U.S. News Ranks Best States for 2021

U.S. News’ annual Best States rankings launch includes data on the coronavirus pandemic that has ravaged the country for about a year.

U.S. News ranked all 50 states based on data within 71 metrics across eight categories, such as education, health care and opportunity.

U.S. News & World Report on Tuesday released its 2021 Best States rankings – analyzing how well states serve their residents in a variety of ways as the coronavirus pandemic continues to upend life throughout the nation.

For the second time in a row, Washington has been ranked as the best state in the nation. As in previous years, U.S. News ranked all 50 states based on data within 71 metrics across eight categories, such as education, health care and opportunity.

New this year, U.S. News has compiled data related to the COVID-19 pandemic, as the country enters its second year of enduring the crisis. We have also explored just how badly the pandemic has damaged states' economies and budgets.

10 Best States in America:

1. Washington
2. Minnesota
3. Utah
4. New Hampshire
5. Idaho
6. Nebraska
7. Virginia
8. Wisconsin
9. Massachusetts
10. Florida

10 Lowest-Ranked States in America:

50. Louisiana
49. Mississippi
48. New Mexico
47. West Virginia
46. Alabama
45. Alaska
44. Arkansas
43. Oklahoma
42. South Carolina
41. Kentucky

The Best States project seeks to inform citizens, business leaders and policymakers about what's working and what isn't in each state across the nation. To learn more about why and how we do it, read our guide to understanding the rankings.