California dead last for economic opportunity, among worst for fiscal stability: report

California is last in the nation when it comes to economic opportunity, while ranking 35th overall among the best states, according to the latest 2026 ratings from US News & World Report. 

The survey ranked all 50 states based on eight categories, from healthcare and education to crime and the economy, to determine which states are among the best and worst in America. 

“You run into a state like California where it obviously has some real prominent strengths, but then there’s enough prominent weaknesses that really balance those out and end up where you are at 35th overall,” US News managing editor Eric Litke told The California Post.

The ratings were based on several surveys conducted over multiple years, asking people how satisfied they were with their state’s performance and which areas need to be prioritized. 

“In this space where we are in this hyperpolarized political climate, this is just our attempt to be a reality check,” Litke said.

“So, we’re not letting our perceptions of government be shaped by rhetoric but just saying, ‘Hey, what does the data tell us?’”

Overall, California ranked as the 35th best state in the country, falling outside the top 20 in every category besides healthcare where it ranked No. 7. 

“It’s 25th in education, 27th in environment, dead last, 50th in opportunity, 44th in fiscal stability,” Litke said. “So, you kind of pull all those things together, and that’s where you land 35th overall.”

California ranks 32nd for infrastructure and 36th for crime and corrections. 

However, the Golden State did improve from last year’s best state rankings, where it came in at No. 37. 

Utah earned the title of the best state, with South Dakota, Minnesota, North Dakota and Nebraska rounding out the top 5, according to US News 2026 rankings. 

“There’s a lot that goes into running a government, and ultimately these rankings reflect a range of policies and priorities that have been implemented over years and decades,” Litke told The Post.

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