“U.S. News & World Report” is out with their 2025 Best States rankings. The magazine compares all 50 states on 71 metrics to determine which ones are doing the best for their citizens. States are rated on health care and education, which are weighted most heavily, as well as the economy, infrastructure, public safety, natural environment, fiscal stability and the opportunity the state gives its residents. Utah tops the list as the Best State for the third consecutive year. It scores in the top 20 in seven of eight categories, it’s 48th for environment, but number one for fiscal stability. New Jersey, 19th overall, is first for education, while Florida, sixth overall, is number one for higher education. Hawaii, 28th overall, is tops for health care and natural environment. New Hampshire is first for crime & corrections, Nebraska is number one for infrastructure, and Vermont tops the list for opportunity.
I'd like to point out the obvious bias against the South in their list as CNN reports South Carolina is the fastest growing state in America Texas (ranked 29th), Georgia (Ranked 21st), and TN (ranked 32nd), are also in the top 10 fastest growing states, but absent from their best states list. SC is actually all the way back at #40!
They even have the audacity to list a state that people are fleeing as some of the top states. There were population decreases in 19 states including MA.
The Top 10 Best States In America for 2025
(Click here to see where your state lands on the list)
- Utah
- New Hampshire
- Idaho
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- Florida
- Vermont
- South Dakota
- Massachusetts
- Washington