In 2024, the top states for quality of life in America will be revealed.

• To attract skilled workers, companies are highlighting the quality of life in their locations.
• Metrics for assessing quality of life encompass Crime, Child Care, Health Care, Environmental Quality, and Inclusiveness.
• CNBC's yearly assessment of the best states for business takes into account Quality of Life alongside nine other categories of competitiveness.

In the current mobile era, individuals possess an unprecedented number of options regarding where to reside. Consequently, businesses seeking proficient employees are acutely aware of this, particularly when there are a plethora of job openings but a limited pool of qualified candidates. As a result, they prioritize quality of life when making decisions about where to establish their operations.

CNBC's annual ranking of state business climates, America's Top States for Business, takes into account the Quality of Life category, which accounts for 13% of a state's overall score under this year's methodology.

We evaluate each state based on various factors that affect livability, such as crime rates, healthcare, air quality, and child care. Additionally, we take into account worker protections and legal safeguards against discrimination. Furthermore, we consider personal freedom, including reproductive rights, with a significant portion of working-age women indicating they would not relocate to a state that prohibits abortion.

These states are welcoming new talent with open arms and the highest quality of life.

9. (tie) New York

Workers in the Empire State have broad protections under state law, including a nearly unfettered right to organize, a $15 minimum wage, and the ability for more expensive localities to set theirs higher, according to Oxfam America.

All New Yorkers, regardless of their background, are entitled to robust safeguards against discrimination, including one of the country's strongest laws protecting public accommodations.

Despite the rise in violent crime in 2022, exceeding the national rate for the first time since 2015, New York is also facing a severe shortage of affordable child care. A married couple with a median income can expect to pay nearly 15% of it on child care, according to Child Care Aware of America. With a population of nearly 20 million people, New York has only about 4,200 licensed child-care facilities.

The 2024 Quality of Life Score is 211 out of 325 points, with the top states receiving a grade of B.

Strengths: Worker Protections, Inclusiveness, Reproductive Rights

Weaknesses: Child Care, Air Quality

9. (tie) New Hampshire

The Granite State offers both safe streets and great healthcare. In 2022, the state reported only about 1,700 violent offenses and 25 homicides, making the crime rate extremely low.

The United Health Foundation ranks New Hampshire as America's healthiest state. Over 90% of residents have a primary healthcare provider, and the state boasts one of the lowest rates of premature death.

New Hampshire is one of only three states that does not allow early voting, and residents need to provide a qualified excuse to vote by mail.

The 2024 Quality of Life Score is 211 out of 325 points, with the top states receiving a grade of B.

Strengths: Crime, Health Care, Inclusiveness

Weakness: Voting Rights

9. (tie) Massachusetts

The Bay State has the most primary care providers per capita in the country and the second-lowest rate of uninsured residents, making it America's second-healthiest state, just behind New Hampshire.

Massachusetts boasts some of the strongest worker protections in New England and the country, including mandated sick and family leave.

While child care for workers is accessible, it is costly, requiring more than 14% of median income for a married couple. Additionally, air pollution is a persistent issue in the state, with approximately one-third of the state experiencing high levels of particulate matter, according to First Street Foundation.

The 2024 Quality of Life Score is 211 out of 325 points, with the top states receiving a grade of B.

Strengths: Health, Worker Protections, Voting Rights, Reproductive Rights

Weaknesses: Child Care, Air Quality

9. (tie) Connecticut

Connecticut's greatest asset is its low crime rate, with only 150 offenses per 100,000 people in 2022, which is less than half the national average. Despite having five cities with over 100,000 residents.

At the low end of the wage scale, the state's $15 minimum wage covers more than 37% of a working family's cost of living. Additionally, the state requires pay transparency, giving all workers more leverage.

Connecticut shares with other New England states a common issue of air pollution, particularly concerning particulate matter.

The 2024 Quality of Life Score is 211 out of 325 points, with the top states receiving a grade of B.

Strengths: Crime, Worker Protections, Health Care

Weakness: Air Quality

8. California

While the California Dream is a reality for some, crime and air pollution remain significant challenges in the Golden State.

No other state offers the same level of worker protection as California, including strong union rights and pay transparency laws. Additionally, California's minimum wage, which will reach $16 per hour in 2024, is only surpassed by Washington State (if you include the District of Columbia).

In California, voting is straightforward, as every registered voter receives a mail-in ballot. Additionally, the state takes pride in its protection of reproductive rights, enacting legislation that enables providers in Arizona, where abortion is heavily restricted, to carry out the procedure in California.

The 2024 Quality of Life Score is 213 out of 325 points, with the top states receiving a grade of B.

Strengths: Worker Protections, Inclusiveness, Voting Rights, Reproductive Rights

Weaknesses: Crime, Air Quality, Child Care, Health Care

7. Hawaii

Hawaiians' unparalleled reverence for the environment and pristine air quality make the Aloha State a paradise.

Despite the growing importance of child care to working families, the state is falling behind. In a state where everything is expensive, a married couple with a median income can expect to spend 18% of it on child care, which is the highest in the nation.

Hawaii has one of the lowest rates of preventable hospitalizations among all states, despite having strong worker protections and a low crime rate.

The 2024 Quality of Life Score is 222 out of 325 points, with the top states receiving a grade of B+.

Strengths: Health, Air Quality, Crime

Weakness: Child Care

6. Oregon

Oregon is one of the few states that does not limit abortion based on gestational duration, according to the Guttmacher Institute.

According to Michael Pomante of the States United Democracy Institute, Oregon is the simplest state to vote in. Prior to the pandemic, Oregon held its elections through mail, with minimal fraud, as stated by the Center for Public Integrity.

Although Oregon has 1,372 licensed child care facilities and a national average for access, the cost of child care is high, at about 15% of the median income for a married couple.

The 2024 Quality of Life Score is 226 out of 325 points, with the top states receiving a grade of B+.

Strengths: Reproductive Rights, Voting Rights, Inclusiveness

Weaknesses: Child Care, Crime

5. Washington

Washington has the second-highest minimum wage among states, at $16.28 per hour, surpassed only by the District of Columbia's $17. This is part of a comprehensive set of worker protections, including paid sick leave and heat safety standards. The state boasts excellent environmental quality, with clean air and water. Additionally, it provides broad discrimination protections.

Nearly eight million people reside in the Evergreen State, which faces a severe child-care crisis. The state has only approximately 2,000 licensed child-care facilities. A married couple with a median income can expect to pay more than 15% of it on child care. Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee, who has characterized the issue as "dire," signed a bill last year aimed at addressing the problem by removing some restrictions on child-care centers.

The 2024 Quality of Life Score is 230 out of 325 points, earning the top states a grade of B+.

Strengths: Inclusiveness, Worker Protections, Voting Rights

Weaknesses: Child Care, Crime

4. Minnesota

The phrase "Minnesota nice" is not just a catchphrase; it is supported by data. Minnesota has state laws that are inclusive and provide strong protections for voting rights and reproductive rights. The Mayo Clinic, located in Minnesota, is renowned for offering some of the best health care in America. Minnesota has a low rate of preventable deaths and a relatively small number of residents without health insurance, making it the fifth-healthiest state in the country.

Another state where child care is unaffordable is Minnesota, with it costing 14.5% of the median income for a married couple.

The 2024 Quality of Life Score is 240 out of 325 points, with the top states receiving an A- grade.

Strengths: Voting Rights, Reproductive Rights, Health, Crime

Weakness: Child Care

3. New Jersey

New Jersey is one of the safest states in America, with violent crime increasing slightly in 2022 but remaining far below the national average. In 2022, New Jersey had about 200 offenses per 100,000 people, compared to 380 nationally.

New Jersey boasts the second most comprehensive anti-discrimination protections in the country, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The state is also known for its strong protection of reproductive rights and robust worker protections.

High levels of pollution are a common stereotype about New Jersey's air quality.

The 2024 Quality of Life Score is 248 out of 325 points, with the top states receiving an A- grade.

Strengths: Crime, Inclusiveness, Worker Protections, Reproductive Rights

Weakness: Air Quality

2. Maine

In 2022, New Hampshire, known as the Pine Tree State, had only 29 homicides, making it America's safest state. With 830 licensed facilities, child care is readily available in this state of 1.3 million people, and it is affordable at approximately 10% of the median income for a married couple.

Nearly 92% of adult Mainers have a dedicated health-care provider, which is more than any other state.

While laws are inclusive and worker protections are strong, air quality in the Northeast could be improved. Specifically, 20% of properties in the state are exposed to high levels of particulate matter in the air, as reported by the First Street Foundation.

The 2024 Quality of Life Score is 265 out of 325 points, earning the top states a grade of "A."

Strengths: Crime, Child Care, Health Care, Inclusiveness

Weakness: Air Quality

1. Vermont

In Vermont, you will breathe the cleanest air in the Northeast, with ozone pollution being virtually non-existent last year, according to the American Lung Association.

Protecting reproductive rights is a zealous endeavor, as it is enshrined in the state constitution. Vermont is one of the easiest states to vote in, with 45 days of early voting. Child care is more readily available here than in any other state, though it is on the pricey side.

Vermont's low crime rate is a result of its clean environment and welcoming nature, which contribute to its reputation as having America's best quality of life.

The 2024 Quality of Life Score is 281 out of 325 points, earning the top states a grade of A+.

Strengths: Reproductive Rights, Air Quality, Crime, Voting Rights, Inclusiveness

Weaknesses: No metrics below the top 50%.