This Is the Scariest State in America
From UFO sightings to haunted places, this state is the spookiest of them all.
![Scared woman biting her nails](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/12/Scared-woman-biting-her-nails_shutterstock_1150541078.jpg?quality=82&strip=1&resize=640%2C360)
UFO sightings may sound like the norm if you live in, say, Roswell, New Mexico, but there are plenty of other places where people say they've spotted a UFO flying around or heard about a variety of other eerie occurrences. At Best Life, we set out to uncover the scariest state in America, factoring in everything from haunted places to animal attacks and unsolved murders.
To analyze which state tipped the scary scale the most, we calculated each state's percent of unsolved homicide cases over a nearly 30-year period based on a report from the nonprofit organization Project: Cold Case. Next, we used a ranking from Travel Channel, which rated how haunted each state is based on data from its paranormal TV series, including Ghost Adventures and Kindred Spirits, with 1 being the most haunted and 50 being the least.
Then, we factored in the number of reported UFO sightings in each state per 100,000 people from SatelliteInternet.com, using data from the National UFO Reporting Center. Lastly, we included a report from The Washington Post on the total number of deaths caused by animals, including venomous spiders, snakes, bees, dogs, and other mammals, using the most recent available data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) over a 15-year period.
Finally, we gave each of the four metrics a weighted value and plugged them into our exclusive algorithm to see where each state scored on our 100-point scale Scary Index. The three most populous states in the country found themselves on the eerier side of the scale, and yes, so did New Mexico. Where does your state rank? Read on to find out, and to discover the scariest state in America. And for the place that is scarily greedy, check out The Most Selfish State in America.
Read the original article on Best Life.
50
Nebraska
![](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/09/small-town-street-nebraska.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 16 percent
Haunted ranking: 43
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.53
Deaths caused by animals: 19
Scary Index Score: 0.00
49
Delaware
![old new castle delaware](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/new-castle-delaware.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 28 percent
Haunted ranking: 50
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.77
Deaths caused by animals: 9
Scary Index Score: 5.74
48
North Dakota
![North Dakota](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/04/North-Dakota.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 18 percent
Haunted ranking: 43
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 4.72
Deaths caused by animals: 9
Scary Index Score: 13.40
47
South Dakota
![Capa South Dakota](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/02/capa-south-dakota.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 20 percent
Haunted ranking: 34
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.94
Deaths caused by animals: 15
Scary Index Score: 15.77
46
Maryland
![domino sugars neon sign, maryland, iconic state photos](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/domino-sugars-sign-maryland.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 34 percent
Haunted ranking: 43
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 1.60
Deaths caused by animals: 29
Scary Index Score: 16.03
45
Wyoming
![casper wyoming](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/casper-wyoming.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 11 percent
Haunted ranking: 40
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 6.05
Deaths caused by animals: 10
Scary Index Score: 16.68
44
Mississippi
![Mississippi](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/ms.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 27 percent
Haunted ranking: 40
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 1.98
Deaths caused by animals: 53
Scary Index Score: 17.25
43
Oklahoma
![moore, oklahoma](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/06/moore-oklahoma.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 17 percent
Haunted ranking: 34
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.86
Deaths caused by animals: 70
Scary Index Score: 20.19
42
Alaska
![docked sailboats in sitka alaska harbor](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/06/sitka-alaska.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 26 percent
Haunted ranking: 40
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 4.51
Deaths caused by animals: 18
Scary Index Score: 25.57
41
South Carolina
![charleston south carolina from above](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/shutterstock_709037020.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 23 percent
Haunted ranking: 34
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 3.03
Deaths caused by animals: 59
Scary Index Score: 26.17
40
Wisconsin
![Lake Michigan in the winter in Wisconsin](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/11/lake-michigan-winter-wisconsin.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 19 percent
Haunted ranking: 34
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 3.56
Deaths caused by animals: 87
Scary Index Score: 28.99
39
Maine
![Portland, Maine White Christmas in America](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/11/portland-maine-winter.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 20 percent
Haunted ranking: 43
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 7.22
Deaths caused by animals: 13
Scary Index Score: 30.67
38
Arkansas
![Downtown Little Rock, Arkansas, around sunset.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/12/arkansas-divorce-rate.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 18 percent
Haunted ranking: 28
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 3.74
Deaths caused by animals: 60
Scary Index Score: 31.27
37
Rhode Island
![city skyline of and river in Providence, Rhode Island at sunset](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/rhode-island-cityscape.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 36 percent
Haunted ranking: 43
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 4.44
Deaths caused by animals: 9
Scary Index Score: 31.70
36
Iowa
![american gothic house, iowa, famous state photos](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/american-gothic-house-iowa.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 27 percent
Haunted ranking: 28
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.85
Deaths caused by animals: 35
Scary Index Score: 32.35
35
Virginia
![sunrise in chincoteague virginia](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/shutterstock_26187157.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 26 percent
Haunted ranking: 28
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.67
Deaths caused by animals: 66
Scary Index Score: 34.83
34
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)
Unsolved homicide cases: 29 percent
Haunted ranking: 27
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.90
Deaths caused by animals: 29
Scary Index Score: 35.02
33
Hawaii
![The skyline of Honolulu, Hawaii as seen from the water on Waikiki Beach at sunset.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/waikiki-honolulu-skyline-at-night-hawaii-only-state-covid-controlled.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 36 percent
Haunted ranking: 43
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 5.16
Deaths caused by animals: 12
Scary Index Score: 36.31
32
North Carolina
![sailboat and trees along a lake in Beaufort, North Carolina](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/beaufort-north-carolina.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 19 percent
Haunted ranking: 22
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.16
Deaths caused by animals: 122
Scary Index Score: 38.86
31
West Virginia
![Berkeley Castle](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/berkeley-castle-west-virginia.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 18 percent
Haunted ranking: 18
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 3.79
Deaths caused by animals: 45
Scary Index Score: 39.95
30
Vermont
![Canaan, Vermont](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/02/Canaan-Vermont.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 43 percent
Haunted ranking: 49
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 6.09
Deaths caused by animals: 9
Scary Index Score: 42.62
29
Minnesota
![Minneapolis Minnesota in the winter](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/11/minneapolis-minnesota-winter.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 40 percent
Haunted ranking: 34
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 3.10
Deaths caused by animals: 50
Scary Index Score: 44.05
28
Connecticut
![A lighthouse covered in snow in New Haven Connecticut](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/11/lighthouse-snow-connecticut.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 29 percent
Haunted ranking: 25
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 4.94
Deaths caused by animals: 14
Scary Index Score: 46.71
27
Alabama
![bridge in glensdale alabama](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/alabama.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 45 percent
Haunted ranking: 28
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 1.96
Deaths caused by animals: 56
Scary Index Score: 50.26
26
Kansas
![little sweden lindsborg kansas big red building](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/lindsborg-kansas.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 45 percent
Haunted ranking: 28
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.85
Deaths caused by animals: 30
Scary Index Score: 51.53
25
Louisiana
![a pier over and trees next to Lake Pontchartrain in Mandeville Louisiana at sunset](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/mandeville-louisiana.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 36 percent
Haunted ranking: 10
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 1.44
Deaths caused by animals: 52
Scary Index Score: 55.82
24
Kentucky
![ohio river in kentucky](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/ohio-river-kentucky.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 31 percent
Haunted ranking: 13
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.91
Deaths caused by animals: 56
Scary Index Score: 56.20
23
Tennessee
![PWG97B Buckingham House, Sevierville Pike, Knoxville vicinity (Sevier County, Tennessee).](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/buckingham-house-tn.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 33 percent
Haunted ranking: 22
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.56
Deaths caused by animals: 120
Scary Index Score: 56.37
22
Utah
![Park City, Utah, covered in snow](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/11/park-city-utah-snow.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 27 percent
Haunted ranking: 11
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 4.27
Deaths caused by animals: 21
Scary Index Score: 56.54
21
New Hampshire
![Glacial lake at Carter Notch in the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/03/carter-notch-new-hampshire.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 33 percent
Haunted ranking: 34
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 7.87
Deaths caused by animals: 9
Scary Index Score: 57.79
20
Oregon
![vista house oregon, iconic state photos](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/vista-house-oregon-monument.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 36 percent
Haunted ranking: 22
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 4.86
Deaths caused by animals: 31
Scary Index Score: 59.72
19
Idaho
![craters of the moon lava fields](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/craters-of-the-moon-idaho.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 19 percent
Haunted ranking: 28
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 9.18
Deaths caused by animals: 34
Scary Index Score: 59.98
18
Missouri
![meramec river missouri fun things to do in every state this summer](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/06/meramec-river-missouri.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 27 percent
Haunted ranking: 8
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.69
Deaths caused by animals: 86
Scary Index Score: 60.29
17
Colorado
![Silver Cliff, Colorado - Image](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/02/Silver-cliff-Colorado.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 34 percent
Haunted ranking: 15
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 4.08
Deaths caused by animals: 39
Scary Index Score: 61.63
16
Illinois
![a dark and empty street in Chicago, Illinois](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/chicago-illinois-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 36 percent
Haunted ranking: 11
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 1.84
Deaths caused by animals: 84
Scary Index Score: 61.84
15
Pennsylvania
![centralia Pennsylvania on fire](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/01/centralia-pennsylvania.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 23 percent
Haunted ranking: 6
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.80
Deaths caused by animals: 108
Scary Index Score: 61.90
14
Massachusetts
![boats at a harbor during sunset](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/12/rock-harbor-massachusetts.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 39 percent
Haunted ranking: 8
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.45
Deaths caused by animals: 25
Scary Index Score: 63.08
13
Georgia
![roswell, georgia](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/06/roswell-georgia.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 40 percent
Haunted ranking: 18
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.14
Deaths caused by animals: 107
Scary Index Score: 64.00
12
New York
![Greenport New York lighthouse](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/greenport.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 35 percent
Haunted ranking: 6
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 1.59
Deaths caused by animals: 88
Scary Index Score: 65.20
And for the place that is least fun to shop at, This Store Has the Worst Customer Service in America.
11
Washington
![The Autumn Seattle Skyline Sunset.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/seattle-in-autumn-.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 29 percent
Haunted ranking: 13
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 5.07
Deaths caused by animals: 63
Scary Index Score: 67.53
10
Michigan
![Michigan Central Station Detroit creepiest abandoned buildings](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/02/michigan-central-station-detroit.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 48 percent
Haunted ranking: 18
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.31
Deaths caused by animals: 88
Scary Index Score: 71.00
And for the state that is most active between the sheets, This Is the Most Promiscuous State in America.
9
Indiana
![muncie indiana bridge, heart attack cities](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/muncie-indiana.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 43 percent
Haunted ranking: 17
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 3.92
Deaths caused by animals: 56
Scary Index Score: 71.07
8
New Mexico
![a starry night in ruidoso new mexico](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/07/starry-night-ruidoso-new-mexico.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 35 percent
Haunted ranking: 18
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 6.20
Deaths caused by animals: 40
Scary Index Score: 71.96
7
Nevada
![spencer hot springs nevada fun things to do in every state this summer](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/06/spencer-hot-springs-nevada.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 37 percent
Haunted ranking: 2
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 3.93
Deaths caused by animals: 13
Scary Index Score: 74.01
6
Montana
![Garnet Montana creepiest abandoned buildings](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/02/garnet-montana.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 32 percent
Haunted ranking: 26
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 9.17
Deaths caused by animals: 25
Scary Index Score: 75.09
5
Ohio
![A Stone Stairway And Path Through A Forest Glen Helen Nature Preserve Yellow Springs Ohio](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/02/yellow-springs-ohio.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 35 percent
Haunted ranking: 4
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.81
Deaths caused by animals: 112
Scary Index Score: 77.97
4
Florida
![Lake forest in Florida](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/03/florida-lake.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 40 percent
Haunted ranking: 15
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.64
Deaths caused by animals: 171
Scary Index Score: 79.63
And for the place where people are most likely to break their marriage vows, This Is the Most Adulterous State in America.
3
Arizona
![scottsdale arizona](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/08/shutterstock_154635344.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 39 percent
Haunted ranking: 5
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 4.38
Deaths caused by animals: 77
Scary Index Score: 85.19
2
California
![irvine california](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_551641075.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 41 percent
Haunted ranking: 1
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 1.90
Deaths caused by animals: 212
Scary Index Score: 97.45
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1
Texas
![Denton, old bridge, sunset, longest-living cities, best cities to buy a mansion](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/08/Denton-TX.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Unsolved homicide cases: 29 percent
Haunted ranking: 3
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 1.29
Deaths caused by animals: 356
Scary Index Score: 100.00
And for the place that's the most crazy for cannabis, This Is the Most Stoned State in America.