Why Washington Is the Best State in America
SEATTLE—Buoyed by its rapidly expanding economy, Washington state is on a winning streak.
For the second time, Washington has been named No. 1 in the U.S. News Best States ranking and is the first state to earn the top spot twice in a row.
Washington's low-carbon energy system and robust secondary education system continue to rank among the nation's best, as does the state's economy, the fastest growing in the nation. Shortcomings have proved persistent, too, as the state's high living and labor costs leave it in the middle of the pack when it comes to opportunity for its residents, according to the Best States rankings.