Discover the Best Places to Live in America: Top Five U.S. States

October 2, 2025

Discover the Best Places to Live in America: Top Five U.S. States

When choosing a place to call home, the decision is about so much more than income or career opportunities. It’s about finding a community where people can truly thrive and where safety, education, health, and opportunity come together to create a better quality of life.

That’s where the U.S. Social Progress Map comes in. Unlike traditional rankings based on GDP or economic strength, this tool measures the real-life outcomes that matter most to people. From access to healthcare and education to environmental quality and personal rights, the Index provides a holistic view of well-being across states, cities, and neighborhoods.

In this short video, Michael Green, CEO of Social Progress Imperative, reveals the top five U.S. states for quality of life: Maryland, Connecticut, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. He highlights the reasons behind their high score on the Social Progress Index. These states stand out for their overall performance on social and environmental wellbeing, but the video also highlights areas where even the leaders can do better.

For those who want a closer look, the U.S. Social Progress Map offers insights not just at the state level but also across 500 cities and 32,000 neighborhoods. Whether you’re a reseacher, policymaker, investor, entrepreneur or simply curious about your community, you can explore where progress is happening and where more work is needed.

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel so you don’t miss any of our videos.

Discover the Best Places to Live in America: Top Five U.S. States

When choosing a place to call home, the decision is about so much more than income or career opportunities. It’s about finding a community where people can truly thrive and where safety, education, health, and opportunity come together to create a better quality of life.

That’s where the U.S. Social Progress Map comes in. Unlike traditional rankings based on GDP or economic strength, this tool measures the real-life outcomes that matter most to people. From access to healthcare and education to environmental quality and personal rights, the Index provides a holistic view of well-being across states, cities, and neighborhoods.

In this short video, Michael Green, CEO of Social Progress Imperative, reveals the top five U.S. states for quality of life: Maryland, Connecticut, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. He highlights the reasons behind their high score on the Social Progress Index. These states stand out for their overall performance on social and environmental wellbeing, but the video also highlights areas where even the leaders can do better.

For those who want a closer look, the U.S. Social Progress Map offers insights not just at the state level but also across 500 cities and 32,000 neighborhoods. Whether you’re a reseacher, policymaker, investor, entrepreneur or simply curious about your community, you can explore where progress is happening and where more work is needed.

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel so you don’t miss any of our videos.