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 87.8/100 and a A+ grade (#1 nationally). All 11 Northeastern states are ranked across economy, safety, health, education, and more using real federal data.
Northeast states ranked
The Northeast includes 11 states with an average composite score of 69.6/100. New Hampshire leads the region at 87.8 (A+ grade, #1 nationally), while Delaware trails at 52.3 (C+, #29). The spread of 35.5 points within the region shows how different the states are despite sharing geography.
Average median income across the Northeast: $86,238. Unemployment: 4%. Cost of living: 103. Violent crime: 251/100K. These regional averages compare to national figures of $74,753, 3.8%, 97, and 350/100K.
| Rank | State | Score | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | New Hampshire | 87.8 | A+ |
| #2 | Vermont | 79.6 | A+ |
| #3 | Maine | 77.3 | A+ |
| #4 | Connecticut | 73.5 | A |
| #5 | Massachusetts | 72.8 | B+ |
| #6 | Rhode Island | 69.8 | B+ |
| #7 | Maryland | 67.7 | B+ |
| #8 | New Jersey | 65.9 | B |
| #9 | Pennsylvania | 60.3 | B |
| #10 | New York | 58.4 | B |
| #11 | Delaware | 52.3 | C+ |
#1 in the Northeast: New Hampshire
New Hampshire leads the Northeast with a composite score of 87.8/100 and a A+ grade. The state's strongest categories are health (100.0) and safety (93.5). Median income: $97,880. Unemployment: 2.8%. Violent crime: 110/100K.
#2 in the Northeast: Vermont
Vermont ranks #2 in the region at 79.6/100 (A+ grade). Strong in health (95.9) and safety (83.3). Median income: $74,919. COL index: 97. The weakest category is growth at 30.2.
#3 in the Northeast: Maine
Maine ranks #3 in the region at 77.3/100 (A+ grade). Strong in safety (89.6) and health (79.6). Median income: $68,810. COL index: 97. The weakest category is outdoor access at 45.0.
#4 in the Northeast: Connecticut
Connecticut ranks #4 in the region at 73.5/100 (A grade). Strong in education (98.0) and health (93.9). Median income: $93,228. COL index: 104. The weakest category is outdoor access at 23.8.
#5 in the Northeast: Massachusetts
Massachusetts ranks #5 in the region at 72.8/100 (B+ grade). Strong in education (100.0) and health (98.0). Median income: $101,370. COL index: 108. The weakest category is affordability at 26.0.
Northeastern strengths and trade-offs
Northeastern states tend to lead in education and health. The region's average education score is 79.6 (national: ~50) and health averages 79.8. Multiple states rank in the national top 10 for both categories.
The trade-off is cost. The average cost of living index is 103, and the average median home price is $446,909. The region's tax burden averages 9.7% — the highest of any region. You pay more here, but you tend to get more in return: better schools, better healthcare, better infrastructure.
The bottom of the region
Delaware (52.3), New York (58.4), Pennsylvania (60.3) round out the bottom of the Northeast. Delaware's biggest challenges are outdoor access (23.9) and economy (32.1). But even the lowest-ranked Northeastern state has strengths: Delaware scores 67.3 in affordability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:What is the best state in the Northeast?
New Hampshire ranks #1 in the Northeast in 2026 with a composite score of 87.8/100, a A+ grade, and a national ranking of #1 out of 50 states. New Hampshire's strongest categories are health (100.0) and safety (93.5). The state has a median household income of $97,880, a 2.8% unemployment rate, and a cost of living index of 105. Vermont (79.6) follows as the #2 state in the region.
Q:How many states are in the Northeast?
There are 11 states in the Northeast region. The average composite score across these states is 69.6/100, compared to the national average of 57.4. Within the region, there is a 35.5-point spread between the best state (New Hampshire, 87.8) and the lowest-ranked (Delaware, 52.3), showing significant variation despite shared geography. Regional averages for key metrics: median income $86,238, unemployment 4%, cost of living index 103, and violent crime rate 251 per 100K.
Q: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 median home price in the region is $446,909 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.
Q:Which Northeastern state has the strongest economy?
New Hampshire leads the Northeast for economy with a score of 84.5/100, driven by a 2.8% unemployment rate and a median income of $97,880. The regional average economy score is 56.2/100. 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.
Q:Which Northeastern state is safest?
New Hampshire is the safest state in the Northeast with a safety score of 93.5/100 and a violent crime rate of 110 per 100,000 residents. The regional average violent crime rate is 251 per 100K, compared to the national average of 350. Safety varies significantly across the Northeast — the gap between the safest and least safe Northeastern states spans 48.8 points, showing that regional geography alone doesn't determine safety outcomes.