What is the most toxic state to live in?

Asked by: Fiona Osinski  |  Last update: August 26, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (27 votes)

The title for most toxic location in the United States goes to a remote, and perhaps surprising location. According to the EPA's Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), Kotzebue, Alaska, a city of 3,500 residents located 30 miles north of the Arctic Circle takes that dubious honor.

What is the least toxic state to live in?

  • Vermont. #1 in Low Industrial Toxins. ...
  • New Hampshire. #2 in Low Industrial Toxins. ...
  • South Dakota. #3 in Low Industrial Toxins. ...
  • New Mexico. #4 in Low Industrial Toxins. ...
  • Wyoming. #5 in Low Industrial Toxins. ...
  • Colorado. #6 in Low Industrial Toxins. ...
  • Oregon. #7 in Low Industrial Toxins. ...
  • Nebraska. #8 in Low Industrial Toxins.

What is the most unhealthy state to live in?

  1. Louisiana. Overtaking Mississippi, Louisiana is the most unhealthy state according to data collected in 2021. ...
  2. Alabama. Alabama is the second most unhealthy state in the United States. ...
  3. West Virginia. Coming in at number three, we have West Virginia. ...
  4. Kentucky. ...
  5. Arkansas. ...
  6. South Carolina. ...
  7. Oklahoma. ...
  8. Mississippi.

What state has the most toxic air?

California is the most polluted state in the US. Six of the most polluted cities are located in California, with Fresno-Madera and Bakersfield being the two areas with the highest levels of particulate pollution. The worst ozone levels can be found in Los Angeles.

What state is the hardest to breathe in?

California consistently ranks as the most polluted state in the country.

Top 10 Most Toxic States 2021.

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What is the cleanest state?

  • Vermont. #1 in Pollution. #7 in Best States Overall. ...
  • New Hampshire. #2 in Pollution. #2 in Best States Overall. ...
  • South Dakota. #3 in Pollution. #11 in Best States Overall. ...
  • New Mexico. #4 in Pollution. #49 in Best States Overall. ...
  • Maine. #5 in Pollution. ...
  • New York. #6 in Pollution. ...
  • Rhode Island. #7 in Pollution. ...
  • California. #8 in Pollution.

What is the dirtiest state?

1. Louisiana. Louisiana often sits at the top of the list of the most polluted states due to a long industrial past and current industrial sites, including petrochemical production, chemical plants, and shipyards.

What is the best state to live in?

The top 10 best states to live in are:
  • Massachusetts.
  • Florida.
  • New Jersey.
  • Utah.
  • New Hampshire.
  • Idaho.
  • Pennsylvania.
  • Wisconsin.

What state has the cleanest water?

The top 10 states with the cleanest water in 2021 are:
  • Minnesota.
  • New Hampshire.
  • Connecticut.
  • Vermont.
  • Kansas.
  • Missouri.
  • Oregon.
  • Massachusetts.

What is the unhappiest state to live in?

Louisiana

Louisiana is the unhappiest state in the US, ranking second-to-last for emotional and physical well-being and work environment.

What is the most obese state?

Percentage of obese U.S. adults by state 2023

West Virginia, Mississippi, and Arkansas are the U.S. states with the highest percentage of their population who are obese. The states with the lowest percentage of their population who are obese include Colorado, Hawaii, and Massachusetts.

What is the most stressful state to live in?

Key Findings

Hawaii is the most-stressed state overall, with a 45.31% stress rate. South Carolina is the least-stressed state (36.99%).

What is the least safe US state?

WalletHub released a 2023 study ranking the safest states in the US. Fifty-two safety indicators were considered in five categories, including road and financial safety. Louisiana was ranked at the bottom of the list, making it the least-safe state in the US.

What state has the most chemicals?

The top 10 states with the greatest number of chemical facilities with dangerous chemicals are:
  • California 886.
  • Iowa 874.
  • Kansas 666.
  • Indiana 458.
  • Nebraska 456.
  • Minnesota 429.
  • Ohio 402.
  • Missouri 363.

What is the most difficult state to live in?

Louisiana was ranked the worst state to live in, followed by New Mexico.

What is the kindest state to live in?

1. Minnesota. Minnesota has long been associated with the term "Minnesota Nice," a phrase that embodies politeness and reserved friendliness.

What state has the lowest taxes?

  • Alaska. #1 in Low Tax Burden. #45 in Best States Overall. ...
  • Florida. #2 in Low Tax Burden. #9 in Best States Overall. ...
  • South Dakota. #3 in Low Tax Burden. ...
  • Wyoming. #4 in Low Tax Burden. ...
  • Tennessee. #5 in Low Tax Burden. ...
  • New Hampshire. #6 in Low Tax Burden. ...
  • Texas. #7 in Low Tax Burden. ...
  • Oklahoma. #8 in Low Tax Burden.

Which is the cleanest state?

According to the Indian Government's annual cleanliness survey, Maharashtra is the cleanest state in India.

What is the most unhealthy state in America?

A 2023 report by The Commonwealth Fund, an independent research group, also found that the U.S. has the highest rate of people diagnosed with multiple chronic illnesses when compared to other wealthy nations. As for the unhealthiest state in America, West Virginia claims the No. 1 spot.

What is the cleanest city in the world?

Copenhagen, Denmark: The cleanest city on the planet

Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark, with a population of 1,990,000, and has become the cleanest city in the world thanks to social awareness and environmentally friendly practices.

What state has the cleanest air?

Top States with the Best Air Quality in 2024
  1. Hawaii. Hawaii consistently ranks as having some of the best air quality in the United States. ...
  2. Maine. Maine's vast forests and low population density significantly affect its clean air status. ...
  3. Vermont. ...
  4. New Hampshire. ...
  5. Virginia. ...
  6. West Virginia. ...
  7. Nebraska. ...
  8. Massachusetts.