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Utah tops US News' Best States rankings for the fourth straight year
Fox News • • nation
Key Points:
- Utah secured the No. 1 spot as America's best state for the fourth consecutive year in U.S. News & World Report's 2026 Best States rankings, excelling in economy, fiscal stability, and infrastructure.
- Texas claimed the top position in the economy category, leading in job growth, GDP growth, net migration, and youth population growth, signaling its rise as a major economic powerhouse.
- The Mountain West, Midwest, and Sun Belt regions dominated the overall rankings, with four of the top five states located in the Mountain West or Upper Midwest, highlighting a shift of economic growth toward these areas.
- South Dakota and North Dakota made significant gains, moving to No. 2 and No. 4 respectively, driven by improvements in healthcare, education, fiscal stability, and economic performance.
- No state led in every category, with top rankings spread across various states such as Colorado in education, Hawaii in healthcare and natural environment, and Wyoming in fiscal stability, reflecting diverse regional strengths.
