We often search the best states to live in, but what about the worst states to live in?

Worst States To Live In

There are lots of reasons that someone might want to relocate to a new state. Maybe you’ve found remote work or the kids have gone away to college and you’re suddenly more mobile. Change can be good. New states can offer warmer climates, access to convenient ski lifts and even more nightlife. They can also offer lower taxes, more appealing local government and a greater sense of religious community. It might be easier to set up a small business in a state that offers lower (or no) taxes.

Others may be looking to avoid state laws, such as mandatory vaccinations. Some might be looking to take advantage of more liberal laws such as the legalization of marijuana or open carry of firearms.

One thing that everyone should consider (but often don’t) is the state’s financial situation. If you are planning to move to a state, you should consider what their finances are like. You wouldn’t take a job if you found out that they were going to be filing for bankruptcy in six months, would you? Why would you move to a state that’s on the brink of financial collapse?

States that are not financial stable could mean that your pension is compromised one day. It could also mean that lifesaving services such as police and firefighters might be overwhelmed and ran thin. It could also mean higher unemployment numbers. Struggling state economies often lead to the fleecing of the people through additional taxes. Businesses run from higher taxes, which means people lose work (unemployment, as was mentioned).

The first thing we want to look at is what the state’s debt ranking is. The worst states to live in will certainly be the ones that are not financially stable. Whenever you go to buy a car, or even finance a home, your credit ranking gets ran. Think of this in the same way. If SHTF, these states are going to feel it first.

State Debt Ranking Percent GDP (as of 4-12-2017)

New York (22.71%)
South Carolina (21.31%)
Rhode Island (19.40%)
Washington (18.83%)
Florida (18.65%)
Kentucky (18.50%)
Illinois (18.45%)
Connecticut (17.52%)
California (17.18%)
Pennsylvania (17.17%)
Massachusetts (17.03%)

The finances of the average individual person is a good guage as well. If people manage their finances well, they can get credit extended to them and buy things. If you have a business, you might need people to buy merchandise. But furthermore, people living in good financial standing is good for the community whether or not you have a business.

States With Most Debt Per Person

Massachusetts ($11,337.63)
Connecticut ($9,297.33)
Rhode Island ($8,919.27)
Alaska ($8,516.41)
New Jersey ($7,517.15)
New York ($7,040.97)

Worst States To Live In – When Crisis Unfolds

Worst States to live in

Photo by biloud43

Imagine a scenario where a crisis happens. Imagine something as simple as a major earthquake or hurricane or tornado. Now ask yourself, would you prefer living in a state that’s on the verge of bankruptcy flanked by neighbors who are just a handful of days away from complete desperation?

When communities are broken, they are susceptible to desperation during crisis situations. Civil unrest will begin with those who have nothing. A state in financial turmoil alongside people who are desperately trying to get by having a difficult time enduring a crisis situation.

Katrina is a perfect example of a crisis situation that affected communities that were already upside down financially prior to the hurricane making landfall. People went into survival mode in quick fashion. Chaos erupted. The streets were filled with hunters and looters. People were being robbed. Businesses were looted. The state’s inadequate response partly due to its troubled finances. It relied heavily on federal funds as a way to infuse any semblance of safety and peace back into the community, but that funding came at a snail’s pace leaving communities teetering on civil wars.

If the national or global economy were to tank, states in current financial gloom would be the absolute worst possible places to be. These are states that already struggle to balance budgets. They have citizens who are chained by the enslavement of debt.  A financial or global crisis would amplify these conditions in the quickest of fashions. This would almost certainly guarantee immediate unrest, martial law, and uprisings. Once people who are desperate sense a lack of order (remember, states who have financial gloom don’t have good police or fire departments) they feel comfortable rising up and creating unrest as a way to rob and thieve.

All the same, no matter where you live. Own a bug out bag for each member of your family and have an exit plan. You should never be reliant on the government to solve any of your problems. And if you are considering relocating, look at the bigger picture. Local economics matter.

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