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

Putting down roots and choosing where to live, work, and raise a family is one of the most important decisions you'll make in your life. Where you live has a huge impact on almost every aspect of your life, from the lifestyle you want and your job prospects to the safety and prosperity of your family. As a result, taking a bit of time to research and look into the state you want to end up in is a vital part of moving house. But finding the right fit isn't always an easy business, and there are a wide variety of factors to consider before picking the place you will call home for the foreseeable future.

When it comes to lists of desirable states to live in, New York and California often feature highly. The delightful climate and laid-back, West Coast lifestyle of California appeals to many, with its gorgeous beaches, stunning national parks, and vibrant cities. For others, the glitz and glamor of New York City, combined with the vintage charm and leafy elegance of the villages in upstate New York, is a huge draw. But according to a new report by personal finance company WalletHub, New York and California don't feature in the top five most desirable U.S. states to live in. In what might be a surprise to some, WalletHub says America's best state to live in for 2026 is, in fact, Idaho.

Tucked away in the Pacific Northwest, Idaho often gets overlooked in favor of its neighbors like Oregon, Montana, and Washington. But Idaho has loads to offer, with a booming job market, low crime rates, and clean, lively cities, as well as stunning natural beauty, great opportunities for outdoor recreation, and Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks right on the doorstep. It's also easily accessible through the state's main hub, Boise Airport (BOI).

The WalletHub report looked at a number of factors in quantifying how the states stacked up against each other and in awarding the number one spot to Idaho. One of the main factors for Idaho's high ranking is its extremely low real estate tax rates. Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst, said in the report, "When deciding on a place to move, you should first consider financial factors like the cost of living, housing prices and job availability." With one of the lowest property tax rates in the country, buying and owning a home in Idaho is more affordable than in plenty of other states, and when combined with its overall low tax rates, it's not surprising that it's an extremely attractive place for people wanting to raise a family and build wealth.

Idaho is also considered somewhere safe to live. It has a low overall crime rate, with notably good scores on violent crime and property crime. Safety is always an extremely important part of choosing where to live, particularly for people who want to raise a family, so it is easy to see why Idaho does well here. Interestingly, Idaho doesn't come out on top in any one of WalletHub's rankings (its highest ranking is 3rd for safety), but it does well across the board, with no outliers, making it a generally good place to live.

Another aspect of Idaho's attractiveness is its extremely pleasant cities. Boise, the capital, has a strong economy and a booming job market, combined with charming green spaces and a vibrant, lively cultural scene. Spots like Idaho Falls and Coeur d'Alene offer great access to nature, while Moscow provides laid-back college town vibes.

Aside from the raw numbers highlighted in the report, one of the best things about Idaho is its abundance of natural beauty and its access to the great outdoors. Its mountainous landscape is spectacular, and it boasts at least eight national forests and has the largest percentage of national forest land in the country. It also includes some of Yellowstone National Park, with the southwestern corner extending across the border with Montana and Wyoming.

One of Idaho's most impressive natural attractions is the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, a unique national park that makes you feel like you're stepping on the surface of the moon. This vast ocean of lava flows dotted with cinder cones and scrubby bushes is an astonishing, otherworldly landscape where visitors can hike up volcanoes and explore lava tube caves, as well as ski and snowshoe in the winter months. And just to the southwest of the Craters of the Moon are Idaho's answer to Niagara Falls. The Shoshone Falls, at the edge of Twin Falls, beat the highest point of Niagara by about 25 feet, and offer a stunning backdrop for picnics, hikes, boating, and paddling.

To round things off, Idaho is also home to the tallest freestanding dunes in North America, in the shape of Bruneau Dunes State Park, which is a fantastic spot for outdoor adventures. Reaching 470 feet at the highest point, the rolling, sand-covered scenery is a stunning contrast to some of Idaho's forested mountains and gives visitors the chance to try their hand at dune surfing on a sandboard, a unique experience.