Vermont is one of the ten best state in the U.S., according to a new ranking from U.S. News and World Report.

The Best States rankings look at eight categories: health care, education, natural environment, opportunity, economy, crime and corrections, infrastructure, and fiscal stability.

With top rankings in the crime and corrections and natural environment categories, U.S. News gave Vermont the seventh spot. That makes it the second best New England state, coming in behind New Hampshire which was ranked No. 2.

Why was Vermont ranked No. 7

Vermont ranked very high in several key metrics.

It was rated as the best state for opportunity, which looks at economic opportunity, affordability and equality It’s one of the safest states, coming in at No. 4 for crime and safety. And it doesn’t slack when it comes to the natural environment, coming in at No. 9. It also ranked No. 9 for infrastructure.

The main ranking pulling it down was fiscal stability, coming in at No. 41. It’s second lowest score was education, coming in at No. 23.

Why is New Hampshire ranked so high?

New Hampshire’s first place ranking in the crime and corrections category and fourth place ranking for natural environment helped propel the state to its second-place finish.

“The state’s natural beauty stands out more for its valleys, rivers, lakes and mountains than its mere 13 miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline,” said the report. “Its highest peak, Mount Washington, stands at 6,288 feet in the White Mountains, and Lake Winnipesaukee is its best-known inland resort.”

New Hampshire was also ranked 6^th in opportunity, which included a first-place ranking in economic opportunity and third-place in equality. 

It’s worst category was fiscal stability, with a ranking of 37^th.

Gov. Kelly Ayotte said the ranking comes as “no surprise.”

“Today’s ranking is a testament to our dedicated law enforcement officers, hardworking business leaders, and energetic, independent people,” she said in a post on X, also emphasizing the state’s high public safety ranking. “Thank you to all those who protect and serve our communities each day. Together, we will ensure our state remains the safest in the nation.”

What is the best state in the country?

According to U.S. News and World Report, Utah is the best state in the country for the third year in a row.

It earned top 10 marks in five categories: fiscal stability, economy, infrastructure, education and crime and corrections.

The report said that Utah’s economy has become one of the most diverse in the U.S., giving it great strength in the fiscal-related categories.

“In the last two and a half decades, Utah’s economy has outperformed the nation, had greater strength, and when we’ve had downturns, we have been able to rebound much more quickly in our state,” said Natalie Gochnour, director of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah.

What are the 10 best states in the U.S., according to U.S. News and World Report?

1. Utah
2. New Hampshire
3. Idaho
4. Minnesota
5. Nebraska
6. Florida
7. Vermont
8. South Dakota
9. Massachusetts
10. Washington