With talent in short supply and a highly mobile workforce, companies are prioritizing locations where people actually want to live. Quality of life has become an economic driver, and state economic development agencies are pitching it hard.
Connecticut calls itself “a state with a whole lot of everything” and touts its “good quality of life” repeatedly on its economic development site. New Mexico says it offers “a place your employees will love and want to stay.” Nebraska simply says: “The good life is calling.”
But where, really, is the best life?
CNBC’s America’s Top States for Business study answers that question empirically. Quality of life is one of ten competitiveness categories, weighted at 10.6% of a state’s total score. The ranking considers crime rates, air quality, child care access and cost, worker protections, anti-discrimination laws, and reproductive rights—an increasingly important factor for younger workers.
Some states lag behind. But these are the top-ranked states for quality of life in 2025.
8th (Tie): Virginia
Despite its dense Northern Virginia suburbs, the state has a relatively low crime rate and a healthy, active population. Air quality is generally good, aside from ozone issues in Arlington and Fairfax counties.
Weakness: Child care is both limited (about 1,500 licensed centers for 8.8 million people) and costly (11% of median income).
Score: 167/265 (Grade: B-)
Strengths: Air Quality, Health, Low Crime Rate
8th (Tie): Nebraska
Nebraska boasts the nation’s sixth-lowest violent crime rate and ranks in the top five for clean air. Residents report low mental and physical distress, and the state has the second-lowest rate of drug deaths.
Weaknesses: Child care is scarce (864 licensed centers) and expensive (15% of median income). Abortion is banned after 12 weeks, with no private insurance coverage allowed.
Score: 167/265 (Grade: B-)
Strengths: Air Quality, Health, Low Crime Rate
8th (Tie): Massachusetts
America’s healthiest state has the lowest rate of premature death, top access to primary care and mental health providers, and the lowest uninsured rate (2.6%). It also leads on worker protections.
Weaknesses: Air quality is poor, and child care is expensive despite being relatively accessible.
Score: 167/265 (Grade: B-)
Strengths: Health, Worker Protections
7th: North Dakota
North Dakota leads the nation in affordable, accessible child care (9% of median income). Crime is low, air is clean, and residents report minimal stress and food insecurity.
Weakness: Very poor worker protections—meeting only 3 of 16 criteria on Oxfam’s scorecard.
Score: 171/265 (Grade: B)
Strengths: Child Care, Health, Air Quality, Low Crime Rate
6th: Hawaii
A famously beautiful, low-crime, environmentally pristine state with an inclusive, welcoming culture.
Weaknesses: Child care is extremely limited (544 centers) and the most expensive in the nation (18% of median income). Health care access is also an issue, with few primary care doctors per capita.
Score: 173/265 (Grade: B)
Strengths: Low Crime Rate, Air Quality, Inclusiveness
5th: Connecticut
Among the safest and healthiest states, with robust worker protections and inclusive laws.
Weakness: Air quality is the nation’s worst, with high levels of ozone and particulate pollution.
Score: 179/265 (Grade: B)
Strengths: Low Crime Rate, Health, Inclusiveness
4th: Minnesota
Known for being “Minnesota nice,” the state offers strong anti-discrimination protections, worker rights, and reproductive rights. Health care access is excellent.
Weakness: Child care is limited (1,800 centers) and costly (14% of median income).
Score: 189/265 (Grade: B+)
Strengths: Inclusiveness, Worker Protections, Reproductive Rights, Health
3rd: New Jersey
The state has the ninth-lowest violent crime rate and the second-lowest rate of premature deaths. It also has the nation’s lowest share of adults with multiple chronic conditions.
Weakness: Air quality is the third worst in the nation.
Score: 201/265 (Grade: A-)
Strengths: Low Crime Rate, Health, Inclusiveness
2nd: Maine
America’s safest state, with exceptionally low violent crime. It is also highly inclusive, scoring near-perfect on LGBTQ+ policy.
Weakness: High levels of mental and physical distress, and drug deaths have nearly tripled since 2013.
Score: 207/265 (Grade: A)
Strengths: Low Crime Rate, Inclusiveness, Air Quality
1st: Vermont
For the fifth year in a row, Vermont tops the Quality of Life ranking. It combines low crime, excellent air quality, good health outcomes, and unmatched legal protections. Vermont’s reproductive rights are constitutionally guaranteed.
It also ranks among the easiest states to vote in, with 45 days of early voting and universal vote-by-mail eligibility.
Weaknesses: None. Vermont ranked in the top ten on nearly all metrics, never falling below 15th.
Score: 228/265 (Grade: A+)
Strengths: Reproductive Rights, Inclusiveness, Health, Air Quality