America's Best State To Live In For 2026 Isn't California Or Texas

California and Texas are two juggernauts. Both states have the two largest state economies and populations in the country, as well as plenty of beautiful scenery and fun activities. However, when it comes to places to live, a former "small fry" (pun intended) out West came out on top.

According to a study by WalletHub, Idaho ranked as the best state to live in across the United States for 2026.  The company compared all 50 states across 51 metrics in various categories, including affordability, economy, safety, and education and health. Idaho won with a score of 60.15. New Jersey took second with an overall score of 59.41, followed by Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Notably, Idaho didn't rank first in any category and ranked well below California (ranked second) and Texas (seventh) in quality of life. Both states, though, scored lower in other categories, including affordability and safety, and ranked 31st and 36th overall, respectively.

While Boise is the focal point for much of the state's population and economy, it's not the only city in Idaho. The state has several regional commercial hubs, including Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Falls, and Twin Falls. The three are spread across the state, but each is near plenty of outdoor activities, hosts large community events, and has or is a relatively short drive from a commercial airport.  

Idaho's nickname is the Gem State. More and more people are flocking to live in the (formerly) hidden gem where the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West meet, taking advantage of the state's beautiful natural scenery and growing economy. Since 2020, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that the state's population has increased by over 10%, and by nearly 30% since 2010. Moreover, KREM reported that 36 out of 44 counties across the state grew last year.  

Across the state, outdoor enthusiasts have plenty of opportunities for fishing, hiking, and biking. The Boise River flows through the heart of Idaho's dynamic and artsy capital city and provides a whitewater playground and fishing access minutes from downtown. Smaller Idaho Falls offers similar recreation opportunities and is within a few hours' drive of Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. Over half of the state is public land, and more adventurous types can spend weekends camping and hiking in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, or in the rugged green heart of the state, Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. 

Economics is another factor for people moving to Idaho. According to the WalletHub study, Idaho had the highest median household income growth in the United States. Idaho is known for agriculture, forestry, and, of course, "famous potatoes." It's now at the forefront of a different type of chip. Micron Technology, based in Boise, is constructing memory chip fabs as part of a $50 billion facilities expansion in Idaho. The company is expected to create more than 17,000 jobs in the state, per CNBC. Other regional cities, including Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Falls, and Twin Falls, also have strong regional economies with job growth. 

As the 14th-largest state by total area, Idaho has several climates, ranging from high deserts in the southwest to inland temperate rainforests in parts of the Panhandle. Summers across the state are normally warm, and it's also peak time for major community events and festivals such as the Western Idaho Fair in Garden City and the Street Fair in downtown Coeur d'Alene. Winters vary across the state, but many areas outside Boise and Idaho's "banana belts" are normally snowy and receive feet of powder, including beautiful resort towns like McCall, much to the delight of skiers. If you've never skied before, several resorts across the state offer season passes and lesson packages, including Bogus Basin, Brundage, and Silver Mountain.  

While Idaho has many positives, you should be aware of some potential drawbacks to moving there. In the WalletHub study, the state ranked 22nd for education and health, which takes into account the state's public school and hospital systems, among other measures, and 31st for quality of life, which considers factors including work hours, infrastructure, and entertainment options. The study also noted that Idahoans overall spend less time commuting. However, that is changing around fast-growing Boise, which is suffering from growing pains and heavier traffic on surface streets. 

If you are seriously considering a move to Idaho, WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo suggests weighing financial factors first, including living costs, housing prices, and employment opportunities. Compared with when my family moved to the Boise area years ago, families considering the move today may face housing and food expenditures that outpace local salary growth. But despite the local population surge and rising costs, Boise is still largely welcoming, as are many other towns and cities in the state.