Best and Worst States to Live In

Massachusetts ranks as the best state to live in, in part due to its well-educated population. Among state residents age 25 and older, 44.5% have a bachelor’s degree or higher, the highest bachelor’s degree attainment rate of any state. Americans with a college education are generally qualified for a wider range of high-paying jobs, and in Massachusetts, the typical household has an income of nearly $80,000 a year, far more than the median household income nationwide of about $62,000.

Americans with higher incomes tend to have better access to health care and can afford a wider range of options related to diet and lifestyle, and partially as a result they often report better than average health outcomes. In Massachusetts, life expectancy at birth is 80.4 years, over a year longer than the life expectancy of 79.1 years nationwide.

By several socioeconomic measures indicative of quality of life, Colorado ranks as the second best state to live in in the country. Colorado residents are more likely to live longer, healthier lives and less likely to face serious financial hardship than the typical American. Life expectancy at birth in the state is 80.5 years, compared to the 79.1-year life expectancy nationwide. Additionally, Colorado is one of only seven states where fewer than one in every 10 residents live below the poverty line.

Further evidence of the generally high quality of life in the state is its growing popularity as a place to live. In the last decade, Colorado’s population has grown by 13.4%, faster than all but six other states.

Along with Massachusetts and Connecticut, New Jersey is one of three states in the Northeast to rank among the five best states to live in. Like those other states, New Jersey has a well-educated population, with a bachelor’s degree attainment rate of 40.8%, well above the comparable national rate of 32.6%. New Jersey is also a relatively prosperous state, with a median annual household income of $81,740 — nearly $20,000 more than the national median.

Like most of the best states to live in, New Jersey is relatively safe. There were just 208 violent crimes for every 100,000 people in New Jersey in 2018, well below the national violent crime rate of 369 per 100,000.

People living in Hawaii are less likely to face serious financial hardship than the vast majority of Americans. Just 8.8% of state residents live below the poverty line, the smallest share of any state other than New Hampshire, and well below the national poverty rate of 13.1%. The state’s relative prosperity is likely due in part to its strong job market. An average of just 2.4% of Hawaii’s labor force was out of work in 2018, the lowest unemployment rate among states and well below the 3.9% national rate.

Hawaii is also growing rapidly in terms of population. In the last decade, the number of people living in the state climbed by 9.7%, outpacing the 6.6% national population growth rate.

Along with Massachusetts, Connecticut is one of two states in the New England region to rank among the top five states to live. One of the wealthiest states in the country, Connecticut’s median annual household income of $76,348 is about $14,400 higher than national median. Incomes tend to rise with educational attainment, and indeed Connecticut has a relatively well-educated population. Some 39.6% of adults in the state have a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to just 32.6% of adults nationwide.

Connecticut residents also tend to be healthier than most Americans, as evidenced by the state’s high average life expectancy. Life expectancy at birth is 80.8 years, over a year and a half longer than the national life expectancy of 79.1 years.

Minnesota is the only Midwestern state to rank among the 10 best places to live. Its high ranking is attributable in part to its well-educated population. Some 93.4% of adults in the state have completed high school, and 36.7% have earned a bachelor’s degree, each a higher share than the respective educational attainment rates nationwide of 88.3% and 32.6%.

Serious financial hardship is also relatively uncommon in Minnesota. The state is one of only seven where fewer than one in every 10 residents live below the poverty line. The state’s relative prosperity is due in part to a strong economy and job market. The state’s annual unemployment rate of just 2.9% is well below the 3.9% national rate.

With a median household income of $83,242, Maryland is the wealthiest state in the country. The state also has the fourth lowest poverty rate. Just 9.0% of Maryland residents live below the poverty line, well below the U.S. poverty rate of 13.1%.

Incomes tend to rise with educational attainment, and Maryland has one of the best-educated populations of any state. Some 40.8% of adults 25 and older in Maryland have a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 32.6% of adults nationwide.

New Hampshire residents are more likely to be healthy and financially secure than those living in the vast majority of other states. The state’s poverty rate of 7.6% is the lowest among states, and life expectancy at birth in New Hampshire is 79.5 years, nearly half a year longer than life expectancy across the U.S. as a whole.

Americans with a college education are more likely to lead healthy lives and earn higher incomes than those with less educational attainment. In New Hampshire, 36.8% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 32.6% of adults nationwide.

Along with Colorado and Hawaii, Washington is one of three states in the West to rank among the best places to live. One of the healthiest states in the country, Washington has a life expectancy at birth of 80.3 years, over a year longer than the national average. Better-educated Americans typically report healthier lifestyles and better health outcomes, and in Washington, the high average life expectancy may be partially attributable to the high educational attainment. Among state residents 25 and older, 36.7% have at least a bachelor’s degree, compared to 32.6% of adults nationwide.

Like most high-ranking states on this list, Washington had a rapidly-growing population. In the last decade, the state’s population grew by 13.1%, nearly double the 6.6% national growth rate.

Virginia has one of the highest college degree attainment rates in the country. Of adults 25 and older living in the state, 39.3% have a bachelor’s degree or higher, well above the 32.6% national bachelor’s degree attainment rate. Adults with higher educational attainment are more likely to earn high salaries and less likely to be unemployed — and the high educational attainment may help explain the state’s low poverty rate. Just 10.7% of Virginians live below the poverty line, well below the 13.1% national poverty rate.

Like most of the best states to live in, Virginia is a relatively safe state. There were only 200 violent crimes reported for every 100,000 state residents in 2018, nearly the lowest rate of any state. Meanwhile, the national violent crime rate stands at 369 incidents per 100,000 people.

Supported by a strong economy and lower than average 3.1% annual unemployment rate, serious financial hardship is uncommon in Utah. Just 9.0% of state residents live below the poverty line, a lower poverty rate than in all but three other states and well below the national rate of 13.1%.

Utah’s desirability as a place to live is underscored by its surging population. In the last decade, the number of people living in the state spiked by 13.5%, more than double the national population growth rate of 6.6%.

Outranking New York, which lies along its western border, Vermont ranks as the 12th best state to live in. Like most other states in the New England region, Vermont has a well-educated population. The state’s 38.7% bachelor’s degree attainment rate is among the highest in the country and well above the 32.6% share of adults nationwide with a bachelor’s degree.

Vermonters also tend to be relatively healthy. They are less likely to lead sedentary lives and also less likely to be obese than the typical American adult. The prevalence of healthy lifestyles may help explain the state’s higher than average life expectancy. Life expectancy at birth in Vermont is 79.7 years, compared to the 79.1-year average national life expectancy.

New York is one of the best educated states in the country. Some 37.2% of adults across the state have a bachelor’s degree or higher, a higher share than in all but seven other states and considerably higher than the 32.6% bachelor’s degree attainment rate nationwide. Better-educated adults tend to report healthier lifestyles, which may explain some of the positive health outcomes in the state. For example, life expectancy at birth in New York is 81.2 years, the third highest among states and over two years longer than the national average.

California is one of the healthiest states in the country. Life expectancy at birth in the state is 81.5 years, second only to Hawaii and about two and a half years longer than the national average. Adults in California are far more likely than the typical American adult to regularly be physically active, likely due in part to easy access to places like parks and recreation centers. Nearly 93% of Californians have easy access to such venues for physical activity, compared to just 84% of adults nationwide.

Along with Minnesota, which ranks sixth on this list, Nebraska is one of only two states in the Midwest to rank among the top 15 best places to live. Although Nebraska is not a particularly wealthy state — the median household income of $59,566 is about $2,000 less than the national median — serious financial hardship is less common in the state than it is nationwide. Just 11.0% of state residents live below the poverty line compared to 13.1% of Americans nationwide.

Nebraskans tend to live longer, healthier lives than the typical American. The average life expectancy at birth in the state is 79.5 years, compared to the national average of 79.1 years.

Illinois is a relatively well-educated state. Of all state residents 25 and older, 35.1% have a bachelor’s degree or higher, a larger share than the 32.6% share of adults nationwide. As educational attainment increases, incomes and job security typically do as well. This may partially explain the relatively low poverty rate of 12.1% in Illinois, which is lower than the 13.1% national poverty rate.

Unlike nearly every other state, Illinois has reported a population decline in recent years. There are 1.3% fewer people living in the state now than there were a decade ago, the largest population drop of any state. The only other state to report a population decline over the same period is West Virginia, which ranks as the second worst state to live in.

Though it ranks among the 20 best states to live in, Rhode Island trails far behind its neighbors Connecticut and Massachusetts on this list. Rhode Island’s poverty rate of 12.9% — while lower than the national rate of 13.1% — is the highest of the six New England states. Similarly, Maine is the only state in the region with a lower bachelor’s degree attainment rate than the 34.4% rate in Rhode Island.

Rhode Island, however, has an average life expectancy higher than most states in the region. Life expectancy at birth in Rhode Island is 79.8 years, slightly lower than the life expectancy of over 80 years in Connecticut and Massachusetts, but well above the 79.1-year national average.

Oregon ranks behind the other two states along the Pacific coast in the continental U.S. Though the bachelor’s degree attainment rate of 34.0% in the state is larger than the 32.6% rate nationwide, it lags slightly behind educational attainment rates in the neighboring states of Washington and California.

Like other states in the region, Oregon is growing rapidly in terms of population. In the last decade, the number of people living in the state climbed by 9.5%, well above the 6.6% national population growth rate over the same period.

Just 29.7% of adults in North Dakota have a bachelor’s degree, a smaller share than the 32.6% of adults nationwide. Job security tends to rise with educational attainment, but despite the low bachelor’s degree attainment rate, North Dakota’s 2.6% annual unemployment rate is among the lowest of any state.

The strong job market may explain the state’s rapid population growth and relative lack of serious financial hardship. In the last decade, the state’s population surged by 17.5%, the most of any state. Additionally, just 10.7% of North Dakota residents live below the poverty line, well below the 13.1% national poverty rate.

Just 30.0% of adults in Wisconsin have a bachelor’s degree or higher, a slightly smaller share than the 32.6% share of adults nationwide.

Higher educational attainment typically leads to higher incomes and increased job security. But despite Wisconsin’s smaller than average college-educated population, both unemployment and poverty are relatively uncommon in the state. Just 3.0% of workers in the state were unemployed in 2018, and 11.0% of the state’s population live below the poverty line, compared to the respective national rates of 3.9% and 13.1%.

Kansas is the highest ranking state with a below average life expectancy. Life expectancy at birth in Kansas is 78.6 years, compared to the national life expectancy of 79.1 years.

In other measures, Kansas also has some advantages over the nation as a whole. For example, just 12.0% of state residents live below the poverty line, compared to the 13.1% U.S. poverty rate. Similarly, Kansas’s bachelor’s degree attainment rate of 33.8% is slightly higher than the 32.6% national rate.

Just 29% of adults in Iowa have a bachelor’s degree, a smaller share than the share of 32.6% of adults nationwide. Incomes typically rise with educational attainment, and in Iowa, the typical household earns $59,955 a year — slightly less than the national median household income of $61,937. Still, Iowa residents are less likely to face serious financial hardship as the state’s 11.2% poverty rate is slightly lower than the 13.1% national rate.

Iowans are also more likely than most Americans to lead long, healthy lives. Life expectancy at birth in the state is 79.5 years, slightly higher than the national average of 79.1 years.

Maine, which ranks towards the middle of all 50 states on this list, is the lowest ranked state in New England. It is the only state in the region with a lower bachelor’s degree attainment rate than the U.S. as a whole. Just 31.5% adults in Maine have completed four years of college, compared to 32.6% of American adults nationwide. Better-educated adults are more likely to report healthy lifestyles and better health outcomes than average. In Maine, life expectancy at birth is 78.6 years, about six months fewer than the national average life expectancy and the lowest of any New England state.

Still, Maine does not lag behind all of its regional neighbors in every measure used to gauge quality of life. Maine’s 11.6% poverty rate is lower than both the rate of 12.9% in Rhode Island and the rate of 13.1% nationwide.

Americans with a four-year college degree are more likely to report higher incomes and be financially secure than those with lower educational attainment. In Alaska, 30.2% of adults have a bachelor’s degree, a smaller share than the share of 32.6% of adults nationwide. Despite the lower educational attainment, Alaska’s 10.9% poverty rate is below the 13.1% national average.

Joblessness is more of a problem in Alaska than in any other state. In 2018, an average of 6.6% of the labor force was out of work, the highest unemployment rate among states and well above the 3.9% national unemployment rate.

Floridians are less likely to have a college education and more likely to face serious financial hardship than the typical American. Just 30.4% of adults in the state have a bachelor’s degree or higher, and 13.6% of state residents live below the poverty line — compared to the national shares of 32.6% and 13.1%, respectively.

Still, the state ranks better than most in terms of life expectancy. Life expectancy at birth is 80 years in Florida, nearly a full-year longer than the national average. Florida is also one of the fastest growing states in the country in terms of population. In the last decade, the number of people living in the Sunshine State climbed by 14.9%, more than double the 6.6% national population growth rate.

Average life expectancy at birth in Pennsylvania is just 78.3 years, nearly a year short of the national average life expectancy of 79.1 years. Adults with a college education are more likely to lead healthier lifestyles and report better health outcomes, and the lower than average life expectancy in Pennsylvania may be tied in part to the lower educational attainment in the state. Some 31.8% of adults in Pennsylvania have a bachelor’s degree compared to 32.6% of American adults.

Slow population growth in a state can be a sign that state is a relatively less desirable place to live compared to its neighbors. In the last decade, the number of people living in Pennsylvania climbed by only 1.6% while the U.S. population grew by 6.6% over the same period.

Idaho has one of the lower bachelor’s degree attainment rates among states. Just 27.7% of adults in Idaho have a bachelor’s degree or higher, well below the share of 32.6% of adults nationwide.

Americans with higher educational attainment typically report better health outcomes and higher incomes. Despite the lower bachelor’s degree attainment rate, Idaho residents are less likely to live in poverty and more likely to live longer than the typical American. The state’s 11.8% poverty rate is below the 13.6% national poverty rate, and life expectancy at birth in the state is 79.4 years, slightly higher than the national average of 79.1 years.

Delaware residents are more likely to be less healthy than the typical American. The average life expectancy at birth in Delaware in 78.6 years, about six months below the national average. State residents are more likely to be financially secure, however, as Delaware’s poverty rate of 12.5% is slightly lower than the national rate of 13.6%.

In recent years, Delaware has reported a faster growing population than most states. Over the last decade, the number of people living in the state has climbed by 9.3%, far faster than the 6.6% national population growth over the same period.

The Arizona population appears to be healthier in general than the U.S. population as a whole. The average life expectancy at birth in the state is 79.9 years, longer than the national average of 79.1 years.

Many in the state, however, are likely suffering financially due to the relatively weak job market. Arizona’s annual unemployment rate of 4.8% is well above the comparable national rate of 3.9%. The lack of jobs is likely contributing to the state’s higher than average poverty rate. Some 14.0% of Arizona residents live below the poverty line, compared to 13.1% of Americans nationwide.

Population growth can be indicative of how attractive a state is to potential new residents and those looking to start a family. The number of people living in Wyoming climbed by 6.1% over the last 10 years, a slower pace than the 6.6% national population growth rate over that time.

Wyoming’s job market is relatively weak. An average of 4.1% of the labor force was unemployed in 2018, compared to the national annual unemployment rate of 3.9%. Despite the relative lack of employment opportunities, Wyoming residents are more likely to be financially secure than the typical American. Just 11.1% of Wyoming residents live below the poverty line, a smaller share than in most states and below the 13.1% national poverty rate.

Serious financial hardship is about as common in Montana as it is nationwide. Across the state, 13.0% of residents live below the poverty line, compared to 13.1% of Americans nationwide. While people in Montana are about as likely to be financially secure as the typical American, they are slightly less likely to live as long. Life expectancy at birth in the state is 78.5 years, about six months shy of the national average.

Population growth can be indicative of how attractive a state is to potential new residents and those looking to start a family — and Montana is growing faster than most states. In the last decade, the number of people living in the state climbed by 9.0%, outpacing the comparable 6.6% U.S. population growth.

Just 29.2% of adults in South Dakota have a bachelor’s degree, below the 32.6% national average. Incomes tend to rise with educational attainment, and the typical household in South Dakota earns $56,274 a year, well below the national median household income of $61,937. Despite the lower median income, South Dakota’s 13.1% poverty rate is exactly in line with the national rate. Similarly, at 79.0 years, life expectancy in South Dakota is also closely aligned with the average nationwide of 79.1 years.

North Carolina’s population growth of over 10% over the past decade is relatively high for a state that ranks just outside of the bottom third on this list. The state’s poverty rate and life expectancy each ranks 14th worst in the nation. The state’s adult bachelor’s attainment rate, at 31.9%, compares slightly better, likely in part due to the presence of the research triangle, the cluster of major universities and research institutions in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill region.

The state ranks close to, or slightly worse than the national average in a number of other socioeconomic measures, including unemployment, violent crime, and the share of residents without health insurance coverage.

Many places that rank poorly for overall quality of life tend to have declining populations, which can be indicative of their lower desirability as a place to live. Texas is perhaps the biggest exception to that rule. While the state ranks in the bottom third of states, its population has increased by 15.8% in the past decade, second only to that of North Dakota.

Those with a higher level of education are more likely to have more options in life and higher incomes. Texas has nearly the lowest high school diploma attainment rate among adults, at just 84%. The state’s bachelor’s degree attainment rate among adults is a little better. Some 30.3% of state residents 25 or over have a bachelor’s degree, compared to 32.6% of all adults nationwide.

Georgia residents are more likely to struggle financially than the typical American. The state’s 14.3% poverty rate is higher than the comparable 13.1% national rate. Crime tends to be more common in poorer areas, and crime is more common in Georgia than it is nationwide. There were 405 violent crimes reported for every 100,000 people in Georgia in 2018 — compared to the national violent crime rate of 369 per 100,000.

The higher than average poverty rate may also help explain the relatively low life expectancy in Georgia, as lower-income Americans can afford fewer healthy options related to diet, lifestyle, and health care. Life expectancy at birth in Georgia is 77.7 years, over a year below the 79.1-year national average.

Rapid population growth can be indicative of a state’s appeal as a place to move or start a family. Over the last decade, Michigan’s population grew by only 0.3%, even as over the same period, the U.S. population expanded by 6.6%.

Incomes in Michigan are relatively low. The typical household in the state earns $56,697 a year, considerably less than the $61,937 the typical American household earns a year. Serious financial hardship is also more common in Michigan than it is nationwide, as 14.1% of state residents live below the poverty line compared to the 13.1% U.S. poverty rate.

Life expectancy at birth is just 77.4 years in Missouri, lower than in the vast majority of states and nearly two years below the 79.1-year national average. Lower-income Americans can afford fewer healthy options related to diet, lifestyle, and health care, and often report worse health outcomes as a result. In Missouri, the typical household earns $54,478 a year, about $7,500 less than the national median household income.

Higher educational attainment typically leads to higher incomes, and adults in Missouri are less likely to have completed college than the typical American adult. Just 29.5% of state residents 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree, a smaller share than the 32.6% of American adults in the same age group.

Lower educational attainment can be indicative of lower quality of life overall. Those with a higher level of education are more likely to lead healthier lives and have higher incomes. In Nevada, just 24.9% of adults have a bachelor’s degree, the sixth lowest share among states.

The state’s unemployment rate has long been one of the highest in the country. In 2018, 4.6% of the state’s labor force, on average, was out of a job, the seventh highest unemployment rate among states. A large share of Americans have health insurance through their employers, and 11.2% of Nevada’s population does not have health insurance — also the seventh highest uninsured rate among states.

Rapid population growth can be indicative of a state’s appeal to new residents looking to move or start a family. Over the last decade, Ohio’s population grew by only 1.3%, even as over the same period, the U.S. population expanded by 6.6%.

The low population growth may be attributable in part to a weak job market and low incomes. The annual unemployment in Ohio is 4.6%, compared to the 3.9% national rate. Additionally, Ohio residents are more likely than the typical American to live below the poverty line, and the typical household in the state has an income of $56,111 a year, nearly $6,000 less than the typical American household income.

Indiana has one of the lower average life expectancies among states, at 77.1 years, compared to a national life expectancy at birth of 79.1 years. Considering some of the state’s major health indicators, Indiana’s life expectancy figure is not surprising. Among all states, Indiana has the 10th highest share of adults who smoke, the 10th highest adult obesity rate, and the 10th highest share of adults who report getting no exercise during their leisure time.

One bright spot for the state is the fact that it has a relatively low rate of severe poverty. Among the state’s households, 6.1% have an annual income of less than $10,000 — slightly less than the national figure of 6.3%.

South Carolina is one of the poorest states in the country. The state’s poverty rate of 15.3% is considerably higher than the national poverty rate of 13.1%. Lower-income Americans and those facing serious financial hardship typically report worse health outcomes, and in South Carolina, life expectancy at birth is just 77 years, about two years lower than the national average.

Crime is often more heavily concentrated in lower-income areas, and South Carolina is a relatively dangerous state. There were 488 violent crimes reported in the state for every 100,000 people in 2018, compared to the national violent crime rate of 369 per 100,000.

Tennesee has the third highest violent crime rate of any state, with 624 reported incidents of rape, robbery, muder, and aggravated assault per 100,000 people, compared to a national rate of 369 violent crimes per 100,000 people. Memphis, in particular, has one of the highest violent crime rates in the country.

The state is also one of the least healthy in the country. Life expectancy at birth in Tennessee is 76.1 years, three years lower than the national average. The state ranks among the 10 worst for obesity, smoking, physical activity, and infant birth weight — all among the biggest indicators of a population’s overall health.

New Mexico is one of the most dangerous states in the country. There were 857 violent crimes reported for every 100,000 people in the state in 2018, more than double the national rate of 369 per 100,000. Crime tends to be concentrated in poorer areas, and in New Mexico, 19.5% of the population lives below the poverty line, the second highest poverty rate among states and well above the 13.1% national poverty rate.

High crime and widespread financial hardship may make New Mexico less attractive to potential new residents and families. In the last decade, the number of people living in the state climbed by just 4.3%, at a time the U.S. population climbed by 6.6%.

In Oklahoma, 14.2% of residents lack health insurance, the second highest uninsured rate among states and well above the national rate of 8.9%. Those who are uninsured, and particularly those who live in poverty, potentially face worse health outcomes. Oklahoma, which has one of the highest poverty rates in the country, has a life expectancy at birth of just 75.9 years — the sixth lowest among states and 3.2 years below the national average.

Incomes tend to rise with educational attainment, and in Alabama, only 25.5% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 32.6% of adults nationwide. The low educational attainment helps explain why most households in Alabama earn less than $50,000 a year, even as the typical American household earns nearly $62,000 a year.

Lower-income Americans can afford fewer healthy options related to diet and lifestyle, and adults with lower educational attainment are more likely to have unhealthy habits. Life expectancy at birth in Alabama, at 75.4 years, is about four years below the national average.

Kentucky is one of the least healthy states in the country. The state’s life expectancy of 75.4 years is third lowest among states and about three and a half years below the national average life expectancy. Smoking is the leading cause of premature death in the United States, and nearly one in every four Kentucky adults smoke — the second highest smoking rate in the country. Kentucky also has one of the highest adult obesity rates and one of the lowest shares of adults who exercise regularly.

One bright spot is the state’s relatively low violent crime rate. There were 212 reported violent crimes per 100,000 people in Kentucky in 2018, the seventh lowest among states.

By almost every major socioeconomic measure, Arkansas ranks poorly compared to the vast majority of states. Nearly 25% of adults surveyed in the state said they were in fair or poor health, the highest share of any state. Arkansas also ranks among the worst five states in obesity, smoking, and physical inactivity. Adults in the state report the second longest average time spent in a state of poor mental health.

Arkansas residents are among the most likely in the United States to be poor. The typical household has an annual income of $47,062, nearly $15,000 below the national median household income. The state’s poverty rate of 17.2% is the fifth highest among states.

Louisiana is one of only six states where fewer than one in every four adults have a bachelor’s degree. Americans with a college education are less likely to be unemployed, and Louisiana’s annual unemployment rate of 4.9% is nearly the highest among states and well above the comparable 3.9% national rate.

With a weak job market, Louisiana is also home to a large share of residents facing serious financial hardship. The state’s 18.6% poverty rate is higher than all but two other states and well above the 13.1% national poverty rate.

West Virginia’s population has declined by 0.8% over the past decade, making it one of just two states home to fewer people now than in 2009. This decline comes as the state continues to struggle with long-term social and economic issues. The state ranks either worst or second worst in nearly every major measure of health — it has the highest smoking rate and the longest average time spent by adults in a state of poor mental health per month.

The state has the lowest median home value, at just $121,300, compared to a national median home value of $229,700. This low home value reflects both the shrinking population and West Virginia’s nation-lowest median household income of just $44,097 a year.

As it has in each of the last two years, Mississippi ranks as the worst state in which to live. It is the only U.S. state that has a life expectancy at birth of less than 75 years. It has the highest adult obesity rate, at 36.5%, and the largest share of adults who report no leisure-time physical activity, at 31.3%. Mississippi is also the only state in the country where more than 10% of households have an income of less than $10,000. It also has a poverty rate of nearly 20% — the highest of any state.

The state ranks among the worst five in the country in a number of other socioeconomic indicators, including adult bachelor’s degree and high school diploma attainment and unemployment.