State rankings · Updated October 2026
State rankings
All 50 states ranked on the things that decide a move, each with its source. Measured figures come straight from the agency that publishes them; Locustep scores are labelled as such.
Cost and money
- Cheapest States to Rent a Two-BedroomTop 3: West Virginia, Arkansas, Mississippi
- Most Affordable States: Rent as a Share of IncomeTop 3: North Dakota, Wyoming, Iowa
- States With the Lowest Everyday Costs (Housing Excluded)Top 3: North Dakota, Iowa, South Dakota
- States With the Highest Median Household IncomeTop 3: Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland
Taxes
- States With the Lowest State and Local Tax BillTop 3: Wyoming, Tennessee, Nevada
- States With No Income Tax on WagesTop 3: South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas
- Lowest State Income Tax RatesTop 3: Arizona, North Dakota, Ohio
- States With the Lowest Property TaxesTop 3: Hawaii, Alabama, Arizona
Safety and climate
- Safest States: Lowest Violent Crime RatesTop 3: Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut
- States With the Lowest Natural Disaster RiskTop 3: Maryland, Michigan, Wisconsin
- States With the Warmest WintersTop 3: Hawaii, Florida, Arizona
- States With the Mildest SummersTop 3: Alaska, Washington, Maine
Life and work
- Best States for Remote WorkersTop 3: Massachusetts, Washington, California
- Best States for FamiliesTop 3: Minnesota, Connecticut, Maine
- Best States for JobsTop 3: California, Colorado, Massachusetts
- Best States for HealthcareTop 3: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Minnesota
- Best States for SchoolsTop 3: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland
- Best States for Outdoor AccessTop 3: Alaska, Hawaii, Montana