US News & World Report Ranks Florida 6th Best State

U.S. News & World Report this week released its overall best state rankings, ordering all 50 states in the union on a combination of individually analyzed factors. Florida landed sixth on this year’s list, bolstered by strong showings in several individual categories. According to the publication’s explanation of their rationale, the rankings were built on ‘thousands of data points’ taking into account several of the areas in which states make life enjoyable and affordable for their residents. Key categories included crime, economy, education, fiscal stability, health care, infrastructure, environment, and opportunity. The top state overall for the third straight year was Utah, which was high in most of the key categories taken into consideration. In addition to its overall win, Utah ranked first in fiscal stability. Florida was shown to pace the nation in economy, while ranking a strong second in education. The Sunshine State additionally ranked 9th in fiscal stability, 12th in natural environment, 13th in crime and corrections, 15th in infrastructure, 21st in health care, and 47th in opportunity. The top rated states were as follows: 1) Utah 2) New Hampshire 3) Idaho 4) Minnesota 5) Nebraska Meanwhile, the worst states in the union: 46) West Virginia 47) New Mexico 48) Mississippi 49) Alaska 50) Louisiana