These 10 states are America's worst places to live in 2022
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Published Thu, Jul 14 2022 10:32 AM EDT
- In this era of severe worker shortages and unprecedented mobility, employees are demanding great quality of life in the state where they work.
- Half of business executives surveyed agree it is important to do business in states with inclusive laws.
- CNBC's annual America's Top State for Business study considers multiple measures of the quality of life, health and inclusion.
VIDEO3:1803:18 CNBC's Scott Cohn reveals the worst U.S. state for business The Exchange
With five million more job openings in the U.S. than there are employees to fill them, workers have more leverage than they have had in years. They are using that power — and unprecedented mobility — to demand a welcoming environment and great quality of life in the places they work.
That is why CNBC's annual America's Top States for Business study pays particular attention to quality of life. Now, with workers increasingly holding the cards, it is especially important in our methodology.
Our Life, Health and Inclusion category considers factors such as crime rates, environmental quality, and health care. For the first time in 2022, we also consider the availability of childcare, which the U.S. Chamber of Commerce found is a major obstacle for parents seeking to reenter the workforce.
We also consider inclusiveness of state laws in areas like protections against discrimination and voting rights. That's not politics, it's business.
Many Gen Z and millennial workers will turn down jobs that don't match their values, Deloitte found. If you need workers, you want to be in a place they are willing to go to.
We found some states are particularly welcoming. But these ten states fall short.
10. Nevada
Children seen in Las Vegas. Nevada. Paola Giannoni | E+ | Getty Images
With only about 400 licensed childcare centers in a state with more than 3 million people, Nevada is one of the worst states for access to childcare at a time when it is desperately needed. Also, the desert air is far from clear in the state's most populous areas, according to the American Lung Association. Residents in Clark County, home of Las Vegas, endure more than three weeks of high ozone days per year.
2022 Life, Health & Inclusion Score: 110 out of 325 points (Top States Grade: F)
Strengths: Voting Rights, Inclusiveness
Weaknesses: Childcare, Air Quality
9. Tennessee
Bill Ford, chairman of Ford Motor Co., speaks during a Ford announcement event at the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort, Kentucky, U.S., on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021. Jon Cherry | Bloomberg | Getty Images
The Volunteer State has notched some impressive economic development victories lately —like a major Ford electric vehicle facility — gaining lots of new residents in the process. But those workers are moving to a state that is chipping away at inclusiveness. The state has passed a series of laws aimed at the LGBTQ community, including a transgender sports bill this year that the Human Rights Campaign calls "discriminatory, unfair, and unnecessary."
2022 Life, Health & Inclusion Score: 108 out of 325 points (Top States Grade: F)
Strengths: Childcare, Air Quality
Weaknesses: Inclusiveness, Crime
8. Indiana
Fotografia Inc. | E+ | Getty Images
Access to licensed childcare centers in Indiana is among the worst in the nation, according to Child Care Aware of America. And the state spends a mere $76 per person on public health, according to the United Health Foundation. That, too, is among the worst in the nation.
2022 Life, Health & Inclusion Score: 102 out of 325 points (Top States Grade: F)
Strength: Crime Rate
Weaknesses: Childcare, Health Resources
7. New Mexico
Reuters
The Land of Enchantment is cursed by crime — the second highest violent crime rate in the nation, according to FBI statistics. Only Alaska is worse. In her 2022 State of the State address, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham made a business case for tackling the problem. "If we want to keep up our economic momentum," she said, "we have got to get crime under control."
2022 Life, Health & Inclusion Score: 101 out of 325 points (Top States Grade: F)
Strength: Voting Rights
Weaknesses: Crime, Air Quality, Health
6. Louisiana
Louisiana State Trooper Vehicle in the New Orleans French Quarter Crobertson | Istock Editorial | Getty Images
Louisiana is America's unhealthiest state, according to the United Health Foundation, with the nation's third highest cholesterol level, and the fourth highest rate of premature deaths. According to FBI statistics, the violent crime rate is among the nation's highest.
2022 Life, Health & Inclusion Score: 97 out of 325 points (Top States Grade: F)
Strength: Health Resources
Weaknesses: Health, Crime, Voting Rights
5. Missouri
St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell listens to a concerned voter after casting his ballot on November 3, 2020 outside the St. Louis County Board of Elections in St. Ann, Missouri. Michael B. Thomas | Getty Images
This year, Missouri grudgingly agreed to join 45 other states and allow early voting beginning with the general election in November. But the same bill, scheduled to take effect after the state's August primaries, outlaws most mail-in voting, and adds a deeply controversial voter ID provision.
2022 Life, Health & Inclusion Score: 89 out of 325 points (Top States Grade: F)
Strength: Childcare
Weaknesses: Crime, Voting Rights
4. South Carolina
Serhej Calka | Istock | Getty Images
With 2.19 hospital beds per 1,000 residents, according to Becker's Hospital Review, The Palmetto State finishes near the bottom for health care resources. And the state ranks 44th for access to clinical care, according to the United Health Foundation.
2022 Life, Health & Inclusion Score: 83 out of 325 points (Top States Grade: F)
Strength: Air Quality
Weaknesses: Voting Rights, Health Resources, Crime
3. Oklahoma
A nurse tends to a COVID-19 patient's IV during a tour of SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital's intensive care unit (ICU) amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Oklahoma City, August 24, 2021. Nick Oxford | Reuters
Oklahomans are not big on taking care of themselves, according to United Health Foundation data, which show they are among the least likely to exercise or even eat fruits and vegetables. The state is also among the worst for adults without health insurance, and childhood vaccines. Hospitals have spent much of the Covid-19 pandemic under stress, according to data from the Commonwealth Fund.
2022 Life, Health & Inclusion Score: 79 out of 325 points (Top States Grade: F)
Strengths: No metrics in the top 50%
Weaknesses: Health, Health Resources, Voting Rights, Inclusiveness
2. Texas
A registered nurse, talks to a ventilated patient as medical professionals treat people infected with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Houston, Texas, November 12, 2020. Callaghan O'Hare | Reuters
Skilled workers are still flocking to Texas despite longstanding quality of life issues. According to Census data, the state ranks No. 3 for net migration of college educated workers behind Florida and Washington. But when they arrive, they are finding limited childcare options, a stressed health care system with the highest rate of uninsured, new curbs on voting rights, and few protections against discrimination.
2022 Life, Health & Inclusion Score: 72 out of 325 points (Top States Grade: F)
Strengths: No metrics in the top 50%
Weaknesses: Childcare, Health Resources, Inclusiveness, Voting Rights
1. Arizona
A pedestrian uses an umbrella to get some relief from the sun as she walks past a sign displaying the temperature on June 20, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. Ralph Freso | Getty Images
"It's a dry heat," The Grand Canyon State saying goes. But it leads to some of the worst air quality in the nation, according to the American Lung Association. Maricopa County, home to Phoenix, endures 39 high ozone days per year. That puts more stress on an already poor health care system, short on hospital beds and staff. The state spends just $79 per person on public health, among the country's lowest. Arizona offers stunning natural beauty and top-notch cultural and recreational attractions. But that comes at a stiff price in America's worst state to live in.
2022 Life, Health & Inclusion Score: 67 out of 325 points (Top States Grade: F)
Strengths: No metrics in the top 50%
Weaknesses: Air Quality, Health Resources, Inclusiveness, Crime
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Red States are unlivable and are "bad for business"!
Fuck Texas, AZ all the way!
... new mexico was a surprise.
Am surprised Ohio didn't make the list. Ohio is corrupt.
Yes, but Ohio is outside Satan's Armpit where the worst parts are!
hah, hell hasn't been to yuma.
Curbs on voting rights?
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i find it funny how Democrats whine and bitch about Texas, then do everything they can to turn it blue.
Just fucking brilliant!
why do Democrats want to rule Texas then?
y'all have to make sense sometimes
Texas Democrats want to regain power in Texas because the GOP sucks and has turned Texas into a third rate "shit hole".
hilarious, have you even ever been to Texas?
or are you just parroting what you were told?
I lived in Texas in the 80s and 90s before it totally went to shit!
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I will just say it, FUCK TEXAS.
Been through there a few times, smelled like shit, most people were nice (like anywhre) but also smelled like shit. Austin wasn't even that great. Good food though.
Who cares?
Gee, some folks visit Texas and actually go to cities where there are no cows. I can agree with you on Austin, too many people trying to California it for me.
This
Maybe you have never visited Marfa, Lubbock, Laredo, McAllen, Corpus Christi, Galveston, El Paso or San Antonio. Or maybe you just don't like so many Hispanics near you.
It looks a bit like the one parameter missing from this study is affordability.
That would influence a rounded picture but we’re not after the truth here.
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"we’re not after the truth here"
That's probably the most truthful thing you've ever said.
No, I've called you an asshole before but that one just gets lumped under the rug.
I wonder where America would stand if the topic were The Worst Countries To Live In, or at least The Most Dangerous....
When we want to be watched via cctv (or worse) all the time we will call [removed, individual member not topic]
One of the few times we will agree.
Individual crime rates in China may be low; but government crime rates are off the charts. Big brother CCCP is definitely watching everyone all of the time.
"Vas you dere, Charley?" (Baron Munchausen)
I love it when people talk about what it's like in China when they haven't stepped one foot into the country.
Oh, and BTW what is your advice on the yughis
The sheer number of people attempting to immigrate would indicate the US is one of the best places in the world to live.
Yeah, I haven't seen any stories about people dying trying to get into China, have you?
Well, it's hard to imagine, but I guess when people are starving and can't find work they are desperate enough to try to live in a country where health care can bankrupt them, their kids can be shot and killed going to school and they can be shot and killed just shopping for groceries or in a parade celebrating a holiday, bound to be infected with a virus where so many refuse to do what's necessary to prevent its spread, be discriminated against, where they've been told the streets are paved with gold. The Statue of Liberty is a "welcome" sign to them about the "exceptional" Land of the Freedom for those not part of the world's record for incarceration and the Home of the Bravado.
The Chinese government doesn't make it easy, and it's almost impossible to become a Chinese citizen. I'm able to reside in China because I'm married to a Chinese citizen and am here as a guest only with a visa renewable every 3 years as long as I stay married to a Chinese citizen, although the government officials have offered to give me a green card, but I don't want or need it. People can't move here just because they want to, or just because they think they can live a better life (even though, believe it or not, it's a lot better life than anybody who doesn't know China would allow themselves to find out) but they have to have a specific needed purpose for being here. My original visa was as a "Foreign Expert", i.e. an expert to teach English to Chinese students. Now that I'm retired, my Visa is for "Visiting Family".
Actually, on my Canadian govenment retirement income, I live a lot better life here than I possibly could even come close to in Canada, and I really don't have any reason or desire whatsoever to get up on a soapbox in the city square and criticize the government.
I don't know.
I don't see why not, although it's of no interest to me. I'll try to remember to ask the question the next time I'm in the presence of a government official, but that could be a couple of years from now when I go to renew my visa if I live that long. If you're so curious, ask someone who would have the answer (such as the Chinese embassy in Washington D.C.) yourself.
Well, then I guess there's no answer for your question. Sorry.
Only North Koreans trying to escape their hell hole.
All the fences near you are designed to keep people IN. Us can't keep 'em OUT.
It's a mistake to show ignorance about something you don't know anything about. There are no such fences here.
First of all CNBC?
They automatically ruled out every last Democrat run bastion of stupidity- so the results are skewed.
Second, Scott Cohn?
He is a Californian- in other words shit for brains. He is living in one of the states that has the most people fleeing from it. Guess what the other top contenders are?
States people are leaving
There is reality; then there is shit for brains liberal stupidity. Cohn like all other leftists isn't a fan of reality.
lol, no one is moving to tennesssee
Tennessee's population grew nearly 9% between 2010 and 2020. Spring Hill, located 30 miles south of Nashville, had the 10th largest percentage increase among U.S. cities with a population over 50,000 in 2021.
that is a matter of opinion . Parts of texas have weeks and even months of 100+ degree temperatures every year. San Antonio had a temperature of 106 the other day.
Texas is so bad that companies are relocating here in droves, people are constantly moving in (see latest census), Democrats are desperately trying to win a statewide race for the first time in almost 30 years, and some yahoo thinks it sucks? Show they don't know squat.
Texas has the dumbest set of state wide office holders in the country. Corrupt too.
That is fucking hilarious coming from a resident of Illinois. Talk about being oblivious to facts.......
How many Texas governors have done time?
Not NEARLY as many as Illinois governors. Illinois 'leads' the nation in THAT sad, pathetic fact.
Here, since you probably won't believe ME:
Full list of convicted Governors - Center for Illinois Politics (centerforilpolitics.org)
Do take special note how MANY Illinois governors made the list!
Sometimes you really crack me up with your sad, misinformed comments.
The governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general in Texas right now are all clowns.
Gee, JR, how SAD is it that the vaunted Democratic Party, despite vows to "turn Texas blue" haven't won even ONE SINGLE statewide race since 1994?
Doesn't really say anything good that they can't even beat what you term as clowns?
And Illinois is such a bastion of geniuses and upstanding with absolutely no corruption /S