New Jersey's life expectancy rate is one of the reasons the state's been ranked the third best to live in, according to a new study.

The publication 24/7 Wall St. created an index using the United Nations Development Programme Human Development Index to determine the best and worst states to live in. In addition to life expectancy, 24/7’s index measures bachelor’s degree attainment and poverty. 

Below are some statistics about the Garden State:

10-yr. population change: +2.3% (12th lowest)
2018 unemployment: 4.1% (15th highest)
Poverty rate: 9.5% (5th lowest)
Life expectancy at birth: 80.5 years (6th longest)

New Jersey was also deemed to be relatively safe with 208 violent crimes for every 100,000 people in New Jersey in 2018, putting us well below national numbers.

The 10 BEST States to Live In

  1. Massachusetts
  2. Colorado
  3. New Jersey
  4. Hawaii
  5. Connecticut
  6. Minnesota
  7. Maryland
  8. New Hampshire
  9. Washington
  10. Virginia

The 10 WORST States to Live In

  1. Mississippi
  2. West Virginia
  3. Louisiana
  4. Arkansas
  5. Kentucky
  6. Alabama
  7. Oklahoma
  8. New Mexico
  9. Tennessee
  10. South Carolina

SOURCES: 24/7 Wall St.

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