The Best State in the U.S. is Utah

According to the 2024 Best States rankings, Utah secures the top spot as the best state in the U.S. U.S. News & World Report, known for its authoritative rankings and civic journalism, meticulously evaluated all 50 states to gauge their effectiveness in serving citizens across various domains, encompassing health care, education, economy, infrastructure, opportunity, fiscal stability, crime & corrections, and natural environment.

“Utah boasts a dynamic, diverse economy and unparalleled natural landscapes, but what truly distinguishes our state is its people,” affirmed Utah Governor Spencer Cox. “We consistently lead the nation in volunteerism and charitable giving, fostering a spirit of community that fuels collaborative problem-solving, nurtures innovation, and fortifies familial and individual well-being. I take immense pride in the Beehive State and am grateful for the recognition affirming Utah’s status as the nation’s premier state.”

Key Insights from the 2024 Best States Rankings:

• Utah, clinching the top position overall, achieved top-20 rankings in seven out of eight categories. However, it trails in the environment category (ranked No. 46), while New Hampshire – positioned at No. 2 – lags in fiscal stability (ranked No. 38).
• The top 10 Best States exhibit an equal split between past presidential preferences. As the nation anticipates November’s fiercely contested presidential election, five red states and five blue states dominate the top 10 of the overall rankings.
• Western states notably outperform in higher education compared to pre-K-12 education. Washington, California, and Nevada, for instance, secure top-15 rankings for higher education metrics, contrasting significantly lower rankings (by at least 29 spots) for pre-K-12 education metrics.
• Hawaii leads the charge in health care, securing the top position overall in this category. The state also secures No. 1 rankings in health care access, No. 2 in health care quality, and No. 3 in public health, excelling in metrics such as child wellness visits, health care affordability, mental health, and low mortality rates.
• Metrics within the opportunity category unveil systemic racial disparities. Across states, except for New Hampshire and Vermont, BIPOCH (Black/Indigenous/People of Color/Hispanic) populations are less likely to possess at least a bachelor’s degree, with per capita income gaps between BIPOCH and non-Hispanic whites ranging from 82 cents per dollar in Maine to 53 cents in North Dakota.

Gary Emerling, U.S. News Managing Editor for Government Rankings, remarked, “As we anticipate this year’s presidential election – as well as critical races in the House and Senate and for governor’s mansions – Americans are taking a hard look at the policies and practices that impact them where they live.” He emphasized, “The 2024 Best States rankings and editorial content offer insightful information on where states are excelling and where the pain points are so citizens can be better informed going to the ballot box this November.”

In its sixth iteration, the Best States rankings draw from over 70 metrics and tens of thousands of data points to assess how effectively U.S. states are serving their citizens. Apart from health care and education, the metrics encompass a state’s economic growth, infrastructure, public safety, fiscal stability, and opportunity for residents. Certain metric categories were accorded greater weight based on surveys reflecting residents’ priorities.

For the complete rankings, visit the official U.S. News & World Report website.