America’s worst states to live in 2017

[Syt]

http://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/11/americas-10-worst-states-to-live-in-2017.html

America's worst states to live in 2017

Far be it from us to throw shade on your home sweet home, but the data does not lie. The Quality of Life category in our annual America's Top States for Business study ranks all 50 states on overall livability based on metrics, including crime rate, attractions, air quality, health and health care and legal protections against discrimination. Quality of Life is worth a possible 300 out of 2,500 total points in the study, based on the Top States methodology and sources. Journey with us now through this year's Top States hall of shame — the 10 bottom states for quality of life.

10. KENTUCKY
The Bluegrass State is in the heart of tobacco country, and residents here would do well to lay off the local product a bit. More than a quarter of adults are regular smokers in Kentucky, the highest rate in the country. The state also has the nation's highest rate of cancer deaths and one of the highest rates of cardiovascular deaths. But Kentucky does have one of the lowest violent-crime rates.

2017 Quality of Life score: 119 out of 300 points
Weaknesses: Health, inclusiveness
Strength: Low crime rate
2016 Quality of Life rank: No. 42

9. (tie) NEW MEXICO
For a place that calls itself the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico can be a dicey place. Per capita, it has one of the highest violent-crime rates in the country. And if you're thinking of sprawling southwest vistas with clean, dry air, don't forget about Doña Ana County — home of Las Cruces, on the Mexican border — which has had the poorest measured air quality in the state over the past three years. There, the ozone and particulate pollution is so elevated, the air can be dangerous to breathe for more than two weeks out of the year.

2017 Quality of Life score: 107 out of 300 points
Weaknesses: Crime rate, air quality, health
Strength: Attractions
2016 Quality of Life rank: No. 36

9. (tie) TENNESSEE
The Volunteer State could use some people to sign up for its Neighborhood Watch programs. The nation's 16th most populous state nonetheless logged 84,000 simple assault cases and 490 murder cases last year, making it among the most violent in the country. It is also one of the least healthy, with high rates of cancer and diabetes. But Tennessee does offer plenty to do.

2017 Quality of Life score: 107 out of 300 points
Weaknesses: Crime rate, health
Strengths: Air quality, attractions
2016 Quality of Life rank: No. 46

7. MISSISSIPPI
One of Mississippi's nicknames is the Hospitality State, which, based on our study, is akin to the fat guy who goes by the nickname Slim. Mississippi is one of only 5 states with no law protecting non-disabled people against discrimination. And speaking of the aforementioned Slim, Mississippi has one of the highest obesity rates in the nation, and its population is among the most sedentary.

2017 Quality of Life score: 105 out of 300 points
Weaknesses: Inclusiveness, health
Strengths: Low crime rate, air quality
2016 Quality of Life rank: No. 44

6. INDIANA
Under pressure from businesses, the Hoosier State backed down somewhat on then-Governor Mike Pence's so-called Religious Freedom Restoration Act. But the state still lacks some basic protections against discrimination based on marital status, sexual orientation and gender identity. On the positive side, despite its steelmaking heritage, the air quality in Indiana is improving.

2017 Quality of Life score: 102 out of 300 points
Weaknesses: Inclusiveness, health
Strengths: Air quality
2016 Quality of Life rank: No. 45

5. MISSOURI
Show Me how to stay safe in Missouri, where violent crime in all categories has been rising, in some cases by double digits. Missouri also lacks statewide protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation, marital status, and gender identity. And the state is near the bottom for public health funding.

2017 Quality of Life score: 99 out of 300 points
Weaknesses: Crime rate, health, inclusiveness
Strength: Attractions
2016 Quality of Life rank: No. 49

4. ARKANSAS
Arkansas calls itself the Natural State, and you might think residents would like to get out there and enjoy it. In fact, Arkansans have one of the lowest rates of physical activity in the country. Health care is spotty; Arkansas has the lowest number of dentists per person of any state. And the crime rate is among the highest in the nation. The natural state here: inactive, unhealthy, and crime-ridden.

2017 Quality of Life score: 94 out of 300 points
Weaknesses: Health, crime rate
Strength: Air quality
2016 Quality of Life rank: No. 50

3. OKLAHOMA
Heavy tobacco use — yes, Okies are smoky — contributes to one of the highest rates of premature death in the nation. The state has one of the worst infant mortality rates, and reported mental health issues are widespread. Despite that, Oklahoma ranks in the bottom five states for health insurance coverage. Attractions in this state are relatively few, leaving this state with a host of problems to address sooner rather than later.

2017 Quality of Life score: 91 out of 300 points
Weaknesses: Health, attractions
Strength: Air quality
2016 Quality of Life rank: No. 48

2. LOUISIANA
Heavenly beignets, deep-fried with a generous topping of powdered sugar. An oyster po' boy dressed with lots of mayo. Crawfish étouffée with buttery sauce, and rich bananas Foster for dessert. Okay, those are some of the good things about Louisiana's quality of life. But they also explain why this is America's fattest state. It is also among the most dangerous, with the nation's highest murder rate. New Orleans alone logged 175 murders last year, the most deadly since 2012.

2017 Quality of Life score: 87 out of 300 points
Weaknesses: Health, crime
Strength: Attractions
2016 Quality of Life rank: No. 47

1. ALABAMA
Sweet home? Not if you are over 50, a minority, gay or transgender and you are concerned about discrimination. Alabama is one of only five states with no statewide legal protections for those groups, making it one of America's least inclusive states. It is also one of America's least healthy states, with the nation's third-highest rate of premature deaths. On a positive note, the skies are blue and the governor's true.

2017 Quality of Life score: 83 out of 300 points
Weaknesses: Inclusiveness, health, crime
Strength: Air quality
2016 Quality of Life rank: No. 43

[Monoriu]

Why should I care about things like tobacco use and obesity rates?  Crime, sure.  Meanwhile, this article doesn't mention things like income, taxes, unemployment etc. 

[garbon]

Why should NBC care about Mono?

[Valmy]

Highest Taxes:

1. New York
2. Connecticut
3. New Jersey
4. Wisconsin
5. Illinois
6. California
7. Maryland
8. Minnesota
9. Rhode Island
10. Oregon

Highest Crime:

1. South Carolina
2. New Mexico
3. Tennessee
4. Nevada
5. Louisiana
6. Florida
7. Arkansas
8. Delaware
9. Texas
10. Alabama

States with highest unemployment:
1. New Mexico
2. Alaska
3. Alabama
4. Louisiana
5. Tennessee
6. Ohio
7. Michigan
8. Georgia
9. Texas
10. Mississippi

States with lowest incomes:
1. Mississippi
2. West Virginia
3. Arkansas
4. Kentucky
5. Alabama
6. Tennessee
7. Louisiana
8. New Mexico
9. South Carolina
10. Oklahoma

There you go Mono.

[viper37]

Why should I care about things like tobacco use and obesity rates?

Increase in health care premiums.  Despite your habits, health care costs will rise in the State, so insurer need to compensate on charging healthy people more, or else the system goes broke since smokers can't pay for the entirety of the costs.  Also means a drain on public resources since poeple with no insurances tend to be covered by medicaid and medicare.

[mongers]

Isn't this all rather hair-splitting?

[garbon]

Isn't this all rather hair-splitting?

Well only in the sense that all of those 10 were already know to be among the worst states and it doesn't really matter who is the worst of the worst.

[viper37]

Isn't this all rather hair-splitting?

these kinds of polls are always rather hair-splitting.

[Razgovory]

Wahoo!  Number 5!

[Fate]

New Mexico is a beautiful state. Santa Fe is a cool city and there is plenty of outdoor stuff to explore. Cost of living is low. CNBC can go fuck themselves.

[Valmy]

Cost of living in Santa Fe is low? I don't think so.

[Fate]

Cost of living in Santa Fe is low? I don't think so.

What's your baseline for low cost of living? Rent in Santa Fe is about the same as a city like Dallas per the cost of living calculator I was looking at.

For comparison to high cost of living places.... rent for a 1 bedroom is 114% lower than Boston, 165% lower than NYC, and 188% lower than SF.

[Jacob]

188% cheaper than San Francisco? So a place that would cost $1000 in SF, will pay you $880 if you live there?

That does sound pretty good...

[CountDeMoney]

I'm sure those Santa Fe salaries are matching those Boston salaries dollar for dollar.

[Fate]

I'm sure those Santa Fe salaries are matching those Boston salaries dollar for dollar.

For my field? Salaries actually higher in Santa Fe. Docs in large east coast cities get paid way less than those in less desirable places due to over-saturation of the job market