Seattle Culture
Washington Shines in Best State Ranking
U.S. News & World Report cites education and economic opportunity
By Rob Smith May 7, 2025
Washington may be an “outdoor enthusiast’s dream,” but the state fell slightly in U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings of best states.
The publication ranked the state No. 10 overall, down two spots from its No. 8 ranking last year. Washington finished No. 1 in both 2019 and 2021.
Washington received high marks in education, the natural environment and infrastructure, economic opportunity and equality, but finished near the bottom for its lack of affordability and public safety.
U.S. News & World Report ranked states based on several metrics, including the economy, education, fiscal stability and health care.
“The Evergreen State is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream with its geological diversity, including mountains, deserts, rainforests and a Pacific coastline,” the publication notes “It offers the Olympic Mountains, the San Juan Islands and Mount Rainier, one of the nation’s highest peaks in the Lower 48.”
Utah ranked No. 1 in no small part due to its entrepreneurial and startup environment, followed by New Hampshire, Idaho, Minnesota and Nebraska. Utah and Idaho are the only other western states in the top 10.
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