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The Most Livable States in America (2026)
Livability captures whether people actually want to live somewhere — measured through quantifiable proxies from government data. Our livability score combines net domestic migration rate from the Census Bureau (30%), restaurants per capita from Census County Business Patterns (25%), arts and entertainment establishments per capita (20%), social associations per capita (15%), and bars/breweries per capita (10%). Livability carries a 7% weight in the composite. States that attract new residents and have vibrant food, arts, and social scenes score highest. This category uses measurable proxies for subjective qualities like 'vibe' and cultural vibrancy.
Weight7%
National Avg39.5
💰 Economy🛡️ Safety🏥 Health🎓 Education💼 Fiscal Health📈 Growth🏠 Affordability🌿 Environment🏞️ Outdoor Access🚇 Transportation🎭 Livability
Livability Score by State
| Rank | State | Grade | Livability Score | Overall Score | Key Metrics | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montana | B+ | 70.1 | 70.8 | +4.8 migration · 2.022 restaurants/1K · 0.038 arts/1K | West |
| 2 | Maine | A | 61.8 | 76.8 | +3.8 migration · 2.154 restaurants/1K · 0.028 arts/1K | Northeast |
| 3 | Rhode Island | B+ | 59.6 | 69.3 | -0.3 migration · 2.287 restaurants/1K · 0.026 arts/1K | Northeast |
| 4 | Wyoming | B+ | 57.2 | 68.2 | +1.5 migration · 1.856 restaurants/1K · 0.034 arts/1K | West |
| 5 | Delaware | C+ | 56.9 | 52.4 | +7.9 migration · 1.852 restaurants/1K · 0.044 arts/1K | Northeast |
| 6 | New Hampshire | A+ | 56.2 | 86.6 | +3.5 migration · 2.124 restaurants/1K · 0.032 arts/1K | Northeast |
| 7 | Vermont | A+ | 55.9 | 77.5 | -0.8 migration · 1.918 restaurants/1K · 0.045 arts/1K | Northeast |
| 8 | New York | B | 55.1 | 56.8 | -6.2 migration · 2.261 restaurants/1K · 0.078 arts/1K | Northeast |
| 9 | South Dakota | A+ | 54.3 | 80.2 | +2.3 migration · 1.67 restaurants/1K · 0.04 arts/1K | Midwest |
| 10 | Oregon | B | 53.9 | 60.0 | -0.3 migration · 2.161 restaurants/1K · 0.035 arts/1K | West |
| 11 | Nevada | D | 53.5 | 39.2 | +5.3 migration · 1.877 restaurants/1K · 0.051 arts/1K | West |
| 12 | Tennessee | C | 51.3 | 45.3 | +6.8 migration · 1.701 restaurants/1K · 0.08 arts/1K | South |
| 13 | Alaska | D | 48.4 | 39.3 | -5.1 migration · 1.852 restaurants/1K · 0.044 arts/1K | West |
| 14 | North Dakota | A | 47.3 | 77.1 | -0.4 migration · 1.686 restaurants/1K · 0.027 arts/1K | Midwest |
| 15 | South Carolina | C | 46.3 | 43.2 | +12.7 migration · 1.761 restaurants/1K · 0.02 arts/1K | South |
| 16 | Colorado | B+ | 45.3 | 67.4 | +0.9 migration · 1.941 restaurants/1K · 0.034 arts/1K | West |
| 17 | Minnesota | A+ | 44.6 | 77.1 | -0.2 migration · 1.529 restaurants/1K · 0.045 arts/1K | Midwest |
| 18 | Massachusetts | B+ | 43.2 | 70.3 | -3.9 migration · 2.041 restaurants/1K · 0.03 arts/1K | Northeast |
| 19 | Idaho | B+ | 42.6 | 69.2 | +8.3 migration · 1.668 restaurants/1K · 0.02 arts/1K | West |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | B | 41.5 | 58.2 | -0.9 migration · 1.704 restaurants/1K · 0.025 arts/1K | Northeast |
| 21 | Nebraska | A | 41.3 | 74.5 | -0.8 migration · 1.733 restaurants/1K · 0.019 arts/1K | Midwest |
| 22 | Connecticut | A | 40.7 | 73.5 | -1.7 migration · 2.066 restaurants/1K · 0.027 arts/1K | Northeast |
| 23 | Wisconsin | B | 39.5 | 63.7 | +1.1 migration · 1.712 restaurants/1K · 0.025 arts/1K | Midwest |
| 24 | Washington | B | 39.0 | 63.2 | +0.3 migration · 1.897 restaurants/1K · 0.026 arts/1K | West |
| 25 | Hawaii | B | 38.3 | 64.8 | -6.5 migration · 2.198 restaurants/1K · 0.034 arts/1K | West |
| 26 | California | C | 37.5 | 42.9 | -6.1 migration · 2.016 restaurants/1K · 0.047 arts/1K | West |
| 27 | North Carolina | C+ | 37.4 | 53.5 | +7.6 migration · 1.743 restaurants/1K · 0.017 arts/1K | South |
| 28 | Illinois | C+ | 36.8 | 50.5 | -4.5 migration · 1.833 restaurants/1K · 0.033 arts/1K | Midwest |
| 29 | Missouri | C+ | 36.0 | 48.7 | +2 migration · 1.675 restaurants/1K · 0.028 arts/1K | Midwest |
| 30 | Indiana | C+ | 35.0 | 49.6 | +0.6 migration · 1.664 restaurants/1K · 0.015 arts/1K | Midwest |
| 31 | Iowa | B+ | 34.9 | 68.7 | -0.1 migration · 1.65 restaurants/1K · 0.017 arts/1K | Midwest |
| 32 | Florida | C+ | 34.1 | 51.7 | +2.8 migration · 1.687 restaurants/1K · 0.033 arts/1K | South |
| 33 | Ohio | C+ | 33.9 | 49.1 | -0.2 migration · 1.724 restaurants/1K · 0.013 arts/1K | Midwest |
| 34 | West Virginia | D | 33.9 | 32.5 | +2.6 migration · 1.564 restaurants/1K · 0.012 arts/1K | South |
| 35 | Virginia | A | 31.4 | 74.3 | +0.6 migration · 1.821 restaurants/1K · 0.021 arts/1K | South |
| 36 | Oklahoma | C | 30.5 | 41.8 | +3.5 migration · 1.687 restaurants/1K · 0.016 arts/1K | South |
| 37 | New Jersey | B | 30.2 | 65.1 | -3.8 migration · 1.965 restaurants/1K · 0.026 arts/1K | Northeast |
| 38 | Georgia | C+ | 30.1 | 51.3 | +2.3 migration · 1.775 restaurants/1K · 0.022 arts/1K | South |
| 39 | Kansas | B | 27.8 | 59.5 | -1.6 migration · 1.699 restaurants/1K · 0.018 arts/1K | Midwest |
| 40 | Texas | C | 27.7 | 45.9 | +2.8 migration · 1.681 restaurants/1K · 0.016 arts/1K | South |
| 41 | Arizona | C | 27.5 | 44.3 | +4.7 migration · 1.552 restaurants/1K · 0.018 arts/1K | West |
| 42 | Michigan | C | 26.9 | 45.0 | -0.8 migration · 1.657 restaurants/1K · 0.017 arts/1K | Midwest |
| 43 | Alabama | C | 26.2 | 39.4 | +5.1 migration · 1.568 restaurants/1K · 0.014 arts/1K | South |
| 44 | New Mexico | D | 25.7 | 32.6 | -0.7 migration · 1.604 restaurants/1K · 0.025 arts/1K | West |
| 45 | Arkansas | F | 24.8 | 29.9 | +4.4 migration · 1.601 restaurants/1K · 0.011 arts/1K | South |
| 46 | Louisiana | F | 23.2 | 25.2 | -3.8 migration · 1.728 restaurants/1K · 0.016 arts/1K | South |
| 47 | Maryland | B+ | 22.9 | 66.9 | -3 migration · 1.656 restaurants/1K · 0.021 arts/1K | Northeast |
| 48 | Utah | A+ | 22.6 | 81.5 | +0.9 migration · 1.549 restaurants/1K · 0.028 arts/1K | West |
| 49 | Kentucky | D | 19.7 | 38.0 | +1.6 migration · 1.509 restaurants/1K · 0.013 arts/1K | South |
| 50 | Mississippi | D | 15.3 | 31.4 | -1.7 migration · 1.656 restaurants/1K · 0.009 arts/1K | South |
Top 10 States for Livability
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most livable state in America in 2026?
Montana ranks #1 for livability in 2026, followed by Maine and Rhode Island, based on net migration, restaurants, arts establishments, and social associations per capita.
Which states are the least livable?
The states with the lowest livability scores in 2026 are Mississippi, Kentucky, and Utah, due to net out-migration and fewer cultural and social amenities per capita.
How is the livability score calculated?
The livability score combines Census net domestic migration rate (30%), restaurants per capita (25%), arts/entertainment establishments per capita (20%), social associations per capita (15%), and bars/breweries per capita (10%). It carries a 7% weight.
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Data Sources
📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (Dec 2025)📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024📎FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, 2024📎America's Health Rankings, 2025📎WalletHub/NAEP, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024📎Cook Political Report, PVI 2024📎Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2025📎ALEC Rich States Poor States, 2025📎WalletHub Tax Burden Study, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau / FHFA, 2025📎BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023📎EPA AirData, Median AQI by County 2024📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎FEMA National Risk Index v1.20, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Net Domestic Migration 2024📎FCC / BroadbandNow, Broadband Access 2025📎National Park Service API, 2024📎USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US), 2024📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 (Commuting)📎FHWA Highway Statistics, 2023📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎EIA Natural Gas Prices, 2024📎DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2023📎BEA Regional Price Parities (Food), 2023📎NCES Common Core of Data (CCD), 2023-24📎EDFacts ACGR Graduation Rates, 2021-22📎NCES School District Finance Survey (F-33), 2022-23📎BEA GDP by State (SAGDP9), 2023📎NASBO Fiscal Survey of States, FY2023📎Census Bureau State Government Finances, FY2022📎Pew Charitable Trusts Fiscal 50, FY2023📎Pew Charitable Trusts, FY2022📎S&P/Moody's via Ballotpedia, 2025📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES (May 2023)📎IRS Statistics of Income, Migration Data 2021-2022