Community Corner

Massachusetts Is The Best State To Live, New Report Says

Despite a terrible showing in one category, the Bay State outperformed all other states in a new report released this week by WalletHub.

U.S. News & World might not agree, but Massachusetts is the best place to live in America. Personal finance website WalletHub ranked us No. 1 in the country in a study released Tuesday, the report coming a month after U.S. News & World said Massachusetts was the eighth-best state in America, despite being the leader in education.

The Bay State beat out Minnesota for the top spot in WalletHub's study, despite one of the worst affordability ratings. Massachusetts made up for that with top-five showings in economy, education and health, quality of life and safety.

WalletHub uses several metrics within those categories to rate states. While Massachusetts suffered in cost of living, it excelled in school system quality and access to public transportation.

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It might not feel it, but WalletHub also said Massachusetts has the fourth-lowest average weekly work hours in the country. The state also is buoyed by the highest percentage of insured population.

New Hampshire, New Jersey and Colorado filled out the top five states to live in.

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The U.S. News rankings, regarded as some of the most well-researched and respected, said Massachusetts was No. 1 in the nation in education thanks in large part to being the leader in pre K-12. The state's No. 2 health care ranking was due to top-five marks in accessibility and public health.

The Bay State's worst showing was in infrastructure, where it ranked 44th. That was due to bottom-10 marks in energy and transportation infrastructure.


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