Florida tops U.S. for economy, up to 6th overall

NEW YORK — Florida has the best economy of any state in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report’s Best States list, and is the 6th best state overall, up from 9th place last year.

The ranking, which looks at eight categories (health care, education, natural environment, opportunity, economy, crime and corrections, infrastructure and fiscal stability) across 71 different metrics, also placed Florida as second in the nation for education.

U.S. News & World Report said the state’s dramatic growth bolstered the economy for the No. 1 spot.

“With millions of visitors each year to its beaches, major amusement parks centered around Orlando and cruise ships departing from ports on both coasts, tourism is a major contributor to Florida's gross domestic product. The state’s agriculture industry is also robust, with Florida groves producing many of the country’s oranges and a winter vegetable industry that makes agriculture a year-round enterprise,” U.S. News' analysts said.

“Tourism, which pays a sizable share of the state’s sales tax, also has enabled Florida to remain among the states without a personal income tax – adding to the allure of the nation’s leading retirement haven.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis lauded the state’s ranking, noting Florida climbed three spots in Best State rankings overall from last year.

“Great momentum!”

Florida is once again #1 in higher education (for the 9th year in a row) and #1 in economy (for the 2nd year in a row) as ranked by U.S. News and World Report.

And, in light of these and other achievements, Florida climbed three spots in Best State rankings from last year.… pic.twitter.com/0DKeFVKG2h

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) May 6, 2025

Florida was the only state in the South to make the top 10 list:

1. Utah
2. New Hampshire
3. Idaho
4. Minnesota
5. Nebraska
6. Florida
7. Vermont
8. South Dakota
9. Massachusetts
10. Washington

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