California Falls to 35th Spot in Best-State Rankings, Topped by Affordability Concerns

A U.S. News ranking released on July 28 placed California at 35th out of all states, making it the lowest‑ranked state for both affordability and opportunity despite a median household income above $100,000. The report measured eight categories, including education, healthcare, economy and fiscal stability. California ranked 7th in overall healthcare, 6th in higher education, but 41st in K‑12 education. Affordability was the weakest area, with a cost‑of‑living index and housing affordability index that placed the state last; median home prices are about $775,000, nearly double the national average. The state’s Department of Housing & Community Development classifies a six‑figure salary as low‑income in seven coastal counties, and the Legislative Analyst’s Office notes a low‑income threshold of $100,000 in those areas. Uninsured residents account for 8.4% of the population, lower than the national 11.3% rate, while the obesity rate stands at 29.1% versus 34.2% nationally. Utah topped the overall ranking, followed by South Dakota, Minnesota, North Dakota and Nebraska.