The U.S. News & World Report released their 2018 Best States report based on a total of 77 metrics
Using McKinsey & Company's Leading States Index, each state was assessed under eight major categories with the following weighted values:
- Health Care: 16.1 percent
- Education: 15.5 percent
- Economy: 14.4 percent
- Opportunity: 13.4 percent
- Infrastructure: 12.5 percent
- Crime & Corrections: 10.6 percent
- Fiscal Stability: 9.5 percent
- Quality of Life: 8.1 percent
Massachusetts earned the eighth spot in the overall state ranking. New Hampshire (#5) and Vermont #9 were the other states from New England who ranked in the Top 10. Here's how Massachusetts lined up in the 2018 Best States report:
- Overall Rank: #8
- Education: #1
- Crime & Corrections: #5
- Healthcare: #5
- Economy: #9
- Quality of Life: #25
- Fiscal Stability: #40
- Infrastructure: #45
Learn more about the full methodology and the other state rankings on the U.S. News & World Report website.
Another study published earlier this year recognized Massachusetts as the "Best State to Raise a Family."
