How divided are America’s emotions about California?
Ponder a curious ballot of 1,000 American adults performed for Intelligent Actual Property, which requested about numerous traits of the 50 states. My trusty spreadsheet’s evaluation of this reputation contest dug into the nation’s love-hate relationship with the Golden State.
For instance, the survey took a curious route to achieve perception into “desirability” – asking people to rank states as each “most” and “least” fascinating.
Most fascinating? California ranked No. 2, behind Florida. Then got here Hawaii, Texas, and New York. Every have large economies and/or nice trip spots.
The bottom scores had been in Mississippi, Kansas and Nebraska. Want I say extra?
Nevertheless, look what popped up when the query of “least desirable” was requested: conflicted emotions for California.
The Golden State acquired the No. 1 rating adopted by Alabama, New York, Alaska and Florida. Lowest scores had been for North Carolina, New Hampshire, and Montana.
Value factors
A considerably extra logical break up was discovered within the rankings on twin questions on affordability.
California ranked No. 3 as a spot for a relocation with “an unlimited budget” – trailing Hawaii and Florida. The bottom scores had been in Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas.
However should you’re financially struggling, a transfer to California ranked forty second greatest. Can’t argue with that, contemplating the Golden State’s lofty price of dwelling.
Prime bargains had been Alabama, Arkansas and West Virginia. Worst? Massachusetts, Hawaii and New Jersey.
Different grades
California was additionally poorly graded as a “most underrated” state with a No. 43 rating.
To attain properly, dimension mattered, as in small populations. Tops had been Vermont, Wyoming and Maine. Worst rankings had much less of a theme: Mississippi, New York and Louisiana.
Two different ballot questions had been more durable to outline in the event that they had been monitoring good or dangerous traits.
“Most boring” might imply boring or peaceable. California ranked a mid-range No. 29.
Iowa, Idaho and Wyoming had been essentially the most boring. The least had been Hawaii, North Carolina and Massachusetts.
And, lastly, there’s the “quirkiest residents” grades. Quirky might be a constructive or a adverse, relying on one’s tolerance for the out-of-the-ordinary.
California ranked No. 1, forward of Alaska, New York, Utah and Oregon. Least quirky? North Carolina, South Carolina and Maryland.
Remaining rating
California acquired very divergent grades.
Six of its rankings fell inside the prime or backside 10 among the many seven questions. That tied North Carolina for essentially the most excessive grades.
Six states had 5 excessive rankings: Florida, New York, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and North Dakota.
Or ponder a geeky “standard deviation” stat that tracks volatility. Solely three states had wilder deviations of their ballot rankings than California: New York, North Carolina and Mississippi.
Initially Revealed: September 19, 2025 at 8:08 AM PDT
