State rankings

Worst States to Live in

Louisiana ranks 1st on Overall Worst States Rank (US News) in 2025, followed by Alaska (2nd) and Mississippi (3rd); rank 1 is the worst. Utah ranks last (50th).

GeographyInfrastructure & EnergyPopulation50 states · 9 metricsUpdated Nov 14, 2025Original page
2 sources
50 of 51 states
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Overall Worst States Rank (US News), 2025

Darker green is better (rank 1 is the worst, so a higher rank number is better). Click a place to highlight it.

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All 50 ranked

Worst first; rank 1 is the worst and has the longest bar.

Biggest changes · 2024 → 2025

50 states have a value in both years; rank 1 is the worst.

Improved most

Declined most

Data

Click a column to sort, a row to highlight that place on the charts.

50 states · # = rank by Overall Worst States Rank (US News)
#
1Louisiana1st
2Alaska2nd
3Mississippi3rd
4New Mexico4th
5West Virginia5th
6Alabama6th
7Arkansas7th
8Michigan8th
9Oklahoma9th
10Pennsylvania10th
11South Carolina11th
12Kentucky12th
13Ohio13th
14California14th
15Illinois15th
16Oregon16th
17Nevada17th
18Indiana18th
19Tennessee19th
20Missouri20th
21Arizona21st
22Texas22nd
23Hawaii23rd
24Maine24th
25Montana25th
26Kansas26th
27Rhode Island27th
28Wyoming28th
29New York29th
30Georgia30th
31Maryland31st
32New Jersey32nd
33Delaware33rd
34Wisconsin34th
35Virginia35th
36Connecticut36th
37Iowa37th
38North Carolina38th
39North Dakota39th
40Colorado40th
41Washington41st
42Massachusetts42nd
43South Dakota43rd
44Vermont44th
45Florida45th
46Nebraska46th
47Minnesota47th
48Idaho48th
49New Hampshire49th
50Utah50th

What correlates with Overall Worst States Rank (US News) (2025)?

Pearson r against 2,108 other state metrics sharing at least 30 states. Ranks are read by standing: a better rank counts as higher, whether rank 1 is the best place on a list or the worst. Correlation is not causation.

Higher together

Places that rank better on Overall Worst States Rank (US News) tend to score higher on these (or rank better)

  1. Overall Best - US NewsBest States to Live InA rank: rank 1 is the best
    r = −0.97 · very strong · n = 49
    Plot
  2. Most & Least Intelligent States Index (Guru99)Dumbest States in the United States
    r = +0.78 · very strong · n = 30
    Plot
  3. Overall ScoreHealthiest States
    r = +0.78 · very strong · n = 50
    Plot
  4. Best Education Rank (USNews)Best States for EducationA rank: rank 1 is the best
    r = −0.78 · very strong · n = 50
    Plot
  5. Work Environment RankSaddest StatesA rank: rank 1 is the best
    r = −0.77 · very strong · n = 50
    Plot
  6. EducationBest States to Live InA rank: rank 1 is the best
    r = −0.76 · very strong · n = 49
    Plot

Opposite directions

Places that rank better on Overall Worst States Rank (US News) tend to score lower on these (or rank worse)

  1. ScoreMost Stressed States
    r = −0.79 · very strong · n = 50
    Plot
  2. % Of Population Below Poverty LevelPoverty Rate by State
    r = −0.75 · very strong · n = 50
    Plot
  3. Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census)
    r = −0.74 · very strong · n = 50
    Plot
  4. Most Unhealthy States Total ScoreMost Unhealthy States in the U.S.
    r = −0.74 · very strong · n = 49
    Plot
  5. Premature Deaths Per 100kHealthiest States
    r = −0.74 · very strong · n = 50
    Plot
  6. Pregnancy RateTeen Pregnancy Rates by State
    r = −0.70 · very strong · n = 50
    Plot

Quick answers

Which state ranks first on Overall Worst States Rank (US News)?
Louisiana ranks first on Overall Worst States Rank (US News) in 2025, at 1st, followed by Alaska (2nd) and Mississippi (3rd). Rank 1 is the worst state.
Which state ranks last on Overall Worst States Rank (US News)?
Utah ranks last of the 50 US states with data in 2025, at 50th.
Where does this worst states to live in data come from?
Rankodex compiles it from World Population Review and the primary sources it cites: Best States to Live in 2023 – State Rankings - Scholaroo; Best States Rankings - US News.

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