I always follow the U.S. News and World Report annual data compilation of Best States to reside because it offers anyone in America a good, objective litmus test and comparison of how states are ranked in making living, a quality of life, and affordability to live there for U.S. citizens. The final tallies are always very telling. Without further delay here is this year’s 2026 overall rankings:

#1 – Utah

#2 – New Hampshire

#3 – Idaho

#4 – Minnesota

#5 – Nebraska

#6 – Florida

#7 – Vermont

#8 – South Dakota

#9 – Massachusetts

#10 – Washington

My home state of Texas usually, well… almost always ranks in the middle half to the lower one-third of the fifty United States. For 2026 they rank #29, the lower half once again. And once again for 6-10 years running our “economy” is the ONLY category that ranks high compared to the other 49 states, with “fiscal stability” ranking 12th; no surprise. But every other category has always been dismally low or barely average for the last 2-3 decades. It begs the question, What changed in Texas in 1994-1995 to the present? Hmmm. 🤔 It’s pretty obvious.

If you would like to see how all the other states rank and their breakdown of why their ranking status go to: Best States Rankings at U.S. News & World Report for an excellent, unbiased assessment. You might be surprised between what is hype and propaganda about states and what is actual fact(s).

Live Well – Love Much – Laugh Often – Learn Always – Be Objective

The Professor’s Convatorium © 2025 by Professor Taboo is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0