Texas ranks 36th nationally in state livability study, trails on health and education despite high quality-of-life score

Texas ranked 36th out of 50 states in WalletHub’s 2026 “Best States to Live In” report, held back by low marks in economy and education despite a top-10 quality-of-life score, according to the personal finance site’s annual ranking released this month.

The report scored all 50 states across five categories — affordability, economy, education and health, quality of life, and safety — using 51 metrics pulled from federal and industry data sources including the U.S. Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Idaho topped the overall list, followed by New Jersey, Wisconsin, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Texas finished with a total score of 48.35, sandwiched between Maryland (35th) and Hawaii (37th).

Where Texas scored well and where it didn’t

Texas’s quality-of-life ranking of 7th nationally was its strongest category by far, putting it ahead of every other large-population state except California and New York. That category weighs factors like commute times, weather, access to recreation and cultural amenities.

But the state fell far behind in education and health, ranking 40th, and in economy, ranking 37th. Affordability came in at 35th and safety at 33rd.

How Texas compares to its neighbors

Oklahoma ranked 44th, Louisiana 49th and New Mexico last at 50th, meaning Texas outperformed every state it borders overall.

What the analysts said

WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said people weighing a move should start with financial factors like cost of living, housing prices and job availability, then weigh how a location affects health, safety and access to activities they enjoy — with education systems a priority for those with children.

University of San Diego real estate economist Norm Miller offered a different framing in commentary included with the report, arguing that high and rising home prices can actually signal a successful local economy rather than a warning sign for prospective movers.