Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

This Is the Laziest State in America

The state enjoys kicking back and taking it slow more than any other place in the country.

POV of someone watching TV with their feet up at home
Milan Markovic / iStock

Binge-watching your favorite shows, sleeping in, and taking a day off from your workout routine are great ways to get in some rest and relaxation—two things that most of us could probably use a lot more of. But do those things too often and you'll find yourself becoming a little too sedentary, though you certainly wouldn't be the only one in that boat. According to a recent study published in the journal Nature, researchers at Stanford University analyzed smartphone step counters around the world and found that Americans averaged just over 4,700 steps per day, which was near the bottom of the pack. (Hong Kong, for instance, averaged the most with 6,880 steps daily.) But, where in the U.S. are people the least active? At Best Life, we analyzed a series of data points to determine the laziest state in America.


We first looked at a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to determine the percentage of adults in each state who experience short sleep duration, which is defined as seven hours or less per any 24-hour period. (We've included the high end of the CDCs estimated percentage range.) It's important to note that while we acknowledge that sleeping too much or too little could be the result of a physical or mental health condition, not necessarily laziness, it does often play a factor in how active your lifestyle is. We also used CDC data to determine the percentage of adults in each state who self-reported being physically inactive, meaning they had not engaged in any form of physical exercise in the past month.

In addition to the CDC data, we calculated the number of gyms, fitness centers, and other workout facilities per 100,000 people in each state, using a report from Exercise.com. Finally, using data from Verizon, which examined Google Trends data and other sources, we included the total time each state’s residents spend watching TV every day, on average.

Each of the four metrics were then given a weighted value and plugged into our exclusive algorithm to see where all 50 states ranked on our 100-point scale Lazy Index, with 100 being the laziest score possible. Read on to find out if your hometown is in the laziest state in America. And for the part of the country that's all about themselves, check out This Is the Most Selfish State in America.

Read the original article on Best Life.

50 | Minnesota

aerial view of the town of winona minnesotaShutterstock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 31.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 21.20 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 10.34

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:33:50

Lazy Index Score: 0.00

49 | Alaska

purple flowers and mountain in Valdez, AlaskaShutterstock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 44.1 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 20.30 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 6.20

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:20:24

Lazy Index Score: 7.32

48 | Connecticut

Fair Haven is a neighborhood in the eastern part of the city of New Haven, Connecticut, between the Mill and Quinnipiac rivers.iStock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 37.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 22.70 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 7.61

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:41:03

Lazy Index Score: 16.43

47 | Colorado

trees reflecting in a pond in Aurora, ColoradoiStock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 31.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 17.30 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 7.11

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:28:22

Lazy Index Score: 17.32

46 | Hawaii

landscape photo of the coastline of Na Pali Coast and mountain in Kauai, HawaiiiStock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 44.1 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 21.60 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.67

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:32:58

Lazy Index Score: 20.96

45 | Wisconsin

landscape photo of Baraboo, WisconsinShutterstock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 34.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 21.40 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 7.46

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:39:09

Lazy Index Score: 21.11

44 | New Hampshire

townscape photo of Portsmouth, New Hampshire at sunsetShutterstock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 34.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 21.80 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 7.27

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:40:22

Lazy Index Score: 24.60

43 | Washington

cityscape photo of a flowing river, lake, and buildings in downtown Spokane, Washington

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 31.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 18.30 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 6.41

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:35:15

Lazy Index Score: 29.61

42 | Utah

orange rocks and mountains in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah at sunriseShutterstock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 31.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 18.60 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.41

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:13:55

Lazy Index Score: 32.30

41 | Rhode Island

Castle Hill Lighthouse in Newport, Rhode Island at sunsetJJM Photography / Shutterstock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 37.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 25.90 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 7.19

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:47:26

Lazy Index Score: 32.47

40 | Virginia

a bridge over and rocks on the James River in Richmond, VirginiaShutterstock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 37.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 24.00 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 6.79

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:54:03

Lazy Index Score: 33.02

39 | Maine

lake and autumn trees in Augusta, MaineiStock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 34.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 23.20 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.86

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:17:37

Lazy Index Score: 34.03

38 | Vermont

south burlington vermont mountainscapeShutterstock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 31.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 20.50 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.28

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:19:43

Lazy Index Score: 41.41

37 | Oregon

landscape photo of Mt. Bachelor reflecting in Todd Lake in Bend, Oregon at duskiStock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 31.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 19.20 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.52

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:46:23

Lazy Index Score: 44.98

36 | California

sunrise at hot creek geological site in californiaShutterstock/Mohamed Selim

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 34.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 20.40 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 4.52

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:39:03

Lazy Index Score: 46.36

And for the state that people can't stand, check out This Is the Most Hated State in America.

35 | South Dakota

rocks reflecting a lake at Palisade State Park in Garretson, South DakotaiStock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 31.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 22.30 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 6.93

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:02:21

Lazy Index Score: 46.62

34 | Maryland

columbia maryland lake viewShutterstock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 44.1 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 23.90 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 4.49

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:53:23

Lazy Index Score: 46.76

33 | Michigan

Sault Ste. Marie, MichiganShutterstock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 44.1 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 25.10 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.20

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:02:22

Lazy Index Score: 46.84

32 | Massachusetts

lighthouse, townhouse, and empty road in Cape Cod, MassachusettsShutterstock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 34.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 23.30 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 6.05

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:57:52

Lazy Index Score: 47.29

31 | Indiana

Landscape photo of Brown County State Park, IndianaShutterstock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 44.1 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 28.30 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 6.08

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:04:35

Lazy Index Score: 48.84

30 | Iowa

Des Moines River, Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, Van Buren County, IowaClint Farlinger / Alamy

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 31.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 24.20 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 7.40

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:07:56

Lazy Index Score: 49.88

29 | Nebraska

trees, sand hills and a bridge overcasting Dismal River in Nebraska Sandhills, NebraskaShutterstock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 31.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 24.20 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 7.08

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:59:41

Lazy Index Score: 49.93

28 | Montana

photo take by a drone of the Montana State Capitol in Helena, MontanaShutterstock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 31.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 22.50 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.66

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:36:39

Lazy Index Score: 50.01

27 | Idaho

the Sawtooth Mountain Range and lake in Stanley, IdahoiStock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 31.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 21.50 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 6.06

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:56:41

Lazy Index Score: 50.50

And for the place where you won't find many kind faces, This Is the Unfriendliest State in the U.S.

26 | New Mexico

cityscape photo of Santa Fe, New Mexico at duskShutterstock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 34.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 22.30 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 4.81

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:52:06

Lazy Index Score: 54.10

25 | North Dakota

cityscape photo of shop, railroad track, and train in downtown Fargo, North Dakota in the snowShutterstock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 34.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 24.60 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 6.86

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:34:29

Lazy Index Score: 56.87

24 | Pennsylvania

landscape photo of Forest County, PennsylvaniaShutterstock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 37.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 24.80 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.27

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:13:50

Lazy Index Score: 57.34

23 | South Carolina

landscape photo of a garden in Charleston, South CarolinaShutterstock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 44.1 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 27.20 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.38

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:22:23

Lazy Index Score: 58.80

22 | Ohio

Lake Erie and Ohio's Marblehead Lighthouse in Erie County, OhioiStock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 44.1 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 27.00 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.15

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:19:40

Lazy Index Score: 59.41

21 | Arizona

cityscape photo of Glendale, ArizonaShutterstock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 34.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 23.70 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 4.76

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:57:36

Lazy Index Score: 60.82

20 | Georgia

square and pink trees in downtown Macon, GeorgiaiStock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 44.1 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 28.50 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.69

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:26:29

Lazy Index Score: 61.24

19 | Illinois

two water falls, rocks, and red and green trees in Rockford, IllinoisShutterstock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 34.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 24.30 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.26

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:08:03

Lazy Index Score: 61.66

18 | Wyoming

landscape photo of trees, a glacier, and lake in Grand Teton National Park, WyomingShutterstock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 31.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 24.10 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 6.15

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:14:32

Lazy Index Score: 64.04

17 | North Carolina

sailboat and trees along a lake in Beaufort, North CarolinaShutterstock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 34.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 24.70 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 4.44

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:50:50

Lazy Index Score: 64.43

16 | Kansas

green trees and Hamilton Lake at sunset in Garland County, ArkansasShutterstock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 31.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 25.00 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.64

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:56:30

Lazy Index Score: 65.04

15 | Missouri

pond in a garden with autumn trees in St. Louis, MissouriiStock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 34.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 26.80 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.40

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:02:37

Lazy Index Score: 65.85

14 | Louisiana

walking path along Mississippi River in Baton Rouge, LouisianaiStock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 37.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 30.90 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 7.26

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:41:20

Lazy Index Score: 66.68

13 | New York

Poughkeepsie, New York skylineShutterstock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 44.1 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 26.60 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 3.11

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:52:31

Lazy Index Score: 67.87

And more exclusive rankings and state guides delivered to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.

12 | Tennessee

fall trees reflecting on the shoreline of Bay Mountain Lake Park in Kingsport, TennesseeiStock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 37.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 30.00 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.14

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:56:36

Lazy Index Score: 67.94

11 | Delaware

canal next to a dock, restaurant, and roses in the foreground in Lewes, DelawareiStock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 37.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 28.40 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 6.30

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:47:09

Lazy Index Score: 70.52

10 | Alabama

waterfall at little river canyon national preserve in alabamaRob Hainer / Shutterstock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 44.1 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 31.00 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.51

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:27:25

Lazy Index Score: 70.86

And for the place that enjoys cannabis most, check out This Is the Most Stoned State in America.

9 | Nevada

mountains along Red Rock Canyon National Conservation in Las Vegas, NevadaiStock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 37.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 25.60 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 4.83

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:34:53

Lazy Index Score: 71.72

8 | Texas

landscape photo of Garner State Park, TexasShutterstock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 34.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 27.90 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.06

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:04:35

Lazy Index Score: 73.17

7 | Florida

lake and homes in Hialeah, FloridaShutterstock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 37.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 28.00 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 4.90

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:21:39

Lazy Index Score: 73.42

6 | Kentucky

landscape photo of Frankfort, Kentucky at sunriseShutterstock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 44.1 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 32.20 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 4.94

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:21:29

Lazy Index Score: 77.79

5 | New Jersey

trees and walkway at a park in Burlington County, New JerseyShutterstock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 37.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 28.70 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 4.53

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:19:55

Lazy Index Score: 78.46

4 | Oklahoma

greens plants and a lake below the Wichita Mountains in Lawton, Oklahoma at sunsetShutterstock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 37.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 30.20 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 4.56

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:36:34

Lazy Index Score: 88.81

3 | Arkansas

Little Rock is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Arkansas.iStock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 37.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 32.50 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 4.48

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:24:52

Lazy Index Score: 92.22

2 | Mississippi

cityscape photos of a traffic on a street next to the Biloxi Lighthouse in Biloxi, Mississippi at nightShutterstock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 37.9 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 33.00 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 4.55

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:29:20

Lazy Index Score: 94.70

1 | West Virginia

landscape photo of Harper's Ferry, West Virginia at sunsetShutterstock

Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 44.1 percent

Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 29.80 percent

Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 4.53

Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 4:30:54

Lazy Index Score: 100.0

And for the state where affairs run rampant, check out This Is the Most Adulterous State in America.

TAGS: