Which states have the highest living standards? (And more!)
It’s time to take a few steps back, build up a head of steam and dive headfirst into our favorite descriptive data sets and reader questions. Here’s the latest Data Dive!
States with the highest living standards
Two economists recently undertook the herculean effort of comparing living standards across all 50 states, and we here at the Department of Data are enormously grateful. Partly because it means we don’t have to do it ourselves. But mostly because the results are mesmerizing.
It turns out that the sultans of standards, the lords of living, are none other than … Massachusetts and Minnesota!
Those of you with a borderline-unhealthy addiction to state stats (which is to say probably our entire readership) may find this a bit surprising. After all, neither state has the highest income (that’s Connecticut). Nor do they have the highest life expectancy (California and Hawaii). Or even the most leisure time (Mississippi and West Virginia work the least). But Massachusetts and Minnesota have the best balance across a panel of metrics that, combined, give people a holistic sense of well-being.
https://wapo.st/3Fp5AG7
= new reply since forum marked as read
Yes we pay more in Taxes. it is obvious to see that despite the winters, we see where our tax dollars are going.
I have traveled much around this country. I have something to compare to when it comes down to quality of life. States with very low taxes or have cut taxes on the very wealthy have little to show for it when it comes to funding Education, Infrastructure, having better health care and health delivery systems, basic services, higher wages, etc.
Well done Minnesota! 
It DOES make a difference what party here is in the majority and who occupies the Governor's mansion there on Summit Avenue.
yes INDEED 