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.
By America's Dashboard · 8 sections · Figures from the latest public releases
West states ranked
The West includes 13 states with an average composite score of 58.4/100. Wyoming leads the region at 79.9 (A+ grade, #2 nationally), while New Mexico trails at 30.6 (F, #49). The spread of 49.3 points within the region shows how different the states are despite sharing geography.
Average median income across the West: $87,493. Unemployment: 4.2%. Cost of living: 101. Violent crime: 370/100K. These regional averages compare to national figures of $80,903, 3.9%, 97, and 313/100K.
| Rank | State | Score | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Wyoming | 79.9 | A+ |
| #2 | Idaho | 78.4 | A+ |
| #3 | Utah | 75.4 | A |
| #4 | Montana | 75.0 | A |
| #5 | Hawaii | 64.8 | B+ |
| #6 | Colorado | 64.7 | B+ |
| #7 | Washington | 61.8 | B |
| #8 | Oregon | 50.9 | C |
| #9 | Arizona | 47.8 | C |
| #10 | Nevada | 45.8 | C |
| #11 | Alaska | 44.3 | C |
| #12 | California | 40.2 | D |
| #13 | New Mexico | 30.6 | F |
#1 in the West: Wyoming
Wyoming leads the West with a composite score of 79.9/100 and a A+ grade. The state's strongest categories are outdoor access (95.7) and safety (86.1). Median income: $75,532. Unemployment: 3.4%. Violent crime: 179.9/100K.
#2 in the West: Idaho
Idaho ranks #2 in the region at 78.4/100 (A+ grade). Strong in safety (86.6) and growth (72.6). Median income: $81,166. COL index: 95.5. The weakest category is livability at 39.6.
#3 in the West: Utah
Utah ranks #3 in the region at 75.4/100 (A grade). Strong in education (76.8) and safety (76.0). Median income: $96,658. COL index: 98.9. The weakest category is livability at 19.7.
#4 in the West: Montana
Montana ranks #4 in the region at 75.0/100 (A grade). Strong in outdoor access (71.7) and affordability (68.9). Median income: $75,340. COL index: 94.6. The weakest category is economy at 51.5.
#5 in the West: Hawaii
Hawaii ranks #5 in the region at 64.8/100 (B+ grade). Strong in health (88.6) and economy (86.3). Median income: $100,745. COL index: 110. The weakest category is affordability at 4.4.
Western strengths and trade-offs
The West is defined by extremes. The region contains some of the best states in the country and some of the most expensive. Median household income averages $87,493, but the average cost of living index of 101 eats into that advantage. The average typical home value is $511,699.
Where the West excels: outdoor access (average score: 52.9, the highest of the four regions). Its environment score averages 49.3, second-highest of the four regions. Public land covers 46.4% of the average Western state. Population growth averages 0.51%, second-highest of the four regions for population growth, but it is uneven: Hawaii, California, and New Mexico are losing people while the interior grows.
The bottom of the region
New Mexico (30.6), California (40.2), Alaska (44.3) round out the bottom of the West. New Mexico's biggest challenges are education (6.6) and livability (22.9). But even the lowest-ranked Western state has strengths: New Mexico scores 81.0 in affordability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best state in the West?
Wyoming ranks #1 in the West in 2026 with a composite score of 79.9/100, a A+ grade, and a national ranking of #2 out of 50 states. Wyoming's strongest categories are outdoor access (95.7) and safety (86.1). The state has a median household income of $75,532, a 3.4% unemployment rate, and a cost of living index of 92.7. Idaho (78.4) follows as the #2 state in the region.
How many states are in the West?
There are 13 states in the West region. The average composite score across these states is 58.4/100, compared to the national average of 57.9. Within the region, there is a 49.3-point spread between the best state (Wyoming, 79.9) and the lowest-ranked (New Mexico, 30.6), showing significant variation despite shared geography. Regional averages for key metrics: median income $87,493, unemployment 4.2%, cost of living index 101, and violent crime rate 370 per 100K.
What is the average cost of living in the West?
The average cost of living index across Western states is 101, compared to the national average of 97. This means the West is more expensive than average, though individual states vary widely. The average typical home value in the region is $511,699 and the average tax burden is 8.7%. For a detailed cost comparison, our affordability calculator at /affordability lets you model household costs across all 50 states.
Which Western state has the strongest economy?
Hawaii leads the West for economy with a score of 86.3/100, driven by a 2.4% unemployment rate and a median income of $100,745. The regional average economy score is 49.5/100. Economic strength in the West 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 Western state is safest?
Idaho is the safest state in the West with a safety score of 86.6/100 and a violent crime rate of 217.3 per 100,000 residents. The regional average violent crime rate is 370 per 100K, compared to the national average of 313. Safety varies significantly across the West — the gap between the safest and least safe Western states spans 57.1 points, showing that regional geography alone doesn't determine safety outcomes.