The best states in America to live in, according to Reader’s Digest

The list was compiled using 71 metrics in categories like education, healthcare, and infrastructure

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Every American move begins with the same question: Where does life work best? The answer shifts depending on career stage, climate tolerance, and whether you prefer mountains, coastlines, or quiet suburbs. Yet every year, readers still look for a definitive list.

A feature published by Reader’s Digest attempts to settle the debate by highlighting results from a national evaluation of state performance. The rankings were built using 71 measurable metrics grouped into eight categories: education, healthcare, economy, infrastructure, opportunity, fiscal stability, natural environment, and crime and corrections. Researchers surveyed tens of thousands of people to understand which issues mattered most, then weighted each category using three years of aggregated data. 

Reader’s Digest also emphasizes an important reality: “best” remains subjective. A surfer may never choose a landlocked state. A skier may avoid coastal humidity. Personal priorities shape individual decisions. Instead, these rankings tend to reveal patterns about governance, growth, and livability across the country.

Still, one state emerged as the clear overall winner, while several others formed a competitive top tier. Together, they show how modern success increasingly depends on balanced performance rather than dominance in a single category.

Below is a countdown of the ten best states in America.

10. Washington balances opportunity with infrastructure strength

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Washington state rounds out the top 10 by demonstrating how economic opportunity and infrastructure investment reinforce each other. Reader’s Digest reports that high-performing states tend to succeed across multiple categories rather than excelling in only one, and Washington’s placement reflects that balanced approach.

Infrastructure quality remains a defining factor in national rankings. Reliable transportation networks, accessible broadband, and modern public systems support both urban and rural economies. These foundations allow businesses to scale while maintaining strong employment prospects for residents. Opportunity metrics measure economic mobility and job availability, areas where Washington performs competitively within the broader evaluation framework.

The ranking also reflects how economic diversity strengthens resilience. States with multiple thriving sectors — technology, trade, and services — avoid dependence on a single industry cycle. Reader’s Digest highlights that overall rankings reward structural........

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