When it comes to quality of life, studies have shown that a feeling of social connectedness is one of the most important factors. "The number one indicator of success in life and having a fulfilling, satisfying life is the quality of your relationships," says one sociology professor. "We are social animals, and we don't do well when we don't have community connections." Those connections are one factor US News & World Report used to rank US states by quality of life; the other factor is how healthy the environment is. All of the top 10 states in the resulting ranking have large rural populations and not as many people per capita as more urban states, which could explain why their environments are less polluted as well as why residents feel more socially connected in their tight-knit small towns. Read on for the states at the top and bottom of the list.
Best quality of life:
- North Dakota
- Minnesota
- Wisconsin
- New Hampshire
- South Dakota
Worst quality of life, starting with the state ranked dead last:
- California
- New Jersey
- Indiana
- Illinois
- Texas
See where your state falls
here. (The
happiest states in America.)
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