An atmosphere of bipartisan political cooperation in government management was cited by U.S. News & World Report among the reasons that Utah was named No. 1 in the magazine’s 2025 Best States ranking. Utah topped the prestigious list for the third consecutive year. Photo courtesy utah.gov.
“It’s a truth universally acknowledged that politics and religion shouldn’t be talked about at the dinner table. But in Utah, these two dicey discussion topics just might be secret ingredients in the state’s recipe for success.”
So begins a lengthy article on usnews.com that explains why the state has been named No. 1 on U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best States ranking — for the third year in a row.
The story goes on to explain that in decidedly red Utah, politicians are quick to cross the aisle to get things accomplished. The authors describe the “Utah way,” which they sum up as “in a politically divisive era, people actually talk to each other and try to work through issues.”
U.S. News quotes Utah Sen. Stephanie Pitcher — one of only six Democrats in Utah’s 29-member Senate.
“I think we are a very well-managed state. Obviously, there are certain issues that Democrats won’t win on,” Pitcher said, singling out reproductive rights and gun control. “I think 90 percent of what we do is not partisan. It’s just that 10 percent that tends to get covered in the media and gets more attention and sort of creates the optics that maybe we’re more partisan than we really are.”
“There’s just so much that the government can’t do, and you need that fabric,” said Gov. Spencer Cox, referring to his state’s spirit of collaboration and cooperation. “It’s why Utah is different. It’s why Utah continues to do well and it’s special.”
There’s plenty of evidence that Utah’s approach is working. Utah is No. 1 in the Best States assessment of states’ financial stability — a category that covers metrics like liquidity, credit rating and budget balancing.
Then there’s religion.
Although only 42 percent of Utah’s population claim affiliation with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, its influence remains woven into the fabric of the state's community experience and quality of life, U.S. News said.
“It’s hard to talk about Utah without at least recognizing the religious influence,” said Pitcher.
The Latter-day Saints’ historical impact and influence on the state is undeniable. The Beehive State moniker is linked to an emblem in the Book of Mormon that symbolizes “industry, unity and order,” Paul Reeve, the Simmons Chair of Mormon studies at the University of Utah, told U.S. News. “The beehive is a very orderly entity. Everyone has a role. Everyone knows their role.”
In its seventh edition, the Best States rankings draw upon 71 metrics and thousands of data points to measure how well U.S. states are performing for their citizens. In addition to health care and education, the metrics take into account a state’s economic growth; its roads, bridges, Internet access and other infrastructure; its public safety record; the fiscal stability of state government; and the opportunity it affords its residents. More weight was accorded to some metric categories than others, based on surveys of what matters most to residents.
“Utah’s third straight No. 1 ranking is a reflection of the incredible people who make this state what it is,” said Cox. “It’s not just our economy or our beautiful outdoors — it’s the hardworking, service-minded people who continue to make Utah the best place to live, work and raise a family. I’m grateful every day to stand with Utahns as we keep strengthening the state we love.”
In Utah, “there’s a space for everyone, and, you know, different ideas, different beliefs, different mindsets,” said Pitcher.
Utah landed in the top 20 in seven of the eight categories. However, it underperforms in the environment category, where it ranks No. 48. New Hampshire, Idaho, Minnesota, Nebraska, Florida, Vermont, South Dakota, Massachusetts and Washington, in that order, round out the top 10.