Every state trades something for something else. Low income taxes often mean higher property or sales taxes; cheap housing often means longer commutes or thinner job markets.
The five variables
Weigh taxation, housing cost, job market depth, climate, and proximity to community together. Ranking them honestly is more useful than any national list.
- Total tax burden — income, property, sales
- Housing cost relative to local salaries
- Depth of your industry's job market
- Climate and seasonal extremes
- Community, language support, and family proximity
Test before you commit
If you can, visit in the least pleasant season rather than the best one. A city in July tells you more than the same city in October.
