Ranking the Best States for 2023: Surprises and Disappointments

Michigan has been ranked at No. 41 in the U.S. News ranking of the best states for 2023, which uses thousands of data points to capture how all 50 states serve their residents. While Michigan fared decently well in health care and opportunity, it struggled in infrastructure, education, fiscal stability, and crime. The ranking makes little sense when it comes to natural environment, where Michigan is ranked No. 36, despite being the only state with two peninsulas, home to the Great Lakes, and having the longest freshwater coastline of any state.