natural environment, and crime and corrections. The categories are weighted differently based on a survey of 25,000 Americans that asked what they care most about.

    US News & World Report senior data editor Evan Comen told Business Insider that since the categories aren’t evenly weighted, a state excelling in one category doesn’t guarantee a high overall ranking — and in some instances, success in one category could lead to the collapse of another.

    Texas, for example, finished outside the top 25 despite ranking first in economy.

    “The way we’ve structured our index, it does reflect some of these trade-offs among categories,” Comen said. “Texas is No. 1 in the economy — a lot of that economy is tied to oil and gas manufacturing. But then, Texas is No. 46 in natural environment. And our natural environment category is composed of metrics related to air and water quality and pollution.”

    Though Southern states have typically performed well on lists that rank the best places to live, Florida and North Carolina were the only Sun Belt states to finish in the top 25. According to Comen, it’s not that Southern states are getting worse; rather, other states are improving.

    “A decline in rankings doesn’t necessarily mean a state is performing poorly in any metric, but rather that they are being outpaced by other states,” he said. “Some states in the South might have experienced ranking decline, but it’s more because they’re being outperformed by other states, particularly the Midwest.”

    One state that kept its ranking from the previous year was Utah, which finished first for the fourth consecutive year. While Utah finished 48th in the natural environment category, it had one of the most balanced rankings across categories, including the second-best economy.

    Keep reading to see what each state is best at and what it needs to improve on, according to US News & World Report.

    The population data comes from the US census.

    50. Louisiana


    An aerial view of Shreveport, Louisiana.

    Shreveport, Louisiana.

    Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Population: 4,618,189

    Best ranking: Fiscal stability (43)

    Worst ranking: Crime and corrections (50)

    49. Alaska


    Coastal houses sit along a forested shoreline with mountain peaks and reflections on calm blue water.

    Homer, Alaska.

    Jay Berkow Photography/Getty Images

    Population: 737,270

    Best ranking: Opportunity (30)

    Worst ranking: Economy (49)

    48. Mississippi


    Government building in 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 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

    Albuquerque, New Mexico.

    Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Population: 2,125,498

    Best ranking: Fiscal stability (12)

    Worst ranking: Education (50)

    46. Michigan


    Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA College Town Skyline stock 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 stock 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 in Wheeling, West Virginia.

    Wheeling, West Virginia.

    Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Population: 1,766,147

    Best ranking: Opportunity (4)

    Worst ranking: Healthcare and economy (50 in both categories)

    43. Alabama


    Buildings in Birmingham, Alabama.

    Birmingham, Alabama.

    Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Population: 5,193,088

    Best ranking: Opportunity (19)

    Worst ranking: Education and healthcare (44 in both categories)

    42. Ohio


    Buildings in Columbus, Ohio.

    Columbus, Ohio.

    Sean Reid/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Population: 11,900,510

    Best ranking: Opportunity (18)

    Worst ranking: Natural environment (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 in 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 view of Reno, Nevada.

    Reno, Nevada.

    Jacob Boomsma/Getty Images

    Population: 3,282,188

    Best ranking: Infrastructure (1)

    Worst ranking: Natural environment (47)

    37. Illinois


    Chicago, Illinois.

    Chicago.

    marchello74/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Population: 12,719,141

    Best ranking: Education (13)

    Worst ranking: Fiscal stability (50)

    36. Oklahoma


    Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA downtown skyline at twilight.

    Oklahoma City.

    Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Population: 4,123,288

    Best ranking Economy (11)

    Worst ranking: Education (47)

    35. California


    Skyline in 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 stock 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 in 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 in both categories)

    31. Missouri


    Aerial twilight view of a riverfront town with bridges, marinas, wooded neighborhoods, and city 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 environment (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 in 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 in Dallas, Texas.

    Dallas, Texas.

    travelview/Getty Images

    Population: 31,709,821

    Best ranking: Economy (1)

    Worst ranking: Opportunity (48)

    25. Tennessee


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

    Nashville, Tennessee.

    Jeremy Poland/Getty Images

    Population: 7,315,076

    Best ranking: Fiscal stability (5)

    Worst ranking: Crime and corrections (40)

    24. Kansas


    Aerial panorama of Topeka, Kansas.

    Topeka, Kansas.

    Ultima_Gaina/Getty Images

    Population: 2,977,220

    Best ranking: Infrastructure (5)

    Worst ranking: Natural environment (39)

    23. New York


    An aerial view of Albany, New York skyline during autumn with vibrant foliage and clear blue sky

    Albany, New York.

    Wirestock/Getty Images

    Population: 20,002,427

    Best ranking: Natural environment (6)

    Worst ranking: Opportunity (49)

    22. Georgia


    Atlanta state capitol with the skyline.

    Atlanta.

    adamkaz/Getty Images

    Population: 11,302,748

    Best ranking: Fiscal stability (10)

    Worst ranking: Healthcare (35)

    21. Maryland


    Baltimore downtown skyline aerial.

    Baltimore, Maryland.

    Kruck20/Getty Images

    Population: 6,265,347

    Best ranking: Healthcare, natural environment (5)

    Worst ranking: Economy (37)

    20. New Jersey


    Newark, New Jersey, skyline reflection on the banks of the Passaic River at night.

    Newark, New Jersey.

    DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images

    Population: 9,548,215

    Best ranking: Education (2)

    Worst ranking: Fiscal stability (49)

    19. Virginia


    A colorful sunrise over the city 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 stability (47)

    17. Colorado


    Aerial view of Denver, Colorado skyline at 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 rise behind a city skyline under pink clouds at sunset.

    Casper, Wyoming.

    DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images

    Population: 588,753

    Best ranking: Fiscal stability (1)

    Worst ranking: Healthcare (38)

    15. Wisconsin


    Downtown Madison with the State Capitol, Wisconsin, at dusk.

    Madison, Wisconsin.

    benedek/Getty Images

    Population: 5,972,787

    Best ranking: Education (5)

    Worst ranking: Infrastructure (37)

    14. Delaware


    Aerial shot of downtown Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware on an overcast day in Fall.

    Wilmington, Delaware.

    halbergman/Getty Images

    Population: 1,059,952

    Best ranking: Fiscal stability (4)

    Worst ranking: Education (37)

    13. North Carolina


    Aerial view of downtown Charlotte, North Carolina.

    Charlotte, North Carolina.

    Kruck20/Getty Images

    Population: 11,197,968

    Best ranking: Education (10)

    Worst ranking: Infrastructure, natural environment (26)

    12. Iowa


    Aerial of the Des Moines Riverwalk bridge and the Des Moines River, with the Downtown Des Moines skyline in 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 on the river at dusk.

    Springfield, Massachusetts.

    Sean Pavone/Getty Images

    Population: 7,154,084

    Best ranking: Healthcare (2)

    Worst ranking: Opportunity (41)

    10. Vermont


    Autumn view over the historic city of Montpelier, Vermont, with church spires and colorful fall leaves

    Montpelier, Vermont.

    jenifoto/Getty Images

    Population: 644,663

    Best ranking: Opportunity (1)

    Worst ranking: Fiscal stability (41)

    9. Washington


    A view of buildings in Tacoma, Washington, with Mount Rainier behind.

    Tacoma, Washington.

    gmc3101/Getty Images

    Population: 8,001,020

    Best ranking: Natural environment (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 panorama with fall colors

    Boise, Idaho.

    Darwin Fan/Getty Images

    Population: 2,029,733

    Best ranking: Economy (3)

    Worst ranking: Education (30)

    6. New Hampshire


    Autumn trees, white riverside buildings, church steeples, and a stone bridge reflect in calm blue water.

    Peterborough, New Hampshire.

    DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images

    Population: 1,415,342

    Best ranking: Crime and corrections (1)

    Worst ranking: Fiscal stability (36)

    5. Nebraska


    Sunny neighborhood in 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 shot of downtown Fargo, North Dakota, on an overcast sunset in Fall.

    Fargo, North Dakota.

    halbergman/Getty Images

    Population: 799,358

    Best ranking: Fiscal stability (3)

    Worst ranking: Healthcare (29)

    3. Minnesota


    City view 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 view of Rapid City, South Dakota.

    Rapid City, South Dakota.

    Ultima_Gaina/Getty Images

    Population: 935,094

    Best ranking: Natural environment (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 stability (2 in both categories)

    Worst ranking: Natural environment (48)

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