To determine the Worst State Index scores, we looked at data that captured the unpleasantness of a state, including its poverty rate, according to U.S. Census Bureau data, and its most recent unemployment rate, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In addition to those economic indicators, we accounted for factors that affect residents’ health, including air pollution (measured by the amount of carbon dioxide emissions, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration), and, of course, we can’t talk about medical issues in 2020 without factoring in the prevalence of COVID-19 in each state. Specifically, we looked at the seven-day average percent of positive tests performed, according to Johns Hopkins’ Coronavirus Research Center. To wrap it all up, we added in each state’s average life expectancy, based on data from the National Vital Statistics System. Then, we used our exclusive algorithm to calculate all 50 Worst State Index scores. Taking these numbers into consideration, one state stood out as extraordinarily unpleasant. While there is plenty to love about this state, it’s also a top scorer in the wrong ways: It has a high poverty rate, a shorter average life expectancy, and its COVID numbers are trending in the wrong direction. But what really puts this state at the bottom of the barrel is its astonishing output of poison into the air. Producing 707 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, it’s a particularly toxic place to live in. Most of the worst states to live in right now are in the South or Midwest, though a Western one did climb—or fall—into the ranks of the 10 baddest of the bad. To see where your state lands, read the full ranking from the best state to live in right now to the worst. And for the states struggling the most with the virus at the moment, find out How Bad the COVID Outbreak Is in Your State. Life expectancy: 80 years old Poverty rate: 9 percent COVID test positivity rate: 1.5 percent Unemployment rate: 4.8 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 6 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 50.85 And for more areas you may want to avoid, find out which is The Dirtiest State in the U.S. Life expectancy: 80.1 years old Poverty rate: 5.6 percent COVID test positivity rate: 1.5 percent Unemployment rate: 6.5 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 13 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 51.53 Life expectancy: 80.9 years old Poverty rate: 9.7 percent COVID test positivity rate: 1.4 percent Unemployment rate: 8.1 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 33 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 59.63 And for the state that’s least likely to give you a wave, here’s The Unfriendliest State in the U.S. Life expectancy: 78.7 years old Poverty rate: 11.5 percent COVID test positivity rate: 0.5 percent Unemployment rate: 6.9 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 15 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 60.28 Life expectancy: 79.6 years old Poverty rate: 7.5 percent COVID test positivity rate: 5.8 percent Unemployment rate: 6.9 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 52 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 64.40 Life expectancy: 78.7 years old Poverty rate: 7.6 percent COVID test positivity rate: 5.7 percent Unemployment rate: 8.9 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 12 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 65.20 And for the state lacking a little fun, meet The Most Boring State in the U.S. Life expectancy: 79.7 years old Poverty rate: 10.1 percent COVID test positivity rate: 7.6 percent Unemployment rate: 5 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 56 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 65.30 Life expectancy: 82 years old Poverty rate: 9.4 percent COVID test positivity rate: 2.8 percent Unemployment rate: 12.5 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 18 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 65.45 And for more on the first data point, Here’s How Long You’re Likely to Live in Every State. Life expectancy: 81 years old Poverty rate: 7.4 percent COVID test positivity rate: 4.7 percent Unemployment rate: 7.4 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 88 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 65.90 Life expectancy: 80.5 years old Poverty rate: 9.1 percent COVID test positivity rate: 3.9 percent Unemployment rate: 6.7 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 87 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 66.28 Want more state facts delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for our daily newsletter! Life expectancy: 79.6 years old Poverty rate: 10.3 percent COVID test positivity rate: 12.1 percent Unemployment rate: 4 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 48 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 67.20 Life expectancy: 79.8 years old Poverty rate: 7.6 percent COVID test positivity rate: 14 percent Unemployment rate: 4.1 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 58 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 67.45 Life expectancy: 80.3 years old Poverty rate: 8.8 percent COVID test positivity rate: 2.8 percent Unemployment rate: 8.5 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 78 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 67.75 Life expectancy: 79.6 years old Poverty rate: 9.8 percent COVID test positivity rate: 7.1 percent Unemployment rate: 7.7 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 38 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 67.85 Life expectancy: 78.8 years old Poverty rate: 11.8 percent COVID test positivity rate: 4.8 percent Unemployment rate: 7.4 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 34 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 68.05 Life expectancy: 79.9 years old Poverty rate: 9.8 percent COVID test positivity rate: 1.8 percent Unemployment rate: 12.8 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 10 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 68.65 Life expectancy: 78.6 years old Poverty rate: 10.1 percent COVID test positivity rate: 11.1 percent Unemployment rate: 5.6 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 30 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 68.95 Life expectancy: 80.7 years old Poverty rate: 9.2 percent COVID test positivity rate: 1 percent Unemployment rate: 11.3 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 63 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 69.28 Life expectancy: 79.4 years old Poverty rate: 9.7 percent COVID test positivity rate: 5.7 percent Unemployment rate: 6.1 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 98 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 71.05 Life expectancy: 79.9 years old Poverty rate: 12.1 percent COVID test positivity rate: 6.7 percent Unemployment rate: 5.7 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 86 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 71.15 Life expectancy: 80.5 years old Poverty rate: 8.2 percent COVID test positivity rate: 2.6 percent Unemployment rate: 10.9 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 101 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 74.23 Life expectancy: 79.4 years old Poverty rate: 10.6 percent COVID test positivity rate: 21.5 percent Unemployment rate: 4.8 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 14 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 74.65 Life expectancy: 79.4 years old Poverty rate: 10 percent COVID test positivity rate: 23.3 percent Unemployment rate: 4.1 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 18 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 74.95 Life expectancy: 77 years old Poverty rate: 14.4 percent COVID test positivity rate: 4.4 percent Unemployment rate: 6.3 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 69 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 76.03 Life expectancy: 79.6 years old Poverty rate: 8.6 percent COVID test positivity rate: 17.7 percent Unemployment rate: 6 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 76 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 78.60 Life expectancy: 78.8 years old Poverty rate: 10.5 percent COVID test positivity rate: 15.1 percent Unemployment rate: 6.6 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 61 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 78.83 Life expectancy: 78.6 years old Poverty rate: 10.4 percent COVID test positivity rate: 16.2 percent Unemployment rate: 6.9 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 58 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 80.45 Life expectancy: 78.1 years old Poverty rate: 13.6 percent COVID test positivity rate: 6 percent Unemployment rate: 6.5 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 115 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 80.78 Life expectancy: 77.7 years old Poverty rate: 13.3 percent COVID test positivity rate: 6.2 percent Unemployment rate: 5.6 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 132 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 81.80 Life expectancy: 75.8 years old Poverty rate: 12.4 percent COVID test positivity rate: 8.6 percent Unemployment rate: 5.7 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 93 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 82.43 Life expectancy: 77.6 years oldae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb Poverty rate: 11 percent COVID test positivity rate: 7.4 percent Unemployment rate: 7 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 122 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 82.45 Life expectancy: 80 years old Poverty rate: 8.7 percent COVID test positivity rate: 19.3 percent Unemployment rate: 6.2 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 98 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 82.65 Life expectancy: 76 years old Poverty rate: 15 percent COVID test positivity rate: 7.8 percent Unemployment rate: 7.4 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 64 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 83.60 Life expectancy: 78.2 years old Poverty rate: 10.7 percent COVID test positivity rate: 3.3 percent Unemployment rate: 8.7 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 152 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 84.00 Life expectancy: 78.4 years old Poverty rate: 17.2 percent COVID test positivity rate: 5 percent Unemployment rate: 11.3 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 49 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 84.13 Life expectancy: 76.3 years old Poverty rate: 12.1 percent COVID test positivity rate: 6.4 percent Unemployment rate: 8.5 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 98 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 85.15 Life expectancy: 81 years old Poverty rate: 12.1 percent COVID test positivity rate: 1.2 percent Unemployment rate: 12.5 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 157 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 85.93 Life expectancy: 75.3 years old Poverty rate: 15.6 percent COVID test positivity rate: 3.2 percent Unemployment rate: 8.9 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 91 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 87.38 Life expectancy: 75.9 years old Poverty rate: 14.2 percent COVID test positivity rate: 7.3 percent Unemployment rate: 7.6 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 114 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 89.15 Life expectancy: 74.9 years old Poverty rate: 19.1 percent COVID test positivity rate: 6.4 percent Unemployment rate: 7.9 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 67 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 89.88 Life expectancy: 78.4 years old Poverty rate: 12.2 percent COVID test positivity rate: 14.9 percent Unemployment rate: 13.2 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 36 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 91.20 Life expectancy: 75.5 years old Poverty rate: 14.7 percent COVID test positivity rate: 13.3 percent Unemployment rate: 5.6 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 108 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 91.70 Life expectancy: 79.3 years old Poverty rate: 10.4 percent COVID test positivity rate: 4.1 percent Unemployment rate: 11 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 201 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 93.03 Life expectancy: 77.6 years old Poverty rate: 12.4 percent COVID test positivity rate: 3.5 percent Unemployment rate: 8.9 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 204 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 94.00 Life expectancy: 77.4 years old Poverty rate: 11.1 percent COVID test positivity rate: 14.1 percent Unemployment rate: 6.4 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 176 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 95.20 Life expectancy: 80.1 years old Poverty rate: 12.9 percent COVID test positivity rate: 10.1 percent Unemployment rate: 7.4 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 227 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 95.98 Life expectancy: 78.6 years old Poverty rate: 10.5 percent COVID test positivity rate: 7.9 percent Unemployment rate: 10.3 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 215 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 98.68
Life expectancy: 76 years old Poverty rate: 19.1 percent COVID test positivity rate: 4.9 percent Unemployment rate: 7.6 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 226 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 105.45 Life expectancy: 81.3 years old Poverty rate: 11.4 percent COVID test positivity rate: 2.7 percent Unemployment rate: 11.4 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 359 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 109.18 Life expectancy: 78.8 years old Poverty rate: 12.7 percent COVID test positivity rate: 7.6 percent Unemployment rate: 6.8 percent Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 707 million metric tons Worst State Index score: 154.68 And for another factor that plays into a state’s quality of life, find out The State Where Your Money Is Worth the Least.
