World
New report ranks Utah as best state in country. Where did Massachusetts fall?
U.S. News and World Report released its Best States 2024 ranking, and Massachusetts residents should feel decent about where they ranked.
Even if the state didn’t take the top spot. That honor fell to Utah.
The rankings rate the quality of life in every state, with a scorecard that ranks each state on crime & corrections, economy, education, fiscal stability, health care, infrastructure, natural environment, and opportunity looking at three years of data. A total of 71 metrics are used, according to U.S. News.
Those factors are then weighted going into the final scoring. Health care and education, for example, account for about 15% of the total score while natural environment accounts for 9%.
Massachusetts ranks No. 10
Placing in the top ten, Massachusetts is one of the best states to live in. With the rankings, the Bay State topped the list for business environment, Pre-K-12 education, and public health.
Here’s a more detailed look at the rankings, including the categories within the categories.
- Crime & Correction: No. 4, with a ranking within the category of No. 6 for corrections outcomes and No. 8 for public safety. Massachusetts also has a lower than national average for its incarceration rate, juvenile incarceration rate and violent crime rate.
- Economy: No. 8, with a ranking within the category of No. 1 for business environment, No. 23 for employment and No. 27 for growth.
- Education: No. 3, with a ranking within the category of No. 37 for higher education and No. 1 for Pre-K through high school.
- Fiscal Stability: No. 39, with a ranking within the category of No. 36 for long-term stability and No. 34 for short-term stability.
- Health Care: No. 2, with a ranking within the category of No. 1 for public health, No. 2 for health care access, and No. 27 for health care quality.
- Infrastructure: No. 39, with a ranking within the category of No. 38 for transportation, with 26% of roads in poor condition compared to the national average of 18.3% and No. 22 for internet access and No. 44 for energy.
- Natural Environment: No. 7, with a ranking within the category of No. 19 for pollution and No. 3 for air and water quality.
- Opportunity: No. 46, with a ranking within the category of No. 24 for equality, No. 13 for economic opportunity and No. 46 for affordability.
How did the other New England states rank?
The 10 best states 2024
These states ranked as the top 10 in the nation, according to U.S. News.
- Utah
- New Hampshire
- Nebraska
- Minnesota
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Vermont
- Washington
- Florida
- Massachusetts
The 10 worst states in 2024
These states ranked as the bottom 10 in the nation, according to U.S. News.
- Lousiana
- New Mexico
- Mississippi
- Arkansas
- West Virginia
- Alaska
- Alabama
- Oklahoma
- Michigan
- South Carolina
- Pennsylvania
Trump bucks Biden’s ‘don’t’ doctrine on world stage, hits adversaries with ‘all hell to pay’ deadline
Omer Neutra found to be 48th American killed in Oct. 7 attack
South Korean president declares martial law: Live updates | CNN
South Korea parliament votes to defy president by lifting martial law declaration
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declares martial law, opposition leaders vow to fight
Casino Slots And Plays: Biggest Wins, Losses And Top 5 Slots
South Korean president declares martial law in move against opposition party
South Korean president declares martial law but is met with immediate opposition from parliament
Biden in Angola: US president ‘proud’ to be there for unprecedented visit
