Definitive Ranking of the States Part 3: The Top 10

The finale in a three-part series where I rank the U.S. states using a wide variety of categories and indicators to have a comprehensive ranking of the 50 states. This video covers the states ranked in the Top 10, with Part 1 being the states ranked 50-31, and Part 2 being the states ranked 30-11,

Check out the reference video for the series where I go over the methodology and the categories being used for the comparison.



Album displayed:
Steely Dan - "Countdown to Ecstasy" (1973)

0:00 Intro
0:43 10.
1:33 9.
2:15 8.
3:05 7.
4:13 6.
5:00 5.
5:37 4.
6:23 3.
7:38 2.
8:56 1.
10:35 Post-countdown analysis

[GeographyKing]

Hey everyone. The end of this video includes screenshots of the spreadsheets I used for the countdown. They're virtually impossible to read unless really zoomed in on, but I wanted to at least show the raw data being used. If you want detail on why I used which categories and the general methodology, do check out the intro video to this series.

[finegoldstones]

Real ones noticed that he wore an orange shirt for the bad states, yellow for the alright states, and blue/greenish for the good states, all under the same jacket. Cool little easter egg. I love apparel related mood setting lol

[pghrpg]

As a lifelong Pittsburgher, I was surprised not to see Pennsylvania in the 11-30 video. I certainly didn't expect to be number 2. The whole series was enjoyable.

[jeverrett]

Thanks Geography King. I live in Minnesota near Duluth. I ❤ Minnesota. My bachelors degree is in geography, so I enjoy this channel. Keep up the good work.

[michaelfaeth]

Love the respect you give Minnesota. The taxes are high and the winters are cold, but I love living here.

[utnapishtim]

As a Wisconsinite Madisonian, I was pleasantly surprised to see my state ranked in the top 5. I thought for sure we'd make top 20 but not the top 10. Madison at 2nd for state capitols, was the cherry on top. I love it here! Wisconsin proud!

[Max-bifn]

I moved from miami Florida to Milwaukee Wisconsin and my quality of life dramatically improved

[ryanhie]

I've travelled from Southern Ontario, Canada to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania a few times around mid-October. I remember Pennsylvania being such a beautiful state, especially that time of year with the leaves changing. One year we stopped in Hershey on our way home and did a tour of the chocolate factory. The town had a monorail and the shades on the streetlamps were shaped like Hershey kisses.

[LoggyD]

Proud MN resident here. While I oftentimes fantasize about living in other parts of the country, this video helps me realize why I haven’t ever done so. We really do have it pretty good up here.

[troy]

I do have to point out as a New Hampshire resident, as I'm sure people in other states with no income or sales tax know, that its a double edged sword. The low taxes mean we have essentially no funding for many services. New Hampshire is currently arguing as case in the Supreme Court because it was determined that the per capita education spending is so low its actually unconstitutional. At $3, 500 per head, it was determined that it needs to be at $7, 500 per head to be constitutional. As well as this, we have the lowest funding in the country for both higher education and public transit with just $200, 000 a year for all public transit in the state. I know these weren't part of your ranking but I would consider these metrics to be really important. The way NH is structured its a bit of a gated community, there's no state support so you have to be individually wealthy to be able to move here, and because of the lack of jobs young adults are rapidly leaving the state while retirees are moving here.

[thcenturytunes]

I lived in MN for 5 years, loved it, highly recommend

[KomarBrolan]

As a long time Minnesotan I hardily endorse this message.

[bossfan]

Minnesota #1? I can live with that. Great series of videos Kyle. We appreciate all your hard work, and all the thought put into them.

[andychase]

I grew up in #5 Wisconsin, but I've lived in #1 Minnesota for 40 years. Except for the winters, I love it here! Most of my family still lives in WI, so thankfully they're nearby and I get to see them regularly. I like that you had "Countdown to Ecstasy" as your album for this one. Steely Dan is awesome! (Not too shabby a music scene here in MN either!)

[diannhall]

Thank you, Kyle. Very interesting. I spent 35 years in Wisconsin. The schools were wonderful for my children.

[calebrosson]

You did a bang-up job on this one. Happy to see Colorado at #4. Sometimes we have mild winters, a fact many people don't know. Also, the dryness of the air makes super cold days feel warmer than they actually are. Thanks!

[Rthomp]

Ss a local Minnesotan here, I’d have to say that I really enjoyed this series. I knew Minnesota would be in the top three but wasn’t sure who the others would be. The TAXES here are CRAZY… but I do absolutely love living here and after spending time road tripping I have yet to find a city that trumps where I live in Duluth. The winters can be excruciating if your not custom to it, but yesterday got up to 50 degrees in February so i don’t know man. Love the content and as always SKOL!

[phoenixofthewolf]

We moved from Kansas to Minnesota a few years back. I miss a warmer climate, mildish winters, and less bugs. Seriously... Mosquitos and flies are stupid bad up here. Stupid.
But I love the outdoor culture and how there is always something to do withing a half days drive in any direction. I wouldn't say it's the best, but we lucked out when we had the opportunity to move.

[CowWithBeef]

PA keeps overperforming on citynerd's channel too. The main advantage PA has is that its cities were built before cars so they're designed for people.

[estraume]

I grew up in Norway and studied in Minneapolis for 3 years 15 years ago. Minnesota is my US home state!