Iowa Didn’t Make the Top 10 on the 2025 List of the ‘Best States’

Don't worry, Iowa still made the top 20!

Every year, U.S. News & World Report ranks all 50 states from best to worst. Iowa typically does really well on this list, but this year, we slipped right out of the top ten! The Des Moines Register reports that Iowa was number SIX in 2024.

How Did They Come Up With the List?

According to the report, there are "thousands of data points" that help determine where each state falls on U.S. News & World Report's list. It reads:

"In addition to health care and education, the rankings take into account a state’s economy; its roads, bridges, internet and other infrastructure; its public safety; its natural environment; the fiscal stability of state government; and the opportunity it affords its residents."

It's important to note that not all categories are weighed equally. For example, the categories of health care and education were deemed more important that categories like natural environment and crime & corrections. If you want a full breakdown of U.S. News & World Report's 2025 methodology, you can check that out HERE.

Who Made the Top 10?

If you're wondering which state did the best in 2025, the answer is Utah. In fact, Utah has now been number one three years in a row! Here are the ten states that ranked the highest this year:

1. Utah
2. New Hampshire
3. Idaho
4. Minnesota
5. Nebraska
6. Florida
7. Vermont
8. South Dakota
9. Massachusetts
10. Washington

What Number Was Iowa?

Even though Iowa didn't make the top ten, we still did really well! Iowa came in at number 14 overall. Let's break it down by category:

• Crime & Corrections - #14
• Economy - #44
• Education - #20
• Fiscal Stability - #4
• Health Care - #27
• Infrastructure - #14
• Natural Environment - #29
• Opportunity - #2

Regardless of where Iowa falls on the list, we still think it's a great place to live!

Which States Did the Worst?

Moving down to the end of the list, here are the ten WORST states overall in 2025:

1. Louisiana
2. Alaska
3. Mississippi
4. New Mexico
5. West Virginia
6. Alabama
7. Arkansas
8. Michigan
9. Oklahoma
10. Pennsylvania

You can check out the rankings for all 50 states HERE.

READ MORE: The 20 Best Places to Visit in the State of Iowa [GALLERY]