What Is the Best State to Live In in America? The Right Question and Three Differences That Decide the Answer
Many people call me to ask: what is the best state to live in in America? From the start I say this is not the right question. The question that should be asked is: what are the most important differences between the states in America?
In my personal view there are three differences that are the biggest between any state and another: the economy, the climate and weather, and the demographics. I advise every new immigrant who has arrived in America, or is thinking of emigrating to it soon, to research these three things, and on the basis of his understanding of them decide the best state to live in for himself and his children.
First: the economy
There are states that are truly rich, and states that are poor or middle-income. The subject has many details and big differences, but in general California on the West Coast is considered the richest of the American states, and inside America it is measured by many points, the most important being the state’s gross product and the average annual income per person. At the time of recording the episode, California was in first place with an average annual household income of more than $81,000, and it is among the ten richest states in America. Among them are states we know such as New Jersey, Texas and Virginia, and most of these states are large in area and have businesses and giant companies, while their population at the same time is not large.
Second: climate and weather
Not everyone can live in severe cold, or in severe heat, and America on this point differs completely from east to west and from north to south. There are states and cities covered in snow most of the year. And if you imagine that snow is pleasant and charming, when you live nine or ten months of the year with it surrounding you everywhere you will certainly get tired of it, because it holds you back from many things.
On the other side, not everyone can bear living in the southern states, where the weather is very hot and humid most of the year, and you can hardly turn off the air conditioner except for two or three months in the whole year.
Third: demographics
This is a very important subject for anyone thinking of living in America, because not all states welcome immigrants, and not all states have residents who are used to seeing immigrants around them. I see the Democratic states as the best on this point: they have a large number of immigrants, ethnic diversity and a more inclusive population mix. This gives you as an immigrant room to integrate faster into society, so you do not feel a deep sense of being a stranger, and you usually do not see any kind of racism directed at you.
That is why my answer to the question had to pass through these three points. Pay close attention to them before you decide the best state to live in for your case.
Article originally published on 3 October 2026.