What Is The Best Place To Live In America? Pros And Cons For All 50 States

TEC ^ | 09/01/2012 | Michael Snyder

[SeekAndFind]

If you could live in any state in America, where would you go? During troubled times like these, what is the best place in the United States to live? A lot of people are asking these kinds of questions these days. Our economy is on the verge of collapse, natural disasters are becoming more frequent and more intense, the U.S. population is becoming angrier and more frustrated by the day, our government has become incredibly oppressive and controlling, war could break out at any time and evidence that society is breaking down is all around us. As our world becomes increasingly unstable, many families are considering moving somewhere else. But what areas are best and what areas should be avoided? Is there really a "best place to live" in America? Well, the truth is that each family is facing a different set of circumstances. If you have a great support system where you live, it can be really tough to pick up and move 3000 miles away from that support system. If you have a great job where you live now, it can be really tough to move some place where there may be no job at all for you. But without a doubt there are some areas of the country that will be far better off than others in the event of a major economic collapse. This article will take a look at each of the 50 U.S. states and will list some of the pros and cons for moving to each one.

Not all of the factors listed below will be important to you, and a few have even been thrown in for humor. But if you are thinking of moving in the near future hopefully this list will give you some food for thought.

A few years ago when my wife and I were living near Washington D.C. we knew that we wanted a change and we went through this kind of a process. We literally evaluated areas from coast to coast. In the end, we found a place that is absolutely perfect for us. But different things are important to different people.

And if I gave your particular state a low rating, please don't think that I am trashing the entire state or all of the people who live there.

For example, there are some absolutely wonderful people that live in the state of California, and there are some areas of California that I would not mind visiting at all. But for the times that are coming I am convinced that it is going to be a really bad place to live.

Not that I have all the answers either. Hopefully this article can get some debates started, and hopefully those debates will help people that are thinking of moving to another state to be more informed.

The following are some pros and cons for all 50 states....

Alabama

Pros: warm weather, southern hospitality, relatively low population density

Cons: hurricanes, tornadoes, crime, not enough jobs, multiple nuclear power plants, rampant poverty

Overall Rating: C+

Alaska

Pros: great fishing, lots of empty space, low population density, great for rugged individualists

Cons: very high cost of living, earthquakes, volcanoes, extremely cold, short growing season, too much snow, potentially cut off from supplies from the lower 48 states during an emergency situation

Overall Rating: B

Arizona

Pros: warm weather

Cons: illegal immigration, wildfires, return of dust bowl conditions, not enough jobs, not enough rain, multiple nuclear power plants, crime, gang violence, Phoenix

Overall Rating: D+

Arkansas

Pros: southern hospitality, warm weather, Ozark National Forest

Cons: tornadoes, Clintons, New Madrid fault zone, multiple nuclear power plants, crime, rampant poverty

Overall Rating: C

California

Pros: Disneyland, warm weather, Malibu

Cons: high taxes, Jerry Brown, earthquakes, mudslides, wildfires, gang violence, crime, traffic, rampant poverty, insane politicians, ridiculous regulations, bad schools, political correctness, illegal immigration, not enough jobs, air pollution, multiple nuclear power plants, possible tsunami threat along the coast, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Stockton, Sacramento, huge drug problem, high population density, the state government is broke, many more reasons to leave California right here

Overall Rating: F

Colorado

Pros: Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs

Cons: wildfires, illegal immigration, short growing season, not enough rain, too much snow, huge drug problem

Overall Rating: B

Connecticut

Pros: beautiful homes

Cons: high taxes, insane politicians, ridiculous regulations, political correctness, short growing season, multiple nuclear power plants, high population density

Overall Rating: C-

Delaware

Pros: good fishing

Cons: Joe Biden, political correctness, ridiculous regulations, insane politicians, crime, high population density

Overall Rating: D

Florida

Pros: University of Florida Gators, oranges, low taxes, southern hospitality, Disneyworld, Gainesville, warm weather, beautiful beaches, Daytona

Cons: hurricanes, most of the state is barely above sea level, high population density, not enough jobs, multiple nuclear power plants, crime, gang violence, illegal immigration

Overall Rating: C

Georgia

Pros: peaches, southern hospitality, warm weather

Cons: not enough jobs, multiple nuclear power plants, crime, gang violence, flesh eating disease, Atlanta

Overall Rating: B-

Hawaii

Pros: awesome beaches, warm weather, great vacation destination

Cons: vulnerable to tsunamis, very high cost of living, volcanoes, traffic, high population density, high taxes

Overall Rating: C-

Idaho

Pros: awesome people live there, great potatoes, low population density, high concentration of liberty-minded individuals, low crime, Sandpoint, Coeur d'Alene, north Idaho has plenty of water compared to the rest of the interior West, beautiful scenery

Cons: cold in the winter, wildfires, short growing season, not enough jobs

Overall Rating: A

Illinois

Pros: once you get away from Chicago things are not quite so bad

Cons: Barack Obama, drought, New Madrid fault zone, high population density, political correctness, ridiculous regulations, insane politicians, crime, gang violence, Chicago, East St. Louis, not enough jobs, multiple nuclear power plants, mob robberies, the state government is drowning in debt

Overall Rating: D-

Indiana

Pros: it is in better shape than Illinois, good farming, high Amish population

Cons: drought, tornadoes, the city of Gary, relatively high population density, near the New Madrid fault zone, a "rust belt" state

Overall Rating: C-

Iowa

Pros: low population density, low crime, good farming

Cons: drought, tornadoes, cold in the winter, multiple nuclear power plants, too much snow, very flat

Overall Rating: B-

Kansas

Pros: low population density, low crime, good farming

Cons: drought, tornadoes, return of dust bowl conditions, very flat

Overall Rating: B

Kentucky

Pros: southern hospitality, great horses, Lexington

Cons: New Madrid fault zone, not enough jobs, rampant poverty, Louisville

Overall Rating: C

Louisiana

Pros: southern hospitality, warm weather

Cons: hurricanes, New Orleans, not enough jobs, tornadoes, multiple nuclear power plants, oil spills, crime, gang violence, rampant poverty

Overall Rating: D

Maine

Pros: low population density, low crime, polite people

Cons: extremely cold, short growing season, political correctness, ridiculous regulations, insane politicians, too much snow

Overall Rating: B-

Maryland

Pros: the Washington Redskins play there

Cons: Baltimore, borders Washington D.C., high population density, really bad traffic, political correctness, ridiculous regulations, insane politicians, multiple nuclear power plants, crime, gang violence

Overall Rating: C-

Massachusetts

Pros: beautiful homes

Cons: high taxes, political correctness, ridiculous regulations, insane politicians, high population density, short growing season, almost everything is illegal in Massachusetts

Overall Rating: D+

Michigan

Pros: once you get away from Detroit and Flint things get better

Cons: Detroit, Flint, Dearborn, extremely cold, short growing season, political correctness, ridiculous regulations, insane politicians, not enough jobs, multiple nuclear power plants, too much snow, a "rust belt" state

Overall Rating: D-

Minnesota

Pros: land of 10,000 lakes

Cons: extremely cold, short growing season, multiple nuclear power plants, too much snow, high taxes

Overall Rating: C

Mississippi

Pros: southern hospitality, relatively low population density, warm weather

Cons: hurricanes, tornadoes, not enough jobs, rampant poverty, crime

Overall Rating: C+

Missouri

Pros: good farming, Branson

Cons: drought, tornadoes, New Madrid fault zone, not enough jobs, crime

Overall Rating: C

Montana

Pros: low population density, low taxes, high concentration of liberty-minded individuals, Missoula, Kalispell

Cons: extremely cold in the winter, wildfires, short growing season, not enough rain, near Yellowstone super volcano, rampant poverty, too much snow

Overall Rating: B+

Nebraska

Pros: low population density, good farming

Cons: tornadoes, drought, multiple nuclear power plants, cold in the winter, very flat

Overall Rating: B

Nevada

Pros: low population density, lots of empty space, low taxes, warm weather

Cons: Harry Reid, Las Vegas, Reno, not enough water, not enough rain, wildfires, hard to grow food, not enough jobs, crime, gang violence, huge drug problem, Yucca Mountain

Overall Rating: D+

New Hampshire

Pros: low crime, beautiful homes

Cons: extremely cold, short growing season, political correctness, ridiculous regulations, insane politicians, too much snow

Overall Rating: C

New Jersey

Pros: anyone got something?

Cons: high population density, Camden, Newark, not enough jobs, multiple nuclear power plants, Atlantic City, crime, gang violence

Overall Rating: D-

New Mexico

Pros: low population density, warm weather

Cons: illegal immigration, wildfires, return of dust bowl conditions, not enough jobs, not enough rain, crime, gang violence, huge drug problem

Overall Rating: C-

New York

Pros: the entire state is not like New York City

Cons: New York City, Mayor Bloomberg, high taxes, cold in the winter, high population density, political correctness, ridiculous regulations, insane politicians, not enough jobs, multiple nuclear power plants, the "too big to fail" banks

Overall Rating: D

North Carolina

Pros: southern hospitality, warm weather, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Cons: hurricanes, not enough jobs, multiple nuclear power plants

Overall Rating: B

North Dakota

Pros: low crime, lots of oil-related jobs, low population density

Cons: extremely cold, short growing season, too much snow

Overall Rating: B

Ohio

Pros: the Cincinnati Reds, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, high Amish population

Cons: not enough jobs, cold in the winter, multiple nuclear power plants, high population density, Toledo, Cleveland, a "rust belt" state

Overall Rating: C

Oklahoma

Pros: warm weather, good farming

Cons: drought, tornadoes, wildfires, return of dust bowl conditions, not enough rain, crime, Oklahoma City, rampant poverty

Overall Rating: C

Oregon

Pros: tremendous natural beauty

Cons: high taxes, Portland, political correctness, ridiculous regulations, insane politicians, not enough jobs, huge drug problem, possible tsunami threat along the coast

Overall Rating: C-

Pennsylvania

Pros: high Amish population

Cons: high population density, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, not enough jobs, multiple nuclear power plants, a "rust belt" state

Overall Rating: C

Rhode Island

Pros: so small that most people don't notice their problems

Cons: the state is flat broke, short growing season, political correctness, ridiculous regulations, insane politicians, not enough jobs, high population density

Overall Rating: D+

South Carolina

Pros: southern hospitality, warm weather, Myrtle Beach

Cons: hurricanes, not enough jobs, multiple nuclear power plants, crime, gang violence, rampant poverty

Overall Rating: B

South Dakota

Pros: low population density, fun tourist traps, the Badlands, Mount Rushmore

Cons: extremely cold, short growing season, very flat, too much snow

Overall Rating: B

Tennessee

Pros: Nashville, Michael W. Smith, southern hospitality, warm weather, Gatlinburg

Cons: Memphis, New Madrid fault zone, multiple nuclear power plants, crime, gang violence, rampant poverty

Overall Rating: B-

Texas

Pros: low taxes, warm weather, Austin

Cons: drought, illegal immigration, tornadoes, wildfires, West Nile Virus, the Dallas Cowboys, return of dust bowl conditions, speed traps, not enough rain, multiple nuclear power plants, George W. Bush, crime

Overall Rating: B-

Utah

Pros: beautiful mountains, low crime, low population density

Cons: cold in the winter, wildfires, Salt Lake City, short growing season, not enough rain, illegal to collect rain

Overall Rating: B-

Vermont

Pros: low crime, beautiful homes

Cons: cold in the winter, insane politicians, ridiculous regulations, short growing season, political correctness, not enough jobs, too much snow

Overall Rating: C

Virginia

Pros: the University of Virginia, southern hospitality, Charlottesville

Cons: borders Washington D.C., high population density, multiple nuclear power plants, Richmond, really bad traffic in northern Virginia

Overall Rating: B-

Washington

Pros: the eastern half of the state is quite nice and much different from the coast

Cons: way too much rain along the coast, volcanoes, wildfires, insane politicians, ridiculous regulations, political correctness, not enough jobs, possible tsunami threat along the coast, Seattle

Overall Rating: C

West Virginia

Pros: beautiful mountains

Cons: not enough jobs, rampant poverty

Overall Rating: B

Wisconsin

Pros: cheese, the Green Bay Packers

Cons: extremely cold, short growing season, multiple nuclear power plants, too much snow,

Overall Rating: B-

Wyoming

Pros: low population density, lots of empty space, low taxes

Cons: extremely cold, too windy, too flat, wildfires, short growing season, not enough rain, Yellowstone super volcano

Overall Rating: B-

What do you think of these rankings?

What do you think is the best place to live in America?

Do you have any additional pros and cons that should be added to this list?

Please feel free to post a comment with your thoughts below....

[Sigurdrifta]

My family and I live in Florida, and we have lived in a number of other states, as well as several other countries.

I never knew much about Idaho until my son and his family moved there (Mountain Home) a few years ago. It is a wonderful state, full of very friendly
(and conservative) people. Lot’s of open space (I recall a Sheriff there saying that she represented a county with a ridiculously large number of square miles... and exactly one traffic light!)

We decided it would be a great place to retire to. Alas, my son will almost certainly have to move somewhere else by then.

[dhs12345]

Colorado. Been here all of my life and traveled a bit around the world and in the States.

Colorado is still the best:

1. Still somewhat Conservative although it has been overrun by CA libs in the past couple of decades.

2. Low humidity and dry if you like it. No oppressive humidity and nasty bugs. Lots of opportunity for outdoor exercise — biking, hiking, Jeep trailing, etc.

3. Snow is not that bad and I argue that the East Coast and mid-West get more snow. Remember, it is dry. Winters can be long but we do have four full seasons.

4. Many sunny days. On average 300 days of sunshine each year.

5. No. Denver is not in the Mountains. Most of us live on the rolling plains, foothills. Mountains are just 30 minutes from where I live.

6. Not aware of any drug problems. Not sure what they are referring to.

[RegulatorCountry]

These “best places” lists are almost always foolish exercises, unless you just so happen to agree with not just the author’s criteria but the ranking of those criteria in relative importance.

If employment prospects top one’s list, it’d be the Dakotas followed by Texas. If a mild temperate climate matters most, it’d be the southern Appalachians. Taxation? States with no to low state income tax that don’t bend you over with other forms of taxation.

Then, you have those who are looking for their stronghold in the event of economic collapse and governmental chaos. Idaho and the southern Appalachians would appear to be the winners there, for similar but not identical reasons.

Throw some or all of these considerations together and it’s a better exercise in ruling out what you won’t consider than narrowing it down to the best place. There are pros and cons everywhere. At that point it starts coming down to subjective opinion and gut feeling. Very few people will completely agree when it comes down to what honestly is a matter of the heart.

[eartrumpet]

(I recall a Sheriff there saying that she represented a county with a ridiculously large number of square miles... and exactly one traffic light!)

I'm in a county twice as big as Delaware, with no traffic lights.

[morphing libertarian]

It’s a big country and I have been in 49 states. LOL 8 more to go.

I like the Carolinas, and several other spots. Stuck in CA, all of the kids and grandkids are here, plus wife’s brothers and sister. In San Dieog looking at the ocean, so not exactly suffering on a day-to-day basis.

My sister lives in Max Meadow VA near Wytheville. 2 miles east of the inters tae between Roanoke and Bristol, TN. 7 acres, 4 bedrooms cost her 120,000 10 years ago. Can see the neighbors but not hear much. No fences kind of place. Dogs can run free. Fishing lake nearby.

a few hours to Dulles, Charlotte, and Raleigh airports.

Some snow, but mostly mild winters.

If it was just me, I’d be right there.

[EDINVA]

well, ‘cept references to “Pennsylvania” as a University usually means UPenn vs Penn State, two absolutely totally couldn’t be too much different schools, sorta like NC and NC State or UT-Austin and TX A&M. Only more so.

[Noumenon]

The cold, snowy north Idaho winters ar a plus - keeps the riffraff out.

Californians vist in the summer and early fall, think it’s paradise (which it is) and get blind-sided by the winter. The “For Sale” signs pop up like mushrooms in the Spring.

[bgill]

Pros: low taxes, warm weather, Austin Cons: drought, illegal immigration, tornadoes, wildfires, West Nile Virus, the Dallas Cowboys, return of dust bowl conditions, speed traps, not enough rain, multiple nuclear power plants, George W. Bush, crime

Who writes this stuff? Texas is more like: Pros: No state income tax, rural communities, our own electrical grid, friendly gun laws Cons: high school and property taxes, drought, illegals, Austin, tornadoes, wildfires, West Nile Virus, depending on the year the Dallas Cowboys, 110 degree temps, liberal invasion, University of Texas

[Bernard Marx]

I went thru this same mental excercise and also put Idaho at the top.

I was born and raised there. I'd love to go back but I'm not independently wealthy. I left because there were no jobs. The state still has the same problem so if anyone plans to move there they'd should either have lots of money saved up or a job in advance.

Add millions of residents, and it might not be so nice.

And there's the rub. To create jobs industry is needed. Idaho's "no lunch bucket jobs, no unions" policy has so far prevented that from happening. But it's not a paradise unless you already have money or are living on a generous pension.

[antisocial]

“(forgive me, Davy Crockett)”

LOL

[eyedigress]

A dumbass put this list together.

[gopno1]

Thank you for this wonderful exercise in copy/paste.

[two134711]

Long Island isn't perfect for many reasons, and yes, in the event of a major disaster we are screwed, but it's easy to maneuver around in a car. Three major parallel highways heading east and west and various ones north and south for easy access, although you're out of luck once you live out on the forks. Driving in New Jersey is a headache; it's the only state I've been in where signs on the highways are placed after the exits not before.

Pennsylvania, a beautiful state I admire, has great roads, but no beaches. Something in my blood calls for the ocean:

In the event of an asteroid collison, LI is not a safe place to be, but it's home for me.

[The Great RJ]

Trust me South Dakota is not FLAT. The prairie parts of the state are rolling hills and out west you get buttes, badlands and yes, even mountains. However, North Dakota, especially the eastern part is so flat a topo map would have only two lines. Once you cross the North Dakota border on I-29 it is as flat as a billiard table.

I also take umbrage to nuclear plants being a liability. They are reliable, produce zero greenhouse gases and are not a blight on thousands of acres of landscape like forests of 400' windmills.

Yes, the winters up here are cold but we natives know that such temperature extremes keep out the riff-raff.

[eyedigress]

What is your birth sign.......

[Paladin2]

Unlike the sensitive Prof. Mann (a serial data abuser) you missed the poke at the fake investigations typically run in Gay Happy Valley under the leadership of the renowned Wife Swapping Studies Scholar, (former)prezzy Spanier.

[Dick Bachert]

Georgia and several others were downrated due to “multiple nuclear power plants?”

Wait until the grid goes down and you libs who killed nukiepo where you live are freezing in the dark.

And don’t even think of coming down here: We’re heavily armed!

[who knows what evil?]

Plus, the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes is beckoning me.

Yeah...I hear that...

[two134711]

Er...Libra. Is that a bad or good thing?

[Paladin2]

As a 16 yr. old driver I was trapped on the Island as one was supposed to be at least 18 to drive in NYC.