Arizona

Afternoon aerial view of dense urban core of Surprise, Arizona, USA. Mattgush | Istock | Getty Images

According to the city’s website, Surprise, Arizona, located northwest of Phoenix, got its name in 1938 when its founder, Flora Mae Statler, declared that she would be surprised if the town ever amounted to much. Today, the name might also refer to the reaction when people open their utility bills in Arizona. The total energy bill per household in the community of around 143,000 people is nearly three times as much as in Monroe, Louisiana, largely because of all the air conditioning. But people keep coming to the Grand Canyon State, and that is raising housing costs. Nearly one-third of Arizonans — among the highest percentage of any state — are paying more than 30% of their household income for housing. 2025 Cost of Living Score: 22 out of 60 points (Top States Grade: D) Consumer Price Index (May, West Region): +2.4% Annual Homeowner’s Insurance: $3,243 Average Home Price (Surprise): $445,836 Dozen Eggs (2024): $2.94 Monthly Energy Bill: $355.73

Louisiana

Sun setting in Slidell, Louisiana with houses on a river. Brad Schinkel | Istock | Getty Images

The Pelican State has historically been an inexpensive place to live, and basic items are still affordable. But much of what you save at the supermarket, you’ll likely be turning over to the insurance company in Louisiana. Louisianans pay the second-highest homeowners premiums in the nation after Florida, and they saw the biggest increases this year — up 27%, according to online insurance marketplace Insurify. The state’s extreme weather is the major factor. The increases are infuriating residents, and sending lawmakers scrambling for solutions. Republican Gov. Jeff Landry signed multiple bills into law in May to try to address this, including tort reform and a measure giving the state insurance commissioner more control over premium increases. 2025 Cost of Living Score: 22 out of 60 points (Top States Grade: D) Consumer Price Index (May, South Region): +2% Annual Homeowner’s Insurance: $13,937 Average Home Price (New Orleans): $812,851 Dozen Eggs (2024): $3.19 Total Energy Bill: $116.30

Texas

San AntonioTexas suburban housing development neighborhood. Dszc | E+ | Getty Images

As new residents flock to the Lone Star State, they are putting enormous pressure on the housing supply — and on prices. The median sale price statewide is up around 40% over the last five years, according to Redfin, though prices have begun to level off and even decline in some spots. Still, Texas housing costs take a big bite out of household budgets: about 32% of Texas homeowners and renters are paying one-third of their income or more on housing costs, according to the Census Bureau. And that doesn’t include the rapidly rising cost of homeowners insurance as the nationwide crisis grows. Texas homeowners pay the fifth-highest premiums in the nation. 2025 Cost of Living Score: 22 out of 60 points (Top States Grade: D) Consumer Price Index (May, South Region): +2% Annual Homeowner’s Insurance: $6,522 Average Home Price (Dallas): $477,656 Dozen Eggs (2024): $3.13 Total Energy Bill: $251.78

Washington

Aerial image of the suburban area of Seattle, WA known as Eastlake, with a view of Lake Union Jhorrocks | E+ | Getty Images

Getting your greens in the Evergreen State will cost you some extra green. A bag of frozen sweet peas in Kent goes for about 30% more than it does in Salt Lake City. Housing is also expensive in Washington State. A state advisory commission found last year that a lack of affordable housing has reached “critical levels” statewide, leading to increased homelessness, housing instability and higher living costs, especially for low- and moderate-income families. The state Commerce Department’s Affordable Housing Advisory Board recommended more funding for affordable housing, reducing regulatory hurdles for new construction, and promoting new types of housing, all aimed at building the one million homes the group said are needed over the next 20 years. 2025 Cost of Living Score: 22 out of 60 points (Top States Grade: D) Consumer Price Index (May, West Region): +2.4% Annual Homeowner’s Insurance: $1,995 Average Home Price (Kent): $846,547 Dozen Eggs (2024): $3.63 Total Energy Bill: $164.21

Maryland

One of the key ingredients of authentic Maryland crab cakes — in addition to authentic Maryland crab meat— is eggs. And they are even pricier in Bethesda than in the rest of the country. C2ER took its price surveys in the first half of 2024, so the data doesn’t reflect the price spike earlier this year. But the regional differences remain roughly constant. A dozen eggs in Bethesda are nearly 30% more expensive than they are in Portland, Maine. The Old Line State is also not holding the line on housing prices, with increases surpassing the national average. But Maryland has so far dodged the worst of the insurance crisis. 2025 Cost of Living Score: 21 out of 60 points (Top States Grade: D) Consumer Price Index (May, South Region): +2% Annual Homeowner’s Insurance: $2,385 Average Home Price (Bethesda): $995,716 Dozen Eggs (2024): $3.79 Total Energy Bill: $233.99

Massachusetts

Springtime view of typical brick apartment buildings on Commonwealth Avenue in Back Bay, Boston, Massachusetts. Patrick Donovan | Moment | Getty Images

When it comes to the price of basic goods, the Bay State is the most expensive state in the continental United States (Only Hawaii has higher living costs). A major reason is the cost of housing. Roughly 34% of homeowners and renters in Massachusetts are paying more than a third of their household income on housing, according to the Census Bureau. The numbers are distorted somewhat by prices in the Boston area, where the average home price is more than $1 million, and apartment rents are roughly five times what they are paying in Des Moines, Iowa. Nonetheless, The other high costs have sparked growing concerns that young people are being priced out of Boston, and Massachusetts in general. That is a problem not just for the vibrancy of the city, but for companies wanting to attract workers. The only reason Massachusetts does not finish lower on this list is that it still has some of the most affordable homeowners insurance in the country. 2025 Cost of Living Score: 21 out of 60 (Top States Grade: D) Consumer Price Index (May, Boston-Cambridge-Newton): Up 3% Annual Homeowner’s Insurance: $2,432 Average Home Price (Boston Metro): $1,039,939 Dozen Eggs (2024): $3.03 Total Energy Bill: $371.03

New York

Utica is a city in the Mohawk Valley and the county seat of Oneida County, New York Denistangneyjr | Istock | Getty Images

While it would be easy to blame New York City for skewing average costs higher in the rest of the Empire State, the fact is that in all but one of New York’s ten metropolitan areas (Utica-Rome), home prices are above the national median of $422,800. Of course, there are some places in the state that are way, way above the national average, like Manhattan, where a new home purchase will cost you about seven times the national median. A 2024 report from the office of State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli found that 2.9 million New Yorkers are “cost burdened” when it comes to housing, meaning they are paying more than 30% of their income on housing. And a sizeable portion of that group is “severely cost burdened,” which means they are paying more than half their income on housing. 2025 Cost of Living Score: 18 out of 60 points (Top States Grade: D–) Consumer Price Index (May, Northeast Region): +2.4% Annual Homeowner’s Insurance: $2,855 Average Home Price (Manhattan): $2,775,821 Dozen Eggs (2024): $3.98 Total Energy Bill: $250.27

Oregon

Condos on the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon. Davealan | Istock | Getty Images

The cost of housing is chewing up household budgets in the Beaver State. One-third of Oregonian homeowners and renters are paying more than 30% of their household income on housing. But life can be expensive in other ways as well in Oregon. A loaf of bread in Portland, Oregon, will cost you 12% more than it would in Portland, Maine. According to MIT’s Living Wage Calculator, a living wage for a family of four in Oregon, where two adults hold jobs outside the home, is $31.48 per person. In Alabama, each adult would need to earn only $23.38. 2025 Cost of Living Score: 18 out of 60 points (Top States Grade: D–) Consumer Price Index (May, West Region): +2.4% Annual Homeowner’s Insurance: $1,807 Average Home Price (Portland): $723,737 Dozen Eggs (2024): $3.57 Total Energy Bill: $167.18

Colorado

Louisville, Colorado, The remains after the Marshall Fire, Colorado’s most destructive wildfire, which destroyed 1,000 homes in December 2021. The fire was spread by dry conditions and wind gusts of up to 115 miles per hour. Ucg | Universal Images Group | Getty Images

Homeowners insurance premiums have been skyrocketing in the Centennial State — projected to rise another 11% this year, according to online insurance marketplace Insurify. That is, if you can even get insurance. More and more Colorado homeowners are getting non-renewal notices as insurers pull back from wildfire risks in the state. In an effort to ease costs, Democratic Gov. Jared Polis in May signed a bill that requires insurance companies to offer discounts to policyholders who take risk mitigation measures, such as establishing defensible space around their property, or hardening their home against wildfires. It is not yet clear if the new law will meaningfully lower premiums as the fires grow more intense — and more expensive. 2025 Cost of Living Score: 12 out of 60 points (Top States Grade: F) Consumer Price Index (May, West Region): +2.4% Annual Homeowner’s Insurance: $6,630 Average Home Price (Denver): $650,555 Dozen Eggs (2024): $2.98 Total Energy Bill: $169.80

Florida

An aerial view of damaged houses are seen after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Horseshoe Beach, Florida, on September 28, 2024. Chandan Khanna | Afp | Getty Images

The Sunshine State isn’t always sunny, of course, especially during hurricane season. Storms are growing more frequent — and severe. That has led to the worst homeowners insurance crisis in the country. In 2022 and 2023, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a series of reforms into law, including measures making it harder to sue insurance companies. It has taken time, but DeSantis now says insurers are coming back to the state, and premiums have slowly begun to level off. Nonetheless, Floridians are still paying the highest homeowners insurance premiums in the nation. Florida also has a serious home affordability problem. More than 36% of Florida homeowners and renters are paying more than one-third of their household incomes on housing. Only Hawaii and California have a higher percentage of cost-burdened homeowners and renters. 2025 Cost of Living Score: 10 out of 60 points (Top States Grade: F) Consumer Price Index (May, South Region): +2% Annual Homeowner’s Insurance: $15,460 Average Home Price (Miami-Dade County): $711,025 Dozen Eggs (2024): $3.77 Total Energy Bill: $220.47

Hawaii

The suburban residential districts of Honolulu, Hawaii along the coastline just outside of downtown. Art Wager | E+ | Getty Images

Life is full of trade-offs in the Aloha State. On the one hand, you get to live in paradise. On the other hand, you will pay some mind-boggling costs to live there. Like $2.37 for a head of lettuce in Honolulu, versus $1.87 in Richmond, Indiana. The high prices go beyond the grocery store. A visit to the optometrist will set you back almost $260, compared to just $102 in Valdosta, Georgia. But notably, Hawaii has not yet seen the brunt of the insurance crisis. While premiums are projected to rise around 17% this year, Hawaiians are still paying among the lowest premiums in the nation. 2025 Cost of Living Score: 9 out of 60 points (Top States Grade: F) Consumer Price Index (May, Honolulu Area): +2.7% Annual Homeowner’s Insurance: $1,808 Average Home Price (Honolulu): $1,681,170 Dozen Eggs (2024): $3.98 Total Energy Bill: $529.02

2025’s Most Expensive State: California

An aerial view of the sun rising above homes that burned in the Eaton Fire on January 21, 2025 in Altadena, California. Mario Tama | Getty Images

The city ranked as the 11th worst state for business in 2025 based on seven categories that rated each state’s economy, infrastructure, workforce, cost of doing business, business friendliness, quality of life, and technology and innovation.

This year’s rating comes just one year after Oregon ranked as the 28th best state for business — and eight years after it ranked as the 17th best in 2017.

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Eye on Northwest Politics

Experts with Oregon Business and Industry say this is the state’s lowest ranking in the history of CNBC’s state business ranking.

Oregon Business and Industry CEO Angela Wilhelms said this year’s ranking is an “echo (of) what businesses have been telling state leaders for years.”

“Oregon’s slipping competitiveness should alarm policymakers,” Wilhelms said. “It’s well past time for them to listen to the business community and take serious action to improve the business climate. After all, a healthy private sector is necessary to create the economic conditions that lead to increased prosperity, greater philanthropy and tax revenue for important government services.”

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The state’s ranking took some hits, including in the categories for economy, cost of doing business, and cost of living, quality of life, and technology and innovation. However, the state also improved for infrastructure, workforce, education, and access to capital, and business friendliness.

Oregon’s worst rating was 47th for business friendliness. The only states that ranked worse were New York, New Jersey, and California. Its best rating was for infrastructure and technology and innovation, which both ranked 14th in the nation.

CNBC’s full ranking for America’s top states for business can be found here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.

By Oregon Business & Industry,

Oregon Drops: Oregon fell to 44th in Chief Executive’s annual Best and Worst States for Business ranking, which was released on April 28. Oregon’s 2025 ranking is one place lower than its 2024 ranking. Oregon now ranks higher than only Washington, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Illinois, New York and California.

About the Ranking: Chief Executive bases its rankings on survey data involving more than 650 CEOs. Key considerations this year include state-level policy stability – particularly important given the rapidly changing federal landscape – taxation, regulatory climate and the availability of talented employees.

Not Surprising: Oregon’s decline further into the survey’s bottom-10 states for business is not surprising. In 2024, Oregon dropped seven places in CNBC’s annual America’s Top States for Business ranking. The state ranked near the bottom of CNBC’s ranking for business friendliness, besting only New York and New Jersey. On April 23, multiple economists discussed the state’s economic problems during a sobering hearing held by the Senate Committee on Labor and Business.

Why it Matters: Oregon needs thriving businesses to create jobs and generate revenue for public services. As the state’s business climate continues to deteriorate, Oregon businesses will look increasingly to invest in other states, a trend covered recently in an eye-opening study by Business Oregon, the state’s economic development agency.

Policies vs. Prosperity: Oregon’s steadily eroding business climate should motivate legislators to seek improvements, including proposals contained in OBI’s Oregon Competitiveness Agenda. Instead, many policies under consideration during the current legislative session – including one that would make striking workers eligible for unemployment benefits – would erode the state’s competitiveness even further.

Learn More: Read OBI’s Oregon Competitiveness here. Check out OBI’s lists of job killer bills here and job creator bills here.

Although drinking and driving is easily preventable, roughly 37 people in America die each day in drunk-driving car crashes. That’s one alcohol-impaired driving fatality every 39 minutes.

Not only does driving under the influence bring grave danger to yourself and other drivers, but it also has long-term consequences: You could lose your license and gain a criminal record. It also makes it difficult to acquire the cheapest car insurance rates in the future.

Forbes Advisor has conducted a sobering study to reveal which states are the worst for drunk driving. All 50 states were compared across six key metrics to determine which states have the highest rates of driving under the influence.

Why you can trust Forbes Advisor The Forbes Advisor team performed a thorough analysis of six metrics from two government databases to create our report on the worst states for drunk driving. Please find more details on our study’s methodology below. 1,100 data points analyzed

96 years of insurance experience on the editorial team

3 levels of fact-checking

Key Takeaways Montana tops the list of worst states for drunk driving, while New Jersey has the lowest rate of drunk driving.

Four of the 10 worst states for drunk driving are in the West: Montana, Wyoming, Oregon and New Mexico.

Six of the 10 states with the lowest rates of drunk driving are in the Northeast, including New Jersey, Delaware, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont.

More than two-fifths (42.18%) of drivers have witnessed a friend or family member drive after having more than one alcoholic drink.



Top 10 Worst States For Drunk Driving

1. Montana

Montana’s score: 100 out of 100

Montana

More than two-fifths (43.51%) of traffic deaths in Montana are caused by drunk drivers, the highest in the nation.

Underage drinkers are also at high risk in Montana. The state has the worst rate of drunk drivers under age 21 involved in fatal crashes (1.17 per 100,000 licensed drivers).

Big Sky Country has the 11th highest number of DUI arrests per 100,000 licensed drivers (450.50).

2. South Dakota

South Dakota’s score: 98.78 out of 100

South Dakota

More than one-third (35.14%) of traffic deaths are caused by drunk drivers in South Dakota, the 11th highest percentage in our study.

South Dakota has the eighth-highest rate of drunk drivers under age 21 involved in fatal crashes (0.57 per 100,000 licensed drivers).

According to our study, South Dakota has the ninth-highest percentage of traffic deaths caused by drivers with a relatively low blood alcohol concentration of 0.01 to 0.07 (6.76%).

The Mount Rushmore State has the 11th-highest rate of people killed in crashes involving a drunk driver (4.66 per 100,000 state residents).

3. Texas

Texas’ score: 98.66 out of 100

The Lone Star State ranks second worst for both the share of drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes (8.30 per 100,000 licensed drivers) and percentage of traffic deaths caused by drunk drivers (42.37%).

Texas

More than five (5.14) people are killed in crashes involving a drunk driver for every 100,000 state residents (the sixth-highest amount).

4. Wyoming

Wyoming’s score: 96.82 out of 100

Wyoming

Wyoming stands out as the state with the third-highest rate of DUI arrests (629.12 per 100,000 licensed drivers), and the third-highest proportion of drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes (8.22 per 100,000 licensed drivers).

Wyoming has the fifth-highest rate of drunk drivers under age 21 involved in fatal crashes (0.70 per 100,000 licensed drivers).

5. North Dakota

North Dakota’s score: 87.65 out of 100

North Dakota

The state has the ninth-highest rate of drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes (6.11 per 100,000 licensed drivers).

Nearly five (4.70) people are killed in crashes involving a drunk driver per 100,000 state residents, the 10th highest in the country.

6. Oregon

Oregon’s score: 86.53 out of 100

Oregon

The state has the ninth-highest percentage of traffic deaths caused by drunk drivers (35.89%).

Oregon has the 11th-highest rate of drunk drivers under age 21 involved in fatal crashes (0.53 per 100,000 licensed drivers).

7. New Mexico

New Mexico’s score: 76.64 out of 100

New Mexico

The Land of Enchantment stands out as the state with the fourth-highest proportion of drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes (7.81 per 100,000 licensed drivers).

The state has the fourth-highest rate of people killed in crashes involving a drunk driver (6 per 100,000 state residents).

8. South Carolina

South Carolina’s score: 74.72 out of 100

South Carolina

About eight drunk drivers (7.57) per 100,000 licensed drivers are involved in fatal crashes, the fifth-highest in the country.

The Palmetto State has the sixth-highest rate of drunk drivers under age 21 involved in fatal crashes (0.61 per 100,000 licensed drivers).

9. Missouri

Missouri’s score: 69.74 out of 100

Missouri

The state has the 11th-highest percentage of traffic deaths caused by drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.01 to 0.07 (6.69%).

The Show Me State has the 12th-highest rate of people killed in crashes involving a drunk driver (4.30 per 100,000 state residents).

10. Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s score: 66.49 out of 100

The Sooner State stands out as the state with the 10th-highest rate of drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes (6.03 per 100,000 licensed drivers).

Oklahoma

The state ranks 14th highest for the rate of people killed in crashes involving a drunk driver (4.16 per 100,000 state residents).



More Than 42% of Drivers Have Witnessed Intoxicated Driving

Despite widespread efforts by the federal government to educate the public on the dangers of drunk driving, far too many people continue to ignore the trend. More than two-fifths (42.18%) of drivers have witnessed a friend or family member drive after they’ve had more than one alcoholic drink, according to a recent Forbes Advisor survey of 10,000 licensed drivers.

Even one alcoholic drink can impair a person’s ability to drive, by causing a loss of judgment and a decline in visual functions. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher is illegal in all 50 states, except in Utah where the BAC limit is 0.05. People weighing up to 200 pounds can hit the legal limit with as little as four drinks.

How a DUI Affects Car Insurance Rates

Despite the physical dangers, drunk driving can have devastating consequences on a driver’s ability to get car insurance.

According to a Forbes Advisor analysis, the national average auto insurance rate increase for drivers with a DUI is 70%—an extra $1,470 a year. Car insurance companies see convicted drunk drivers as high-risk, and charge higher car insurance rates as a result.

That rate hike is much higher than what’s seen after other traffic events. For example, car insurance rates typically jump 22%, on average, after a speeding ticket, and the rate increase after an accident is 42%.

Finding car insurance after a DUI can be difficult, as not every provider may be willing to insure a convicted driver. With fewer options and higher rates, you’ll have to set aside a considerable amount of time to compare car insurance quotes to find affordable coverage.

Best Car Insurance Companies 2025 With so many choices for car insurance companies, it can be hard to know where to start to find the right car insurance. We’ve evaluated insurers to find the best car insurance companies, so you don’t have to. Learn More

Study Methodology

To determine which states have the highest rates of drunk driving, Forbes Advisor compared all 50 states across the following six metrics:

Number of drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers: 21.50% of score. Data comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). For this metric, we took a five-year average, using data from 2017 to 2021.

21.50% of score. Data comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). For this metric, we took a five-year average, using data from 2017 to 2021. Number of DUI arrests per 100,000 licensed drivers: 21.50% of score. Data comes from the FBI. For this metric, we took a five-year average using data from 2018 to 2022.

21.50% of score. Data comes from the FBI. For this metric, we took a five-year average using data from 2018 to 2022. Number of people killed in crashes involving a drunk driver per 100,000 state residents: 15.50% of score. Data comes from the NHTSA. For this metric, we took a five-year average using data from 2017 to 2021. State population data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau, 2022.

15.50% of score. Data comes from the NHTSA. For this metric, we took a five-year average using data from 2017 to 2021. State population data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau, 2022. Percent of total traffic deaths caused by drivers with a BAC of 0.08 or higher: 15.50% of score. Data comes from the NHTSA, 2021.

15.50% of score. Data comes from the NHTSA, 2021. Number of drunk drivers under age 21 involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers: 15.50% of score. Data comes from the NHTSA’s Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool (FIRST). For this metric, we took a five-year average using data from 2017 to 2021.

15.50% of score. Data comes from the NHTSA’s Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool (FIRST). For this metric, we took a five-year average using data from 2017 to 2021. Percent of total traffic deaths that were caused by drivers with a BAC of 0.01 to 0.07: 10.50% of score. Data comes from the NHTSA, 2021.

The number of licensed drivers by state comes from the Department of Transportation, 2021.

Survey Methodology

The percentage of drivers who have witnessed a friend or family member drive while intoxicated comes from a survey of 10,000 licensed U.S. drivers (at least 200 in each state) who are at least 18 years old and own at least one car.

This survey was conducted by market research company OnePoll, in accordance with the Market Research Society’s code of conduct. Data was collected between July 7 and August 3, 2023. The margin of error is +/- 2.2 points with 95% confidence.

Overall: 85.67 Wages: 90.22 Worker protections: 70.24 Rights to organize: 100 “D.C. does lead all of these other states on the wage front,” says Yannet Lathrop, senior researcher and policy analyst at the National Employment Law Project. The nation’s capital’s minimum wage is currently $17.50 per hour. It’s also phasing out the tipped minimum wage, which is currently $2.13 per hour nationally and $10 per hour in D.C.

California

Overall: 85.11 Wages: 75.27 Worker protections: 85.71 Rights to organize: 100 “This is a state that is really setting the standard when it comes to protections at work,” says Henderson. “Whether it’s for farm workers or domestic workers, they have really been on the forefront of setting policies to protect workers.”

Oregon

Overall: 83.53 Wages: 65.07 Worker protections: 92.86 Rights to organize: 100 “Not all states have a lot of laws on the books with regards to scheduling,” says Henderson, like Oregon’s rule that certain workers must get a minimum 14-day written notice of their schedule. “Oregon is a wonderful example that has all four of the policies that we track.”

New York

Overall: 83.08 Wages: 70.19 Worker protections: 85.71 Rights to organize: 100 “New York was the first state in the United States to pass a domestic workers Bill of Rights,” says Henderson. It includes the right to overtime pay and a day off every seven days.

Washington