Massachusetts Just Missed the Top 10 Best States in America — Here’s Where It Stumbled

Massachusetts is not among U.S. News & World Report's top 10 Overall Best States rankings, although two other New England states made the list.

How New England Neighbors New Hampshire and Vermont Compare

Those states are New Hampshire at No. 6 and Vermont at No. 10. Massachusetts didn't finish too far out of the running, at No. 11.

For individual categories, New Hampshire ranked first for crime and corrections, 12th for education, ninth for healthcare, third for natural environment, 32nd for economy, 36th for fiscal stability, 18th for infrastructure, and sixth for opportunity.

Massachusetts Misses The Top Ten In Best State Rankings

Vermont is third for crime and corrections, 23rd for education, 12th for healthcare, ninth for natural environment, 33rd for economy, 41st for fiscal stability, 14th for infrastructure, and first for opportunity.

How Massachusetts Ranks Across Healthcare, Education, and Economy

Massachusetts, the 11th best overall state according to U.S. News & World Report, had no first-place showings in individual categories. The Bay State ranks second overall for healthcare, fourth for crime and corrections, seventh for education, fourth for natural environment, eighth for economy, 39th for fiscal stability, 38th for infrastructure, and 41st for opportunity.

Connecticut ranks 18th on the Best States Overall list, Maine is 27th, and Rhode Island is 33rd.

Massachusetts Misses The Top Ten In Best State Rankings

U.S. News & World Report ranks Louisiana in 50th place overall and Utah at the top.

Primary Economic Engines Driving the Bay State

The publication says, "Today, the fields of education and healthcare services employ the most people in Massachusetts. Another top industry is manufacturing, especially computer and electronic products."

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"With a balance of historical destinations and picturesque beaches at Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard, the tourism industry is also a major economic powerhouse," according to U.S. News & World Report.