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Best States to Live in the US

The best states to live in the US for 2023 are Vermont, Maine, and New Jersey, with high scores in life, health, and inclusion, along with specific strengths and weaknesses.

by Sai V

Updated Oct 16, 2023

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Best States to Live in the US

Best States to Live in the US

The following table ranks the top 10 states in the United States for 2023, showcasing their Life, Health, and Inclusion scores, along with their notable strengths and weaknesses, making them some of the best states to live and work in.

Rank

State

Life, Health, and Inclusion Score

Strengths

Weaknesses

1

Vermont

327

Air Quality, Health Care, Childcare, Voting Rights

Worker Protections (strong, but not as strong as the rest)

2

Maine

288

Low Crime Rate, Childcare, Healthcare, Inclusiveness

Air Quality

3

New Jersey

282

Reproductive Rights, Inclusiveness, Low Crime Rate

Air Quality

4

Minnesota

269

Health Care, Reproductive Rights, Voting Rights

Crime

5

Hawaii

263

Air Quality, Health Care, Low Crime

Reproductive Rights, Voting Rights, Childcare

6

Oregon

248

Worker Protections, Reproductive Rights, Voting Rights

Crime, Childcare, Health Care

7

Washington

242

Worker Protections, Inclusiveness, Reproductive Rights

Crime, Childcare

8

    Colorado

240

Childcare, Inclusiveness, Voting Rights

Air Quality, Crime

8

Massachusetts

240

Health Care, Worker Protection, Reproductive Rights

Air Quality, Childcare

10

Connecticut

233

Health Care, Low Crime, Worker Protections

Air Quality, Voting Rights
 

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Which American State is Both the Happiest and Healthiest?

Hawaii stands out as the happiest and healthiest American state, according to Gallup's National Health and Well-Being Index. Holding this distinction for the seventh consecutive year, Hawaii's residents reported high levels of well-being in 2018.

Factors such as career satisfaction, social connections, community engagement, financial security, and physical health contributed to Hawaii's impressive overall well-being score of 64.6 out of 100, making it the top-ranked state in the survey. 

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Best States to Live in the USA Based on Economy

Although the economy is commonly assessed on a national scale, economic circumstances can greatly differ among states. The economic segment constitutes a vital component of the comprehensive Best States rankings, considering factors like a state's business climate, workforce dynamics, and overall economic advancement.

The best states to live in the USA based on economy:

Rank

State

Best States Overall Rank

1

Utah

1

2

Idaho

3

3

Colorado

15

4

New Hampshire

6

5

Arizona

37

6

Montana

25

7

Florida

10

8

Texas

35

9

Massachusetts

11

10

Nebraska

4

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Best States to Live in the USA Based on Crime & Corrections

In recent decades, there has been a decrease in crime across the United States. However, the nation still incarcerates a higher proportion of its population compared to other advanced nations. This has resulted in heightened financial strains on state governments and has had a disproportionate impact on minority communities. Simultaneously, crime levels differ among states, as do the rates of imprisonment.

The best states to live in the USA based on crime & corrections:

Rank

State

Best States Overall Rank

1

New Hampshire

6

2

Maine

28

3

Vermont

9

4

Massachusetts

11

5

New Jersey

19

6

Rhode Island

32

7

Virginia

13

8

Connecticut

16

9

Idaho

3

10

Hawaii

31

Best States to Live in the USA Based on Education

The excellence of a community's educational institutions can significantly impact a family's goals. While public education has mainly been under the jurisdiction of local school boards and state funding allocations, federal intervention has been prominent in recent decades. Initiatives like the No Child Left Behind Act introduced obligatory annual testing for states, whereas the Every Student Succeeds Act maintained the testing mandate but reduced federal participation in K-12 education.

The best states to live in the USA based on Education:

Rank

State

Overall Rank

1

Florida

10

2

New Jersey

19

3

Massachusetts

11

4

Colorado

15

5

Utah

1

6

Wisconsin

8

7

Nebraska

4

8

Connecticut

16

9

New York

20

10

Washington

2

Best States to Live in the USA Based on Health

Few elements impact the welfare of a state's residents as profoundly as their general well-being. 

The best states to live in the USA based on health:

Rank

State

Overall Rank

1

Hawaii

31

2

Rhode Island

32

3

Massachusetts

11

4

Maryland

22

5

Connecticut

16

6

California

33

7

Utah

1

8

New Jersey

19

9

New York

20

10

Pennsylvania

40

Best States to Live in the USA Based on Natural Environment

Over the course of recent decades, governing bodies have put in place various rules to reduce environmental contamination and its impacts on the well-being of the public. Through the Clean Air Act, the Environmental Protection Agency oversees the control of air pollution. Likewise, the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act strive to guarantee appropriate disposal of pollutants in treatment facilities and adherence to federal standards for public drinking water. Additionally, individual states have introduced their own legislations concerning environmental oversight.

The best states to live in the USA based on Natural Environment:

Rank

State

Overall Rank

1

Hawaii

31

2

New York

20

3

Massachusetts

11

4

Washington

2

5

Maryland

22

6

South Dakota

12

7

Minnesota

5

8

New Hampshire

6

9

Rhode Island

32

10

North Dakota

14

Best States to Live in the USA Based on Opportunity

Even within a nation renowned as the "land of opportunity," existing economic and historical inequalities can hinder upward mobility and advancement. There are matters of racial inequality to be addressed in a country whose economy was established on slavery and only fully acknowledged the voting rights of African Americans in the 1960s. Similarly, issues of gender inequality arise in a nation where women were granted the right to vote only in 1920. These factors manifest in educational aspects, affecting the accessibility to education that can enhance social status, as well as economic dimensions, influencing the ability to attain equitable compensation for comparable work or afford suitable housing for a growing family.

The best states to live in the USA based on Opportunity:

Rank

State

Best States Overall Rank

1

New Hampshire

6

2

Vermont

9

3

Iowa

7

4

North Dakota

14

5

Delaware

18

6

Maine

28

7

Indiana

29

8

Wisconsin

8

9

Minnesota

5

10

Kansas

27


Best States to Live in the USA - FAQs

1. Which state is considered the happiest and healthiest in the USA?

Hawaii is ranked as the happiest and healthiest state in the USA.

2. What is the best state for economic factors in the USA?

Utah is the top state for economic factors in the USA.

3. Which state is the best for education in the USA?

Florida is ranked as the best state for education in the USA.

4. Which state ranks highest for health in the USA?

Hawaii is the top-ranked state for health in the USA.

5. Which state offers the best opportunities in the USA?

New Hampshire is considered the best state for opportunities in the USA.

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