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 74.9/100 and a A grade (#9 nationally). All 14 Southern states are ranked across economy, safety, health, education, and more using real federal data.
South states ranked
The South includes 14 states with an average composite score of 43.6/100. Virginia leads the region at 74.9 (A grade, #9 nationally), while Louisiana trails at 25.9 (F, #50). The spread of 49.0 points within the region shows how different the states are despite sharing geography.
Average median income across the South: $63,985. Unemployment: 3.8%. Cost of living: 93. Violent crime: 396/100K. These regional averages compare to national figures of $74,753, 3.8%, 97, and 350/100K.
| Rank | State | Score | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Virginia | 74.9 | A |
| #2 | North Carolina | 53.7 | C+ |
| #3 | Florida | 52.8 | C+ |
| #4 | Georgia | 51.5 | C+ |
| #5 | Tennessee | 46.8 | C |
| #6 | Texas | 45.8 | C |
| #7 | South Carolina | 44.0 | C |
| #8 | Oklahoma | 41.5 | C |
| #9 | Alabama | 38.9 | D |
| #10 | Kentucky | 38.4 | D |
| #11 | West Virginia | 34.4 | D |
| #12 | Mississippi | 31.5 | D |
| #13 | Arkansas | 30.9 | F |
| #14 | Louisiana | 25.9 | F |
#1 in the South: Virginia
Virginia leads the South with a composite score of 74.9/100 and a A grade. The state's strongest categories are education (81.6) and safety (78.5). Median income: $87,106. Unemployment: 2.9%. Violent crime: 201/100K.
#2 in the South: North Carolina
North Carolina ranks #2 in the region at 53.7/100 (C+ grade). Strong in affordability (74.9) and fiscal health (71.5). Median income: $66,880. COL index: 94. The weakest category is outdoor access at 13.5.
#3 in the South: Florida
Florida ranks #3 in the region at 52.8/100 (C+ grade). Strong in fiscal health (70.2) and growth (65.3). Median income: $71,516. COL index: 103. The weakest category is outdoor access at 27.8.
#4 in the South: Georgia
Georgia ranks #4 in the region at 51.5/100 (C+ grade). Strong in affordability (74.1) and fiscal health (69.7). Median income: $71,355. COL index: 97. The weakest category is outdoor access at 7.6.
#5 in the South: Tennessee
Tennessee ranks #5 in the region at 46.8/100 (C grade). Strong in affordability (78.7) and fiscal health (76.1). Median income: $64,036. COL index: 93. The weakest category is outdoor access at 13.3.
Southern strengths and trade-offs
The South's biggest advantage is cost of living. The regional average COL index is 93, the lowest of any region, and the average median home price is $320,071. Tax burdens average 8.1%, also low nationally.
The challenges: health outcomes lag other regions at an average score of 19.5, and violent crime averages 396 per 100K (vs. national 350). Education scores average 30.3. The region's rapid population growth (driven by migration from higher-cost areas) puts pressure on infrastructure and services.
The bottom of the region
Louisiana (25.9), Arkansas (30.9), Mississippi (31.5) round out the bottom of the South. Louisiana's biggest challenges are health (0.0) and outdoor access (10.3). But even the lowest-ranked Southern state has strengths: Louisiana scores 90.8 in affordability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:What is the best state in the South?
Virginia ranks #1 in the South in 2026 with a composite score of 74.9/100, a A grade, and a national ranking of #9 out of 50 states. Virginia's strongest categories are education (81.6) and safety (78.5). The state has a median household income of $87,106, a 2.9% unemployment rate, and a cost of living index of 101. North Carolina (53.7) follows as the #2 state in the region.
Q:How many states are in the South?
There are 14 states in the South region. The average composite score across these states is 43.6/100, compared to the national average of 57.4. Within the region, there is a 49.0-point spread between the best state (Virginia, 74.9) and the lowest-ranked (Louisiana, 25.9), showing significant variation despite shared geography. Regional averages for key metrics: median income $63,985, unemployment 3.8%, cost of living index 93, and violent crime rate 396 per 100K.
Q:What is the average cost of living in the South?
The average cost of living index across Southern states is 93, compared to the national average of 97. This means the South is generally more affordable than the national average, though individual states vary. The average median home price in the region is $320,071 and the average tax burden is 8.1%. For a detailed cost comparison, our affordability calculator at /affordability lets you model household costs across all 50 states.
Q:Which Southern state has the strongest economy?
Virginia leads the South for economy with a score of 72.2/100, driven by a 2.9% unemployment rate and a median income of $87,106. The regional average economy score is 36.9/100. Economic strength in the South 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 Southern state is safest?
Virginia is the safest state in the South with a safety score of 78.5/100 and a violent crime rate of 201 per 100,000 residents. The regional average violent crime rate is 396 per 100K, compared to the national average of 350. Safety varies significantly across the South — the gap between the safest and least safe Southern states spans 49.6 points, showing that regional geography alone doesn't determine safety outcomes.