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Last updated May 24, 2025
Generation Z, the youngest and most global of recent generations, is at the forefront of modern changes. Accordingly, their needs and preferences in terms of living conditions, job markets, and community engagement differ greatly from those of older generations. In the United States, various factors, including geography, regional policies, and local economies tend to dictate quality of life for Gen Z individuals. Key insights from the data include: - The best states for Gen Z are scattered throughout the country, from New Hampshire on the East Coast to Washington on the West Coast, showing that successful strategies for attracting and retaining Gen Z can happen nationwide. - Upper Midwest tends to have a stronger showing among the favorable states for Gen Z with Minnesota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin scoring highly. This could be attributed to better healthcare accessibility, strong educational institutions, and a generally robust infrastructure. - Southern states, including Mississippi, Alabama, and West Virginia, score least favorably. This is indicative of challenges such as lower youth employment rates, a lack of access to broadband necessary for the digitally-connected Gen Z, and less inclusivity. - States with a higher focus on outdoor activities such as Utah, Colorado, and Minnesota are faring better with Gen Z, possibly signifying this generation's inclination towards work-life balance and a healthier lifestyle.
Region ↕ | Gen Z Affordability Index 2023↕ | Gen Z Livability Index 2023↕ | Gen Z Quality of Life Index 2023↕ | Gen Z Wellness Index 2023↕ | Gen Z Work & Education Quality Index 2023↕ |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mississippi | 9.8 | 42.1 | 11.3 | 12.6 | 8.5 |
Missouri | 9.6 | 51.0 | 13.7 | 15 | 12.6 |
Oklahoma | 9.6 | 51.0 | 13 | 16.7 | 11.7 |
Arkansas | 9.6 | 47.5 | 11.9 | 14.7 | 11.2 |
Kansas | 9.5 | 55.3 | 15.4 | 16.7 | 13.7 |
Alabama | 9.4 | 44.6 | 11.8 | 12.6 | 10.8 |
Tennessee | 9.4 | 47.6 | 12.3 | 13.2 | 12.7 |
Nebraska | 9.3 | 62.1 | 18.8 | 18.5 | 15.5 |
South Dakota | 9.3 | 60.5 | 19.4 | 16 | 15.8 |
Louisiana | 9.3 | 45.7 | 11.4 | 15 | 10 |
West Virginia | 9.3 | 44.9 | 14.3 | 10.6 | 10.8 |
Iowa | 9.2 | 55.9 | 17.4 | 15.1 | 14.2 |
North Dakota | 9.2 | 60.1 | 17.6 | 18.7 | 14.6 |
New Mexico | 9.2 | 44.9 | 11.6 | 14.4 | 9.7 |
Georgia | 9.2 | 51.3 | 13.1 | 15.3 | 13.7 |
Texas | 9.1 | 51.6 | 16.1 | 14.3 | 12.2 |
Indiana | 9.1 | 53.1 | 14.7 | 16.1 | 13.1 |
Michigan | 9.1 | 51.2 | 15.4 | 15 | 11.8 |
South Carolina | 9 | 46.1 | 12.4 | 12.6 | 12.1 |
Kentucky | 9 | 48.4 | 13.5 | 14.1 | 11.8 |
Illinois | 9 | 55.9 | 15.9 | 17.7 | 13.3 |
Ohio | 9 | 53.8 | 15.2 | 16.1 | 13.6 |
Wyoming | 8.9 | 61.7 | 17.1 | 21.3 | 14.4 |
Minnesota | 8.9 | 62.7 | 17.6 | 20.1 | 16.2 |
North Carolina | 8.9 | 55.5 | 14.4 | 17.9 | 14.3 |
Wisconsin | 8.9 | 61.0 | 19.3 | 17.6 | 15.1 |
Virginia | 8.8 | 57.4 | 16.4 | 16.7 | 15.5 |
Montana | 8.6 | 62.9 | 20.8 | 19.9 | 13.6 |
Utah | 8.5 | 62.9 | 13.5 | 22.8 | 18.1 |
Pennsylvania | 8.3 | 57.0 | 16.7 | 18.6 | 13.4 |
Idaho | 8.3 | 59.0 | 17.3 | 18.6 | 14.7 |
Florida | 8.1 | 55.1 | 15 | 16.8 | 15.2 |
Arizona | 8.1 | 49.7 | 11.6 | 16.5 | 13.6 |
Delaware | 7.7 | 50.8 | 12 | 15.9 | 15.3 |
Nevada | 7.7 | 49.7 | 12.8 | 16.4 | 12.9 |
Maine | 7.7 | 62.0 | 21.9 | 17.9 | 14.6 |
Colorado | 7.7 | 60.8 | 14.5 | 21.7 | 16.9 |
Rhode Island | 7.4 | 56.9 | 19.1 | 19.7 | 10.7 |
Vermont | 7.2 | 61.1 | 21.8 | 18.3 | 13.8 |
Connecticut | 7 | 62.0 | 20 | 20.1 | 14.8 |
New York | 6.9 | 61.6 | 22.8 | 18.5 | 13.4 |
Washington | 6.9 | 63.2 | 16.8 | 21.7 | 17.8 |
Oregon | 6.9 | 59.9 | 18.3 | 20.3 | 14.3 |
New Hampshire | 6.9 | 67.0 | 20.4 | 20.5 | 19.2 |
Maryland | 6.7 | 54.7 | 14.5 | 18.2 | 15.2 |
New Jersey | 6.6 | 60.7 | 18.1 | 20.2 | 15.8 |
Alaska | 5.2 | 58.8 | 18.1 | 21 | 14.6 |
California | 5 | 55.2 | 17.4 | 19.2 | 13.6 |
Massachusetts | 4.7 | 66.8 | 19.4 | 24.3 | 18.4 |
Hawaii | 2.1 | 54.6 | 18.6 | 17.2 | 16.6 |
To identify the "Best and Worst States for Gen Z" the study compared the 50 states across four primary categories: