Choosing where to live isn’t just about the weather or scenery it’s about opportunity, stability, and quality of life. Some states offer higher salaries, better job prospects, and stronger economies, while others face more challenges. But which state truly stands out as the best place to live in 2024?
Using the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau, here at ProfitDuel, we analyzed every state based on average income, employment rates, job creation, and job stability to uncover the best (and worst) places to call home (based on these statistics measured).
So, where does your state rank according to our findings? Let’s find out.
Contents
- The Best State to Live in 2024
- Other High-Ranking States
- Lowest-Ranked States in the Study
- The Ultimate Income-Boosting Hack
1. The Best State to Live in 2024
The District of Columbia emerged as the top-ranking location, offering the best balance of economic opportunities and job stability.
The District of Columbia stands out as the best state to live in 2024 due to its strong performance across key economic metrics.
It ranks 1st in average income, with residents earning $150,292, the highest in the country.
Additionally, it secures the 2nd spot in employment, with 66.3% of the population employed, tied with Nebraska. While its job creation figures are relatively lower, ranking 43rd, its job destruction rate is significantly low, placing 13th lowest in the country.
This balance of high income, strong employment, and low job losses makes the District of Columbia the top-ranked state overall.
2. Other High-Ranking States
Several other states also rank highly in the study, excelling in specific areas. New Jersey and Massachusetts both perform exceptionally well, ranking 2nd and 3rd in average income, at $135,170 and $134,568, respectively. New Jersey also ranks highly in job creation (11th) but performs poorly in job destruction, ranking 8th highest with 650,862.
California shines in job creation, leading the country with 1,864,322 jobs created, but it struggles with the highest job destruction rate, making it more vulnerable to economic downturns.
Texas, a strong contender, ranks 2nd in job creation and maintains a solid standing in income. However, it faces challenges with a high rate of job destruction, ranking 2nd with 1,752,226 jobs lost.
3. Lowest-Ranked States in the Study
When looking at the worst states to live in based on the data, several states consistently rank low across key metrics. West Virginia has the lowest average income at $75,592 (50th).
Mississippi also performs poorly, with the lowest employment rate at 53% and underwhelming performance in other categories.
New Mexico ranks 48th in income ($81,035) and 49th in employment, with weak job creation, placing 38th in that category.
These states generally face economic challenges with low income, limited job creation, and lower employment rates, making them the lowest-ranked places to live in 2024.
4. The Ultimate Income-Boosting Hack
At ProfitDuel, we love sharing smart ways to boost your monthly income, such as side hustle ideas and ways to make money online, no matter where you live.
While some states offer better financial opportunities than others, unexpected expenses and the rising cost of living shouldn’t take away from your quality of life (or stop you from booking that next vacation or saving for your dream home!).
That's where we come in...
ProfitDuel isn’t just a platform. It’s your ultimate income-boosting hack, helping Americans top up their earnings without sacrificing the things that truly matter. With just a few spare hours a week, our members are earning $1,000s each month by converting promo offers using our intelligent software and expert support.
Wherever you call home, ProfitDuel can help you make the most of it.
Check out a handful of customer stories from the 500,000 members that have made money with us, and get started earning with a huge 50% off your first month.
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