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Michigan ranks in the bottom five of the 2026 Overall Best State Rankings by US News.

Michigan ranks in the bottom five of the 50 states in the 2026 Overall Best State Rankings published by US News. The state finished in the 10th percentile, ranking as a laggard compared to other states. US News analyzed 71 metrics across eight categories, including education, health care, economy, infrastructure, opportunity, fiscal stability, natural environment, and crime and corrections. While Michigan performed well in health care, ranking 24th in the nation, it struggled in other areas, finishing 45th in education, 43rd in economy, and 42nd in infrastructure. Utah was named the best overall state, while Louisiana ranked 50th. The rankings were determined using a point-based system where states were received points out of 100 for each category, supplemented by a survey of over 56,000 people across the country between 2018 and 2025.

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