Excellent talent has always been the coveted target for various companies, especially when the market is in urgent need of skilled individuals. However, when these talents consider moving, they often take into account the local quality of life, which may ultimately impact whether they choose to join the local companies that are eager to recruit them.
CNBC’s annual ranking of “The Most Business-Friendly States in the US” also takes this into consideration. In this year’s ranking, the quality of life category accounts for 13% of each state’s total score.
In addition, the latest ranking evaluates various aspects of livability in each state, including crime rates, healthcare, air quality, and childcare, among others.
According to the ranking, the following states are rolling out the red carpet with the best quality of life for incoming talents:
New York has a score of 211 for quality of life in 2024 (out of 325 points, rated as “B” grade). According to data from Oxfam America, New York’s laws provide extensive protections to employees, including almost unrestricted organizational rights, a $15 minimum wage standard, and robust anti-discrimination protections for workers across various industries.
New Hampshire boasts safe communities and excellent healthcare. According to the United Health Foundation, New Hampshire is the healthiest state in the US, with over 90% of residents having access to specialized healthcare providers, and it also ranks among the states with the lowest premature mortality rates.
Massachusetts has 322 primary healthcare providers per 100,000 residents, the highest in the country. It also has one of the lowest uninsured rates and offers strong protections for employees, including mandatory sick and family leave policies.
Connecticut, like most of its New England neighbors, has one of the lowest crime rates in the US. In 2022, the state had a crime rate of 150 per 100,000 people, less than half the national average, which is significant given Connecticut’s five cities with populations exceeding 100,000.
The state provides robust protections to workers, including a $15 minimum wage standard.
California’s laws ensure that everyone in the state can pursue the “California Dream,” even though not everyone can achieve it.
Hawaii’s reverence for the environment, pure air quality, low crime rates, and significant employee protections make it one of the states in the US with a strong focus on health protection.
Oregon adopted mail-in voting before the COVID-19 pandemic, with minimal instances of fraud, according to the Center for Public Integrity.
Washington has a minimum wage of $16.28 per hour, ranking second among states (the District of Columbia has a minimum wage of $17 per hour). The state offers a comprehensive set of protections for employees, extensive anti-discrimination measures, and exceptional environmental quality with clean air and water.
Minnesota provides the best healthcare services in the US for employees, with lower preventable death rates and fewer residents without medical insurance coverage. It is the fifth state in the US that prioritizes health protection.
New Jersey is one of the safest areas in the US, with a crime rate of about 200 per 100,000 people in 2022, compared to the national average of 380.
Maine is the safest state in the US, with plentiful healthcare services. Nearly 92% of Maine adults have specialized healthcare providers, a ratio higher than any other state. In this state with a population of 1.3 million, there are 830 licensed childcare facilities, and childcare costs are affordable, around 10% of the median income for married couples.
Vermont has the freshest air of all states in the region and the second-cleanest air in the US (after West Virginia). According to the American Lung Association, Vermont had almost no ozone pollution last year, making it a true green state.
Perhaps Vermont’s clean environment and the friendly nature of its locals contribute to a sense of peace, making it the state with the best quality of life in the US, with a low crime rate.