Idaho can certainly brag about this one: the state has been ranked third in the nation by US News and World Report. That’s up two spots from number five last year.
The economy, crime, opportunity, natural environment, and fiscal responsibility are all ranked in the top 10. The economy is ranked at #4. The violent crime rate is far below the national average. The gem state has 234 instances per one-hundred-thousand people. The national average is 348 per hundred-thousand. The number of juveniles incarcerated is more than double the national average though at 83 per hundred-thousand residents.
The poverty rate and cost of living are also below the U.S. average.
Washington State just made it into the top 10 at number 10.
Infrastructure, natural environment, and education were all top-10 criteria going into the decision. Public safety is near the bottom of the U.S. at number 44 and affordability came in ranked 46th. The evergreen state’s Higher Education rating came in 3rd in the nation.
Utah came in first again. That’s five years in a row for the beehive state.
Montana ranks number 26, Oregon sits at 35, Louisiana is at the bottom of the list with the worst crime and the worst economy.
