3. New Hampshire

Falling one spot from last year's rankings is New Hampshire, with one of the lowest violent crime rates in the country (3rd). The state also has the lowest percentage of children under 18 living in poverty.

Areas needing improvement include increasing public health funding, where it ranks 36th in the country, and improving mental health, where Vermont ranks 34th in the United States.

Last year: 2

Credit: AP Photo, file