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Michigan moves up 'Best State Rankings,' increasing lead over Ohio

A satellite image of Michigan (NASA)

Michigan is better than Ohio. That's all you need to know, really.

But, in case you're bored and need more information, here's what we're talking about. 

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The U.S. News & World Report released their 2019 Best States Rankings this week.

The Best States ranking of U.S. states draws on thousands of data points to measure how well states are performing for their citizens. In addition to health care and education, the metrics take into account a state’s economy, its roads, bridges, internet and other infrastructure, its public safety, the fiscal stability of state government, and the opportunity it affords its residents.

More weight was accorded to some state measures than others, based on a survey of what matters most to people. Health care and education were weighted most heavily. Then came state economies, infrastructure, and the opportunity states offer their citizens. Fiscal stability followed closely in weighting, followed by measures of crime & corrections and a state's natural environment.

The top five states (best) in the rankings are:

1. Washington
2. New Hampshire
3. Minnesota
4. Utah
5. Vermont

The bottom five states (the worst) in the rankings are:

46. New Mexico
47. West Virginia
48. Mississippi
49. Alabama
50. Lousiana

As for Michigan, we actually moved up four spots from 2018, up to No. 33. Ohio was ranked No. 39 (LOL), so we'll take it. Michigan ranked in the middle for all major categories, but ranked in the bottom ten for infrastructure. 

A few years back, Thrillist named Michigan the best state in the U.S., which we're holding onto forever.

Other notable rankings include Florida at No. 13, New York at No. 25 and Texas at No. 38.


About the Author
Ken Haddad headshot

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.

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