The 10 Best States in America

See which states are better than their neighbors.

By Megan Trimble, Digital News EditorFeb. 27, 2018
By Megan Trimble, Digital News EditorFeb. 27, 2018, at 8:00 a.m.
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Explore the 10 Best States

Many Americans take pride in their state, often claiming their home state to be better than the rest.

Now, the 2018 U.S. News Best States rankings can help settle the debate.

In an assessment of how states are serving their residents – from health care to education – these 10 state performed the best overall in the 2018 Best States rankings. The rankings, formed in partnership with McKinsey & Company, analyze thousands of data points to measure how states best serve their citizens.

USA, Colorado, Denver, city view and Rocky Mountains from the east, dawn
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No. 10: Colorado

Capital: Denver

Population: 5.54 million

Median income: $32,163

GDP: $322.64 billion

Learn more about Colorado.

Next:

Explore the 10 Best States

Many Americans take pride in their state, often claiming their home state to be better than the rest.

Now, the 2018 U.S. News Best States rankings can help settle the debate.

In an assessment of how states are serving their residents – from health care to education – these 10 state performed the best overall in the 2018 Best States rankings. The rankings, formed in partnership with McKinsey & Company, analyze thousands of data points to measure how states best serve their citizens.

No. 10: Colorado

Capital: Denver

Population: 5.54 million

Median income: $32,163

GDP: $322.64 billion

Learn more about Colorado.

No. 9: Vermont

Capital: Montpelier

Population: 625,000

Median income: $29,787

GDP: $31.09 billion

Learn more about Vermont.

No. 8: Massachusetts

Capital: Boston

Population: 6.81 million

Median income: $35,227

GDP: $505.78 billion

Learn more about Massachusetts.

No. 7: Nebraska

Capital: Lincoln

Population: 1.91 million

Median income: $30,391

GDP: $117.45 billion

Learn more about Nebraska.

No. 6: Washington

Capital: Olympia

Population: 7.29 million

Median income: $32,253

GDP: $476.77 billion

Learn more about Washington.

No. 5: New Hampshire

Capital: Concord

Population: 1.33 million

Median income: $32,578

GDP: $77.21 billion

Learn more about New Hampshire.

No. 4: North Dakota

Capital: Bismarck

Population: 758,000

Median income: $32,224

GDP: $53.45 billion

Learn more about North Dakota.

No. 3: Utah

Capital: Salt Lake City

Population: 3.05 million

Median income: $27,660

GDP: $157.67 billion

Learn more about Utah.

No. 2: Minnesota

Capital: Saint Paul

Population: 5.52 million

Median income: $32,487

GDP: $339.1 billion

Learn more about Minnesota.

No. 1: Iowa

Capital: Des Moines

Population: 3.13 million

Median income: $30,097

GDP: $185.18 billion

Learn more about Iowa.

Learn More About Best States

Don't see your state here? See the full list of the 2018 Best States and explore how states did in areas like health care, education and opportunity.

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Megan Trimble, Digital News Editor

Megan Trimble is the digital news editor for Civic at U.S. News & World Report. You can follow ...  Read moreMegan Trimble is the digital news editor for Civic at U.S. News & World Report. You can follow her on Twitter, connect with her on LinkedIn or send her an email at mtrimble@usnews.com.

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