If you’re the kind of person using lemmy, then any southern state is probably in the running for “worst” to live in. They’re not without their positives or fantastic people and culture (and I mean actual culture, not the confederacy bs) but if you were picking and choosing a place to live, it probably wouldn’t be those.
By that same token, any west coast or northeast/new England state is probably “best”. They all have their negatives and shitty people, but you’d probably prefer one of them if you were choosing. Though you actually may have a better time in a city in a “worst” state than in some rural areas in a “best” state. That’ll depend on other factors.
Is cost being excluded from consideration
I know this isn’t what you were asking for, but the single best quality of life decision I made was leaving America. This was after living in multiple states.
Same. It’s nice to visit occasionally, but I much prefer living outside.
If it’s not what was asked and is off topic, why comment it?
If you say anything even slightly anti-America on Lemmy, it will get upvotes. Ironically, upvotes are practically worthless, but some people seem to enjoy the validation from strangers on social media.
is it really that bad…?
With for profit prisons and multi decade terrorism charges for people whose only crime is being a leftist or the color of their skin, yes.
It’s just not worth the risk imho
for profit prisons
TIL, wtf
can’t apreciate just how hot the fire is while your still in the pan
I think it is. I have a few people on YouTube I follow who left America and it’s like they realized that there is an entire world out there where you won’t feel awful every day.
People who move to Netherlands or Sweden, western and northern Europe.
I think Americans assume everyone is as miserable as them or worse. Until they go to western Europe and talk to people there.
Its a massive culture difference for one. People don’t live to work in Europe. Its a job, not a life.
there is an entire world out there where you won’t feel awful every day
Americans assume everyone is as miserable as them or worse
Americans are happier than half of Europeans, and vastly happier than most of the world. Why do you feel the need to make things up? It undermines any point you were making.
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/happiest-countries-in-the-world
That’s great that you are happier than Kuwait and Saudi Arabia but I was talking about a little more civilized countries. :)
Happier than the worst part of the world is not the win you think it is… :)
That’s great that you are happier than Kuwait and Saudi Arabia
Also half of Europe, you seemed to have deliberately missed that part.
Americans are happier than French, Spaniards, Italians, Portuguese, etc.
States matter only inasmuch as the city you live in.
Living in Altoona, Pennsylvania is going to be a vastly different experience than Philadelphia.
Makes sense, but given the prompt, we’ll have to assume the most logical answer involves whole of state reality, like economy, policies, taxes, social stability, population approvals, population ingress (vs egress). Should be fairly easy to pick one on these grounds. I’m certain there’s objective studies out there
But I’m just gonna guess and say Massachusetts best, Mississippi worst
California is both the best and worst US state to live in
Best - California. Even the worst parts of the state are better than most other places in America, and the best parts are literally world wonders (Yosemite, Redwoods, Sequoias, Death Valley, Joshua Tree). Pricey AF, but you get what you pay for, and it’s all here - mountains, deserts, ocean, lakes, Hollywood, Silicon Valley, big cities, little towns, pretty much any kind of life you could want, you can live it here if you’ve got the means to afford it.
Worst - Texas. It’s where the worst of America decided to throw an endless rodeo and most of their trash. Yeah, other states may be stupider, or more racist, or more desolate… but nobody nowhere is louder and prouder of being a drunken pain in the ass than a Texan. Florida man comes in a close second if he’s methed up enough, but Florida actually has cool shit like the Everglades and Miami and manatees and alligators.
Texas has Buc-ees and lot lizards.
it also have alot of rare mycoheterotrophic plants that live in those areas you mentioned. if you ever see one its quite a treat, because they are so unusual. they are usually associated with conifer forests.
Curiously so many Californians moved to Austin. They must disagree
Here’s a list of the worst 10: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/11/worst-states-to-live-in-america-2026.html
Everyone in the US thinks the state they are from is both the best and the worst at the same time. And also gets mad if you agree that their state is the worst of you’re not from there.
That being said, Ohio is aight, more interesting than people give it credit for, and everything bad people think about Ohio is way more true in Indiana.
Also no one talks about how freaking beautiful West Virginia is I swear.
Seriously? I left Ohio more than a decade ago, never want to even pass rhrough it again.
I broke down in West Virginia once, when passing through for work. It was a very unusual experience. Some people were very helpful and nice, a few were creepy, and the scariest person was both.
Also, we had to wait 12 hours for a tow truck to arrive, which then towed us for several hours to the nearest repair shop.
This was like 20 years ago, so I guess I’ll never forget it.
I can confirm it was very beautiful though. The fresh snowfall on the mountains looked amazing.
The remote parts of Pennsylvania are also very beautiful.
Best - Hawaii
Worst - Anywhere but HawaiiEverything is imported so, no, unless you’re rich.
You import pineapple in Hawaii?
