{"id":789739,"date":"2026-07-28T17:50:10","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T17:50:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/789739\/"},"modified":"2026-07-28T17:50:10","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T17:50:10","slug":"california-among-the-worst-states-for-fiscal-stability-in-new-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/789739\/","title":{"rendered":"California among the worst states for fiscal stability in new report"},"content":{"rendered":"

California is last in the nation when it comes to economic opportunity<\/a>, while ranking 35th overall among the best states, according to the latest 2026 ratings from US News & World Report<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cYou run into a state like California where it obviously has some real prominent strengths, but then there\u2019s enough prominent weaknesses that really balance those out and end up where you are at 35th overall,\u201d US News managing editor Eric Litke told The California Post.<\/p>\n

California is last in the nation when it comes to economic opportunity according to the US News & World Report.\u00a0 Los Angeles Times via Getty Images<\/p>\n

The ratings were based on several surveys conducted over multiple years, asking people how satisfied they were with their state\u2019s performance and which areas need to be prioritized.\u00a0<\/p>\n

California ranked as the 35th best state in the US, falling outside the top 20 in every category besides healthcare. Getty Images<\/p>\n

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California ranks 32nd for infrastructure and 36th for crime and corrections. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cIn this space where we are in this hyperpolarized political climate, this is just our attempt to be a reality check,\u201d Litke said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, we\u2019re not letting our perceptions of government be shaped by rhetoric but just saying, \u2018Hey, what does the data tell us?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Overall, California ranked as the 35th best state<\/a> in the country, falling outside the top 20 in every category besides healthcare where it ranked No. 7.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s 25th in education, 27th in environment, dead last, 50th in opportunity, 44th in fiscal stability,\u201d Litke said. \u201cSo, you kind of pull all those things together, and that\u2019s where you land 35th overall.\u201d<\/p>\n

California ranks 32nd for infrastructure and 36th for crime and corrections.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The survey ranked all 50 states based on eight categories, from healthcare and education to crime and the economy. Getty Images<\/p>\n

However, the Golden State did improve from last year\u2019s best state rankings, where it came in at No. 37.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s 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,\u201d Litke told The Post.<\/p>\n

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