Thirty-two states are considered better places to live than Washington, according to a new study that ranks a variety of factors impacting livability.
WalletHub’s 2026 “Best States to Live In” list puts Washington at No. 33 with an overall score of 49.70 based on five key categories: affordability, economy, education and health, quality of life, and safety.
The state scores pretty well in economy and quality of life, but is dead last in the safety ranking, which measures such things as violent crime and property crime rates.
Idaho shares a border with Washington and is 21 spots worse in quality of life, but still tops the list at No. 1 thanks to low tax rates that make the Gem State “a great place to build and grow wealth,” according to WalletHub, the personal finance site.
New Jersey, Wisconsin, Massachusetts and New Hampshire round at the top five. New Mexico ranked as the worst state to live in.
In the same study last year, Washington was ranked 36th. In 2024, the state was 35th and in 2023 was 28th.
Take it or leave it, it’s the latest study to gauge whether Washington is a desirable place to be for any number of reasons — especially amid some recent angst when it comes to statewide and Seattle-focused taxes and policies that some consider unfriendly to tech and business.
In July, Washington climbed three spots to No. 11 in CNBC’s annual America’s Top States for Business rankings. In June, Seattle fell to No. 13 in a ranking of the best places in the U.S. to attract foreign businesses and investment. And on another list earlier this year, Seattle ranked as the best city to live in the U.S.
