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FLORIDA - Florida has been named the sixth-best state in America, according to the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best States rankings.
The Sunshine State earned high marks for its economy and education systems, ranking first in economy and second in education among all 50 states.
The report measured states based on eight key categories: health care, education, economy, infrastructure, fiscal stability, opportunity, crime and corrections, and natural environment.
Florida also ranked ninth in fiscal stability, 12th in natural environment, 13th in crime and corrections, 15th in infrastructure, 21st in health care, and 47th in opportunity.
Tourism remains one of the strongest drivers of Florida’s economy, with major attractions, beaches, and ports contributing significantly to the state’s gross domestic product.
The absence of a state income tax and continued population growth were also cited as factors supporting Florida’s strong economic performance.
Utah claimed the top overall ranking, followed by New Hampshire, Idaho, Minnesota, and Nebraska.
Other states in the top ten included Vermont, South Dakota, Massachusetts, Washington, and Florida at sixth.
At the opposite end of the list, Louisiana ranked last, placing 50th in economy and crime and corrections, and near the bottom in education, infrastructure, and health care.
Other low-ranking states included Alaska, Mississippi, New Mexico, and West Virginia.
Regionally, Florida outperformed nearby states such as Georgia (21st), Texas (29th), and Tennessee (32nd), as well as larger states like New York (22nd), Illinois (36th), and California (37th).