Which state has the most quality of life?

There isn't one single answer, as different studies highlight different states, but Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Jersey consistently rank at the top for overall quality of life, with Massachusetts often leading for holistic well-being (healthcare, education), Vermont for environment and lifestyle (low crime, nature), and New Jersey for economic factors (income, jobs) alongside quality of life. Other strong contenders include Minnesota, Idaho, and New Hampshire, appearing frequently in top rankings.

Which US state has the highest quality of life?

There isn't one single answer, as different studies highlight different states, but Massachusetts, Vermont, and Idaho consistently rank high for quality of life, often leading with strong healthcare/education (Mass), safety/environment (Vermont), or overall balance (Idaho). Other top contenders include New Jersey, Minnesota, and Colorado, with Northeastern and Midwestern states generally outperforming Southern states in many analyses. 

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

1. Massachusetts. According to WalletHub's study, Massachusetts is the best state to live in, excelling in all key factors—and earning the top spot in the ranking. It has the lowest premature death rate in the US, and residents earn a cushy median household income of over $101,000.

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.

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. 

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

What are the top 3 safest states to live in?

Based on recent 2025 analyses, the top three safest states in the U.S. are consistently Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, often followed closely by Maine, with these Northeastern states leading due to low violent crime, good healthcare access, and lower disaster risks. These rankings consider factors like crime rates, financial security, and natural disaster prevalence, with New Hampshire often ranking #1 for public safety by specific metrics, while Vermont leads overall in some studies. 

What state has the friendliest people?

While subjective, studies and surveys consistently rank Minnesota, Tennessee, and South Carolina as some of the friendliest U.S. states, often followed by Texas and Wyoming, with general "Southern hospitality" and Midwest politeness often cited, though perceptions of "niceness" (like Minnesota's reserved style) can vary.
 

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 state are people happiest after moving to?

Hawaii is the happiest state in America for the second year in a row. Hawaii landed the top spot on WalletHub's list with an overall score of 65.50. It ranked third for emotional and physical well-being, 16th for work environment and 13th for community and environment.

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.

What is the poorest US 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. 

What is the prettiest state to live in?

The "prettiest" state is subjective, but California, Hawaii, Washington, Colorado, and Alaska consistently rank high for stunning, diverse scenery like coastlines, mountains, and forests, while Utah and Arizona are praised for unique desert/canyon beauty, and Maine/Vermont for charming East Coast landscapes, catering to different tastes from tropical to rugged wilderness.
 

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 best to live in financially?

The best state for finances depends on priorities, but North Dakota, Wyoming, and Iowa often rank high for savings due to low living costs, good incomes, and lower taxes, while states like Tennessee, Florida, and Texas offer no state income tax, attracting those focused on tax savings. For fiscal stability, states like Utah and Delaware excel, but affordability and opportunities vary, so consider your job, housing, and lifestyle needs. 

What is the #1 happiest country?

Finland is the world's happiest country, holding the top spot for the eighth consecutive year in the 2025 World Happiness Report, followed by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and the Netherlands, with high rankings attributed to strong social support, freedom, low corruption, and high living standards.
 

Where do the happiest Americans live?

The happiest people in the U.S. often live in states like Hawaii, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, and Utah, with California and Massachusetts also ranking high, according to recent studies by WalletHub, while specific happy cities include Fremont, CA, San Jose, CA, and Plano, TX, often noted for good mental health, strong communities, and access to green spaces.
 

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. 

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 most respectful people?

The most polite Americans live in Arkansas, Georgia, and Alabama. The least polite Americans live in Nevada, New Jersey, and New York. Residents in Minnesota, Arkansas, and Nebraska think they are the most polite. When it comes to complimenting others, 34% of Americans do it at least once a day.