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States 50 states · 855 posts from locals across 48 threads

Every state, with the numbers that decide a move.

Each one has a guide, a thread of locals, and the same readings on home values, taxes, sunshine and safety, plus the cities we cover inside it. Ranks link to the full list.

By The Honest Local · see the cities · all of it on the Living-In Map · the rankings

50 shown, A to Z

Alabama
14 posts in the thread
- Home value$241,6138th of 50
- Income tax5%29th of 50
- Property tax0.4%2nd of 50
- Sunshine53.54.6 peak sun hours a day22nd of 51
- Safety73.7353 violent crimes per 100k23rd of 44
- Affordability61.716th of 50
Cities we cover here: Huntsville
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗This week’s movers
Alaska
2 posts in the thread
- Home value$398,66329th of 50
- Income tax0%1st of 50
- Property tax1.1%35th of 50
- Sunshine18.62.5 peak sun hours a day41st of 51
- Safety39.4736 violent crimes per 100k43rd of 44
- Affordability49.431st of 50
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗This week’s movers
Arizona
66 posts in the thread
- Home value$417,99034th of 50
- Income tax2.5%10th of 50
- Property tax0.5%4th of 50
- Sunshine97.15.8 peak sun hours a day1st of 51
- Safety70.1383 violent crimes per 100k27th of 44
- Affordability52.627th of 50
Cities we cover here: Phoenix, Tucson
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗This week’s movers
Arkansas
11 posts in the thread
- Home value$227,2645th of 50
- Income tax3.9%18th of 50
- Property tax0.6%13th of 50
- Sunshine60.64.5 peak sun hours a day18th of 51
- Safety55.7535 violent crimes per 100k40th of 44
- Affordability72.74th of 50
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗This week’s movers
California
36 posts in the thread
- Home value$764,15849th of 50
- Income tax13.3%50th of 50
- Property tax0.7%16th of 50
- Sunshine91.15.3 peak sun hours a day4th of 51
- Safety59.9435 violent crimes per 100k37th of 44
- Affordability1450th of 50
Cities we cover here: Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗This week’s movers
Colorado
6 posts in the thread
- Home value$532,74844th of 50
- Income tax4.4%22nd of 50
- Property tax0.5%5th of 50
- Sunshine80.84.9 peak sun hours a day6th of 51
- Safety53.4438 violent crimes per 100k42nd of 44
- Affordability45.736th of 50
Cities we cover here: Colorado Springs, Denver
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗This week’s movers
Connecticut
5 posts in the thread
- Home value$450,87337th of 50
- Income tax7%40th of 50
- Property tax1.8%48th of 50
- Sunshine253.9 peak sun hours a day39th of 51
- Safety95.3111 violent crimes per 100k4th of 44
- Affordability38.840th of 50
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗This week’s movers
Delaware
5 posts in the thread
- Home value$406,07431st of 50
- Income tax6.6%39th of 50
- Property tax0.5%8th of 50
- Sunshine38.54.1 peak sun hours a day30th of 51
- Safety71.5352 violent crimes per 100k25th of 44
- Affordability58.122nd of 50
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗This week’s movers
Florida
20 posts in the thread
- Home value$375,47028th of 50
- Income tax0%1st of 50
- Property tax0.8%23rd of 50
- Sunshine63.55 peak sun hours a day13th of 51
- Safetyno reading
- Affordability57.923rd of 50
Cities we cover here: Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Sarasota, Tampa
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗This week’s movers
Georgia
8 posts in the thread
- Home value$330,81722nd of 50
- Income tax5.2%30th of 50
- Property tax0.8%24th of 50
- Sunshine62.54.6 peak sun hours a day15th of 51
- Safety80.7301 violent crimes per 100k19th of 44
- Affordability5724th of 50
Cities we cover here: Atlanta, Savannah
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗This week’s movers
Hawaii
89 posts in the thread
- Home value$833,34050th of 50
- Income tax11%49th of 50
- Property tax0.3%1st of 50
- Sunshine87.15.8 peak sun hours a day5th of 51
- Safety79.4214 violent crimes per 100k20th of 44
- Affordability24.448th of 50
Cities we cover here: Honolulu
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗This week’s movers
Idaho
19 posts in the thread
- Home value$478,74439th of 50
- Income tax5.3%31st of 50
- Property tax0.5%7th of 50
- Sunshine69.24.6 peak sun hours a day10th of 51
- Safety94.6221 violent crimes per 100k5th of 44
- Affordability4635th of 50
Cities we cover here: Boise
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗This week’s movers
Illinois
3 posts in the thread
- Home value$297,57317th of 50
- Income tax5%28th of 50
- Property tax2%49th of 50
- Sunshine29.53.9 peak sun hours a day34th of 51
- Safety78258 violent crimes per 100k22nd of 44
- Affordability44.139th of 50
Cities we cover here: Chicago
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
Indiana
2 posts in the thread
- Home value$260,09511th of 50
- Income tax3%13th of 50
- Property tax0.7%21st of 50
- Sunshine26.34 peak sun hours a day38th of 51
- Safetyno reading
- Affordability72.25th of 50
Cities we cover here: Indianapolis
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
Iowa
4 posts in the thread
- Home value$239,5477th of 50
- Income tax3.8%17th of 50
- Property tax1.4%41st of 50
- Sunshine48.44.2 peak sun hours a day26th of 51
- Safety88.4238 violent crimes per 100k11th of 44
- Affordability68.210th of 50
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗This week’s movers
Kansas
7 posts in the thread
- Home value$249,60310th of 50
- Income tax5.6%32nd of 50
- Property tax1.3%38th of 50
- Sunshine63.24.5 peak sun hours a day14th of 51
- Safety54.2476 violent crimes per 100k41st of 44
- Affordability63.714th of 50
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
Kentucky
92 posts in the thread
- Home value$232,5776th of 50
- Income tax3.5%16th of 50
- Property tax0.8%22nd of 50
- Sunshine28.54.1 peak sun hours a day36th of 51
- Safety90.3214 violent crimes per 100k8th of 44
- Affordability762nd of 50
Cities we cover here: Louisville
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
Louisiana
2 posts in the thread
- Home value$217,0393rd of 50
- Income tax3%14th of 50
- Property tax0.5%12th of 50
- Sunshine64.54.7 peak sun hours a day12th of 51
- Safetyno reading
- Affordability76.61st of 50
Cities we cover here: New Orleans
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
Maine
23 posts in the thread
- Home value$415,55233rd of 50
- Income tax7.2%41st of 50
- Property tax1%32nd of 50
- Sunshine12.23.7 peak sun hours a day47th of 51
- Safety98.695 violent crimes per 100k1st of 44
- Affordability34.942nd of 50
Cities we cover here: Portland
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
Maryland
2 posts in the thread
- Home value$428,30835th of 50
- Income tax6.5%38th of 50
- Property tax1%29th of 50
- Sunshine36.24.1 peak sun hours a day31st of 51
- Safety65365 violent crimes per 100k32nd of 44
- Affordability49.530th of 50
Cities we cover here: Baltimore
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
Massachusetts
6 posts in the thread
- Home value$661,89648th of 50
- Income tax9%44th of 50
- Property tax1.1%34th of 50
- Sunshine15.73.8 peak sun hours a day44th of 51
- Safety86301 violent crimes per 100k15th of 44
- Affordability27.346th of 50
Cities we cover here: Boston
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
Michigan
13 posts in the thread
- Home value$266,29212th of 50
- Income tax4.3%21st of 50
- Property tax1.3%37th of 50
- Sunshine11.93.8 peak sun hours a day48th of 51
- Safety73.4431 violent crimes per 100k24th of 44
- Affordability5919th of 50
Cities we cover here: Detroit
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
Minnesota
5 posts in the thread
- Home value$350,75226th of 50
- Income tax9.9%45th of 50
- Property tax1%31st of 50
- Sunshine35.63.9 peak sun hours a day32nd of 51
- Safety85.2226 violent crimes per 100k16th of 44
- Affordability46.534th of 50
Cities we cover here: Minneapolis
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
Mississippi
11 posts in the thread
- Home value$197,6062nd of 50
- Income tax4%20th of 50
- Property tax0.7%18th of 50
- Sunshine62.24.7 peak sun hours a day16th of 51
- Safetyno reading
- Affordability74.73rd of 50
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
Missouri
9 posts in the thread
- Home value$267,87913th of 50
- Income tax4.7%27th of 50
- Property tax0.8%28th of 50
- Sunshine55.54.3 peak sun hours a day20th of 51
- Safety62.1426 violent crimes per 100k35th of 44
- Affordability58.920th of 50
Cities we cover here: Kansas City, St. Louis
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
Montana
5 posts in the thread
- Home value$471,74638th of 50
- Income tax5.7%33rd of 50
- Property tax0.7%19th of 50
- Sunshine49.44 peak sun hours a day25th of 51
- Safety69422 violent crimes per 100k29th of 44
- Affordability45.638th of 50
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
Nebraska
3 posts in the thread
- Home value$280,67314th of 50
- Income tax4.6%25th of 50
- Property tax1.5%43rd of 50
- Sunshine594.3 peak sun hours a day19th of 51
- Safety86.8223 violent crimes per 100k13th of 44
- Affordability65.412th of 50
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
Nevada
4 posts in the thread
- Home value$442,02736th of 50
- Income tax0%1st of 50
- Property tax0.5%3rd of 50
- Sunshine95.65.4 peak sun hours a day2nd of 51
- Safety59.5384 violent crimes per 100k38th of 44
- Affordability50.529th of 50
Cities we cover here: Las Vegas, Reno
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
New Hampshire
2 posts in the thread
- Home value$516,30642nd of 50
- Income tax0%1st of 50
- Property tax1.7%47th of 50
- Sunshine14.13.8 peak sun hours a day46th of 51
- Safety98.6119 violent crimes per 100k1st of 44
- Affordability45.736th of 50
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
New Jersey
10 posts in the thread
- Home value$580,35346th of 50
- Income tax10.8%47th of 50
- Property tax2.1%50th of 50
- Sunshine31.34 peak sun hours a day33rd of 51
- Safety92.1199 violent crimes per 100k7th of 44
- Affordability25.547th of 50
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
New Mexico
28 posts in the thread
- Home value$318,24120th of 50
- Income tax5.9%35th of 50
- Property tax0.7%17th of 50
- Sunshine92.35.5 peak sun hours a day3rd of 51
- Safety38648 violent crimes per 100k44th of 44
- Affordability47.632nd of 50
Cities we cover here: Albuquerque
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
New York
- Home value$526,71443rd of 50
- Income tax10.9%48th of 50
- Property tax1.6%45th of 50
- Sunshine26.94 peak sun hours a day37th of 51
- Safety70.8368 violent crimes per 100k26th of 44
- Affordability17.349th of 50
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
North Carolina
17 posts in the thread
- Home value$334,77324th of 50
- Income tax4%19th of 50
- Property tax0.7%15th of 50
- Sunshine524.5 peak sun hours a day23rd of 51
- Safety69.7331 violent crimes per 100k28th of 44
- Affordability60.218th of 50
Cities we cover here: Asheville, Charlotte, Raleigh
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
North Dakota
5 posts in the thread
- Home value$292,29316th of 50
- Income tax2.5%10th of 50
- Property tax1%30th of 50
- Sunshine46.23.9 peak sun hours a day27th of 51
- Safety80.9240 violent crimes per 100k18th of 44
- Affordability68.59th of 50
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
Ohio
16 posts in the thread
- Home value$248,8039th of 50
- Income tax2.8%12th of 50
- Property tax1.3%40th of 50
- Sunshine16.43.9 peak sun hours a day43rd of 51
- Safety79.1288 violent crimes per 100k21st of 44
- Affordability70.16th of 50
Cities we cover here: Cincinnati, Columbus
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
Oklahoma
10 posts in the thread
- Home value$223,2614th of 50
- Income tax4.5%23rd of 50
- Property tax0.8%25th of 50
- Sunshine754.7 peak sun hours a day9th of 51
- Safety61.1412 violent crimes per 100k36th of 44
- Affordability69.78th of 50
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
Pennsylvania
9 posts in the thread
- Home value$290,40115th of 50
- Income tax3.1%15th of 50
- Property tax1.3%39th of 50
- Sunshine15.73.9 peak sun hours a day45th of 51
- Safety86.7229 violent crimes per 100k14th of 44
- Affordability5425th of 50
Cities we cover here: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
Rhode Island
- Home value$511,23341st of 50
- Income tax6%36th of 50
- Property tax1.2%36th of 50
- Sunshine28.74 peak sun hours a day35th of 51
- Safety97.1146 violent crimes per 100k3rd of 44
- Affordability30.545th of 50
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
South Carolina
4 posts in the thread
- Home value$306,32319th of 50
- Income tax6%37th of 50
- Property tax0.5%6th of 50
- Sunshine60.64.7 peak sun hours a day17th of 51
- Safety64.6389 violent crimes per 100k33rd of 44
- Affordability58.821st of 50
Cities we cover here: Charleston, Greenville
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
South Dakota
12 posts in the thread
- Home value$321,57421st of 50
- Income tax0%1st of 50
- Property tax1.1%33rd of 50
- Sunshine55.54.2 peak sun hours a day20th of 51
- Safetyno reading
- Affordability64.913th of 50
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
Tennessee
58 posts in the thread
- Home value$334,10823rd of 50
- Income tax0%1st of 50
- Property tax0.5%9th of 50
- Sunshine43.94.4 peak sun hours a day29th of 51
- Safety58.2499 violent crimes per 100k39th of 44
- Affordability63.315th of 50
Cities we cover here: Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
Texas
48 posts in the thread
- Home value$299,36718th of 50
- Income tax0%1st of 50
- Property tax1.5%44th of 50
- Sunshine764.8 peak sun hours a day8th of 51
- Safety68.6349 violent crimes per 100k30th of 44
- Affordability60.817th of 50
Cities we cover here: Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗This week’s movers
the US Virgin Islands
6 posts in the thread
- Home valueno reading
- Income taxno reading
- Property taxno reading
- Sunshine50.35.9 peak sun hours a day24th of 51
- Safetyno reading
- Affordabilityno reading
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
Utah
10 posts in the thread
- Home value$534,58245th of 50
- Income tax4.5%23rd of 50
- Property tax0.5%10th of 50
- Sunshine79.84.9 peak sun hours a day7th of 51
- Safety88.1225 violent crimes per 100k12th of 44
- Affordability47.133rd of 50
Cities we cover here: Salt Lake City
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
Vermont
43 posts in the thread
- Home value$399,05330th of 50
- Income tax8.8%43rd of 50
- Property tax1.6%46th of 50
- Sunshine2.63.5 peak sun hours a day51st of 51
- Safety85.2220 violent crimes per 100k17th of 44
- Affordability36.741st of 50
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
Virginia
17 posts in the thread
- Home value$414,66232nd of 50
- Income tax5.8%34th of 50
- Property tax0.7%20th of 50
- Sunshine44.64.4 peak sun hours a day28th of 51
- Safety89.5210 violent crimes per 100k10th of 44
- Affordability52.528th of 50
Cities we cover here: Richmond
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
Washington
44 posts in the thread
- Home value$591,87947th of 50
- Income tax0%1st of 50
- Property tax0.8%26th of 50
- Sunshine5.23.6 peak sun hours a day50th of 51
- Safety66.4292 violent crimes per 100k31st of 44
- Affordability34.743rd of 50
Cities we cover here: Seattle, Spokane, Vancouver
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
West Virginia
18 posts in the thread
- Home value$179,4961st of 50
- Income tax4.6%26th of 50
- Property tax0.5%11th of 50
- Sunshine18.34 peak sun hours a day42nd of 51
- Safetyno reading
- Affordability707th of 50
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗
Wisconsin
7 posts in the thread
- Home value$339,69925th of 50
- Income tax7.7%42nd of 50
- Property tax1.4%42nd of 50
- Sunshine18.93.7 peak sun hours a day40th of 51
- Safety90245 violent crimes per 100k9th of 44
- Affordability53.726th of 50
Cities we cover here: Milwaukee
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗This week’s movers
Wyoming
19 posts in the thread
- Home value$371,85427th of 50
- Income tax0%1st of 50
- Property tax0.6%14th of 50
- Sunshine684.6 peak sun hours a day11th of 51
- Safety94.2188 violent crimes per 100k6th of 44
- Affordability65.911th of 50
Read the guide Ask the locals On the map ↗

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Cite this

The Honest Local, Every state on The Honest Local, 50 guides with live numbers, October 2026, https://thehonestlocal.com/states

Free to reuse with attribution (CC BY 4.0). Data last moved October 13, 2026. Each number's source and period sit on its ranking page, one click from its rank.

Sources and method

Photos Shutterstock · Shutterstock/Alexey Kamenskiy · Shutterstock/F · Shutterstock/Greg Browning · Shutterstock/Jon Bilous · Shutterstock/Pisaphotography · Shutterstock/UladzikKryhin.

The readings on this page are the same rows as the tape on each guide and the Living-In Map: Zillow for home values and rent, the Tax Foundation for income and property tax rates, and The Honest Local’s own Sunshine, Safety and Affordability scores, each a blend of at least two public sources named at the foot of its ranking page. Ranks count only states; cities and states never share a race. Thread and verdict counts come from the site’s own moderated posts. A place with no reading shows none rather than an estimate.