Places with a poor quality of life
You say you like where you live, but how does it measure up to the rest of the country? These 10 states don't measure up well. Our Quality of Life category in America's Top States for Business, worth 325 out of 2,500 points, puts all 50 states to the test on factors of livability, including things to see and do, health, safety, environment and inclusiveness. You can see our full Top States study and read about our methodology here. These are America's bottom states for Quality of Life.
10. Nevada
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. And there are some things that Las Vegas — and the rest of Nevada — can keep to themselves. They include one of the highest violent crime rates in the country, a relative shortage of doctors and lots of people without health insurance. But you can always blow off steam in Las Vegas, which makes Nevada one of the most visited states in the country.
2016 Quality of Life score: 134 out of 325 points
Weaknesses: Crime rate, health
Strengths: Attractions, inclusiveness
2015 Quality of Life rank: No. 27
9. Kentucky
Kentucky is the heart of tobacco country, and Kentuckians take that to heart — more than a quarter of adults are smokers. Did we say heart? The state has a high rate of cardiovascular and cancer deaths. But the state does have a relatively low crime rate.
2016 Quality of Life score: 121 out of 325 points
Weaknesses: Health, inclusiveness
Strength: Low crime rate
2015 Quality of Life rank: No. 41
8. Alabama
If you are a minority, gay or over 40 in Alabama, don't expect any protection from the state when it comes to equal access to public facilities. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, this is one of only five states without an antidiscrimination law for public accommodations. Alabama also has relatively high rates of obesity and premature death.
2016 Quality of Life score: 119 out of 325 points
Weaknesses: Inclusiveness, health
Strengths: Air quality
2015 Quality of Life rank: No. 42
7. Mississippi
Look at some of this state's numbers, and it's easy to see why it is the birthplace of the blues. Mississippi is America's unhealthiest state, with high rates of obesity, diabetes and infant mortality. This year Gov. Phil Bryant signed into law one of the nation's most sweeping "religious freedom" bills, which opponents — including many business leaders — say sanctions discrimination.
2016 Quality of Life score: 117 out of 325 points
Weaknesses: Inclusiveness, health
Strength: Low crime rate
2015 Quality of Life rank: No. 39
6. Indiana
What is a Hoosier, anyway? Even the Indiana Historical Society admits the meaning of the nickname for this state's inhabitants is unclear. Our data suggests it's a person who is likely to be obese, who breathes polluted air and lives in the state where the controversy over "religious freedom" laws exploded into a national debate in 2015.
2016 Quality of Life score: 107 out of 325 points
Weaknesses: Inclusiveness, health
Strength: Low crime rate
2015 Quality of Life rank: No. 46
5. Tennessee
With one of the highest violent crime rates in the country, the Volunteer State might want to sign up more people for a Neighborhood Watch program. Tennesseans are big eaters and heavy smokers, with high obesity and cancer rates, but at least the mountain air is clean.
2016 Quality of Life score: 103 out of 325 points
Weaknesses: Crime, health
Strength: Air quality
2015 Quality of Life rank: No. 50
4. Louisiana
It may be home to the national treasure that is New Orleans, but the Big Easy and the rest of Louisiana can be a hard place to live, especially for children. The state has an alarmingly high rate of child poverty. It can also be tough for LGBT people, who are not protected under the state's public accommodation law and can be refused some services under the state's "religious freedom" law.
2016 Quality of Life score: 100 out of 325 points
Weaknesses: Crime, health
Strengths: Attractions, air quality
2015 Quality of Life rank: No. 45
3. Oklahoma
Oklahoma's nickname, the Sooner State, certainly does not refer to health care. With one of the worst shortages of primary-care physicians in the country, expect a long wait to see the doctor. The crime rate is on the high side. Oklahoma has more cows than people, and neither have a whole lot to do.
2016 Quality of Life score: 86 out of 325 points
Weaknesses: Health, crime, inclusiveness
Strength: Air quality
2015 Quality of Life rank: No. 49
2. Missouri
Show me a high crime rate, dirty air and weak protections against discrimination and I'll say we are probably in Missouri. The state does have two great cities, St. Louis and Kansas City, with plenty of things to do. (Pictured here: A demonstrator is arrested during a protest marking the one-year anniversary of the shooting of Michael Brown along West Florissant Street on August 10, 2015, in Ferguson, Missouri.)
2016 Quality of Life score: 84 out of 325 points
Weaknesses: Crime rate, air quality, inclusiveness
Strength: Local attractions
2015 Quality of Life rank: No. 47
1. Arkansas
Arkansas calls itself The Natural State, but it seems nature is under siege there. Air quality is among the worst in the nation. And for a state that is supposed to be natural, people sure are unhealthy. Incidences of diabetes, cancer and heart disease are high. The violent crime rate is among the worst in the nation.
2016 Quality of Life score: 68 out of 325 points
Weaknesses: Crime rate, air quality, health
Strengths: None — Arkansas finishes in the bottom tier in every metric.
2015 Quality of Life rank: No. 44
