What 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.
By America's Dashboard · 8 sections · Figures from the latest public releases
Northeast states ranked
The Northeast includes 11 states with an average composite score of 63.8/100. New Hampshire leads the region at 83.4 (A+ grade, #1 nationally), while Maryland trails at 53.6 (C+, #31). The spread of 29.8 points within the region shows how different the states are despite sharing geography.
Average median income across the Northeast: $91,039. Unemployment: 4.1%. Cost of living: 103. Violent crime: 225/100K. These regional averages compare to national figures of $80,903, 3.9%, 97, and 313/100K.
| Rank | State | Score | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | New Hampshire | 83.4 | A+ |
| #2 | Vermont | 74.0 | A |
| #3 | Maine | 71.6 | A |
| #4 | Massachusetts | 70.0 | B+ |
| #5 | Connecticut | 66.9 | B+ |
| #6 | Rhode Island | 62.0 | B |
| #7 | Pennsylvania | 56.9 | B |
| #8 | New Jersey | 55.0 | C+ |
| #9 | New York | 54.9 | C+ |
| #10 | Delaware | 53.6 | C+ |
| #11 | Maryland | 53.6 | C+ |
#1 in the Northeast: New Hampshire
New Hampshire leads the Northeast with a composite score of 83.4/100 and a A+ grade. The state's strongest categories are safety (94.3) and education (77.5). Median income: $99,782. Unemployment: 3.2%. Violent crime: 117.6/100K.
#2 in the Northeast: Vermont
Vermont ranks #2 in the region at 74.0/100 (A grade). Strong in safety (77.7) and environment (76.3). Median income: $82,730. COL index: 98. The weakest category is growth at 29.9.
#3 in the Northeast: Maine
Maine ranks #3 in the region at 71.6/100 (A grade). Strong in safety (94.5) and environment (77.1). Median income: $76,442. COL index: 97.1. The weakest category is outdoor access at 45.0.
#4 in the Northeast: Massachusetts
Massachusetts ranks #4 in the region at 70.0/100 (B+ grade). Strong in education (92.0) and health (88.6). Median income: $104,828. COL index: 105.8. The weakest category is growth at 19.4.
#5 in the Northeast: Connecticut
Connecticut ranks #5 in the region at 66.9/100 (B+ grade). Strong in safety (90.1) and health (74.3). Median income: $96,049. COL index: 103.6. The weakest category is outdoor access at 23.8.
Northeastern strengths and trade-offs
The Northeast's average health score is 70.6, the highest of the four regions, and its education score averages 63.5, second-highest of the four regions (50-state averages: 54.4 and 57.5).
The trade-off is cost. The average cost of living index is 103, and the average typical home value is $471,524. The region's tax burden averages 9.7%, the highest of the four regions on tax burden. You pay more here, and what you get back shows up most clearly in health outcomes.
The bottom of the region
Maryland (53.6), Delaware (53.6), New York (54.9) round out the bottom of the Northeast. Maryland's biggest challenges are outdoor access (11.8) and livability (21.7). But even the lowest-ranked Northeastern state has strengths: Maryland scores 65.3 in economy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best state in the Northeast?
New Hampshire ranks #1 in the Northeast in 2026 with a composite score of 83.4/100, a A+ grade, and a national ranking of #1 out of 50 states. New Hampshire's strongest categories are safety (94.3) and education (77.5). The state has a median household income of $99,782, a 3.2% unemployment rate, and a cost of living index of 104.2. Vermont (74.0) follows as the #2 state in the region.
How many states are in the Northeast?
There are 11 states in the Northeast region. The average composite score across these states is 63.8/100, compared to the national average of 57.9. Within the region, there is a 29.8-point spread between the best state (New Hampshire, 83.4) and the lowest-ranked (Maryland, 53.6), showing significant variation despite shared geography. Regional averages for key metrics: median income $91,039, unemployment 4.1%, cost of living index 103, and violent crime rate 225 per 100K.
What is the average cost of living in the Northeast?
The average cost of living index across Northeastern states is 103, compared to the national average of 97. This means the Northeast is more expensive than average, though individual states vary widely. The average typical home value in the region is $471,524 and the average tax burden is 9.7%. For a detailed cost comparison, our affordability calculator at /affordability lets you model household costs across all 50 states.
Which Northeastern state has the strongest economy?
New Hampshire leads the Northeast for economy with a score of 74.0/100, driven by a 3.2% unemployment rate and a median income of $99,782. The regional average economy score is 53.9/100. Economic strength in the Northeast varies based on industry mix, urbanization, and education levels — states with diversified economies anchored by knowledge-sector industries tend to outperform those reliant on single industries like agriculture or extraction.
Which Northeastern state is safest?
Maine is the safest state in the Northeast with a safety score of 94.5/100 and a violent crime rate of 93.2 per 100,000 residents. The regional average violent crime rate is 225 per 100K, compared to the national average of 313. Safety varies significantly across the Northeast — the gap between the safest and least safe Northeastern states spans 34.2 points, showing that regional geography alone doesn't determine safety outcomes.