What is the 1 best state to live in USA?

There's no single #1 state, as it depends on priorities, but recent reports often rank Utah, Massachusetts, Idaho, New Hampshire, and Minnesota highly for overall quality of life, economy, safety, and opportunity, with Utah leading in some comprehensive rankings, Massachusetts excelling in health/education, and Idaho offering great value and low crime. Your ideal state depends on what matters most: affordability, job market, family, or culture.


What is the #1 best state to live in?

There's no single "best" state, as it depends on priorities, but recent studies from WalletHub (Aug 2025) and U.S. News (May 2025) frequently place Massachusetts, Idaho, New Jersey, and Utah at the top for overall quality of life, balancing strong economies, good education, healthcare, and low crime. Massachusetts excels in education/healthcare, while Idaho and Utah are praised for economic growth and stability, and New Hampshire for safety. 

What is the #1 state in the US?

There's no single "number 1" state, as it depends on the metric: Utah ranks #1 overall best state by U.S. News (2025) for economy/education, California is #1 by population/GDP, Alaska is #1 by area, and Hawaii is often #1 in polls for favorability/happiness. 


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 is the #1 happiest state in the US?

Hawaii consistently ranks as the happiest and least stressed state in the United States, characterized by high levels of emotional and physical well-being among its residents.


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



Which state has the nicest people?

There's no single "nicest" state, but studies and surveys often point to Minnesota, Tennessee, South Carolina, Texas, and Wyoming as top contenders for friendliness, based on factors like tourist impressions and acts of kindness. Other states like Hawaii, Iowa, and parts of the South (like Kentucky, North Carolina) are also frequently praised for their welcoming and kind residents, though perceptions of niceness can vary by individual and region.
 

What is the most stressful state to live in?

New Mexico tops the list of most stressed states in the U.S. as of 2025, with a stress score of 60.52 out of 100. This ranking considers stress factors related to work, money, family, and health and safety.

What is the #1 expensive state to live in?

Top 10 states with the HIGHEST cost of living 💰💰💰 The No. 1 most expensive state is Hawaii, according to Stacker, which analyzed the rankings based on the cost of living by The Council for Community & Economic Research.


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 most loved U.S. state?

Hawaii is consistently ranked as America's favorite state in recent surveys, leading in overall favorability and net positive perception due to its beauty, warm weather, and perceived well-being, followed by states like North Carolina, Alaska, Tennessee, and Colorado in positive ratings. However, "most liked" varies by survey criteria, with other rankings highlighting states like Utah or Nebraska for overall livability, but Hawaii generally wins popularity contests. 


What is the poorest U.S. state?

Mississippi is consistently ranked as the poorest U.S. state, characterized by the nation's lowest median household income, highest poverty rate (around 18-19%), high child poverty, and significant food insecurity, with states like Louisiana, New Mexico, West Virginia, and Arkansas often following in poverty rankings. These states face challenges like low wages, economic disparities, and limited resources, though some, like Mississippi, show growth in GDP but struggle with low-paying jobs, as noted by this World Population Review article and this Worldatlas article. 

Which state is the safest to live in?

While rankings vary slightly by source, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine consistently rank as the safest states in the U.S. due to low crime rates, strong financial security, excellent emergency preparedness, and good road safety, with Vermont often taking the top spot in recent analyses. 

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 is richest in the USA?

The richest state in the U.S. depends on the metric, but Massachusetts, Maryland, and New Jersey consistently rank at the top for median household income, while the District of Columbia (though not a state) leads in Per Capita Personal Income (PCPI), with Massachusetts and Connecticut close behind. Other contenders for wealth include Washington, California, and Hawaii, often leading in GDP or holding high income rankings.
 

What state has the worst taxes?

Here are the current states with the highest state taxes, including states with the highest top rates or flat rates:
  • California (12.3%, with 1% tax on income in excess of $1 million)
  • Hawaii (11%)
  • New York (10.9%)
  • New Jersey (10.75%)
  • District of Columbia (10.75%)
  • Oregon (9.9%)
  • Minnesota (9.85%)


How much an hour is $70,000 a year after taxes?

Quick Answer: $33.65 Per Hour

A $70,000 annual salary equals $33.65 per hour in California before taxes. After federal and state deductions, your take-home pay ranges from $43,500 to $52,000 annually ($3,625-$4,333 monthly).


What is the best state to live in financially?

There's no single "best" state, as it depends on your priorities (low taxes vs. high wages), but Washington, Texas, Florida, Utah, and New Hampshire consistently rank high due to no income tax, strong economies, or low cost of living, with states like Arkansas, Alabama, and Tennessee offering very affordable options if budget is key. Key factors are state income tax, housing costs, job market strength, and overall affordability. 

Which state is very cheap to live in?

West Virginia tops the list of the cheapest places to live in the U.S., with a cost of living 15.9% below the national average. Southern and Midwestern states like Oklahoma, Kansas and Mississippi consistently offer low-priced housing.

What is the #1 most expensive city in the US?

The income you need to live comfortably in the 10 most expensive U.S. cities—it's over $200,000 in No. 1
  • San Diego. ...
  • Los Angeles. ...
  • New York City. ...
  • Long Beach, California. ...
  • Seattle, Washington. ...
  • Boston. ...
  • Oakland, California. Average single-family home value: $797,148. ...
  • Washington, D.C. Average single-family home value: $749,377.


Which state is most unaffordable?

California is generally considered the most unaffordable state due to extremely high housing costs, driving up overall expenses, though Hawaii often leads in housing expense relative to income, and states like Montana also face severe affordability crises due to housing shortages and population influx. Rankings vary slightly depending on the metric (cost of living, housing cost vs. income, monthly bills), but California consistently ranks near the very bottom for affordability.
 

What is the unhealthiest state to live in?

While rankings vary slightly by study, West Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Kentucky consistently appear as the most unhealthy U.S. states, often due to high rates of obesity, smoking, chronic disease, substance abuse, poor nutrition, mental distress, and lower life expectancies, with many of these top contenders located in the South.
 

What is the #1 worst habit for anxiety?

The #1 worst habit for anxiety isn't one single thing, but often a cycle involving procrastination/avoidance, driven by anxiety and leading to more anxiety, alongside fundamental issues like sleep deprivation, which cripples your ability to cope with stress. Other major culprits are excessive caffeine, poor diet, negative self-talk, sedentary living, and constantly checking your phone, all creating a vicious cycle that fuels worry and physical symptoms.
 


What is the strictest state in the US?

There isn't one single "strictest" state, as it depends on the category, but California consistently ranks as the most heavily regulated overall due to the sheer volume of its administrative rules, with New York and New Jersey also having extensive regulations. Other states might be strictest in specific areas, like Massachusetts for data privacy or Utah for alcohol laws, while states like Alaska, Oregon, and Texas might be noted for driving laws.