Minnesota, Wisconsin Both Rank In Top 5 Best States to Live In

TWIN CITIES, MN — Minnesotans can take pride in living in one of the best states in the country, even if our neighbors to the east just snuck past us.

A new 2025 WalletHub analysis ranked Minnesota as the fifth-best state to live in based on 51 indicators of livability, including housing costs, income growth, education, health, quality of life, and safety.

Wisconsin ranked fourth overall, beating Minnesota by less than a point in the scoring system.

Minnesota’s rankings in the five major categories were:

• Affordability: 14th
• Economy: 29th
• Education and Health: 5th
• Quality of Life: 10th
• Safety: 19th

Minnesota also ranked well in several individual metrics within WalletHub’s study.

It had the third-lowest percentage of residents living in poverty, behind only New Hampshire and Utah, and the fifth-highest share of insured residents.

The state’s strong education and health score was bolstered by high insurance coverage and a low poverty rate.

While Minnesota did not place in the top five for housing costs or homeownership rate, it remains well ahead of states with the nation’s highest housing costs, such as Oregon, Florida, and California.

Where Minnesota slipped was in the economy (29th) and safety (19th) categories. Wisconsin outperformed in both areas, ranking 12th for economy and 8th for safety.

Wisconsin had a slightly higher total score at 59.66 compared to Minnesota’s 58.69.

WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said cost of living, job opportunities, health, and safety all play major roles in the rankings. "If you have children, a robust education system is also key," he noted.

Massachusetts took the top spot nationwide, followed by Idaho and New Jersey.

Top 10 Best States to Live In (2025)

1. Massachusetts
2. Idaho
3. New Jersey
4. Wisconsin
5. Minnesota
6. Florida
7. New Hampshire
8. Utah
9. New York
10. Pennsylvania

Bottom 10 States to Live In (2025)

41. Alabama
42. West Virginia
43. Oklahoma
44. South Carolina
45. Nevada
46. Alaska
47. Mississippi
48. Arkansas
49. Louisiana
50. New Mexico

Check out the full study here.