Introduction
When it comes to choosing a place to spend a vacation, dream destinations depend on personal taste – some people prefer mountains over beaches or big cities over rural areas. However, when it comes to settling down, there are a number of factors that can determine how easy (or difficult) it is to create a comfortable life somewhere. These factors can include housing costs, access to schools and healthcare, and more. WalletHub considered these and other factors when compiling its list of the best states in America to live in 2023.
The Best States to Live in 2023
WalletHub compared all fifty states based on 51 key living indicators across five main categories: 1) Cost of living, 2) Economy, 3) Education and health, 4) Quality of life, and 5) Safety. Each living indicator was assigned different point values to help determine the overall “score” for the state. For example, “Cost of living” was given the highest weight, at approximately 8.89 points, while “Number of cinemas per capita” was given the lowest weight, at about 0.47 points. (You can learn more about WalletHub’s methodology here.)
Living Statistics
WalletHub used 51 different living indicators, including housing affordability, weather, unemployment rates, quality of public school systems, and more. Below are some snapshots of the results based on some of these living factors, which received the best and worst rankings:
Crime
Maine ranks first in the lowest violent crimes (per 1,000 residents), at 1.09, which is 7.7 times lower than Alaska, which ranks first at 8.38.
Poverty
New Hampshire ranks first in the lowest share of residents living in poverty, at 7.40 percent, which is 2.6 times lower than Mississippi, which ranks first at 19.40 percent.
Commute Time
South Dakota ranks first in the shortest average commute time, at 17 minutes, which is half the time of New York, which ranks first at 34 minutes.
Road Quality
Tennessee ranks highest in road quality, receiving a score 5.4 times higher than Rhode Island, which ranks lowest in road quality.
Conclusion
WalletHub’s list of the best states to live in 2023 is just one analysis. When determining a place to reside, the most important factors can vary significantly depending on individual circumstances. Thus, individuals should consider these factors when deciding to live in a particular state.
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Source: https://www.realsimple.com/best-states-to-live-in-2023-7694799
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