Oxfam report ranks best and worst U.S. states for working families

Oxfam has released its annual report identifying the best and worst U.S. states for working families in 2026. The report evaluates states based on three primary criteria: wages (35%), worker protections (35%), and the right to organize (30%).

California ranked first across all three policy areas, followed by the District of Columbia, New York, Illinois, and Oregon. These top-performing regions are noted for higher minimum wages, protections against wage theft, and policies ensuring equal pay across race and gender.

Conversely, South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and North Carolina received the lowest scores in these categories. The report highlights a rising wealth gap and notes that recent legislative changes, specifically the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill, reduced resources for lower-income classes by cutting SNAP and Medicaid benefits.