Tennessee ranked worst state to live, CNBC study finds

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Tennessee ranked final amongst all 50 states for high quality of life in CNBC’s annual America’s Top States for Business study for 2026.

The enterprise information channel mentioned this yr’s study had an elevated emphasis of “quality of life,” saying this yr’s methodology has this class making up 11.6% of the state’s general rating. That’s up from about 10% final yr.

To get a state’s high quality of life rating, CNBC mentioned it used information on elements comparable to crime charges, air high quality and well being care as well as to availability of childcare, inclusiveness of state legal guidelines and reproductive rights.

After gathering information on all 50 states, CNBC named America’s 10 worst states to live based mostly on their high quality of life scores and listed Tennessee within the No. 1 spot.

The study put Tennessee’s high quality of life rating at 64 out of 100, scoring a grade F. It mentioned the Volunteer State’s power was air high quality and weaknesses have been crime, inclusiveness and employee protections.

When discussing Tennessee’s inclusiveness, CNBC cited a number of the Volunteer State’s legal guidelines that concentrate on the LGBTQ+ group together with the brand new “bathroom law,” which requires transgender individuals to use restrooms designated for his or her intercourse at delivery, and the state’s restriction on localities from adopting their very own antidiscrimination ordinances.

Additionally, the enterprise information channel talked about the decision Gov. Bill Lee signed earlier this yr designating June as “Nuclear Family Month.”

CNBC mentioned inclusivity isn’t the one factor that Tennessee falls brief in. Citing FBI statistics, CNBC mentioned Tennessee additionally has one of many highest violent crimes charges within the nation.

According to the United Health Foundation, the Volunteer State additionally has the third-highest fee of drug deaths.

Despite the low high quality of life rating, Tennessee ranked No. 9 overall in CNBC’s America’s Top States for Business study.

Here is the complete listing of America’s 10 worst states to dwell based mostly on their high quality of life scores:

1. Tennessee
2. Texas
3. Indiana
4. Louisiana
5. Georgia
6. Utah
7. Missouri
8. Alabama
9. Oklahoma
10. Arkansas