22 stories across 7 topics
Insights & Analysis
In-depth analysis of US state rankings powered by real government data. Each story is generated from the latest BLS, Census, FBI, and health data — no opinion, just numbers.
Rankings
1 storyWhat Are the Best States to Live in 2026? Top 10 Ranked
New Hampshire is the best state to live in 2026 with a composite score of 83.4/100, followed by Wyoming (79.9) and South Dakota (79.3). Rankings combine 11 categories — economy, safety, health, education, and more — using real data from BLS, Census Bureau, FBI, and other federal agencies.
15 sections · 10 states featured
Cost of Living
3 storiesHome Values Fell in 10 States. All 50 Are Still Up Over Five Years.
The typical home is worth less than a year ago in 10 states, led by Nevada (−1.8%). It is worth more than five years ago in every one of them, and in all 50 states. 9 of the 10 falling states are cool or cold markets.
6 sections · 10 states featured
Daycare for Two Kids Costs More Than the Mortgage in 34 States
In 34 of the 47 states with price data, a year of daycare for two kids costs more than the mortgage and property tax on the typical home. Indiana: $34,922 vs $17,785, nearly double.
8 sections · 12 states featured
What Are the Cheapest States to Live In 2026? Cost of Living Ranked
Mississippi is the cheapest state to live in 2026 with a housing score of 91.9/100 and a typical home value of $197,606. Rankings combine home values, BEA regional price levels, electricity and fuel prices, and center-based infant care prices across all 50 states.
14 sections · 10 states featured
Safety
1 storyWhat Are the Safest States in America 2026? Crime Rates Ranked
Maine is the safest state in America in 2026 with a safety score of 94.5/100 and a violent crime rate of just 93.2 per 100,000 residents. Rankings combine FBI estimated violent crime (60%) and property crime (40%) rates per 100K across all 50 states.
14 sections · 10 states featured
Economy
3 storiesWhich States Have the Best Economies in 2026? Jobs & Income Ranked
Hawaii has the strongest state economy in 2026 with a score of 86.3/100, combining 2.4% unemployment with a median income of $100,745. All 50 states are ranked using BLS unemployment and Census Bureau income data.
13 sections · 10 states featured
Which States Have the Lowest Taxes in 2026? Tax Burden Ranked
Wyoming ranks #1 for fiscal health in 2026 with a total tax burden of 5.79%, well below the national average of 8.7%. All 50 states are ranked by total tax burden, income tax, property tax, sales tax, debt, pension funding, and credit ratings.
13 sections · 10 states featured
Which States Have No Income Tax in 2026? Complete Guide
New Hampshire, Wyoming, South Dakota, Washington, Florida, Tennessee, Texas, Nevada, Alaska charge no state income tax in 2026. New Hampshire leads in overall quality of life with a composite score of 83.4/100. See how all 9 no-income-tax states compare on cost of living, safety, and jobs.
13 sections · 9 states featured
Lifestyle
9 storiesWhat Are the Healthiest States in America 2026? All 50 Ranked
Massachusetts is the healthiest state in 2026 with a health score of 88.6/100 and a life expectancy of 79.8 years. Rankings combine CDC life expectancy, CDC adult obesity rates, and Census Bureau health insurance coverage for all 50 states.
13 sections · 10 states featured
Which States Have the Best Education Systems in 2026? Schools Ranked
Massachusetts has the best education system in 2026 with a score of 92.0/100 and a 90.1% graduation rate. All 50 states are ranked using NAEP math and reading scores and high school graduation rates.
13 sections · 10 states featured
What Are the Best States for Remote Work in 2026? Cost, Taxes & Lifestyle Ranked
Wyoming is the best state for remote work in 2026 with a weighted score of 65.3/100 and a cost of living index of 92.7. Rankings weight affordability (20%), economy (15%), environment (12%), fiscal health (12%), outdoor access (10%), livability (10%), growth (8%), safety (8%), and transportation (5%) across all 50 states.
13 sections · 10 states featured
What Are the Best States for Families in 2026? All 50 Ranked
New Hampshire is the best state for families in 2026 with a weighted score of 68.3/100, followed by Wyoming (66.9) and Iowa (64.3). Custom rankings weight education, safety, affordability based on what this group cares about most.
8 sections · 10 states featured
What Are the Best States for Retirees in 2026? All 50 Ranked
Wyoming is the best state for retirees in 2026 with a weighted score of 66.3/100, followed by Idaho (65.8) and South Dakota (64.8). Custom rankings weight health, fiscal health, affordability based on what this group cares about most.
8 sections · 10 states featured
What Are the Best States for Remote Workers in 2026? All 50 Ranked
Wyoming is the best state for remote workers in 2026 with a weighted score of 65.3/100, followed by South Dakota (65.1) and Idaho (63.5). Custom rankings weight affordability, economy, outdoor access based on what this group cares about most.
8 sections · 10 states featured
What Are the Best States for Young Professionals in 2026? All 50 Ranked
South Dakota is the best state for young professionals in 2026 with a weighted score of 64.2/100, followed by Idaho (62.0) and North Dakota (61.3). Custom rankings weight economy, growth, livability based on what this group cares about most.
8 sections · 10 states featured
What Are the Best States for Small Business in 2026? All 50 Ranked
South Dakota is the best state for small business in 2026 with a weighted score of 67.2/100, followed by Idaho (63.5) and North Dakota (62.9). Custom rankings weight fiscal health, economy, growth based on what this group cares about most.
8 sections · 10 states featured
What Are the Best States for Outdoor Enthusiasts in 2026? All 50 Ranked
Wyoming is the best state for outdoor enthusiasts in 2026 with a weighted score of 71.1/100, followed by Montana (64.3) and Vermont (64.0). Custom rankings weight outdoor access, environment, safety based on what this group cares about most.
8 sections · 10 states featured
Migration
1 storyWhat Are the Fastest Growing States in 2026? Population & Migration Ranked
South Carolina is the fastest growing state in 2026 with 1.46% population growth and a net migration rate of +12/1,000 residents. Census data reveals which states are booming and which are shrinking across population change, migration, and employment metrics.
14 sections · 10 states featured
Regional
4 storiesWhat Are the Best States in the Northeast in 2026? 11 States Ranked
New Hampshire is the best state in the Northeast in 2026 with a composite score of 83.4/100 and a A+ grade (#1 nationally). All 11 Northeastern states are ranked across economy, safety, health, education, and more using real federal data.
8 sections · 11 states featured
What Are the Best States in the Midwest in 2026? 12 States Ranked
South Dakota is the best state in the Midwest in 2026 with a composite score of 79.3/100 and a A+ grade (#3 nationally). All 12 Midwestern states are ranked across economy, safety, health, education, and more using real federal data.
8 sections · 12 states featured
What Are the Best States in the South in 2026? 14 States Ranked
Virginia is the best state in the South in 2026 with a composite score of 67.7/100 and a B+ grade (#15 nationally). All 14 Southern states are ranked across economy, safety, health, education, and more using real federal data.
8 sections · 14 states featured
What Are the Best States in the West in 2026? 13 States Ranked
Wyoming is the best state in the West in 2026 with a composite score of 79.9/100 and a A+ grade (#2 nationally). All 13 Western states are ranked across economy, safety, health, education, and more using real federal data.
8 sections · 13 states featured