Top Ten Overrated States in the U.S.

1. California

   

   California is a state in the Southwestern United States. With 39.6 million residents across a total area of about 163,696 square miles (423,970 square kilometers), California is the most populous U.S. state and the third largest by area. The state capital is Sacramento, and the largest city is Los Angeles.... read more

   Where do I start. Southern California is expensive and all the places you will pay to live in have NO Character; they are simply lame, generic apartments and homes with no style at all. Along the same lines are the people... Majority of southern Californians have no sense of fashion whatsoever; I mean it could be because they are spending ALL there money on rent, so they are left wearing 1970's Wal-Mart clothes.

   Besides those points, there is traffic EVERYWHERE. It is a pain in the butt to get anywhere at all. You spend all of your time in useless Corporate jobs where you most likely have to commute, therefore your in rush hour all of time, and are spending all your money on living.

   My next complaint is the ULTRA Strong sun. The problem is that since the temperature is always nice, you don't realize how strong those UV Rays R. I was constantly burnt and got a lot of new freckles. Then there is the Arid, Dry climate that will dry your skin and hair out like a prune. It is horrible.

   I just moved home from Southern California and honestly have zero desire to ever go back.

2. Florida

   

   Florida is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is the southeasternmost U.S. state, with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. Florida is known for its warm climate, tourism industry, and diverse population.

   Florida is not bad at all as what people say. Of course, if you didn't like your experience in Florida for any reason, I am totally OK with that. But when people start criticizing Florida (or any other state) based on stereotypes or what they hear(and it's obvious when they are), that's when it is not OK. Every state has ups and downs, and depending on the person, more of the other. For example, California was a blast for me. The only thing off was the weather, and that's the same with my experience in Florida. There is so much to do down there, but the weather wasnt ideal. Again it depends on the person, and whichever part of the state you go (the panhandle was questionable for sure).

3. New York

   

   New York is a state located in the Mid-Atlantic region. It was one of the original thirteen colonies that formed the United States. As of 2025, it is the fourth most populous state, with over 19 million residents. To distinguish the state from the city with the same name, it is sometimes referred to... read more

   The best state. I everyone else is jealous... the only bad part about it are the Jersey rats trying to call themselves New Yorkers. We have Niagara Falls, not one, but two of the great lakes, the mountains, the rolling hills, the great education, the beaches (lakes, oceans, rivers), picturesque small towns, the history, the culture, and not to mention, the Greatest City in the world, NEW YORK CITY! Plus all the songs about us. You will never find any place quite like it.

   And once again, my state's reputation is ruined by the city. New York has a population of 19.8 million. The city has a population of 8.5 million. That's only 43% of the whole state's population. And size wise, city takes up a mere 0.5% of the state's land area. So yeah. Stop acting like the city is the only part of NY that exists just because it's the only part you bothered to visit. Hike to the top of Mt. Marcy and look out and then try and tell me New York is "dirty and overcrowded".

4. Massachusetts

   

   Massachusetts, officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is the most populous state in New England, a region in the northeastern United States. It is known for its significant colonial history, prestigious universities, and major technology, finance, and healthcare industries. The capital, Boston... read more

   Massachusetts really is overrated. Specifically Western Mass. Funding here is ridiculous. All of our roads and bridges are ridiculous, and NOT up to code. And then there's Eastern Mass. Boston. Boston is really just an outrageous tourist attraction. It's impossible to navigate by car, so use the train. While Eastern Mass is rolling in the dough, we people in the West are stuck on ripped-up trails they call roads.

   I was on 495 when a major accident happened, my GPS said "Despite there being an accident, this is the fastest route to your destination"

   #1 in the Country? Yeah, okay, if you factor out the stress of the abysmal traffic system. Can't even get to the grocery store without hassle because my small town is a through town to get to 495.

5. Texas

   

   Texas is a state in the southern United States. It is the second largest by both area and population. Its largest city is Houston, and the state's economy is diverse, including energy, technology, agriculture, and aerospace. It is also known for its hot weather, which can reach around 100 °F in many... read more

   I live Texas. It's deplorable. The air is unfit to breath. The lakes are so contaminated with pollution they recommend not eating the fish. The coastal beaches are rife with flesh eating bacterial out breaks and the water has a lingering putrid odor. Quite unlike the photos they show of a vibrantly blue colored Gulf of Mexico, the water is actually brown & you can't even see your feet through it at a depth of more than 4 inches.. The population density has risen so much in the past 3 years that if you live in any of the major cities all you will hear 7 days per week is unregulated noise pollution from ongoing construction projects and enjoy the hours of your life gone forever sitting in freeway traffic jams. On your days off you can enjoy the piercing sounds of stupidity via weed whackers & leaf blowers as the abused immigrant laborer's blow dirt, dust and debris from the neighbor's on one side of the street only to return later in the week to blow all the crap back across the street creating clouds that cover EVERYTHING. The real estate taxes are just as excessively inflated and abusive as the inferior government. When you change your driver's license and car title to Texas, they sell your personal information to marketing company's so I hope you enjoy getting lots of junk mail, spam and having a government that is willing complicit in assisting identity thieves while profiteering a the expense of citizens lives.. Texas is an overpriced 3rd world dump.

6. Oregon

   

   Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean, on the north by Washington, on the south by California, on the east by Idaho, and on the southeast by Nevada.... read more

   Oregon is as it seems, its pretty nice there and it has many activities, I don't live there but I've visited and, yes there are "hippies" but they don't bother you.

   Portland is full of weirdos. Oregon is a sad, miserable state. The weather is awful and a lot of the state is empty wasteland

   Some of my family members went there once and said it was very boring.

7. Washington

   

   Washington is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, located north of Oregon, west of Idaho, south of the Canadian province of British Columbia, and along the Pacific Ocean. It is the only state named after a U.S. president. Washington is a hub for the technology and aerospace... read more

   How is Washington state on this list? I went on vacation with my family to Seattle in December 2018 and November 2019, and it was awesome. Sure it was cold outside, but it sure beats the blazing sun at home. The air was so fresh and cold it actually hurt my nose when I went there. Additionally, I spent Thanksgiving 2019 up there. If I could, I'd go back to Seattle, especially during the late fall like I did 2 years in a row when I was 12 and 13 years old.

   Seattle is full of weirdos. They are anti social and mean. Rest of the state is super boring, full of dumb hicks, ugly white people, poor Indians. Just super sad

8. Hawaii

   

   Hawaii is the 50th and most recent state of the United States of America, receiving statehood on August 21, 1959. It is an archipelago located in the central Pacific Ocean. Hawaii is known for its unique culture, volcanic landscapes, and thriving tourism industry.

   1. Living costs are atrociously high due to paradise label, limited land, and the unavoidable costs of importing things from across 2400 miles from cali.

   2. Vast majority of population(over 2/3rds) in one city(Honolulu).

   3. Horrible unavoidable heat year round. There's a limit to how much clothing you can take off.

   4. Business is extremely tourism based and limited due to a small population and extremely competitive inside the main city Honolulu which means there's hardly any business outside it.

   5. Local issues such as highest homeless per capita and boundless racist hostility from the "native Hawaiians" which is killing their tourism.

   6. Transportation from one island to the next will cost you hundreds.

   7. You either are addicted to the beach, the heat, or it's really not for you.

   Glamorous Waikiki isn't a good depiction of the rest of the state.

9. Ohio

   

   Ohio is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is the 34th largest state by area, the seventh most populous, and the 10th most densely populated of the 50 states. Historically regarded as a major swing state, Ohio has leaned Republican in recent presidential elections and is home to... read more

   I don't know about the people, but the state itself, truly is the rectum of

   The country. Reason being it is the dirtiest, most "non" environmentally

   Friendly state in the country. I'm really tired of Northeast mountains and

   Lakes getting affected by Ohio in particular.

   Alright, I've traveled all over, and I confidently say that Ohio has literally NOTHING to do. Don't vacation here, save your money and camp in your backyard, it's a much better experience than what you'll have in the state of scum.

   The only really good part about Ohio is that it's safe to live there, because they don't really have to deal with many natural disasters, nor many dangerous wild animals.

   Other than that, it's really just an incredibly bland state.

10. North Carolina

    

    North Carolina is a state in the southeastern region of the United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west, Virginia to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. It is known for its diverse geography, from the Appalachian Mountains to the coastal... read more

    How is NC overrated? Though no place is perfect, I would say it's one of the best states. It's not pretentious and self promoting like CA and TX. Great weather, beautiful geography, affordable, strong economy, and really nice people. The methodology of this list has to be flawed.

    Wait wait wait, No way, cause When I looked at the unratted states or whatever North Carolina was #2 and even though North Carolina is 8th in overrated? No way :/ replace North Carolina in the top overrated states

    North Carolina may also be overrated but not extremely overrated. It may have friendly people and nice beaches but I don't know for sure.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Connecticut

    

    Connecticut is the southernmost state in the New England region of the United States. It is known for its rich colonial history, affluent suburbs, and prestigious universities, including Yale University.

    Connecticut also has a diverse economy rooted in finance, insurance, and manufacturing. The... read more

12. ?

    South Dakota

    

    South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is known for landmarks such as Mount Rushmore and the Badlands. Agriculture, tourism, and financial services are key components of the state's economy.

The Contenders

13. Arizona

    

    Arizona is a U.S. state in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the Western and the Mountain states. Arizona is known for its desert climate, the Grand Canyon, and its rapidly growing urban centers like Phoenix and Tucson.

    Live here, love it. Great place to live if your actually willing to go outdoors and hike.

    If you can take the heat, you'll love Arizona.

14. Nevada

    

    Nevada is a state in the Western, Mountain West, and Southwestern regions of the United States of America. It is known for its arid climate, vast deserts, and legalized gambling, particularly in Las Vegas. Nevada also has a significant mining industry, especially for gold and silver.

    The prostitute state. That's all it is. I inherited a piece of land there and wouldn't even sell it to you for 1 dollar because it would be ripping you off.

    Outside of Vegas it's just some desert areas that no one knows about and Vegas itself is just casinos and nothing cool if your under 21.

    Just a boring desert with one city full of hookers.

15. Missouri

    

    Missouri is a state located in the Midwestern United States. It is the 21st most extensive and the 19th most populous of the fifty states. Major cities include Kansas City, St. Louis, and Springfield, and the state is known for its diverse geography and cultural history.

    I live in Kansas city and I think it's boring, I mean sure we have zona Rosa and worlds of fun but those things get boring quicker than you think, plus here its very gloomy.

    Overrated means given too much attention. This is given no attention. How is it number 13? Yall idiots.

16. Colorado

    

    Colorado is a state in the United States that encompasses most of the Southern Rocky Mountains, as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains. It is known for its scenic landscapes, outdoor recreational opportunities, and cities such as Denver and... read more

    I'll never understand why people get so worked up about those fourteeners. It might have the "highest" mountains, but they're not very impressive when you realize you're already 9,000 feet above sea level and you're still in the foothills. Compared to mountain ranges in other western states, Colorado's mountains just aren't visually impressive. There's no vertical mountain walls or glaciers, just big, brown hills. Heck, they aren't even the most impressive in the Rockies, but everyone there seems to think it's the center of the world. And the skiing? I'll think about going there when I feel like sitting in a traffic jam with a bunch of ex-California suburbanites.

17. Illinois

    

    Illinois is a state in the midwestern region of the United States. It is the 6th most populous state and the 25th largest in terms of land area. Illinois is home to Chicago, the third-largest city in the United States.

    Illinois is very flat. You have to pay tolls to go through the state. The people of Illinois flee to Wisconsin every chance they get. Chicago is the most rat infested big city in the country (look it up). The people whine about there sport teams more then anyone, other than New York. The only reason this state should even still exist is portillos.

    Chicago seems like the only interesting and memorable part about it.

18. Georgia

    

    Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. Georgia has a diverse economy and is home to major cities such as Atlanta, a major transportation and business hub.

    I lived in Georgia pretty much my entire life, I grew up in a very remote town really far away for Atlanta, well not too far away and not to remote, but I love it cause I'm a person who really cares about stability, success, prosperity and being able to work to live, not live to work like I'm currently doing it here in SF, CA. Georgia is one the best states to live in if you're a person who's plans for life are to have a family, a good and comfortable life. I moved to San Francisco 2 years ago, I've had fun and it's cool but it's seriously overrated, expensive as hell, and people here are not polite at all! I hate that if full of Asians who just make this city be so crowded and dirty! Anyways if you're planning to move to CA do not do it, cause you'll experience what it is like to get stocked in CA trying to save money to move out of it. I love Georgia and I'm actually finding the way out! Good luck #donotmovetoCA

19. Maryland

    

    Maryland is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. It is one of the smallest states by area but among the most densely populated. Maryland has a diverse economy that includes biotechnology, defense, and... read more

    I lived in Maryland for about 3 years and learned a lot...always keep your car doors locked, taxes will get you no matter how much you make, and last but not least...the state has traffic 24/7

    Maryland may also be a bit overrated in some kind of way if many people like it and if there are many tourist attractions in there.

    A great state that is constantly being wrecked by Democrats or liberals.

20. Minnesota

    

    Minnesota is a state in the Midwestern United States. It was admitted as the 32nd state on May 11, 1858, created from the eastern portion of the Minnesota Territory.

    The state is known for its lakes, natural beauty, and high standard of living. It has a cold climate, particularly in the winter... read more

    What kind of "civilized", "liberal", "accepting" state allows cops to shoot at an [Australian] woman (who doesn't look like a criminal) who called 911 for help? Not to mention that the jury (believe that it consists of the citizens! ) acquitted the police officer who fatally shot Philando Castile (who was trying to comply with orders, by the way! Guess being black and having a gun means you deserve to being shot at.). Oh and I almost forgot about Jamar Clark, another one fatally shot in Minneapolis LESS than a year before Philando Castile was shot dead by police. Racist, killer police officers are not put in check in this so-called "liberal" state.

    There may be a few successful minorities, but overall, I don't know how anyone would think this is one of the best places to live in America with all of this in mind. Speaking of the "liberal" culture here, this state was close to electing Donald Trump, even to the point that Minnesota voted Democratic by lower margins than the nation as a whole, not to mention compared to states like Colorado and Virginia, states that voted Republican for a long time and voted for Dubya twice. And a restaurant had a sign that says "Muslims Get Out," and many of the citizens don't see a problem with that when that type of discrimination echoes Jim Crow-era South, just to name a few of some racist incidents. What does that tell you about how liberal and accepting the denizens of Minnesota are?

21. New Jersey

    

    New Jersey is a state in the northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. It is bordered to the north and east by New York, to the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, to the west by Pennsylvania, and to the southwest by Delaware. It has one of the highest population densities in... read more

    I love New Jersey. I love the people there for the most part. Lush greenery in the north and highly educated people are living there. You have the beaches and the Delaware Water Gap. There are much culture there and diversity. It is so livable. Though I don't recommend everyone moving there because it is so great the way it is.

    More like overhated. At least the cities aren't that overcrowded like NYC and the people are more nicer.

    Yeah because the state that is always called the worst by biased westerners is overrated...

22. Indiana

    

    Indiana is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern and Great Lakes regions of North America. Its capital and largest city is Indianapolis. Indiana is known for its manufacturing industry, particularly in automobiles and steel, and for hosting the Indianapolis 500 auto race.

    Overrated? What is this? A joke. Not many people even talk about this state.

23. New Mexico

    

    New Mexico is a state in the southwestern region of the United States. It shares borders with Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, and the Mexican states of Chihuahua and Sonora. Known for its desert landscapes, Native American heritage, and Spanish colonial influence, New Mexico has a distinctive multicultural... read more

    New Mexico can also be a bit overrated but they might be underrated as well.

24. Alabama

    

    Alabama is a state in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. The state played a central role in the American civil rights movement during the 20th century.

25. Virginia

    

    Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the South Atlantic region of the United States. It has a diverse economy that includes government, military, and technology sectors, especially in Northern Virginia. The state played a crucial role in the founding of the United States and... read more

    Virginia overrated I don't think so. I'm not even from Virginia (I'm from NJ) and I think Virginia is a beautiful state with tons (well for America) of history and beautiful historical towns such as Alexandria. Also, many of Washington DC's wealthy suburbs can be found in Virginia along with great shopping. As far as nature goes Virginia does not disappoint. It has beautiful sandy beaches along it's coast and inland rolling hills and mountains and even a good climate for grape growing/wine production.

    It sucks! To humid in the summer, to cold in the winter, and to wet in the spring! It rains like, every other day and there are thunderstorm warnings everyday at six PM during summer! ITS IS HORID!

26. South Carolina

    

    South Carolina is a state in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by North Carolina to the north, Georgia and the Savannah River to the south and west, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Its economy includes manufacturing, agriculture, and a growing tourism sector centered on... read more

    Who the hell put New Jersey on here?! I live in Northwestern New Jersey and I love the mountains, forests, cold winters, and the waterfalls! New Jersey if anything is underrated and is trashed by the Media, and now thanks to MTV cancer show Jersey Shore people think we talk like that when we don't. Those acters/actresses don't even live here! Plus, in some ways New Jersey BETTER than an overrated state like Florida, California etc! South Carolina is the most overrated and is too hot in the summer!

27. Kansas

    

    Kansas is a state in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansa Native American people, who inhabited the area. Kansas is known for its agricultural output, especially wheat production, and for its historical significance in the pre-Civil War conflict known as Bleeding Kansas.

    Most people say that Kansas is boring, and they are not considering many aspects of the state. Kansas may be covered in many, many farms, but there is vibrant culture, like the local hospitality of the restaurants in the small towns. Get to know the people, spend some time here, and you might enjoy it. I'll direct you to a truly "overrated" state, that is #1, California. Kansas is really an underrated state in my opinion. Most people who say Kansas is boring are immature or just passed by the state.

    I'm from here and anybody that talks trash on it is stupid. Kansas is actually way underrated in terms of being a nice state.