Which states are doing the best financially?

Financially strong states vary by metric, but Utah leads in fiscal stability, while North Carolina, Texas, and Florida rank high for overall economic outlook and business environment, with strong economies and job growth. For residents, Vermont and South Dakota excel in personal finance with low debt and high savings, and Connecticut boasts the highest average net worth, indicating wealth concentration, notes Empower and Mental Floss.

Which US state is the most financially stable?

• 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 states are doing best economically?

The states with the best economies often include Massachusetts, Utah, Washington, California, and Florida, though rankings vary by metric (overall strength, growth, or GDP per capita). California leads in sheer economic size (GDP), while Massachusetts often tops lists for economic health, and Washington excels in business survival and innovation. Other strong performers consistently cited are Texas, New York, North Carolina, and Colorado. 

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 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.

Top 10 Most Financially Secure States in America

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.
 

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 nicest but cheapest place to live in the USA?

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 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. 

What is the fastest growing US state?

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.
 

Which state is no. 1 in economy?

Maharashtra - The Economic Powerhouse. Maharashtra is India's richest state, with a GSDP of ₹42.67 lakh crore, which is more than 13% of the country's total GDP.

What state has the #1 economy?

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 state has the lowest cost of living but high pay?

States like Texas, Tennessee, Indiana, North Carolina, Missouri, Kansas, and Iowa offer a great balance of low living costs (especially housing) and decent pay, with no income tax in some, while South Dakota, North Dakota, and Nebraska also rank high for affordable housing and job opportunities. The key is finding areas where high-demand sectors (Tech, Healthcare, Energy) meet low housing prices, like in Austin (TX), Raleigh (NC), or Nashville (TN). 

What states actually have a balanced budget?

All U.S. states, except Vermont, have balanced budget requirements (BBRs), but actually balancing the budget depends on accounting, revenue, and spending, with reports showing many states struggle to cover all obligations despite the rules, though strong performers include Utah and Delaware in fiscal stability. States like Utah often rank high in fiscal health due to strong balancing practices, while some states might balance their main budget but have long-term unfunded liabilities like pensions, leading to a different financial picture.
 

What state is hiring the most right now?

California, Texas, and Florida consistently lead in the sheer number of job openings, but states like Massachusetts and New Hampshire rank highest for overall job market health and opportunity due to factors like economic environment and low unemployment. Manufacturing-heavy regions, particularly the "Battery Belt" (Michigan, Georgia, Carolinas), also show high demand for skilled labor, creating numerous vacancies, notes Visual Capitalist. 

What is America's happiest city?

According to recent studies, Fremont, California, is frequently named the happiest city in the U.S., noted for high life satisfaction, financial stability, low depression, strong community, and ample green space. Other cities like San Jose, Irvine, and Sioux Falls also rank highly, with happiness often linked to economic well-being, good mental health, strong social connections, and access to nature and recreation, though rankings vary slightly by study. 

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.

Where can Americans afford to live alone in 2025?

These are the U.S. cities where Americans can actually afford to live on a single person's income—and the ones out-of-budget for singletons

• Budget-friendly options came down to these locations. ...
• 1) Wichita, Kansas. ...
• 2) Baton Rouge, Louisiana. ...
• 3) Lincoln, Nebraska. ...
• 4) Des Moines, Iowa. ...
• 5) Akron, Ohio.

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 are worse off financially?

States often cited as being in the worst financial shape, based on recent analyses (late 2025), include Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Nevada, and South Carolina (WalletHub), while reports on debt point to states like Illinois, New Jersey, Connecticut, Hawaii, and California facing significant liabilities or fiscal fragility. These rankings vary by source, focusing on different metrics like household debt, state debt per capita, pension obligations, or overall economic stability. 

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.