What are cool states to live?

"Cool" states depend on your priorities, but top contenders often cited for overall quality of life, outdoor access, or job markets include Utah, Idaho, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Colorado, North Carolina, and Washington, with factors like strong economies, natural beauty (mountains, lakes, parks), education, and lifestyle variety often mentioned as reasons for their appeal.

What's the coolest state to live in?

The "coolest" states to live in depend on your priorities (outdoors, culture, affordability), but top contenders often include Utah, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Idaho, and Minnesota, praised for quality of life, economic opportunity, or natural beauty; while New England (MA, NH, VT, ME) offers charm, the West (Utah, Idaho) provides outdoor access, and the Midwest (MN, WI) balances cost and amenities.
 

What is the #1 cheapest state to live in?

Below is a detailed breakdown of the ten most affordable states to live in 2025:

• Arkansas. Arkansas continues to be one of the most affordable states in the U.S., especially for those looking to buy property. ...
• Mississippi. ...
• Oklahoma. ...
• New Mexico. ...
• Missouri. ...
• Tennessee. ...
• Michigan. ...
• Texas.

What state is #1 in quality of life?

There isn't one single answer, as different reports rank states differently, but Vermont is frequently cited as #1 for Quality of Life (CNBC), while Massachusetts often leads overall livability/best state rankings (WalletHub), and Utah ranks high overall for Best States (U.S. News). These rankings vary by the specific metrics used, such as health, safety, environment, education, or economic opportunity. 

What is the most stable state to live in?

Massachusetts leads WalletHub's overall “Best States to Live In” ranking with the lowest premature death rate, 97.4 percent health insurance coverage, and top healthcare and education systems, followed by Idaho and New Jersey.

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

What state is #1 in safety?

Vermont ranks first overall, with a strong showing in neighborhood safety. Nearly 75% of parents say they live in safe neighborhoods, the fourth-highest rate in the country, according to WalletHub. The state also ranks seventh for neighborhood watch groups per capita.

Which state is the friendliest?

There's no single "friendliest" state, as it depends on the study, but Minnesota, Hawaii, Tennessee, Texas, and South Carolina consistently rank high for welcoming locals and positive visitor experiences, with Minnesota often cited for its "Minnesota Nice" politeness, Hawaii for its "Aloha Spirit," and Southern states like Tennessee and South Carolina for their renowned hospitality. 

Which state is worth moving to?

The study found the best states to move to are Utah, New Hampshire, Idaho and Virginia. According to the list, worst states to move to are California, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oregon.

Which state has the lowest crime?

Top 10 Safest States in America

1. New Hampshire. New Hampshire is the safest state in the entire United States. ...
2. Maine. It has the lowest rates of both violent (103 per 100,000) and property (1,213 per 100,000) offenses in the country. ...
3. Idaho. ...
4. Rhode Island. ...
5. Connecticut. ...
6. New Jersey. ...
7. Kentucky. ...
8. Massachusetts.

What is the happiest state to live in?

According to WalletHub's 2025 study, Hawaii is the happiest state in the U.S., ranking first for its strong emotional/physical well-being, work environment, and community/environment factors, with residents showing high life satisfaction, low depression, and long life expectancy, followed by Maryland and Nebraska in the top three. 

Which states have no state income tax?

As of 2025, there are nine states that don't collect any state income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.

Where is the cheapest but nicest place to live in the US?

The cheapest, best places to live in the U.S. often involve the Midwest and South, with cities like Wichita (KS), Fort Wayne (IN), Dayton (OH), and Knoxville (TN) offering low housing costs and good value, while states like West Virginia, Mississippi, and Oklahoma consistently rank as most affordable overall. Key factors are low housing prices and a cost of living significantly below the national average, with some top contenders being Decatur (IL), Enid (OK), and Brownsville (TX), but "best" depends on balancing budget with lifestyle needs like jobs, culture, and amenities. 

What is the funnest state?

According to WalletHub's 2025 rankings, California is the "funnest" state, excelling in entertainment, recreation (beaches, parks, attractions), and nightlife, followed closely by Florida, Nevada, Illinois, and New York. California offers abundant options like theme parks, restaurants, and festivals, while Florida is known for its outdoor activities, entertainment, and parks, making them top contenders for fun across various metrics.
 

Where are people moving to in 2026?

In 2026, people are continuing to move towards the Sun Belt (South & Southwest U.S.) for warmer climates, lower costs, and job growth, with states like Florida, Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina leading, alongside international destinations like Canada, Germany, and Australia for economic opportunity, while some are leaving colder regions like West Virginia for better prospects. 

What state has the worst winter?

While "worst" is subjective, Alaska generally has the harshest winters due to extreme cold, darkness, and powerful storms, often cited as the coldest state, while states like North Dakota, Minnesota, and Michigan also experience brutally cold temperatures, heavy snow, and high winds, making their winters notoriously difficult. 

What is the #1 state people are leaving?

Key Points (2025)

Top outbound states by volume: New York lost the most residents from 2020 to 2024 with 446,814 people leaving, followed by California with 530,886 net outbound, and Illinois with 139,399 departures, representing the largest absolute population losses in the nation.

What's the prettiest state to live in?

The most beautiful states to live in often feature diverse landscapes, with California, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah, and Colorado consistently topping lists for stunning coasts, mountains, deserts, and national parks, alongside the raw wilderness of Alaska, Montana, and Wyoming, and the unique charm of New Mexico, Maine, and Vermont, offering everything from red rocks to lush forests.
 

Which state pays you to move there?

Yes, several U.S. states and cities offer financial incentives to attract new residents, primarily targeting remote workers or those filling local jobs, with popular programs in West Virginia (Ascend WV), Alabama (Remote Shoals), Kansas (Topeka), Oklahoma (Tulsa), Michigan (Jackson), Maryland (Baltimore), and Georgia (Columbus), offering cash, housing assistance, or other perks for relocating, though usually with conditions like a minimum stay.
 

What is the most loved state in America?

While "most loved" is subjective, polls consistently show Hawaii as a top contender for favorability, often leading in overall positive views, net favorability, and as a favorite destination, alongside strong showings from Colorado, Alaska, and North Carolina. Americans also frequently name states like Florida, California, New York, and Texas as favorites in head-to-head polls, but Hawaii consistently ranks highest for broad appeal and positive perception.
 

What is the least friendly state in the US?

The least welcoming states are Missouri, Massachusetts, and Illinois. Most Americans greet strangers with a handshake (60%), smile (47%), or by making eye contact (25%). Over 1 in 5 Americans say they aren't comfortable with physical contact when greeting. 30% of Americans don't smile at strangers.

What is the freest state in the USA?

For the 24th time, New Hampshire is the freest state among all U.S. states, having scored 8.34 out of 10 in this year's report, which measures government spending, taxation, regulations and labor market restrictions using data from 2023, the most recent year of available comparable data.

What state has the happiest kids?

The analysis found that Connecticut (1), Massachusetts (2), and New York (3) are the states with the happiest and healthiest child populations, while Mississippi (50) and South Carolina (49) have the least.

What is the least kid friendly state?

Top 10 Least Safe States for Children in 2023

1. West Virginia – Child Unsafety Score: 99. Maltreatment reports: 5,949 per 100K. ...
2. Mississippi – Score: 98. ...
3. Arkansas – Score: 96. ...
4. New Mexico – Score: 86. ...
5. Missouri – Score: 84. ...
6. Indiana – Score: 82. ...
7. Louisiana – Score: 80. ...
8. South Carolina – Score: 78.

What is the healthiest state to live in?

Hawaii, Colorado, Vermont, and Utah consistently rank as the healthiest U.S. states, though rankings vary slightly by report, with Hawaii often leading due to low obesity/high activity, Colorado for physical activity/low obesity, Utah for low smoking/inactivity, and Vermont for strong health behaviors and low uninsured rates, reflecting diverse factors like environment, policy, and individual habits.