What are the worst and best states to move to?
In a new report ranking the best states to move to, Utah topped the list across five categories, while California came in last
Your support helps us to tell the story
As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.
Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.
Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election
Andrew Feinberg
White House Correspondent
With its warm beaches, natural beauty, and ample job opportunities, California attracts nearly half a million people from other states every year. But a new report might make those considering a move to the Sunshine State think again.
ConsumerAffairs, a consumer news platform, ranked the 50 states and Washington, D.C., in a July 26 analysis to determine the best and worst states to move to. It combined scores from five categories — affordability, economy, education and health, quality of life, and safety — to rank each state.
California ranked last, coming in at 48th in economy and 49th in education and health. “California’s poor scores in education and health, quality of life, and safety make it the worst state to move to,” the report wrote. It also noted that only two Western states made it in the top 10, though they happen to rank first and third on the list.
Utah, which topped the list, had the highest affordability score due to its low property taxes, the report noted. It also boasts high median incomes — at $79,449 in 2021 — and ranked third for its economy and quality of life.
New Hampshire came in second, with high scores for education and health, economy, and quality of life. The report added that the state had the lowest percentage of people in poverty in 2022 and had the second lowest rate of violent and property crime, though it ranked 44th in affordability.
In third place was Idaho, which made the top 10 under four metrics, including earning fourth place in affordability.
And for the worst states: New Mexico and Texas joined California at the very bottom of the list. Both states ranked highly in quality of life — 14th and 16th, respectively — but fared poorly in the other categories.
See how well your state performed with the full rankings below:
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments