Top 10 Best States To Live in U.S (2025)
There has never been a two-year period of something as devastating as the corona virus epidemic in this annual rating of the best states to live in the United States.
This may make this data even more crucial than ever as it would afford both citizens and those who want to move to the united states the information they need on which state in US is best for living this 2025.
After all, understanding each state’s resilience two years into the crisis in terms of low rates of unemployment, high median wages, and other positive aspects of the labor market can help determine which states were best prepared to face this challenging problem headlong and the ones that can withstand the hit if another global crisis occurred.
We can make comparisons that demonstrate the scope of the event with two years’ worth of backward-looking data on the financial effects of broad lockdowns.
This ranking can be useful to you as you consider how you would fare in the event of another global crisis or a COVID surge. This information might direct you to one of the best locations to live in the US where citizens enjoy high income if your career has permanently changed since COVID.
This study’s findings may enable you to identify areas where your income and savings could be stretched further, even if your job is booming.
WHICH STATES HAVE THE BEST TO WORST ECONOMIC CONDITIONS?
The study concluded that Washington State is the best state for living, with Hawaii coming in far behind. Washington’s average median income, which ranks fourth nationwide, and the absence of a state income tax are its two main advantages. In contrast, Hawaii has the second-highest state income tax and the highest cost of living in the country.
We put four factors into consideration while ranking the best states in the US to reside in:
- The cost of living
- Median yearly income
- Tax on state income
- Rate of unemployment
- Security
Since the start of the COVID-19 lockdowns, unemployment has increased with each of these circumstances varying depending on state. For instance, Massachusetts’ typical yearly wage is approximately $20,000 greater than Mississippi’s especially when comparing median yearly salaries in terms of their ability to buy.
However, wage comparisons do not provide a complete picture. Consider Oregon and New Hampshire as examples. Although the median salaries in these two states are comparable, Oregon is among the least affordable states to live in. While Oregon has one of the top state income tax rates in the country and one of the highest expenses of living, New Hampshire has neither a state income tax nor a cost of living that is much higher than the national average.
After deducting state taxes and the cost of living, the spending power of the median pay in Oregon is significantly lower than that in New Hampshire. The issue of finding work is also vital in knowing the best areas to live in. North Dakota, which was ranked as the state with the lowest unemployment rate in the country, was one of the best states for job opportunities. Compare that to Louisiana’s unemployment rate, which is worse.
10 BEST STATES IN THE US TO LIVE IN (2025)
In no particular order, here are the ten best states in the United States that has good standard of living this year.
WASHINGTON
Washington has been ranked as the best state to reside in the United States. It remains one of the eight states without state income tax. The city’s fundamental advantages are obvious when you consider that it has the fourth-highest average income in the country ($50,000/year) and also the country’s capital.
Seattle was one of the first U.S. cities to report positive COVID cases, and Washington was severely affected in the initial stages of the COVID-19. This led to an increase in the unemployment rate of about 1.3%. The job prognosis is substantially brighter two years later. Washington sees a further decline in unemployment, which is good for its residents.
NORTH DAKOTA
North Dakota has now qualified for the top 10 in this research, as another nice state to reside in as a foreigner in the US this 2022. North Dakota’s unemployment rate is remains low at 2.9 percent, even though it was the lowest in the early months of COVID. However, it is important to highlight that North Dakota has the third-worst workplace safety in the nation.
MASSACHUSETTS
The best state for raising a family in the United States is Massachusetts. According to WalletHub’s research, Massachusetts ranked 3rd for Education & Child Care and sixth for Affordability with a score of 60.88. Massachusetts is also the most populated state in the New England part of the U.S, sharing borders with New York to the west, the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Maine to the east, New Hampshire and Vermont to the north, and Connecticut and Rhode Island to the south.
Harvard University, the first university in the nation, is one of the many schools and institutions in Massachusetts (founded in 1636). Massachusetts boasts the nation’s largest proportion of residents with college degrees. When it comes to being a safe state to live in, only 14 states, including Massachusetts, experienced a decrease in violent crime during the reporting year.
The 20 safest cities were those where there were no reported murders. Massachusetts (3.1 per 1,000) has the most violent offenses in the New England regional division, but its rate is still significantly lower than the US average (4.0).
TEXAS
Texas continues to be a good place to make a livelihood based on a few variables. It is cheaper than majority of other states and has no state income tax. It is also has greater workplace safety than most states. Texas is among the states in the US with the quickest growth rate, and with good reason. Texas is a good place for newcomers because of its low cost of living, pleasant climate, bright job market, and abundance of things to see and do.
The lowest crime rates in the West South Central area can be found in Texas, despite the fact that its rates are higher than the national average. Arkansas has the greatest rate of violent crime in the area—6.7 incidents per 1,000 people—while Texas is 33 percent lower.
Texas has a significant supply of undeveloped land, low tax rates, liberal building regulations, and readily available building supplies, all of which contribute to the state’s affordable housing market. Texas has one of the biggest economies, and the state’s low cost of living lowers the cost of housing even further.
MICHIGAN
Michigan is one of the top ten best states to live in the United States, and when combined with a higher-than-average median income, can be considered one of the best states to work, earn a decent living and save money. Michigan is a wonderful place to live. It has several features that make it appealing not only to visitors looking for a place to live, but to top companies looking to invest their resources in the state.
Ranked the tenth most populous state in the United States, Michigan has an estimated population of 9.98 million people. Lansing is the state capital, Detroit is the largest city, and Metro Detroit is the largest metropolitan area, which is the second-largest US metropolitan area. Michigan has a higher than average rate of violent crime, yet only 50 per cent of its residents feel secure in The Great Lake State. The rise in violent crime and mass shootings may account for the increased rate of mortality in the state.
VERMONT
Vermont is a good place to raise your kids in the U.S., due to factors such as cheap homes, quality of education, living costs, healthcare quality, insurance, job opportunities, and the environment in general. Vermont is also one of the safest states in the country which according to a study, outperforms the national average in both property and crime. Vermont had 19.89 property occurrences per 1,000 people, as compared to 27.11 nationally.
Burlington, a city in Vermont is ranked first in the nation for raising healthy children, owing to an educational emphasis on tutoring good behaviors and overall children’s health. While Burlington has the highest population in the state, it is small in comparison to other cities nationwide. It became the first city in the United States to run entirely on renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydroelectricity in 2015. It’s also one of the top 15 cities in the country for road safety as well as driving-related air quality. Add to that a low rate of unemployment, and you have a place that looks promising for its youth.
Vermont is known for its scenic hiking trails, majestic green mountains, and destination-worthy skiing. The state is also known for its over 100 beautiful made from wood protected bridges, which is a work of well-skilled craftsmanship.
COLORADO
Colorado has attracted a large number of new residents attracted to the state’s high quality of life. The state’s combination of employment opportunities, lovely weather, scenic views, and a wellness culture has proven irresistible to Americans who have migrated to it.
According to U.S. News, Colorado Springs and Boulder are among the best places to live in the U.S in 2022. Colorado Springs was placed 2nd overall, trailing only Hunstville, Alabama. The city received a 6.4 out of 10 for standard of living and a 5.7 out of 10 for value.
It was until March 2022, that the new Colorado minimum wage increased to $12.56, or $9.54 for those getting enough tips to match or exceed the full minimum wage.
TENNESSE
The unemployment rate in Tennessee is 3.2 percent, placing it in the 18th position among the states for low unemployment rates. Tennessee enjoys a low cost of living as well as a relatively modest state income tax obligation. Tennessee is a wonderful state to call home, with its famous country music, inexpensive cost of living, southern cuisine, and stunning natural scenery.
Tennessee is the second cheapest state to live in the United States and the best state to retire in. You can choose between a busy city like Memphis or Nashville and a quiet life in the Appalachian Mountains. Tennessee has a rich culture, beautiful natural surroundings, and a good standard of living.
Tennessee is known as the “Land of Country Music,” but there’s a lot more to see in this beautiful state, including a long history and several other tourist attractions. Look no further if you’re seeking for great tourist spots or trying to figure out where to go.
OKLAHOMA
Because of its low overall cost of living, Oklahoma is frequently ranked as one of the finest locations to live in the United States. It is also one of the best places in the country for enterprises, with overhead expenses that are lower than the rest. Oklahoma’s economy is fueled by a variety of sectors, including farming and energy. Oklahoma is also recognized for its college athletics, country music, and the iconic Route 66, which was once a driving route through the state.
The cost of living in Oklahoma is the third-lowest in the United States, according to MERIC’s 2021 Cost of Living Index for the third quarter of 2021. OKC rated fifth on its ranking of “America’s Friendliest Cities,” the least rude and snobbish city in the U.S. The biggest appeal of Oklahoma is its low cost-of-living and excellent job market, but there are several drawbacks. There are few significant recreational activities outside of the city, and it’s difficult to obtain a big city lifestyle. Furthermore, both summer heat and spring tornadoes might be deterrents for some people coming to this state for the first time.
UTAH
Utah is renowned for its high quality of life, low crime rate, and beautiful scenery. Utah is less expensive than neighboring state Colorado, but it has similar weather and access to magnificent mountains. Its often a good place to retire from all the hustle and bustle of life which makes it a state that is best for retiring. The state is famous for skiing, with an average of 500 inches of snow falling on the nearby mountains each year, as well as the Sundance Film Festival, one of the world’s most renowned independent film festivals, which takes place every March in Park City.
CONCLUSION
The United States is a large and diverse country with many different climates, landscapes, and lifestyles to offer its residents. From the beaches of California to the mountains of Colorado, each state has something unique to offer those who call it home. In order to help you decide which state might be right for you, we’ve compiled a list of the best states for living in the US based on various criteria. So whether you’re looking for a place with plenty of job opportunities or want to live somewhere with year-round sunshine, this article will help find out which state is best for you!
