What are the most and least friendly states?
Surveys tracking "friendliness" typically measure things like tourist feedback, helpfulness to strangers, and community involvement. Based on data from the World Population Review and travel/community studies, friendliness across the U.S. breaks down as follows:
What is the #1 state people are leaving?
California is the number one state people are leaving in terms of absolute net population loss. It routinely sees hundreds of thousands more residents move out than move in, primarily driven by high housing costs, elevated taxes, and an overall high cost of living.
Which U.S. state is the nicest?
The "nicest" states depend on what you value most—warm hospitality, overall quality of life, or breathtaking scenery. The following stand out:
What are the 5 best states to live in?
Based on national rankings from U.S. News & World Report and WalletHub, the five best states to live in are Utah, New Hampshire, Idaho, Minnesota, and Massachusetts. These states consistently top the charts due to strong economies, excellent healthcare, high-performing education systems, and great overall quality of life.
What is the most loved U.S. state?
Hawaii is widely considered the most loved U.S. state, consistently ranking #1 in favorability surveys due to its7 popular scenery, beaches, and climate. A 2025 YouGov poll found it has the highest net favorability (+53) and 68% of Americans view it favorably. Other top-rated states for popularity include Alaska, Colorado, Montana, and North Carolina.
10 Tax Friendly States
What is the #1 least educated state?
West Virginia is widely ranked as the #1 least educated state in the U.S. It consistently ranks at or near the bottom in national studies, including the annual WalletHub Least Educated States Study and rankings by World Population Review.
What state is 90% white?
As of 2026 data, several U.S. states have populations that are approximately 90% white or higher, with Maine, Vermont, West Virginia, and New Hampshire consistently ranking as the whitest states. Maine is often cited as the highest, with estimates reaching up to 93.9% white.
Which state is worth moving to?
The "best" state depends on your priorities, but Texas, North Carolina, and Massachusetts consistently rank highest across diverse needs. Whether you prioritize a booming job market, no state income tax, or top-tier quality of life, these locations are top contenders.
What is the least desirable state to live in?
The "least desirable" state to live in varies widely depending on personal priorities, but major publications and livability studies—such as WalletHub and U.S. News & World Report—consistently rank New Mexico, Louisiana, and Mississippi at the bottom of their lists.
What is the happiest state to live in?
Hawaii consistently ranks as the happiest state in the U.S. Thanks to its ideal climate, active lifestyle, longest national life expectancy (over 81 years), and low depression rates, it regularly takes the top spot in major well-being studies.
What is the prettiest American state?
While the "most beautiful" state is subjective, travel experts and geographers consistently point to California, Hawaii, Alaska, and Utah as the top contenders. Each offers a completely different, yet breathtaking, type of landscape.
What is the least welcoming state?
Surveys consistently rank New York as the least friendly (and sometimes "rudest") state in America. This reputation is largely driven by tourists on platforms like Big 7 Travel, who find the fast-paced, direct, and time-strapped culture of the East Coast to be less welcoming than other regions.
What is the #1 state to move to?
Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Georgia are among the top states people are moving to. High-cost states like California, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, and Massachusetts remain key states people are leaving.
What US states are in decline?
All but five U.S. states grew between July 2024 and July 2025. States that experienced population decline were California, Hawaii, New Mexico, Vermont and West Virginia.
Where do 80% of Americans live?
Nearly 80% of the U.S. population lives east of the 100th meridian (a line of longitude running through the Dakotas down to the Gulf of Mexico in Texas).
What state is offering $10,000 to move there?
Tulsa Remote is a program designed to help remote workers interested in moving to Oklahoma. It offers $10,000 to anyone who meets the five eligibility criteria below. Once you've applied, select applicants will be interviewed by Tulsa staff in order to learn more about your background and interest in the city.
Where not to retire?
You should generally avoid retiring in states with prohibitive living costs, high tax burdens, harsh climates, or poor healthcare infrastructure. Top-rated "worst" states for retirement include New Jersey, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and West Virginia, alongside expensive destinations like Hawaii and California.
What is the unhealthiest state to live in?
Depending on the metric used, Louisiana and West Virginia consistently rank as the unhealthiest states in the U.S. Both states face severe public health challenges.
What is the cheapest but nicest state to live in?
Based on 2026 data, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Arkansas are frequently ranked as the cheapest states to live in, offering extremely low housing costs and overall living expenses roughly 15% below the national average. For a balance of affordability, decent amenities, and natural beauty, Tennessee and Iowa are also top contenders.
What state pays you to move there?
Multiple U.S. states pay you to move there through relocation programs that target remote workers and professionals. These packages, which range from $5,000 to over $23,000, usually combine cash, coworking space memberships, and local lifestyle perks.
Which state has the best weather?
Hawaii and California are consistently ranked as having the best overall weather in the U.S., largely depending on what kind of climate you prefer.
Which state is the most unaffordable to live in?
Republicans call California most unaffordable; WalletHub and U.S. News concur. High housing costs drive low affordability, while income and taxes vary statewide. Quality-of-life metrics lift California in broader rankings despite price pressures.
What is the blackest state in the USA?
Mississippi has the highest percentage of Black residents of any U.S. state, with about 38% of its population identifying as Black. If including federal districts, the District of Columbia has the highest proportion at nearly 45%. Texas has the highest total number of Black residents, with over 3.9 million.
What does "white alone" mean?
"White alone" is a U.S. Census Bureau term for individuals who reported only one race—White—and did not select any other race group (such as Black, Asian, or American Indian). It includes people with origins in Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa, and represents the minimum number of people identifying as White.
What is the average lifespan of Americans?
The average life expectancy for Americans is 79.0 years at birth.