Of the 10 worst states for quality of life, six are in the South, according to a July 13 CNBC report.
To evaluate quality of life, the organization assessed each state by livability factors. CNBC judged states by crime rates, healthcare, air quality, child care, worker protections, legal safeguards against discrimination of all kinds, and personal freedom, such as reproductive rights.
The 10 worst states for quality of life, ranked from least to most:
10. Arizona
- 2024 Quality of Life Score: 119 out of 325 points
- Strengths: Crime, voting rights, worker protections
- Weaknesses: Air quality, reproductive rights, healthcare
9. Kansas
- 2024 Quality of Life Score: 113 out of 325 points
- Strengths: healthcare, reproductive rights
- Weaknesses: Child care, crime, worker protections
8. Louisiana
- 2024 Quality of Life Score: 100 out of 325 points
- Strength: Child care
- Weaknesses: Crime, health, reproductive rights
7. Missouri
- 2024 Quality of Life Score: 98 out of 325 points
- Strength: Air quality
- Weaknesses: Voting rights, crime, reproductive rights
6. Tennessee
- 2024 Quality of Life Score: 96 out of 325 points
- Strengths: Child care, air quality
- Weaknesses: Crime, inclusiveness, healthcare
5. Arkansas
- 2024 Quality of Life Score: 93 out of 325 points
- Strength: Child care
- Weaknesses: Inclusiveness, crime, voting rights
4. Oklahoma
- 2024 Quality of Life Score: 85 out of 325 points
- Strength: Air quality
- Weaknesses: Reproductive rights, health, worker protections, voting rights
3. Alabama
- 2024 Quality of Life Score: 83 out of 325 points
- Strength: Child care
- Weaknesses: Voting rights, inclusiveness, worker protections
2. Indiana
- 2024 Quality of Life Score: 78 out of 325 points
- Strength: Crime
- Weaknesses: Child care, reproductive rights, inclusiveness, voting rights
1. Texas
- 2024 Quality of Life Score: 75 out of 325 points
- Strength: Air quality
- Weaknesses: Reproductive rights, healthcare, voting rights, inclusiveness, worker protections