This State Has the Worst Food in America, According to Data
From sustainability to restaurant scenes, this state's food fails to inspire.
![young woman covering mouth and holding hamburger](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/12/woman-eating-bad-hamburger.jpg?quality=82&strip=1&resize=640%2C360)
Kansas City barbecue. Maine lobster rolls. Key Lime pie made with fresh Florida citrus. A mountain of crispy fried beignets in Louisiana. Food is a way of life, and every state has its own signature dishes to be proud of. But while residents might argue over why their local flavors are the best, we can't help but ponder the opposite: Which state has the worst food in America?
To find out, we at Best Life first measured three factors: the appeal and diversity of the restaurant scene; the sustainability and popularity of locally grown produce and meat; and the ease of accessing healthy, affordable food. For the first metric, we turned to travel experts Far and Wide, which ranked each state based on the quality, diversity, and appeal of local restaurants. Then, for the latter two metrics, we factored in Strolling of the Heifer's most recent Locavore Index, which uses several stats to rank all 50 states based on their level of commitment to producing healthy, local food.
Finally, we used the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on adult obesity prevalence in each state. Obesity is often linked to wealth inequality and food insecurity, so a higher obesity rate means healthy food is less accessible or affordable. (The CDC did not have this data for New Jersey, so we used America's Health Rankings as the source in that one instance.) We then gave each metric a weighted value before running them through our exclusive algorithm to see how each state scored on our 100-point scale Food Fail Index.
Our results showed that food—as analyzed using the metrics outlined above—tended to be worse in certain parts of the South. Of the 10 states with the worst food, six were in the South, with three in the Midwest and one in the West. Interestingly enough, states known for their agricultural production didn't necessarily rank as having good food. The states with the best food, on the other hand, tended to come from East and West Coast. Read on to find out where the worst food in America is, and how your state's cuisine ranks. And for more on another place that's known for its bad eating experiences, This Is the Most Hated Fast Food Chain in America.
50
California
![cityscape photo of Riverside, California at sunset](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/12/riverside-california.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 1
Local food and produce rank: 2
Adult residents who are obese: 26.2 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 0.00
49
Hawaii
![tidal pool in kauai](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/queens-bath-kauai-hawaii.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 12
Local food and produce rank: 3
Adult residents who are obese: 25.0 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 7.05
48
Washington
![Washington state](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/washington.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 9
Local food and produce rank: 4
Adult residents who are obese: 28.3 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 13.46
47
Oregon
![fort rock state park in oregon](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/fort-rock-state-park-oregon.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 7
Local food and produce rank: 6
Adult residents who are obese: 29.0 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 15.18
46
New York
![New York's Central Park](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/ny.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 2
Local food and produce rank: 18
Adult residents who are obese: 27.1 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 16.35
45
New Jersey
![city skyline and the Passaic River in Newark, New Jersey](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/Newark-New-Jersey.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 8
Local food and produce rank:23
Adult residents who are obese: 25.6 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 21.83
44
Vermont
![cityscape of windsor vermont](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/windsor-vermont.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 28
Local food and produce rank: 1
Adult residents who are obese: 26.6 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 22.62
43
Maine
![houses near a harbor](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/oqunquit-maine.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 10
Local food and produce rank: 5
Adult residents who are obese: 31.7 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 23.45
42
Colorado
![city skyline of Denver, Colorado at night](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/denver-colorado.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 21
Local food and produce rank: 24
Adult residents who are obese: 23.8 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 29.08
And for the one soft drink that Americans tend to avoid, This Is the Most Unpopular Soda in America, According to Data
41
Massachusetts
![Sailboats on the Charles River with Boston's Back Bay skyline in the background.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/03/boston-massachusetts.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 20
Local food and produce rank: 22
Adult residents who are obese: 25.2 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 30.01
40
Pennsylvania
![reading pennsylvania, heart attack cities](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/reading-pennsylvania.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 11
Local food and produce rank: 11
Adult residents who are obese: 33.2 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 32.94
39
Connecticut
![Lynde Point Lighthouse, Old Saybrook, Connecticut, USA](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/04/old-saybrook-connecticut.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 16
Local food and produce rank: 27
Adult residents who are obese: 29.1 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 40.39
38
Illinois
![Buckingham fountain lighting up in Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois at night](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/chicago-illinois.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 5
Local food and produce rank: 34
Adult residents who are obese: 31.6 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 43.18
37
Wisconsin
![city skyline and Lake Michigan at twilight in Milwaukee, Wisconsin](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/milwaukee-wisconsin.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 18
Local food and produce rank: 14
Adult residents who are obese: 26.2 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 43.71
36
Minnesota
![Sunset over Wayzata Yacht Club on Wayzata Bay, Lake Minnetonka.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/09/Wayzata-Minnesota.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 19
Local food and produce rank: 26
Adult residents who are obese: 30.1 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 44.50
35
Idaho
![Partly cloudy blue sky over mountain landscape, lake, and countryside properties Deer Creek in Hailey Idaho](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/02/hailey-idaho.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 40
Local food and produce rank: 7
Adult residents who are obese: 29.5 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 44.69
34
North Carolina
![cityscape photo of Raleigh, North Carolina in the afternoon](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/raleigh-north-carolina.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 13
Local food and produce rank: 21
Adult residents who are obese: 34.0 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 44.89
33
Michigan
![city skyline of buildings in downtown Detroit, Michigan at twilight](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/detroit-michigan.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 17
Local food and produce rank: 12
Adult residents who are obese: 36.0 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 45.62
32
Maryland
![cityscape photo of downtown Annapolis, Maryland at night](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/annapolis-maryland.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 15
Local food and produce rank: 25
Adult residents who are obese: 32.3 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 45.72
31
New Mexico
![Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/03/santa-fe-new-mexico.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 34
Local food and produce rank: 8
Adult residents who are obese: 31.7 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 45.92
And for the another travel tip that will come in handy next time you are on the road, This Is the Most Unpopular Hotel Chain in America, According to Data
30
Arizona
![cityscape photo of University of Phoenix Stadium and downtown Glendale, Arizona](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/glendale-arizona.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 35
Local food and produce rank: 10
Adult residents who are obese: 31.4 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 47.68
29
Wyoming
![the reflection of glaciers and tress in a lake in Teton, Wyoming](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/teton-range-wyoming.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 41
Local food and produce rank: 9
Adult residents who are obese: 29.7 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 47.68
28
Georgia
![Georgia](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/georgia.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 24
Local food and produce rank:19
Adult residents who are obese: 33.1 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 50.18
27
Virginia
![ocean front and buildings in downtown Virginia Beach, Virginia at dusk](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/12/virginia-beach-virginia.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 30
Local food and produce rank: 20
Adult residents who are obese: 31.9 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 50.18
26
Texas
![road in and city skyline of Lubbock, Texas](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/12/lubbock-texas.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 4
Local food and produce rank: 42
Adult residents who are obese: 34.0 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 54.88
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25
Delaware
![The aerial view of the beach town, fishing port and waterfront residential homes along the canal Lewes Delaware](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/02/lewes-delaware.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 32
Local food and produce rank: 13
Adult residents who are obese: 34.4 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 55.02
24
New Hampshire
![townscape photo of Portsmouth, New Hampshire at sunset](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/Portsmouth-New-Hampshire.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 37
Local food and produce rank:16
Adult residents who are obese: 31.8 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 55.32
23
Utah
![cityscape photo of Salt Lake City, Utah at dusk](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/salt-lake-city-utah.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 47
Local food and produce rank: 15
Adult residents who are obese: 29.2 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 56.44
22
Montana
![photo take by a drone of the Montana State Capitol in Helena, Montana](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/helena-montana.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 38
Local food and produce rank: 28
Adult residents who are obese: 28.3 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 57.57
21
South Carolina
![cityscape photo of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/03/myrtle-beach-south-carolina.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 14
Local food and produce rank: 32
Adult residents who are obese: 35.4 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 58.30
20
Louisiana
![Shreveport, Louisiana, USA downtown skyline over the river.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/shreveport-louisiana.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 3
Local food and produce rank: 44
Adult residents who are obese: 35.9 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 60.36
19
Rhode Island
![cityscape photo of pier and building in downtown Providence, Rhode Island](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/providence-rhode-island.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 33
Local food and produce rank: 33
Adult residents who are obese: 30.0 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 61.73
18
Tennessee
![cityscape photo of buildings, a highway, and the Sunsphere in Knoxville, Tennessee](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/knoxville-tennsesee.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 6
Local food and produce rank: 41
Adult residents who are obese: 36.5 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 61.83
17
Florida
![Lake Eola Park in and city skyline of downtown Orlando, Flordia](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/orlando-florida-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 46
Local food and produce rank: 31
Adult residents who are obese: 27.0 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 63.54
16
Missouri
![cityscape photo of Kansas City, Missouri](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/kansas-city-missouri.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 22
Local food and produce rank: 35
Adult residents who are obese: 34.8 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 65.99
15
Indiana
![the East Pierhead Lighthouse and an elevated pier on a lake in Michigan City, Indiana](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/michigan-city-indiana.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 27
Local food and produce rank: 29
Adult residents who are obese: 35.3 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 66.38
And for the most perilous places in the country, This Is the Most Dangerous State in America.
14
Ohio
![cityscape photo of downtown Columbus, Ohio](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/12/columbus-ohio.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 29
Local food and produce rank: 30
Adult residents who are obese: 34.8 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 67.65
13
North Dakota
![a farm house in medora north dakota](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/medora-north-dakota.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank:49
Local food and produce rank: 17
Adult residents who are obese: 34.8 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 73.48
12
Kentucky
![Woode and stone fence on green grass in Lexington, Kentucky](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/kentucky-lexington.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 23
Local food and produce rank: 40
Adult residents who are obese: 36.5 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 75.14
11
Nevada
![cityscape photo of the Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada at dusk](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/las-vegas-nevada.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 39
Local food and produce rank: 47
Adult residents who are obese: 30.6 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 79.84
10
Alaska
![purple flowers and mountain in Valdez, Alaska](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/valdez-alaska.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 50
Local food and produce rank: 38
Adult residents who are obese: 30.5 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 81.26
9
Iowa
![cityscape photo of the downtown area of Des Moines, Iowa](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/des-moines-iowa.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 42
Local food and produce rank: 36
Adult residents who are obese: 33.9 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 81.26
8
Arkansas
![Little Rock is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Arkansas.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/little-rock-arkansas.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 31
Local food and produce rank: 39
Adult residents who are obese: 37.4 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 83.17
7
Alabama
![bridge in Glensdale, alabama](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/alabama.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 25
Local food and produce rank: 50
Adult residents who are obese: 36.1 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 84.15
6
South Dakota
![cityscape photo of down Sioux Falls, South Dakota at night](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/01/sioux-falls-south-dakota.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 48
Local food and produce rank: 37
Adult residents who are obese: 33.0 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 84.88
5
Nebraska
![cityscape photo of Lincoln, Nebraska at nigh](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/12/lincoln-nebraska.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 45
Local food and produce rank: 43
Adult residents who are obese: 34.1 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 90.07
4
Mississippi
![cityscape photo of the Old Mississippi Capitol Building in downtown Jackson, Mississippi](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/01/jackson-mississippi.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 26
Local food and produce rank: 45
Adult residents who are obese: 40.8 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 92.32
3
Kansas
![city skyline of Wichita, Kansas at dusk](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/wichita-kansas-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 44
Local food and produce rank: 48
Adult residents who are obese: 35.2 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 96.09
2
West Virginia
![buildings and church in the town of Harper's Ferry, West Virginia](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/harpers-ferry-west-virginia.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 36
Local food and produce rank: 46
Adult residents who are obese: 39.7 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 98.79
1
Oklahoma
![the pollard theatre in guthrie ok](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/pollard-theatre-guthrie-oklahoma.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Restaurant rank: 43
Local food and produce rank: 49
Adult residents who are obese: 36.8 percent
Food Fail Index Score: 100.00
And for the place that's filled with unhealthy amounts of rage, check out This Is the Angriest State in America.