So you’re a set of parents trying to figure out where to live while raising student-aged kids. America has 50 states so you have 50 possibilities. From big cities to small towns, mountains to the coast, and everywhere in between, America has it all. 

But not all states are created equally. And while some might appear attractive on the surface, there’s not much depth or appeal for a young family if you look deeply. Each has pluses and minuses, different strokes for different folks, as they say.

This feature ranks states based on topics most important to students. Quality of life based on crime, cost of living, activities to do, natural beauty and education are the factors considered in the rankings.

Before getting to the top states, these are the states place at the bottom.

The bottom of the list is comprised mainly of the states in the deep south. 

Arkansas (50) bottoms out the list. Despite public education not being amongst the worst in the county, where Arkansas really falls behind is in the other categories. Arkansas has one of the worst crime rates in the county. The cost of living is low but that’s for a reason. There is very little for teenagers to do anywhere in Arkansas, even in its capital and largest city, Little Rock. Unlike other rural states, Arkansas has little to offer in terms of natural beauty too. 

Mississippi (49) is second to last mainly due to its poor K-12 public education. US News & Report ranks Mississippi 43rd in public education, near the bottom of the list, because of its low tax-bracketed income and rural population density that provides little in the way of property taxes used to fund public schools. Much like Little Rock, the largest city of Jackson is dangerous and unattractive. 

New Mexico (48) is 3rd on the reverse podium. New Mexico is dead last in public K-12 education. It’s hard to climb out of that hole.

West Virginia (47) rounds out the bottom four. Unfortunately, West Virginia plays host to one of the worst education systems in the county. However, natural beauty and cost of living are the silver lining in this state and pull it up from a lower spot.

The following states, North Dakota (46), Alaska (45) and South Dakota (44), have similar strengths and weaknesses. Outstanding natural beauty but mediocre public education and little in terms of activities for young people. 

These next states are classic middle America. Cheap living, small-town schools and corn for miles and miles. If you like everything, corn, Kansas (43) and Nebraska (42) are the states for you.

Missouri (41) is slightly below the national average in education and slightly above in crime rate making it an overall average state. The problem is that the only cities are on either end of the state, and there is nothing in between, so if you don’t live in Saint Louis or Kansa City areas then there is not much to do for teens. 

The following states are middle of the pack and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. The trade-offs here are their strongest and weakest traits. 

Oklahoma (40) has a strong cost of living rank but is weak in activities to do. Idaho’s (39) strength is its natural beauty but it is also weak in activities. Delaware (38) has a strong cost of living, too, and it is also weak in activities. Kentucky (36) is strong with cost of living but weak in education. Arizona (35) has lots to do for teens, but is also weak in education. Indiana (34) is the opposite of Arizona, strong in education and weak in activities. Little Rhode Island (33) has the same strengths and weaknesses as Arizona. Another small state, South Carolina (32), ends the collection of strong and weak, with a strong cost of living, but a weak crime rating. 

Moving up, Louisiana (31) is packed with music, food and culture. But, unfortunately, Louisiana, especially New Orleans and Baton Rouge, is plagued with violence. Louisiana has the highest crime rate in the county. Louisiana also has one of the worst-performing and most violent public education systems. Yet, this state is as high as it is because of the rich culture and activities for teens to do in-state.

Alabama (30) is the heartland of the south and it is known for its southern culture, college football and certain way of life. However, the state holds a high poverty rate and subpar public education. It’s a cheap place to live, at least. 

Montana (29), home to Glacier National Park and the northwest portion of Yellowstone, is one of the most beautiful states in the union. The elephant in the room, however, is the lack of things to do. If you are a fan of the great outdoors and rural living, Montana is probably a good state for you. Obviously, being so rural, crime is low due to the lack of people to commit them. Education and cost of living is decent, as well. 

Nevada (28) is known for Las Vegas and the excitement, size and notoriety of the city carries the state. Las Vegas is full of enough activities to keep a teen occupied for a lifetime. Lake Tahoe, west of Reno, is beautiful and hosts great ski resorts (but the California side is better). The rest of the state is desert, and the cost of living is quite high in Vegas or Tahoe. Education is also below average.

Oregon (27) and Washington (26) are quite similar in strengths and weaknesses. Both have breathtaking natural beauty and above-average public education. Unfortunately, both states also have a high cost of living statewide and a surprisingly high crime rate.

Virginia (25) rounds out the bottom half of states on this list. The state is mainly supported by its north end which serves as a suburb of DC. Northern Virginia is home to many activities, cultures and fantastic public education. The rest of the state, however, is more reminiscent of the old south. Besides the Appalachian mountains to the west, the rest of the state has little excitement for teens. The cost of living is high especially in the north, as well.

Ohio (24) is quite diverse, and so many ways, geographical, cultural, urban, and suburban, and it has multiple major midwestern cities and above-average public education. There is a good mix of rural and urban areas. Crime is also lower than in most states. 

Maryland (23) is known for its clam chowder and medieval-looking flag. With the beach to the east and the mountains to the west, Maryland is a diverse state. Education varies based on location and the state crime is low anywhere outside of Baltimore. However, the cost of living in most areas is high and the state’s largest city, Baltimore, is infamous for having problems. 

Pennsylvania (22) has large cities on both sides of the state and has plenty to do. However, the state is behind in education. 

These next states were some of the first in the new world. New England has a unique culture and way of life.  All are safe and have a great education system but are held back by a lack of easily accessible activities and a high cost of living. Maine (21), Vermont (20) and New Hampshire (19) may be the right choice for some.

Wyoming (18) is most often recognized as the most beautiful state in the nation. It is home to the world-famous Yosemite National Park as well as vacation decisions such as Jackson Hole. The cost of living is low statewide, crime, too, and education is ranked surprisingly high.

Tennessee (17) has fantastic culture with live and recorded music and entertainment. Crime and cost of living are low. Education is average in the state. 

Connecticut (16) is largely a suburb of New York to the west and Boston to the east. The entire state also spans a highly desirable coastline. With that being said the urban and coastal proximity gives teens living in that state a lot to do. Education is great, but, like many northeast states, the cost of living is high.

These are the last states leading up to the top ten with their strongest and weakest traits. All of these states are good places to live across the board. 

Minnesota’s (15) strength is education while its weakness is crime. Nearby Michigan (14) offers a tremendous amount of activities while its weakness is education. Wisconsin (13) has a very strong public education program which makes up for more seasonal lack of activities. There’s never a lack of things to do in Hawaii but it’s isolated geography comes with one of the highest costs of living in the country.

New Jersey’s (11) strength is education and because it is located so  close to New York City, it also has a high cost of living for families and teens.

North Carolina (10), from its sunny beaches to snowy mountains, from bustling cities to country living, has it all. North Carolina has a fair cost of living and things to do, varied depending on where you live. Crime is probably its worst quality but even that is not too bad.

Georgia (9) is known for its southern food and culture. Most people in this state live in and around the Atlanta area and that’s where most activities to do are located. The cost of living is quite good but mediocre education and crime in the city of Atlanta are the state’s negative traits.

Utah (8) has stunning beauty and a clean, welcoming major city. The state is one of the safest in the nation and it is quite affordable. Education is also good.

Florida (7) is the place to be for beach lovers. This state is surrounded by beautiful beaches and for activities, Disney World is at the heart of it all. Teens and families will never be short of activities to do living in the Sunshine State. Public education, especially at the college level, is some of the best in the county. 

Illions (6) is carried by Chicago. Yes, the Windy City carries this state. The vast majority of people in the state live in the greater Chicago area and there is plenty to do in this historic mega city. Education is also ranked high.

Massachusetts (5) has some of the best public K-12 education in the nation. It is also one of the safest states. The state’s largest city, Boston, is the intellectual hub of America, with schools like Harvard, MIT and Boston University located within miles of each other. In addition, Cape Cod and its islands are some of the most peaceful places in the county.

Colorado (4) is the Rocky Mountain state, the skiing capital of North America and an all-around top-tier state to live. Colorado has great public education. The state is overflowing with nature, hiking trails, camping and a multitude of picture resort towns. The largest city in Colorado, Denver, also offers plenty to do and is relatively safe. Crime is also quite low in most areas outside of the big city. For lovers of the great outdoors or fans of urban life, Colorado has it covered.

New York (3) is on the podium because of its strongest qualities. Things to do in both the city and the state are plentiful. From its unmatched American New York City to the beachside life on Long Island, plus and the scenic beauty of its upstate, New York almost cannot be beat. Unfortunately, crime and cost of living are holding the state from being higher but its iconic qualities boost it to the top level. 

Texas (2), the Lone Star State, is the national runner-up because of its vast variety of cities and cultures. However, it is not consistent across the state. Culture, especially, depends on where teens live in the state. The saying is true “everything is bigger in Texas.” Texas has the best bang for the buck in the real estate market. It’s easy to get the home of your dreams in Texas. Public schools are only averagely ranked but higher education in the state is robust, especially the flagship campus UT Austin. 

California (1) is true Americano in every way. From its mountains, towns and scenic resorts overlooking Lake Tahoe in the north to the sunny beaches of San Diego in the south and the world capital of the entertainment industry in Los Angeles in between, when people think of America, they think of California. 

Almost anywhere families live in California, there is something to do for teenagers. Skiing and surfing in the same state are rare but not in California. In most places, public education is fantastic and public colleges and universities are the best and most well known in the county. 

California is not perfect. All of these qualities come at a cost with real estate being among the highest priced in the nation. Crime is also unfortunately on the rise. Even with California’s recent problems, America’s most iconic state can’t be anywhere else but number one.

From east to west, north to south, mountains to oceans, cities to plains, Plus everything in between, do you agree with the list? Share your thoughts in the comments.