What is the best state to live in usa 2022?

For 2022, Massachusetts was frequently ranked the best US state to live in, often followed by New Jersey, New York, Idaho, and Virginia, based on factors like economy, education, health, quality of life, and safety, though rankings varied by source and criteria, with affordability and specific priorities like career vs. low cost of living heavily influencing the best choice for individuals.

What is the #1 best state to live in the US?

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 state is #1 in quality of life?

There isn't one single answer, as it depends on the study, but recent reports often name Massachusetts, Vermont, or New Jersey as #1 for Quality of Life, with Massachusetts leading in overall metrics (health, education) and Vermont shining in specific areas like low crime and natural environment. Other top contenders include Idaho, Minnesota, and New York, highlighting that rankings vary based on whether they emphasize healthcare, economy, safety, or environment. 

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 US state is safest and cheapest to live in?

For the best combination of cheap and safe, consider states like Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, West Virginia, and Arkansas, which consistently rank high in affordability (low housing, groceries, overall cost of living) while also offering manageable safety, with Vermont and New Hampshire often topping pure safety lists, though they are pricier. The ideal balance depends on whether you prioritize the lowest cost (Mississippi) or strong safety (Vermont), with Midwestern/Southern states generally offering lower expenses and Northern/New England states often leading in safety metrics. 

BEST STATES TO LIVE IN THE USA IN 2022

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. 

What is the easiest state to live in financially?

The easiest states financially often feature low housing costs, minimal taxes, and stable job markets, with Tennessee, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Florida frequently topping lists due to low living expenses and taxes, while West Virginia is noted for extremely low costs, and Arkansas for high affordability overall. Key factors include low state income tax (or none), affordable housing/rent, and good employment growth to balance savings with earning potential. 

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 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 states have the lowest taxes?

States with some of the lowest combined state and local sales tax rates (4.5% - 6.25%) include:

• Hawaii.
• Maine.
• Wisconsin.
• Kentucky.
• Maryland.
• Michigan.
• Washington, D.C.
• Wyoming.

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.

Which states have the best weather?

California, Hawaii, and Arizona are frequently cited for having the best weather, offering mild temperatures, abundant sunshine, and low humidity (especially Arizona), while coastal California provides a classic comfortable climate with mild year-round temps, and Hawaii boasts tropical warmth with refreshing trade winds, though Florida offers warmth but with higher humidity and hurricanes. 

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 is the happiest state in the USA?

Hawaii is consistently ranked as the happiest state in the U.S., followed by states like Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, and Utah, according to recent 2025 analyses by WalletHub, which considers factors like emotional well-being, work environment, and community. These top states often boast high life satisfaction, good health, strong economic security, and low depression rates, though rankings can vary slightly by report. 

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 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 state is #1 in poverty?

Mississippi consistently ranks as the U.S. state with the highest poverty rate, often followed closely by states like Louisiana, New Mexico, West Virginia, and Kentucky, though rankings shift slightly by year and data source (Official vs. Supplemental Poverty Measure). Mississippi struggles with low median incomes, low educational attainment, and high rates of child poverty, making it the poorest state by several metrics, according to World Population Review and other sources.
 

Where do poor people live in the USA?

Those with the most severe poverty are found in poor areas of the Southeast, including the Mississippi Delta and Appalachia, as well as on Native American lands. Pockets of high poverty are increasingly found in other regions, such as nonmetro areas of the Southwest and northern sections of the Midwest.

Which US state makes the least money?

The lowest income states in the U.S., based on recent median household income data, consistently include Mississippi, West Virginia, Louisiana, and Arkansas, with Mississippi often having the absolute lowest income and highest poverty rate, followed by states like Kentucky, Alabama, and New Mexico, reflecting ongoing economic challenges and lower opportunities in the South and Appalachia.
 

Which state has the cheapest houses?

Iowa, Mississippi, and West Virginia consistently rank among the states with the cheapest houses, often followed by Indiana, Ohio, and Arkansas, with median home prices varying but generally under $250k, offering significant savings compared to the national average, though rankings shift slightly by source. Iowa frequently appears as the most affordable, with median prices often below $230,000, alongside low overall living costs.
 

What is the easiest state to get a good paying job?

South Dakota is the best state to find a high-paying entry-level job (76.1% of listings pay above the median wage). Hawaii ranks as the worst state to find a highly paid entry-level job (66.1% of listings pay below the median wage).

Where is the best state to start over in life?

The best state to start over depends on your priorities (jobs, affordability, lifestyle), but top contenders often include Texas, Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee for balance of growth and cost, while New Hampshire, Utah, and Virginia offer strong economies and opportunities, and Vermont or Wyoming suit those seeking slower, smaller-town living. Consider job markets (like tech in Utah/VA, diverse in TX/FL), cost of living (low in OK/TN), and lifestyle (outdoors in NC/UT/VT) when choosing.