The 10 Best States in America

See if your state made the cut.

By Casey Leins, Staff Writer May 14, 2019
By Casey Leins, Staff Writer May 14, 2019, at 12:01 a.m.
U.S. News & World Report

The 10 Best States in America

LOCATION PINS IN MAP OF NORTH AMERICA
Credit

(Getty Images)

Explore the 10 Best States

Every state has its strong points, but only one is the best.

In its 2019 Best States rankings, U.S. News determined which state outperforms all others when it comes to serving its citizens across a number of areas, including health care, education and infrastructure.

These 10 states came out on top in the ranking, which analyzes thousands of data points:

Next:10. Colorado
TOPSHOT - Crepuscular rays stream through a dying supercell storm system in a rural part of notheastern Colorado on September 4, 2016. Although multiple tornado warnings were issued throughout the area, no funnel cloud touched down.
Credit

(Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images)

10. Colorado

Capital: Denver

Population: 5.7 million

Median household income: $69,117

GDP: $369.16 billion

Learn more about Colorado.

Next:

Explore the 10 Best States

Every state has its strong points, but only one is the best.

In its 2019 Best States rankings, U.S. News determined which state outperforms all others when it comes to serving its citizens across a number of areas, including health care, education and infrastructure.

These 10 states came out on top in the ranking, which analyzes thousands of data points:

10. Colorado

Capital: Denver

Population: 5.7 million

Median household income: $69,117

GDP: $369.16 billion

Learn more about Colorado.

9. Nebraska

Capital: Lincoln

Population: 1.93 million

Median household income: $59,970

GDP: $124.58 billion

Learn more about Nebraska.

8. Massachusetts

Capital: Boston

Population: 6.9 million

Median household income: $77,385

GDP: $576.57 billion

Learn more about Massachusetts.

7. Virginia

Capital: Richmond

Population: 8.52 million

Median household income: $71,535

GDP: $539.35 billion

Learn more about Virginia.

6. Maryland

Capital: Annapolis

Population: 6.04 million

Median household income: $80,776

GDP: $418.59 billion

Learn more about Maryland.

5. Vermont

Capital: Montpelier

Population: 626,299

Median household income: $57,513

GDP: $33.85 billion

Learn more about Vermont.

4. Utah

Capital: Salt Lake City

Population: 3.16 million

Median household income: $68,358

GDP: $178.31 billion

Learn more about Utah.

3. Minnesota

Capital: Saint Paul

Population: 5.61 million

Median household income: $68,388

GDP: $366.53 billion

Learn more about Minnesota.

2. New Hampshire

Capital: Concord

Population: 1.36 million

Median household income: $73,381

GDP: $86.7 billion

Learn more about New Hampshire.

1. Washington

Capital: Olympia

Population: 7.54 million

Median household income: $70,979

GDP: $568.58 billion

Learn more about Washington.

The 10 Best States in the U.S.

  • Washington
  • New Hampshire
  • Minnesota
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Maryland
  • Virginia
  • Massachusetts
  • Nebraska
  • Colorado
1 of 13

Casey Leins, Staff Writer

Casey Leins is a staff writer for the Best States section of U.S. News & World Report, where ...  Read more

Related Articles

Best States

The Challenge of Glass Recycling

Best States

Best States for Women

Best States

Virginia’s Fornication Law

Best States

States Want to Skip Daylight Saving Time

Best States

Gender Diversity in California’s Companies

Best States

Cuomo: New York Insurers Must Cover Coronavirus Testing

You May Also Like

The 10 Best States in the U.S.

See if your state made the cut.

Casey LeinsMay 14, 2019

The 10 Best U.S. States for Education

These places are the best in America for educating students at all levels.

Casey LeinsMay 14, 2019

Clyburn's Kingmaker Moment Changes Landscape of 2020 Race

The Joe Biden bounce back began with Jim Clyburn.

Associated PressMarch 7, 2020

New Mexico Conventions Set Primary Lineups for Congress

Candidates for Congress and an open Senate seat are undergoing the first test of their political might as the Democratic and Republican parties of New Mexico hold statewide conventions.

Associated PressMarch 7, 2020

SpaceX Launches Station Supplies, Nails 50th Rocket Landing

SpaceX has launched another load of station supplies for NASA and nailed its 50th rocket landing.

Associated PressMarch 7, 2020

'I Was So Scared' Locals Describe Storm in Madison County

Associated PressMarch 7, 2020

Shipments Begin Arriving for Massive New Mexico Wind Farm

The components needed for a massive wind farm under development in eastern New Mexico have started to arrive.

Associated PressMarch 7, 2020

US Prisons, Jails on Alert for Spread of Coronavirus

The new coronavirus has the nation’s jails and prisons on high alert.

Associated PressMarch 7, 2020

Sheriff's Office Hands off Homicide Case to Reno Police

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office has handed off a homicide investigation to the Reno Police Department because of what is described only as a potential conflict of interest.

Associated PressMarch 7, 2020

One More Victory: Biden Wins Most Super Tuesday Delegates

The delegate winner on Super Tuesday is former Vice President Joe Biden.

Associated PressMarch 7, 2020

Best States

Best States is an interactive platform developed by U.S. News for ranking the 50 U.S. states, alongside news analysis and daily reporting. The platform is designed to engage citizens and government leaders in a discussion about what needs improvement across the country.