Which states are best financially?

The best states for finances often balance low living costs with decent wages and minimal taxes, with Texas, Florida, North Dakota, Wyoming, Iowa, and Nebraska frequently cited for low cost of living, no state income tax (in some cases), and good overall financial health, though factors like career opportunities and personal lifestyle matter. Utah also appears high for overall state rankings, while states like Mississippi and Arkansas excel in pure affordability.

Which state is the best financially?

• Utah. #1 in Fiscal Stability. #1 in Best States Overall. ...
• Delaware. #2 in Fiscal Stability. #18 in Best States Overall. ...
• New York. #3 in Fiscal Stability. ...
• Iowa. #4 in Fiscal Stability. ...
• Georgia. #5 in Fiscal Stability. ...
• Nebraska. #6 in Fiscal Stability. ...
• Tennessee. #7 in Fiscal Stability. ...
• Idaho. #8 in Fiscal Stability.

Which US state has the lowest cost of living?

Mississippi consistently ranks as the U.S. state with the lowest cost of living, primarily due to exceptionally low housing costs, affordable groceries, and inexpensive utilities, with other Southern states like West Virginia, Arkansas, and Alabama often following closely behind in affordability. 

What are the 10 wealthiest states in the US?

The top 10 richest U.S. states, primarily measured by Median Household Income, consistently feature Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New Hampshire, California, Hawaii, Washington, Utah, Colorado, and Connecticut, often with Massachusetts leading due to strong tech/biotech and high-paying jobs, followed by Maryland and New Jersey, though rankings vary slightly by source and the specific metric (income, GDP, net worth) used.
 

Which states are struggling financially?

10 States Where Americans Are Struggling the Most to Cover the Basics

• Mississippi – Score: 90.2 (out of 100)
• Louisiana – Score: 80.3.
• West Virginia – Score: 77.8.
• New Mexico – Score: 74.7.
• Nevada – Score: 72.7.
• Oklahoma – Score: 71.3.
• California – Score: 70.4.
• Georgia – Score: 70.2.

Retiring on a Budget: 10 Places Smart Americans Are Flocking To (and Why)

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.
 

Which state is least in debt?

Tennessee and Utah consistently rank as having the least state government debt per capita, often followed by states like Nebraska, Idaho, and South Dakota, with figures generally under $3,000-$4,000 per resident, indicating strong fiscal management and lower overall liabilities compared to other states, though the exact ranking varies slightly by report.
 

Which U.S. state is growing the fastest?

Florida and Texas consistently rank as the fastest-growing states in the U.S. by population, especially in recent years (2023-2024), driven by significant net migration and immigration, though Utah and Idaho often lead in percentage growth over longer periods, fueled by natural increases and migration. Recent data highlights Florida's top spot in overall numeric growth and high percentage gains, with Texas close behind, while Utah remains a leader in long-term percentage growth.
 

What is the most expensive state to live in?

Hawaii is consistently ranked as the most expensive U.S. state to live in, primarily due to its remote island location requiring costly shipping for most goods, leading to significantly higher prices for housing, groceries, utilities, and transportation, often reaching nearly double the national average. Following Hawaii, other high-cost states usually include California, Massachusetts, New York, and Alaska, driven by housing markets and isolated supply chains. 

What state has the #1 economy in the US?

California is by far the biggest state economy in the U. S. at $2.9 trillion in real GDP—and when comparing its nominal value ($3.6 trillion) with national GDPs worldwide, the Golden State's GDP would rank 5th overall, just below Germany and Japan.

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 cheapest but safest state 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. 

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 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. 

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. 

What is the best state to retire in if you want your money to last?

For your money to last in retirement, focus on states with low taxes (especially no state income tax), low cost of living (housing, groceries, utilities), and good healthcare access, with top contenders often including Mississippi, Tennessee, Florida, Texas, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Missouri, offering benefits like tax-free Social Security, affordable homes, and general affordability for retirees. 

What 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.

What are the top 3 cheapest states to live in?

4. Top 10 Cheapest 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. Mississippi is another highly affordable state, particularly in terms of housing. ...
• Oklahoma. ...
• New Mexico. ...
• Missouri. ...
• Tennessee. ...
• Michigan. ...
• Texas.

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 states are losing the most people?

California, New York, and Illinois consistently lose the most people in absolute numbers, driven by domestic migration away from high-cost areas to the South and West, though recent data also shows significant losses in states like West Virginia and Mississippi, with factors including birth rates, deaths, and migration patterns changing post-pandemic.
 

Which states have the best healthcare?

States like Massachusetts, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Minnesota consistently rank highest for best healthcare, excelling in areas like access, quality, and outcomes, though performance varies by specific metrics, with some top states having lower scores in certain care aspects for seniors or higher costs. Commonwealth Fund, WalletHub, and U.S. News & World Report analyses show these states lead, while lower-ranked states often struggle with cost, access barriers, and worse health outcomes.
 

What is the #1 overpopulated state?

The U.S. state with the largest population is California, which has some 39,000,000 residents.

What state has the worst financial problems?

The top 5 financially distressed states

According to WalletHub's analysis of nine financial metrics across all 50 states, Texas ranks as the most financially distressed state in the U.S., followed by Florida, Louisiana, Nevada and South Carolina.

Who owns over 70% of the US debt?

Who owns the most U.S. debt? Around 70-80 percent of U.S. debt is held by domestic financial actors and institutions in the United States. U.S. Treasuries represent a convenient, liquid, low-risk store of value.

How many Americans are 100% debt free?

Around 23% of Americans are debt free, according to the most recent data available from the Federal Reserve.