Rhode Island Making Moves in U.S. World and News Report “Best States” Rankings

Published on Friday, May 09, 2025

State ranking climbs 10 places under McKee Administration

PROVIDENCE, RI — This week’s U.S. News & World Report “Best States for 2025” rankings placed Rhode Island 24th overall—a 10-spot jump since Governor McKee took office in 2021.

Rhode Island’s overall ranking has experienced a steady upward trend during the McKee Administration, moving from #34 in 2021 to #32 in 2023 to #26 in 2024*. The rankings are based on eight key indicators: Economy, Fiscal Stability, Opportunity, Education, Health Care, Crime, Infrastructure, and Natural Environment.

From 2021 to 2025, Rhode Island’s “Economy” ranking climbed 12 places, from #28 to #16. Within the “Economy” category, Rhode Island is currently ranked #8 in the “Business Environment” subcategory, up one from 2024. In the past year alone, the state has jumped 18 places to reach #14 in the “Growth” subcategory.

“My administration has always been focused on the economy of our state and the health and well-being of our residents,” said Governor Dan McKee. “We still have more progress to make, but by following our RI2030 plan and making strategic, long-term investments, we expect our rankings to continue to climb.”

Over the year, Rhode Island climbed nine places from #33 to #24 in the “Opportunity” category. It also improved by 11 places over the year in the “Short-term Fiscal Stability” category.

To see Rhode Island’s rankings in detail, visit here. 

*U.S. World and News Report did not publish Best States rankings in 2022.