This Is the Most Selfish State in America
When it comes to volunteering and charitable donations, this state comes up selfishly short.
![Selfish woman wearing a crown](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/12/Selfish-woman_shutterstock_1038061960.jpg?quality=82&strip=1&resize=640%2C360)
The new year is the perfect time to reflect on what we've achieved in the past 365 days and what we want to accomplish in the year ahead. Of course, some new year's resolutions are about tangible gains, like job promotions or weight loss, but the close of one year and the start of another is also a time for reflection on our own virtues, too. What you may not realize is that where you live could be playing a role in where you fall on the naughty or nice list. At Best Life, we crunched the numbers to determine where folks are more concerned with their own lives than those of others—and we've found the most selfish state in America.
For our Selfish Index, we started with the Fraser Institute's generosity index, which scored each state based on the charitable giving trends of its residents on a scale from 1 to 10. Then we looked at the most recent data from AmeriCorp to establish what percentage of residents in each state volunteer in a given year.
Finally, we used a recent study published in the Journal of Research in Personality, which scored each state based on its capacity for empathy—the closer the empathy score is to 4, the less selfish the state is considered. We then gave each metric a weighted value and ran them through our exclusive algorithm to see how each state scored on our Selfish Index.
Utah came out as the least selfish state, with the largest generosity index score and the highest volunteer rate. But generally, states in the Northeast ranked as less selfish, while the South, Midwest, and West were more varied. The most selfish state was notable for both its low volunteer rate and low empathy score. Read on to discover which state it is, and find out where yours falls in the mix. And for the place the runs rampant with a similarly distasteful quality, This Is the Most Dishonest State in America.
Read the original article on Best Life.
50
Utah
![sandy utah](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/06/sandy-utah.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 8.8
Volunteer rate: 51.0 percent
Empathy score: 3.74
Selfish Index Score: 0.00
49
Oregon
![downtown portland oregon](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/downtown-portland-oregon-2.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 5.7
Volunteer rate: 43.2 percent
Empathy score: 3.76
Selfish Index Score: 25.75
48
Minnesota
![downtown minneapolis skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/03/minneapolis-minnesota.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 5.6
Volunteer rate: 45.1 percent
Empathy score: 3.67
Selfish Index Score: 29.47
47
Montana
![Montana](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/mn.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 4.5
Volunteer rate: 38.8 percent
Empathy score: 3.78
Selfish Index Score: 34.12
46
Connecticut
![hartford connecticut skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/shutterstock_152247614.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 6.8
Volunteer rate: 31.8 percent
Empathy score: 3.72
Selfish Index Score: 42.43
45
Massachusetts
![cityscape photos of buildings and shops in Quincy Market in Boston, Massachusetts at twilight](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/boston-massachusetts.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 5.9
Volunteer rate: 32.6 percent
Empathy score: 3.74
Selfish Index Score: 42.44
44
Rhode Island
![waterplace park in providence rhode island](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/shutterstock_150002120.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 4.5
Volunteer rate: 30.7 percent
Empathy score: 3.78
Selfish Index Score: 43.89
43
Maryland
![Waverly, Maryland](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/waverly-maryland.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 7.7
Volunteer rate: 36.3 percent
Empathy score: 3.67
Selfish Index Score: 44.00
42
North Carolina
![skyline of downtown charlotte north carolina](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/05/shutterstock_1158438217.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 5.1
Volunteer rate: 35.1 percent
Empathy score: 3.74
Selfish Index Score: 45.02
41
Washington
![cityscape photo of a church, buildings, and trees in Spokane, Washington](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/spokane-washington.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 4.9
Volunteer rate: 35.7 percent
Empathy score: 3.74
Selfish Index Score: 45.69
40
Georgia
![Aerial over Piedmont Park with Atlanta, GA Skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/georgia-street.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 7.5
Volunteer rate: 26.5 percent
Empathy score: 3.71
Selfish Index Score: 46.59
39
Vermont
![cityscape of windsor vermont](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/windsor-vermont.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 3.4
Volunteer rate: 36 percent
Empathy score: 3.77
Selfish Index Score: 47.84
38
Maine
![Aerial view of Bar Harbor Maine](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/02/bar-harbor-maine.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 3.2
Volunteer rate: 38.7 percent
Empathy score: 3.76
Selfish Index Score: 48.64
37
Virginia
![aerial view of smith mountain lake in virginia](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/smith-mountain-lake-virginia.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 6.1
Volunteer rate: 34.0 percent
Empathy score: 3.70
Selfish Index Score: 49.98
36
Illinois
![Chicago downtown and Chicago River at night in USA.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/01/chicago-illinois.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 5.0
Volunteer rate: 28.1 percent
Empathy score: 3.75
Selfish Index Score: 51.50
35
Wisconsin
![Milwaukee, Wisconsin](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/aerial-drone-milwaukee-marina-wisconsin.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 4.5
Volunteer rate: 37.4 percent
Empathy score: 3.72
Selfish Index Score: 51.75
34
California
![The skyline of Oakland, California from the bay.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/12/skyline-of-oakland-california-lockdowns-covid-surge.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 5.7
Volunteer rate: 25.4 percent
Empathy score: 3.74
Selfish Index Score: 52.52
And for the place where marriage vows don't seem to mean all that much, This Is the Most Adulterous State in America.
33
New York
![New York's Central Park](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/ny.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 6.0
Volunteer rate: 25.3 percent
Empathy score: 3.73
Selfish Index Score: 53.20
32
Arkansas
![Overlook of the town of Fayetteville, Arkansas with the University of Arkansas](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/03/fayetteville-arkansas.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 5.4
Volunteer rate: 30.0 percent
Empathy score: 3.72
Selfish Index Score: 54.38
31
New Jersey
![Aerial view of Edgewater and Fairview, New Jersey](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/fairview-new-jersey.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 6.3
Volunteer rate: 26.1 percent
Empathy score: 3.71
Selfish Index Score: 55.45
30
Colorado
![skyline and mountains in Colorado Springs, Colorado at dusk](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/colorado-springs-colorado-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 5.2
Volunteer rate: 32.4 percent
Empathy score: 3.71
Selfish Index Score: 55.54
29
Nebraska
![Nebraska](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/nebraska.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 4.6
Volunteer rate: 40.2 percent
Empathy score: 3.69
Selfish Index Score: 55.65
28
Idaho
![boise idaho](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_1207965919.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 5.2
Volunteer rate: 37.9 percent
Empathy score: 3.68
Selfish Index Score: 56.88
27
Iowa
![Marion, Iowa](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/marion-iowa.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 4.5
Volunteer rate: 41.5 percent
Empathy score: 3.68
Selfish Index Score: 57.43
26
South Carolina
![Aerial view of Rainbow Row in downtown Charleston, SC](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/south-carolina-shut-down.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 5.2
Volunteer rate: 30.8 percent
Empathy score: 3.70
Selfish Index Score: 60.13
25
Oklahoma
![city skyline of downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/oklahoma-city-oklahoma.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 4.2
Volunteer rate: 32.0 percent
Empathy score: 3.72
Selfish Index Score: 60.36
24
Hawaii
![pearl city hawaii aerial view](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/12/pearl-city-hawaii.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 4.1
Volunteer rate: 28.0 percent
Empathy score: 3.74
Selfish Index Score: 60.56
23
South Dakota
![Panorama of Rapid City, South Dakota](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/03/rapid-city-south-dakota.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 3.4
Volunteer rate: 36.3 percent
Empathy score: 3.72
Selfish Index Score: 60.76
22
Arizona
![cityscape photo of homes, buildings, and mountains in Phoenix, Arizona](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/phoenix-arizona.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 4.8
Volunteer rate: 30.0 percent
Empathy score: 3.71
Selfish Index Score: 61.23
21
Missouri
![st louis](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/07/st.louis-missouri-worst-driving-cities.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 4.4
Volunteer rate: 31.9 percent
Empathy score: 3.71
Selfish Index Score: 61.74
20
North Dakota
![fargo north dakota](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_1114407548.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 2.6
Volunteer rate: 37.4 percent
Empathy score: 3.73
Selfish Index Score: 62.37
19
Michigan
![detroit michigan skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/shutterstock_512268166.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 4.3
Volunteer rate: 29.4 percent
Empathy score: 3.72
Selfish Index Score: 62.79
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18
New Hampshire
![boats on a lake in New Hampshire](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/12/lake-winnipesaukee-new-hampshire.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 3.9
Volunteer rate: 35.7 percent
Empathy score: 3.70
Selfish Index Score: 63.30
17
Tennessee
![The skyline of Knoxville, Tennessee](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/skyline-of-knoxville-tennessee-covid-deaths.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 3.8
Volunteer rate: 31.3 percent
Empathy score: 3.72
Selfish Index Score: 63.99
16
Mississippi
![cityscape photos of a traffic on a street next to the Biloxi Lighthouse in Biloxi, Mississippi at night](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/biloxi-mississippi.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 4.7
Volunteer rate: 23.8 percent
Empathy score: 3.73
Selfish Index Score: 64.09
15
Kansas
![buildings and the Cooper dome in the downtown area of Topeka, Kansas](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/topeka-kansas.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 4.4
Volunteer rate: 36.5 percent
Empathy score: 3.68
Selfish Index Score: 64.16
14
Pennsylvania
![Chester pennsylvania skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/03/chester-pennsylvania.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 4.2
Volunteer rate: 34.2 percent
Empathy score: 3.69
Selfish Index Score: 65.67
13
Texas
![Houston Texas](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/houston.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 4.4
Volunteer rate: 28.4 percent
Empathy score: 3.71
Selfish Index Score: 65.96
And for the place where people are the most crazy about cannabis, This Is the Most Stoned State in America.
12
Wyoming
![Bikers ride motorcycles in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA on a cloudy autumn day.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/12/wyoming-divorce.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 4.4
Volunteer rate: 32.7 percent
Empathy score: 3.69
Selfish Index Score: 66.08
11
Ohio
![aerial view of gallipolis ohio](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/gallipolis-ohio-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 3.7
Volunteer rate: 33.2 percent
Empathy score: 3.70
Selfish Index Score: 67.72
10
Alaska
![An aerial view of Juneau and the Gastineau Channel from Mount Roberts.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/alaska-wildfires.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 2.5
Volunteer rate: 40.6 percent
Empathy score: 3.69
Selfish Index Score: 69.84
9
Louisiana
![baton rouge louisiana from above](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/shutterstock_1161171376.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 3.7
Volunteer rate: 25.8 percent
Empathy score: 3.72
Selfish Index Score: 71.32
8
Indiana
![Downtown Indianapolis skyline with the Depew Memorial Fountain, Obelisk, park, and the Indiana World War Memorial in the foreground.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/indiana-cases-rising.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 3.5
Volunteer rate: 34.9 percent
Empathy score: 3.68
Selfish Index Score: 72.38
7
Florida
![st petersburg florida](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/st-petersburg-florida.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 4.7
Volunteer rate: 22.8 percent
Empathy score: 3.70
Selfish Index Score: 73.27
And for the part of the country that is most active between the sheets, This Is the Most Promiscuous State in America.
6
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)
Fraser generosity index score: 4.9
Volunteer rate: 31.8 percent
Empathy score: 3.65
Selfish Index Score: 74.30
5
Alabama
![orange beach alabama](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_1362512519.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 5.6
Volunteer rate: 27.4 percent
Empathy score: 3.65
Selfish Index Score: 74.72
4
New Mexico
![Suburb in Albuquerque, NM](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/01/Albuquerque-NM.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 3.2
Volunteer rate: 27.1 percent
Empathy score: 3.71
Selfish Index Score: 75.91
3
West Virginia
![landscape photo of Harper's Ferry, West Virginia at sunset](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/harpers-ferry-west-virginia.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 1.8
Volunteer rate: 28.1 percent
Empathy score: 3.73
Selfish Index Score: 79.17
2
Kentucky
![Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park in Kentucky, USA](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/dale-hollow-lake-kentucky.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 4.0
Volunteer rate: 28.1 percent
Empathy score: 3.67
Selfish Index Score: 79.74
1
Nevada
![view of a mountain town in nevada](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/virginia-city-nevada.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Fraser generosity index score: 4.4
Volunteer rate: 24.4 percent
Empathy score: 3.60
Selfish Index Score: 100.00
And for a ranking all you shoppers will want to check out, This Store Has the Worst Customer Service in America.