The five best states to live in for 2024 have been named, and the number one spot is packed with history and beauty.
To identify the most wonderful states to call home, Wallet Center compared all 50 states based on 51 livability indicators, and Massachusetts ranked highest overall.
These factors ranged from housing costs and income growth to education rates and hospital quality.
An expert financial analyst said: “When deciding where to move, you should first consider financial factors such as cost of living, housing prices and job availability.”
With that in mind, here are the best states to live in, both for your wallet and your happiness.
The five best states to live in 2024 have been named, and the number one spot is packed with history and beauty
1. Massachusetts
Massachusetts ranked first on the list, with high rankings across the board, but especially in education and health care.
The state of New England is known for being historically dense, being a site of early English colonization.
But the state is also known for its stunning beaches, including Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.
Massachusetts is a highly regarded state for education and is home to two of the most prestigious higher education institutions in the world: Harvard and MIT.
2. Florida
The Sunshine States rank second on the list of places to live in 2024.
With great weather year-round, it’s no surprise Florida ranks so high.
Florida is among the best states in terms of economy, quality of life and safety.
3. New Jersey
New Jersey ranks third as the best state to live in.
The Mid-Atlantic state didn’t rank well in terms of affordability, but it made up for it in quality of life, as well as education and healthcare.
New Jersey is home to the Ivy League institution Princeton University, as well as the prestigious Rutgers University.
The state also boasts famous beaches with boardwalks, such as the Jersey Shore and Atlantic City Boardwalk.
New Jersey ranked third as the best state to live in 2024
4. Utah
Utah is the first Western state on the list, ranking fourth.
Known for its incredible snow-capped mountains and multiple national parks, it’s no wonder the state is ranked so high.
It scored well on affordability (coming third overall) and also scored highly on the economy, education and health.
5. New Hampshire
New Hampshire is the second New England state to rank in the top five, joining Massachusetts.
The state is known for its quaint towns and vast wilderness areas, and also boasts beaches like Hampton and lakes.
New Hampshire ranked second for best economy, education and health care.
It also scored highly on safety.
