What's the best state to live in?

Asked by: Prof. Anderson Gulgowski  |  Last update: June 9, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (25 votes)

There's no single "best" state, as it depends on your priorities, but Massachusetts, Utah, Idaho, New Hampshire, and Minnesota consistently rank high across various lists for 2025-2026 due to strong economies, education, health, safety, and quality of life, with specific strengths like Mass's schools, Utah's fiscal health, or Idaho's environment. Other top contenders often include New Jersey, Wisconsin, and Colorado, while factors like taxes (Washington has none) or climate also influence choices.

What is the #1 best state to live in?

There's no single "#1 best state," as it depends on priorities, but Massachusetts often ranks highest for overall quality of life, education, and healthcare in studies by sources like WalletHub, while Utah is frequently cited by U.S. News & World Report for strong performance in economy and education. Other top contenders often include Idaho, praised for affordability and growth, and New Jersey, known for high incomes. 

Which state is the cheapest and safest to live in?

There's no single "cheapest and safest" state, as affordability (low cost of living/housing) often points to Mississippi, West Virginia, and Oklahoma, while safety (low crime/financial stability) often favors Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine; the best balance depends on your priorities, but Midwestern areas often combine both factors well. 

What state is offering $20,000 to move there?

The city of Cumberland, Maryland, offers up to $20,000 to attract new residents through its "Choose Cumberland" program, providing $10,000 cash and a dollar-for-dollar match for home renovations or down payments on new homes within city limits, aiming to boost its population and economy, especially for remote workers and those with local jobs. 

What is the #1 happiest state in the US?

Hawaii is consistently ranked as the number one happiest state in the U.S. in recent studies, including WalletHub's 2025 report. Residents report high life satisfaction, good physical and mental health, low depression rates, strong economic security (despite cost of living), and a positive work-life balance, though rankings can vary slightly by study.
 

Top 10 States to Live in the United States 2026 (Why They're Best)

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What state is #1 in crime?

Alaska often ranks #1 for violent crime rates per capita, followed closely by New Mexico, while some analyses also point to Louisiana for high murder rates or overall danger, though rankings vary slightly depending on whether violent crime, property crime, or general safety metrics are used, with data from 2024 and 2025 consistently showing Alaska and New Mexico leading in violent offenses. 

Which state is the friendliest?

WCCO CBS reported, "The study found that Minnesota is the friendliest state." This edged out Texas and other notoriously friendly-seeming states in that region (depending on who you ask).

Which states have the best healthcare?

Iowa, Massachusetts, Washington, D.C., and Rhode Island top the national rankings for overall health care experience. In the West Health–Gallup analysis, residents in these states report better overall experiences, particularly in their ability to afford, access and receive quality care when and where they need it.

What is the easiest state to live in financially?

The easiest states financially often combine a low cost of living with favorable taxes, with Tennessee frequently topping lists due to its lack of state income tax on wages and affordable housing/expenses, while Mississippi, Arkansas, and West Virginia are also highly ranked for affordability, offering low property taxes, housing costs, and overall expenses, making it easier to build savings. 

What state is #1 in safety?

While rankings vary slightly by source, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts consistently rank as the top safest states in the U.S. for 2025-2026, often praised for low crime, strong financial security, safe roads, and good emergency preparedness, with Vermont often taking the #1 overall spot in recent studies. 

Where can I live that is warm and cheap?

Best affordable warm states with soaring home prices

  • Texas. Texas is ideal for millennials and Gen Z buyers who want affordable housing, strong job opportunities, and a good quality of life without the sky-high prices of coastal cities. ...
  • Florida. ...
  • Arizona. ...
  • Georgia. ...
  • South Carolina.

What is the most difficult state to live in?

There's no single "hardest" state, but studies frequently rank New Mexico, Louisiana, and Arkansas as the toughest due to high poverty, poor education, and crime rates, while Tennessee and Alabama are flagged for quality-of-life issues like crime or lack of inclusivity, and Alaska presents extreme costs and remoteness, making the "hardest" state subjective and dependent on what challenges one finds most difficult. 

What states have no state income tax?

Nine U.S. states currently have no state income tax on wages: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. While these states offer savings on income, they often rely on higher sales, property, or excise taxes to fund services, so it's essential to consider the overall tax picture and cost of living before moving.
 

What is the prettiest state to live in?

10 most beautiful states in US 1. California 2. Montana 3. Alaska 4. Utah 5.

What is the most loved state in America?

Hawaii is consistently ranked as the most liked U.S. state, leading in favorability surveys for its beauty, pleasant climate, and perceived happiness, followed by states like Alaska, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Colorado, while some polls show Minnesota or Michigan residents have the most state pride, according to data from 2025 YouGov polls. Different surveys measure "liked" differently, with some focusing on general favorability and others on resident pride, but Hawaii appears at the top for general appeal across the nation.
 

What is the least friendly state in the US?

According to World Population Review's Friendliest States 2024, New York is the least friendly state in all of America.

What is the most peaceful state in the US?

While rankings vary by source and year, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont consistently rank as the most peaceful states, often topping lists due to low crime rates (violent and property), strong community safety, and overall lower levels of conflict, with the Northeast generally being the most peaceful region in the U.S. New Hampshire is often cited as the safest overall by some metrics like low violent/property crime, while Maine excels in multiple peace indicators.
 

What are the top 5 most murderous states?

Based on 2023 data, the U.S. states with the highest murder rates (per 100,000 people) consistently include Louisiana, New Mexico, Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee, with the District of Columbia often topping the list if included; these Southern and Western states experience higher per-person homicide rates, often linked to poverty and urban areas. 

What state has little to no crime?

While rankings vary slightly by source and year, New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont consistently appear as states with the lowest overall crime rates, particularly in violent crime, often leading lists of the safest states in the U.S. These northeastern states frequently show low violent offenses and strong safety metrics, with some data highlighting New Hampshire for low violent/property crime, Maine for lowest violent crime, and Vermont for overall safety. 

Which state is no. 1 in crime?

Alaska often ranks #1 for violent crime rates per capita, followed closely by New Mexico, while some analyses also point to Louisiana for high murder rates or overall danger, though rankings vary slightly depending on whether violent crime, property crime, or general safety metrics are used, with data from 2024 and 2025 consistently showing Alaska and New Mexico leading in violent offenses. 

Which state has the nicest people?

FRIENDLIEST STATES: Georgia ranks as the 16th friendliest state, according to a survey by World Population Review. Minnesota, Tennessee, South Carolina, Texas and Wyoming are the top 5 with New York ranked 50th.

Which state is the most fun to live in?

What are the most fun states in the nation?

  • California — Dominates with the most restaurants, amusement parks, movie theaters, and fitness centers per capita. ...
  • Florida — Known for its many restaurants, musicals, and amusement parks. ...
  • Nevada — Famous for Las Vegas, it excels in nightlife and entertainment density.

What state is #1 in quality of life?

There isn't one single answer, as different studies rank states differently, but Vermont, Massachusetts, and Utah frequently appear at the top for quality of life, with Vermont often cited for its environment and health, Massachusetts for healthcare and education, and Utah for overall performance, though rankings shift based on criteria like economy, health, education, and safety.