U.S. News & World Report’s 2018 ranking of the Best States shows Wisconsin jumping five spots from 16th in 2017 to 11th this year.
The rankings were based on 77 metrics across eight categories and weighted according to survey results on what mattered most to people. Health care and the education were weighted highest. Other metrics included economy, opportunity, infrastructure, crime, fiscal stability, and quality of life. Wisconsin’s best rankings were in the Quality of Life metric (No. 3) and Opportunity (No. 8).
Generally, the upper Midwest fared well. Of all 50 states, Iowa and Minnesota came in at number one and two respectively. Filling out the rest of the Top 10: Utah, North Dakota, New Hampshire, Washington, Nebraska, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Colorado.
