This Is the Worst State to Live in Right Now
Looking at factors from its unemployment rate to its COVID standing, this state is the worst off.
![Melancholy woman resting on the balcony, looking out at the state of things, which look bad](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/sad-black-woman.jpg?quality=82&strip=1&resize=640%2C360)
You don't need us to tell you that 2020 is arguably one of the worst years we'll ever live through. Between the coronavirus taking more than 221,000 lives nationwide, the wildfires ravaging much of the West, and the social upheaval happening in most parts of the country, this year has undoubtedly been difficult. But while 2020 has certainly been awful to most of us, things aren't equally terrible in every corner of the U.S. When looking at economic, environmental, and physical well-being, it's clear some states have it worse than others. With this in mind, we sought to figure out which state specifically is the worst to live in right now, based solely on scientific data. Read on to find out how we calculated the numbers, and for another state that got a bad name, check out The Most Hated State in America.
To determine the Worst State Index scores, we looked at data that captured the unpleasantness of a state, including its poverty rate, according to U.S. Census Bureau data, and its most recent unemployment rate, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In addition to those economic indicators, we accounted for factors that affect residents' health, including air pollution (measured by the amount of carbon dioxide emissions, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration), and, of course, we can't talk about medical issues in 2020 without factoring in the prevalence of COVID-19 in each state. Specifically, we looked at the seven-day average percent of positive tests performed, according to Johns Hopkins' Coronavirus Research Center. To wrap it all up, we added in each state's average life expectancy, based on data from the National Vital Statistics System. Then, we used our exclusive algorithm to calculate all 50 Worst State Index scores.
Taking these numbers into consideration, one state stood out as extraordinarily unpleasant. While there is plenty to love about this state, it's also a top scorer in the wrong ways: It has a high poverty rate, a shorter average life expectancy, and its COVID numbers are trending in the wrong direction. But what really puts this state at the bottom of the barrel is its astonishing output of poison into the air. Producing 707 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, it's a particularly toxic place to live in.
Most of the worst states to live in right now are in the South or Midwest, though a Western one did climb—or fall—into the ranks of the 10 baddest of the bad. To see where your state lands, read the full ranking from the best state to live in right now to the worst. And for the states struggling the most with the virus at the moment, find out How Bad the COVID Outbreak Is in Your State.
50
Vermont
![cityscape of windsor vermont](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/windsor-vermont.jpg)
Life expectancy: 80 years old
Poverty rate: 9 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 1.5 percent
Unemployment rate: 4.8 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 6 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 50.85
And for more areas you may want to avoid, find out which is The Dirtiest State in the U.S.
49
New Hampshire
![Lake Sunapee is located within Sullivan County and Merrimack County in western New Hampshire, the United States. It is the fifth-largest lake located entirely in New Hampshire.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/lake-sunapee-new-hampshire.jpg)
Life expectancy: 80.1 years old
Poverty rate: 5.6 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 1.5 percent
Unemployment rate: 6.5 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 13 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 51.53
48
Connecticut
![hartford connecticut skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/shutterstock_1487599832.jpg)
Life expectancy: 80.9 years old
Poverty rate: 9.7 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 1.4 percent
Unemployment rate: 8.1 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 33 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 59.63
And for the state that's least likely to give you a wave, here's The Unfriendliest State in the U.S.
47
Maine
![asticou azalea garden in the fall with a reflection on the pond](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/asticou-azalea-garden-maine.jpg)
Life expectancy: 78.7 years old
Poverty rate: 11.5 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 0.5 percent
Unemployment rate: 6.9 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 15 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 60.28
46
Maryland
![chesapeake bay in annapolis maryland](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/05/shutterstock_763086601.jpg)
Life expectancy: 79.6 years old
Poverty rate: 7.5 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 5.8 percent
Unemployment rate: 6.9 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 52 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 64.40
45
Delaware
![View from inside the Ashland covered bridge in Yorklyn, New Castle County, Delaware during the fall with colorful foliage in bright sunlight](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/delaware-in-fall.jpg)
Life expectancy: 78.7 years old
Poverty rate: 7.6 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 5.7 percent
Unemployment rate: 8.9 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 12 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 65.20
And for the state lacking a little fun, meet The Most Boring State in the U.S.
44
North Dakota
![North Dakota](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/09/dakota.jpg)
Life expectancy: 79.7 years old
Poverty rate: 10.1 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 7.6 percent
Unemployment rate: 5 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 56 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 65.30
43
Hawaii
![Na Pali Coast Hawaii](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/na-pali-coast-hawaii.jpg)
Life expectancy: 82 years old
Poverty rate: 9.4 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 2.8 percent
Unemployment rate: 12.5 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 18 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 65.45
And for more on the first data point, Here's How Long You're Likely to Live in Every State.
42
Minnesota
![](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/upper-gooseberry-falls-along-minnesotas-north.jpg)
Life expectancy: 81 years old
Poverty rate: 7.4 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 4.7 percent
Unemployment rate: 7.4 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 88 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 65.90
41
Colorado
![ridgway, colorado in fall](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/09/ridgway-colorado-iin-fall.jpg)
Life expectancy: 80.5 years old
Poverty rate: 9.1 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 3.9 percent
Unemployment rate: 6.7 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 87 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 66.28
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40
Nebraska
![lincoln nebraska](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/09/shutterstock_1025675146.jpg)
Life expectancy: 79.6 years old
Poverty rate: 10.3 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 12.1 percent
Unemployment rate: 4 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 48 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 67.20
39
Utah
![Provo, Utah](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/02/provo-utah.jpg)
Life expectancy: 79.8 years old
Poverty rate: 7.6 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 14 percent
Unemployment rate: 4.1 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 58 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 67.45
38
Washington
![The Autumn Seattle Skyline Sunset.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/seattle-in-autumn-.jpg)
Life expectancy: 80.3 years old
Poverty rate: 8.8 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 2.8 percent
Unemployment rate: 8.5 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 78 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 67.75
37
Oregon
![Portland, Oregon](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/02/portland-oregon.jpg)
Life expectancy: 79.6 years old
Poverty rate: 9.8 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 7.1 percent
Unemployment rate: 7.7 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 38 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 67.85
36
Alaska
![Multiple brown bear at McNeil River State Game Sanctuary fishing for salmon](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/03/katmai-national-park.jpg)
Life expectancy: 78.8 years old
Poverty rate: 11.8 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 4.8 percent
Unemployment rate: 7.4 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 34 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 68.05
35
Rhode Island
![downtown providence rhode island](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/shutterstock_1101553778.jpg)
Life expectancy: 79.9 years old
Poverty rate: 9.8 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 1.8 percent
Unemployment rate: 12.8 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 10 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 68.65
34
Montana
![Montana](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/mt.jpg)
Life expectancy: 78.6 years old
Poverty rate: 10.1 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 11.1 percent
Unemployment rate: 5.6 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 30 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 68.95
33
Massachusetts
![mit at cambridge massachusetts](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/06/cambridge-massachusetts-1.jpg)
Life expectancy: 80.7 years old
Poverty rate: 9.2 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 1 percent
Unemployment rate: 11.3 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 63 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 69.28
32
Virginia
![A horse drawn carriage along the street in Williamsburg in the Fall](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/07/williamsburg-virginia.jpg)
Life expectancy: 79.4 years old
Poverty rate: 9.7 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 5.7 percent
Unemployment rate: 6.1 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 98 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 71.05
31
Arizona
![skyline of tucson arizon](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/shutterstock_1072532069.jpg)
Life expectancy: 79.9 years old
Poverty rate: 12.1 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 6.7 percent
Unemployment rate: 5.7 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 86 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 71.15
30
New Jersey
![New Jersey, located on Upper New York Bay in Jersey City, opposite both Liberty Island and Ellis Island.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/03/hoboken-new-jersey.jpg)
Life expectancy: 80.5 years old
Poverty rate: 8.2 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 2.6 percent
Unemployment rate: 10.9 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 101 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 74.23
29
South Dakota
![](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/sioux-falls-south-dakota.jpg)
Life expectancy: 79.4 years old
Poverty rate: 10.6 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 21.5 percent
Unemployment rate: 4.8 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 14 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 74.65
28
Idaho
![boise idaho](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_1207965919.jpg)
Life expectancy: 79.4 years old
Poverty rate: 10 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 23.3 percent
Unemployment rate: 4.1 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 18 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 74.95
27
South Carolina
![bridge in charleston south carolina](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_279855785.jpg)
Life expectancy: 77 years old
Poverty rate: 14.4 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 4.4 percent
Unemployment rate: 6.3 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 69 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 76.03
26
Iowa
![iowa university with fall foliage](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/iowa_university.jpg)
Life expectancy: 79.6 years old
Poverty rate: 8.6 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 17.7 percent
Unemployment rate: 6 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 76 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 78.60
25
Wyoming
![moulton barn at the grand teton national park in wyoming](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/shutterstock_718546417.jpg)
Life expectancy: 78.8 years old
Poverty rate: 10.5 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 15.1 percent
Unemployment rate: 6.6 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 61 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 78.83
24
Kansas
![Wichita, kansas](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/08/wichita-ks.jpg)
Life expectancy: 78.6 years old
Poverty rate: 10.4 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 16.2 percent
Unemployment rate: 6.9 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 58 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 80.45
23
North Carolina
![blue ridge north carolina mountains, most common street names](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/blue-ridge-mountains-north-carolina.jpg)
Life expectancy: 78.1 years old
Poverty rate: 13.6 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 6 percent
Unemployment rate: 6.5 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 115 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 80.78
22
Georgia
![Georgia](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/ga.jpg)
Life expectancy: 77.7 years old
Poverty rate: 13.3 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 6.2 percent
Unemployment rate: 5.6 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 132 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 81.80
21
Oklahoma
![tulsa oklahoma skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/shutterstock_1220319223.jpg)
Life expectancy: 75.8 years old
Poverty rate: 12.4 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 8.6 percent
Unemployment rate: 5.7 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 93 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 82.43
20
Missouri
![Gateway Arch in St. Louis MO](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/02/gateway-arch-park-missouri.jpg)
Life expectancy: 77.6 years old
Poverty rate: 11 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 7.4 percent
Unemployment rate: 7 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 122 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 82.45
19
Wisconsin
![Scenic Small Town Nestled in Autumn Valley, Beautiful Rural Wisconsin Fall colors.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/09/wisconsin-state-scenery.jpg)
Life expectancy: 80 years old
Poverty rate: 8.7 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 19.3 percent
Unemployment rate: 6.2 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 98 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 82.65
18
Arkansas
![fayetteville arkansas street](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/shutterstock_1343517656.jpg)
Life expectancy: 76 years old
Poverty rate: 15 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 7.8 percent
Unemployment rate: 7.4 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 64 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 83.60
17
Michigan
![Historic Michigan Theater, built in 1928, located on East Liberty St in Downtown, Ann Arbor](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/03/ann-arbor-michigan.jpg)
Life expectancy: 78.2 years old
Poverty rate: 10.7 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 3.3 percent
Unemployment rate: 8.7 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 152 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 84.00
16
New Mexico
![Suburb in Albuquerque, NM](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/01/Albuquerque-NM.jpg)
Life expectancy: 78.4 years old
Poverty rate: 17.2 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 5 percent
Unemployment rate: 11.3 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 49 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 84.13
15
Tennessee
![at and t building in nashville tennessee](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/at-t-building-nashville-tennessee.jpg)
Life expectancy: 76.3 years old
Poverty rate: 12.1 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 6.4 percent
Unemployment rate: 8.5 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 98 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 85.15
14
New York
![albany new york capital building](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/09/albany-new-york-capital-building.jpg)
Life expectancy: 81 years old
Poverty rate: 12.1 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 1.2 percent
Unemployment rate: 12.5 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 157 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 85.93
13
West Virginia
![sad millennial gazing upon beautiful town in West Virginia](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/west-virginia-millennial2.jpg)
Life expectancy: 75.3 years old
Poverty rate: 15.6 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 3.2 percent
Unemployment rate: 8.9 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 91 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 87.38
12
Kentucky
![louisville kentucky at night](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/02/louisville-kentucky.jpg)
Life expectancy: 75.9 years old
Poverty rate: 14.2 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 7.3 percent
Unemployment rate: 7.6 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 114 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 89.15
11
Mississippi
![jackson mississippi skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/shutterstock_469684373.jpg)
Life expectancy: 74.9 years old
Poverty rate: 19.1 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 6.4 percent
Unemployment rate: 7.9 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 67 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 89.88
10
Nevada
![Reno nevada](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/08/shutterstock_527487673.jpg)
Life expectancy: 78.4 years old
Poverty rate: 12.2 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 14.9 percent
Unemployment rate: 13.2 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 36 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 91.20
9
Alabama
![montgomery alabama](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/shutterstock_466069523.jpg)
Life expectancy: 75.5 years old
Poverty rate: 14.7 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 13.3 percent
Unemployment rate: 5.6 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 108 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 91.70
8
Illinois
![chicago cityscape over the river](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/12/chicago-city-view.jpg)
Life expectancy: 79.3 years old
Poverty rate: 10.4 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 4.1 percent
Unemployment rate: 11 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 201 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 93.03
7
Ohio
![dayton ohio](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/08/dayton-oh.jpg)
Life expectancy: 77.6 years old
Poverty rate: 12.4 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 3.5 percent
Unemployment rate: 8.9 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 204 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 94.00
6
Indiana
![Indianapolis, Indiana, USA downtown cityscape on the White River at dusk.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/indiana-state.jpg)
Life expectancy: 77.4 years old
Poverty rate: 11.1 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 14.1 percent
Unemployment rate: 6.4 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 176 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 95.20
5
Florida
![Sarasota, Florida](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/02/sarasota-florida.jpg)
Life expectancy: 80.1 years old
Poverty rate: 12.9 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 10.1 percent
Unemployment rate: 7.4 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 227 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 95.98
4
Pennsylvania
![pittsburgh pennsylvania](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/06/pittsburgh-pennsylvania.jpg)
Life expectancy: 78.6 years old
Poverty rate: 10.5 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 7.9 percent
Unemployment rate: 10.3 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 215 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 98.68
3
Louisiana
Life expectancy: 76 years old
Poverty rate: 19.1 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 4.9 percent
Unemployment rate: 7.6 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 226 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 105.45
2
California
![los angeles california skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_1024954096.jpg)
Life expectancy: 81.3 years old
Poverty rate: 11.4 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 2.7 percent
Unemployment rate: 11.4 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 359 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 109.18
1
Texas
![houston texas skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_663767527.jpg)
Life expectancy: 78.8 years old
Poverty rate: 12.7 percent
COVID test positivity rate: 7.6 percent
Unemployment rate: 6.8 percent
Carbon dioxide emissions per year: 707 million metric tons
Worst State Index score: 154.68
And for another factor that plays into a state's quality of life, find out The State Where Your Money Is Worth the Least.