If the United States were a US state
Where it would rank among 50 states + DC — median rank 23rd
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Where it would rank among 50 states + DC — median rank 23rd
Common questions
Across 16 measures of health, safety, money, education and the environment, the United States's median rank would be 23rd on a list of the 50 states plus Washington, DC. It lands in the top half of that list on 10 of the 16 measures.
The United States's GDP per capita is $90,027, price-adjusted so states and countries sit on one scale. That would rank 17th of 52 among the states — richer than most US states. Source: World Bank (PPP), 2025. See the full ranking
Life expectancy in the United States is 78.9 years. Set against its own 50 states and DC, the national figure would rank 6th of 52. Source: World Bank / UN Population Division, 2024. See the full ranking
The United States's homicide rate is 5.8 per 100k — higher than in most US states. Ranked with the states on the lowest rate, it would come 29th of 52. Source: UNODC / WHO, 2023. See the full ranking
On the 17 measures with wide global coverage, the United States's median rank is 68th out of roughly 190 countries (coverage varies by measure). Rank 1st means best in the world.
Compared with US states, the United States's strongest measure is statutory paid holiday: at 0 days, it would rank 1st of 52. Source: OECD / national statutes, 2026. See the full ranking
The United States's weakest showing is lowest obesity: 41.8 % of adults would rank 52nd of 52 — last place on the list. Source: WHO Global Health Observatory, 2024. See the full ranking
The United States scores 6.82 / 10 for self-reported life satisfaction, ranking 23rd of 162 countries worldwide. Source: World Happiness Report, 2025. See the full ranking
The United States has about 341.8 million people — more people than any US state. Dropped into the list of 50 states plus DC, it would rank 1st of 52 by population. Source: World Bank, 2025. See the full ranking