When you’re looking for a new place to live, the possibilities are endless. Do you stay in the same town or head elsewhere? Should you try a different coast entirely? And how do you choose between the two?
With 50 different states all boasting their own advantages and disadvantages, it’s vital to narrow down your options. The usual metrics, along with personal preferences, come into play.
It can seem like a lot to think about but don’t worry. We ranked each from best to worst using a set of metrics explained below and selected our top ten. That doesn’t mean any others are inherently the worst states to live in; it just means that the states we present have perks that stand out for a reason.
Read on to learn what our ranking looks like!
What Metrics Determine the Best States to Live In?
Finding your next favorite place to live requires some community and economic research. To start, we ranked each of the best states according to approximately five categories:
- Cost of living
- Quality of life
- State tax policies
- Job opportunities
- Education
- Crime rates
Following these metrics, the overall score each state earned is what got them a spot on this list.
The Best States to Live In
1. Utah
First up is quiet, picturesque Utah. Ranking first on our list thanks to its excellent economy and fiscal stability, living here means enjoying both an urban, big city environment and the beautiful nearby mountains.
The cost of living and the rental market in Utah is competitive compared to the rest of the country. Plus, its climate is mild, and the crime rate is low.
Utah ranks seventh out of the 50 states in healthcare, fifth in education, first economically, fourth in regards to its infrastructure, twentieth in available job opportunities, first in fiscal stability, fifteenth in crime rates, and forty-sixth in natural environment.
Likewise, the state income tax has decreased over the past several years. It now falls around 4.65 percent.
Some of the local cuisine in Utah might surprise you. Be sure to try Utah scones, funeral potatoes, and pastrami burgers. You’ll dip your fries in “fry sauce,” stop for a quick bite at Cafe Rio and make the drive for raspberry shakes at Bear Lake at least once.
Outdoor recreation is where Utah shines. The best snow on the planet falls in the Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons. Near Salt Lake City alone,…
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