Utah Named 'Best State In America' For 2023 By U.S. News

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah is named the #1 Best State in America by U.S. News & World Report, taking over the top spot from Washington after two years. The Best States project used thousands of data points across 71 metrics and eight categories to measure how each state serves its residents. Utah's consistency across six of the eight categories and top ranking in economy and fiscal stability helped it claim the number one spot.

"So many things – a thriving economy, stunning natural beauty, a strong sense of community where people look out for each other, world-class educational opportunities, responsible government, and much more – make Utah a truly special place," said Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. "We're grateful for this recognition and we're committed to maintaining our state's exceptional quality of life and economic strength as we grow."

The Best States rankings measure categories including health care, education, economy, infrastructure, opportunity, fiscal stability, crime and corrections, and natural environment. Each category is assigned weights based on three years of data from national surveys of nearly 70,000 people. Equal weight is given to subcategories within each category and to each metric within a subcategory.

Utah ranked in the top 15 across six categories and in the top 20 in another. The state's top ranking in the economy and fiscal stability categories played a major role in its overall placement as the best state in the U.S. The Best States rankings provide valuable insights into how states serve their residents, and Utah's top ranking serves as a testament to the state's overall success and consistency in serving its residents across various metrics.

2023 Best States Rankings

*See the full rankings here.

Overall – Top 10
1. Utah
2. Washington
3. Idaho
4. Nebraska
5. Minnesota
6. New Hampshire
7. Iowa
8. Wisconsin
9. Vermont
10. Florida

Crime & Corrections
1. New Hampshire
2. Maine
3. Vermont

Economy
1. Utah
2. Idaho
3. Colorado

Education
1. Florida
2. New Jersey
3. Massachusetts

Natural Environment
1. Hawaii
2. New York
3. Massachusetts

Fiscal Stability
1. Utah
2. Idaho
3. South Dakota

Health Care
1. Hawaii
2. Rhode Island
3. Massachusetts

Infrastructure
1. Minnesota
2. North Dakota
3. Oregon

Opportunity
1. New Hampshire
2. Vermont
3. Iowa