Ever wonder if your gripes about your state are shared by others? We at BetMGM were curious too, so we surveyed 2,212 individuals from across the country to rate their state on everything from people and coworkers to housing affordability and entertainment options. The goal? To see which states truly have the crappiest—and the best—ratings in these categories.
The results are in, and we’ve got the scoop! Whether you’re looking to validate your own complaints or simply enjoy some state-to-state rivalry, join us as we reveal the highs and lows of living in different parts of the U.S. And just like the game of craps that you can play on BetMGM, you never know what you’re going to get!
How States See Themselves: Service and People Ratings
We asked people from every state to rate various aspects of their state, from friendships to public transit, on a scale from 1 (worst) to 10 (best). Here’s what we found:
National Overview
Nationally, the highest average ratings across all states were for friends, which scored an impressive 8.2. This was followed by coworkers, who received a 7.2, and bosses, who came in at 6.9.Â
On the other end of the spectrum, housing affordability and quality received the lowest average rating at 4.5, with particularly low scores in the West and Northeast. Public transit didn’t fare much better, scoring a 4.7, and drivers rounded out the bottom three with a 4.8.
Categories with the Biggest Range in Ratings Â
Public Education:
One of the categories with the most significant variation in ratings was public education. Nationally, this category averaged a 5.6.Â
- Massachusetts residents gave their state’s public education system the highest rating at 7.9, which isn’t surprising given that Massachusetts ranks 5th in Public School Rankings by State in 2024 and 3rd in teacher pay according to a ranking conducted by World Population Review.
- In contrast, Nevada’s public education system received the lowest rating at 3.0, aligning with its position in the bottom three of public school state rankings, according to World Population Review.
Entertainment Options:
When it comes to entertainment options, the national average rating was 6.3.Â
- Nevada topped the chart with an average rating of 8.4, undoubtedly influenced by the vibrant nightlife and abundance of casinos in Las Vegas.
- Meanwhile, Mississippi scored the lowest in this category with a 4.1. According to a WalletHub study, Mississippi ranks last in the “most fun” states, a sentiment echoed by its residents.
Public Transit:
Public transit also saw a wide range of ratings. Nationally, it averaged a 4.7.
- Illinois residents rated their public transportation system the highest at 6.5. Illinois ranks 5th in public transit usage, according to usnews.com.
- On the other hand, Mississippi received the lowest rating at 2.9, reflecting its 46th rank in public transit usage and overall transportation infrastructure.Â
Housing:
Housing affordability and quality was another category with significant disparities. The national average rating stood at 4.5, with Western states generally receiving lower scores.Â
- Kansas emerged as the state with the highest rating at 6.1. This could be attributed to Kansas having some of the most affordable homes in the country, with the typical single-family home value significantly lower than the national average. According to the Zillow Home Value Index, the typical single-family home value in the first quarter of 2024 averaged $222,704.
- Conversely, Hawaii had the lowest rating at 2.2. Hawaii’s extremely high home values make it one of the least affordable states for housing, with typical single-family home values averaging $856,327, according to the 2024 Zillow Home Value Index.
Where do States Rate Themselves the Best?
Several states stood out for giving exceptionally high ratings in various categories. Let’s take a closer look at the states that rated their living experiences the best:Â
Hawaii
Hawaii emerged as a standout, receiving the highest average ratings for several categories:Â
- Residents rated their overall people an impressive 8.1 out of 10, reflecting the Aloha spirit that the state is famous for.Â
- Friends scored even higher, with an 8.7, showcasing the strong community bonds and friendly atmosphere.
- Additionally, Hawaii residents gave their drivers a score of 5.9, indicating a relatively positive experience on the roads compared to other states.
New Jersey
New Jersey also shone brightly in multiple areas:Â
- The state received the highest rating for coworkers, with an average score of 8.0, suggesting a supportive and pleasant work environment.Â
- Public education in New Jersey was highly regarded as well, earning the second-highest rating of all states at 7.3.
- Moreover, New Jersey secured the third-highest rating for entertainment options at 8.0.
Minnesota
Minnesota’s residents showed high satisfaction in several key categories:
- The state achieved the second-highest rating for overall people at 7.7.
- Local government received a solid score of 6.1, ranking third among all states.
- Additionally, public education was rated highly, with a 7.1, placing Minnesota third in this category.
States with the Worst Ratings: Where Residents Are Most Dissatisfied
While some states received high praise in our survey, others found themselves at the lower end of the spectrum. Let’s delve into the states that rated their living experiences the lowest in various categories.
West Virginia
West Virginia had some of the lowest ratings across multiple categories:Â
- Friends were rated at 7.5, the lowest among all states
- Additionally, West Virginia residents gave their bosses a rating of 6.2 and coworkers a 6.5, placing both categories as the second lowest.
- Entertainment options fared poorly as well, with a rating of 4.4.
Nevada
Nevada also found itself at the bottom in several key areas:
- Public education received the lowest rating of 3.0, highlighting significant dissatisfaction with the state’s education system.Â
- People and drivers didn’t fare much better, at 5.9 and 3.6, respectively, placing them among the lowest of the states.
- Nevadans gave friends a rating of 7.8, the third lowest rating relative to the other states.
Rhode Island
- Rhode Island, while still relatively high, gave the second lowest rating for friends at 7.7.
- The state also rated overall people poorly, with a score of 5.9, and coworkers at 6.8, both being the third lowest ratings among all states.
New York
New York received the lowest ratings in several people-related categories:Â
- The overall people were rated at 5.7, the lowest of all states.
- Coworkers were also rated poorly, with a score of 6.5, the lowest in this category.
- Additionally, New York gave friends a rating of 7.8, the fourth lowest of the ranking.
Closing Thoughts
As we’ve seen, some states excel in areas like friendliness and coworker relationships, while others struggle with housing affordability and public transit. This diverse range of experiences highlights the importance of local context and individual preferences when it comes to quality of life.
Just like discovering which state has the “crappiest” ratings, the game of craps at BetMGM offers its own excitement and surprises. Whether you’re navigating the highs and lows of state living or the thrilling uncertainties of a craps game, BetMGM is here to bring a little fun into your life. So why not try your luck and roll the dice with BetMGM’s online casino? You never know—you might just hit the jackpot!
Thank you for joining us on this journey through America’s best and worst states. Whether you’re a proud resident of one of the top-rated states or looking to escape the “crappiest” ratings, BetMGM is here to add a little excitement to your day. Happy playing!
Methodology
To get a comprehensive view of how residents feel about their states, we conducted a nationwide survey that gathered responses from 2,212 individuals across 44 states*. Participants were asked to rate various aspects of their state on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the worst and 10 being the best. The categories included overall people, coworkers, bosses, housing affordability and quality, public transit, drivers, public education, entertainment options, and more.
We then calculated the average rating for each category for each state, as well as the national average for comparison. This approach allowed us to identify both the highest and lowest state rankings in each category, providing a detailed picture of the diverse perspectives across the country.
*States not included due to not enough survey respondents: Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, D.C., Wyoming
