New Hampshire Ranks as Second Best State in the Country

U.S. News and World Report’s annual comparison of all 50 states has placed New Hampshire as second best in the country when comparing healthcare, education, economy, infrastructure, opportunity, fiscal stability, crime and corrections rate, and natural environment. New Hampshire ranked #1 in opportunity and crime and corrections.

The opportunity ranking takes into account cost of living, average household income, and economic opportunity. The cost of living index in New Hampshire is 109.2 compared to the national average of 100, while household income in New Hampshire is $73,381 to the national average of $60,336.  

The crime and corrections ranking looks at incarceration rates and the violent crime rate, both of which New Hampshire ranked well below the national average. 

New Hampshire also ranked #4 in natural environment and #5 in education. New Hampshire has very little pollution and good air and water quality, leading to this high ranking. New Hampshire’s Pre-K through 12th grade education system also ranked particularly well with high standardized test scores and public high school graduation rates. 

Overall, it’s clear New Hampshire is a great place to live.