United States - the best states to live in 2012

This statistic shows a ranking of the best U.S. federal states to live in, according to selected metrics and based on a survey among more than 530,000 Americans. The survey was conducted between January 2011 and June 2012. The findings are presented as index scores composed of the scores regarding various parameters*. According to this index, Utah is the city with the highest liveability and life quality, as it scored 7.5 points.

United States - the ten best states to live in as of 2012 (index score)*

Characteristic	Average rank across 13 metrics (index score)*
Utah	7.5
Minnesota	10.5
Colorado	12.8
Nebraska	13.7
North Dakota	14.5
Virginia	16.8
Hawaii	17.5
Iowa	17.5
South Dakota	18.1
Maryland	18.5

Loading statistic...

Download

Source

Show detailed source information?

Already a member?

Source

Use Ask Statista Research Service

Release date

August 2012

More information

Region

United States

Survey time period

January 2, 2011 to June 30, 2012

Number of respondents

531,154 respondents

Age group

18 years and older

Method of interview

Telephone interview

Supplementary notes

* The findings are based on the following metrics measured as part of the Gallup Daily tracking, including the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index:
Full-time employment for an employer, economic confidence index, job creation index, supervisor relationship, standard of better living optimism, city optimism, daily learning, easy access to clean, safe water, easy access to a safe place to exercise, obesity, smoking, dentist visits, future life evaluation.

According to the source, The selection of the 13 metrics was not based on any statistical model, but rather on their presumed relevance to future livability. Each metric contributed equally to the final ranking. Here, you can find more information about the methodology.

Citation formats