New Hampshire Named Best State for Healthcare in WalletHub’s 2026 Rankings

Getting affordable, high-quality healthcare is important for everyone, but it can be hard to find. The average American spends almost $15,500 a year on healthcare, which makes it too expensive for many people. Even though healthcare is a necessity, the quality, cost, and access to care are different depending on what state you live in. According to WalletHub's 2026 report, all 50 states and Washington, D.C. were compared using 44 different categories, including insurance costs, the number of doctors, and life expectancy.

Best States for Healthcare

According to WalletHub, New Hampshire was ranked the best state for healthcare for the second year in a row. It came in first for health outcomes and second for affordability. It also has the lowest average monthly insurance premiums and some of the lowest out-of-pocket medical costs in the country. Iowa ranked third overall and was the most affordable state for healthcare, while North Dakota was ranked the best for healthcare access because it has plenty of healthcare providers.

Worst States for Healthcare

According to WalletHub, Alaska was ranked the worst state for healthcare. It came in last for cost, 41st for health outcomes, and 20th for healthcare access. Other states near the bottom of the list include Mississippi, Georgia, Texas, West Virginia, Alabama, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arkansas, and Tennessee.

The rankings show how healthcare costs, access, and outcomes can vary across the United States. They also highlight the differences between states when it comes to the overall quality and affordability of healthcare.