Top 10 US States for Standard of Living

• Rhode Island has the best standard of living in the US, with a standard of living index score of 69.54 out of 100
• Three categories placed among the top five in Rhode Island, physical health, inclusive social wellness and mental health
• Mississippi ranks lowest with a standard of living index score of 16.28

Fresh data unveils the top 10 states for standard of living in the US, Rhode Island places top.

The Standard of Living Index, by massage and health experts Gayfriendly, analyzed each state against 14 health factors, grouped into five categories: food and drink, mental health, pampering and relaxation, physical health, and inclusive social wellness. Results for each category were converted into an overall score out of 100 to determine the ranking.

Rhode Island takes the top spot for standard of living in the US, with a score of 69.54 out of 100. It ranks in the top 10 across the board, with three categories hitting the top five: physical health, inclusive social wellness (both fourth), and mental health (fifth). The state’s success is attributed to its wealth of gyms, yoga, dance studios, gay bars, pride events, and mental health therapists available in its population.

Oregon is closely behind in second place, with an index score of 68.89. Residents of Oregon’s healthy food and drink choices ranked first, with the highest average monthly search volume for healthy food out of all the states.

In third place is Massachusetts, with an index score of 68.50. The study revealed that Massachusetts came first for physical health for having the most gyms, yoga and dance studios in the stater per population.

Colorado comes in fourth place, with an index score of 67.39. Colorado’s top score in the index was for mental health, where the state ranked second for having the most therapists per population.

In fifth place is California, with an index score of 65.30. California is the most relaxed state, as the state ranks first out of all the states for pampering and relaxation, with the most massage parlors, spas, meditation centers, and beauty salons per population.

Nevada followed behind in sixth place, with an index score of 63.08. Nevada ranked first out of all the states for social inclusion, with the highest number of gay bars and pride events per its population.

In seventh place is New York, with an index score of 61.97. New York’s highest score on the index was for healthy food and drink, where it placed second out of 50 states.

New Hampshire is in eighth place with an index of 59.64. New Hampshire’s top score out of the individual wellness factors is for physical health, where the state placed second out of all the states.

Just after that, is Vermont in ninth place, with an index score of 59.01. The study revealed that Vermont’s top score in the index was for mental health, where the state placed first for the most therapists support per population.

Finally, rounding off the list in tenth place is Connecticut, with an score of 58.98. Connecticut’s top-place index scores came third out of all 50 states for both mental health and physical health.

Mississippi has the lowest index score out of all the states, with a score of 16.28.

States that follow for lowest index score after Mississippi are West Virginia, South Dakota, Kentucky, Arkansas, Alabama, Indiana, North Dakota, Tennessee and Montana.

A spokesperson for Gayfriendly commented on the findings: “Wellness factors can vary significantly from state to state. Some of the best all-around wellness hotspots can be found in states like Rhode Island, Oregon, and Massachusetts, where these states may be prioritizing eating healthier, mental health, pampering, physical health and inclusive social wellness, resulting in a more fulfilling and balanced life.”

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