The 8 Best U.S. States to Live in 2025, Based on Safety, Health, and Inclusiveness – Indian Defence Review

Report on US Internal Migration Trends and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

Internal migration patterns in the United States for 2025 demonstrate a significant shift in priorities, moving from purely economic incentives to a focus on quality of life metrics that align closely with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A recent analysis identifies eight states leading in areas such as public health, safety, equality, and environmental integrity. These states are attracting new residents by offering environments conducive to sustainable and equitable living, reflecting progress towards several key SDGs.

State-Level Analysis of SDG Alignment

The following states have been identified as leaders in quality of life, with performance metrics directly corresponding to specific Sustainable Development Goals.

Vermont

• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): Achieved the lowest crime rate in the nation, fostering safe and secure communities.
• SDG 11 & 13 (Sustainable Cities & Climate Action): Consistently ranks among the best for air quality, promoting healthy urban and rural environments.
• SDG 5 & 10 (Gender Equality & Reduced Inequalities): Maintains strong legal protections for reproductive rights and holds one of the country’s highest inclusiveness ratings.

Maine

• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): Reports violent crime rates significantly below the national average.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Scores near-perfect on inclusiveness, particularly regarding protections for the LGBTQ+ community.
• SDG 11 & 15 (Sustainable Cities & Life on Land): Possesses some of the cleanest air in the Eastern U.S. and provides near-universal access to outdoor spaces.

New Jersey

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Features robust healthcare systems, ranking second nationally for fewest premature deaths.
• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): Maintains one of the lowest rates of violent crime in the United States.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Exhibits significant racial and economic diversity, contributing to social resilience.

Minnesota

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Ensures a low uninsured rate and leads in access to mental and physical healthcare, supported by world-class institutions.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Implements strong worker protections, enhancing job security.
• SDG 5 (Gender Equality): Demonstrates a long-standing commitment to protecting reproductive rights.

Connecticut

• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): Ranks fourth in the nation for the lowest crime rate, ensuring public safety.
• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Achieves a top-five ranking in national health outcomes.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Enforces well-established laws protecting against discrimination, promoting an inclusive society.

Hawaii

• SDG 11 & 13 (Sustainable Cities & Climate Action): Benefits from high air quality and demonstrates lower volatility from extreme weather compared to mainland states.
• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): Maintains low crime rates.
• SDG 4 (Quality Education): Is actively working to guarantee universal preschool access by 2032, investing in early childhood development.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Fosters a strong sense of community inclusiveness.

North Dakota

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Reports low levels of mental and physical distress, supported by wide access to childcare and healthcare.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Offers some of the cleanest air in the nation.

Massachusetts

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Leads the country in primary care and mental health providers per capita and has the lowest premature death rate.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Provides strong worker protections that contribute to high job security.
• SDG 4 & 11 (Quality Education & Sustainable Cities): Makes significant public investments in education and sustainable transit systems.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article repeatedly emphasizes healthcare access, low premature death rates, mental health services, and reproductive rights as key factors in the quality of life. States like New Jersey, Minnesota, and Massachusetts are highlighted for their robust healthcare systems, low uninsured rates, and high number of healthcare providers.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education: This goal is specifically addressed in the section on Hawaii, which mentions a plan to guarantee “universal preschool access by 2032,” directly linking to early childhood education.
3. SDG 5: Gender Equality: The article points to this goal through its focus on “reproductive rights” in states like Vermont and Minnesota, which is a critical component of gender equality and women’s health.
4. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The mention of “strong worker protections” in Minnesota and Massachusetts connects to this goal, which aims to promote safe and secure working environments for all.
5. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The theme of “inclusiveness” is a central point. The article highlights states like Vermont and Maine for their high inclusiveness ratings, protections against discrimination, and specific mention of “LGBTQ+ protections,” all of which align with reducing inequalities.
6. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: This goal is relevant through the focus on “environmental quality” and specifically “air quality.” States like Vermont, Maine, and North Dakota are praised for having the cleanest air. The mention of public investment in “transit” in Massachusetts also connects to creating sustainable community infrastructure.
7. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The article’s emphasis on “safety” and low crime rates directly relates to this goal. Vermont, New Jersey, and Connecticut are explicitly mentioned for having the lowest crime rates in the nation, contributing to peaceful and inclusive societies.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. This is supported by mentions of New Jersey and Massachusetts having the “lowest premature death rates” and North Dakota’s “low levels of mental and physical distress.”
• Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services. The article’s focus on states with strong “reproductive rights” like Vermont and Minnesota directly aligns with this target.
• Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services. This is reflected in Minnesota’s “lowest uninsured rates” and the general emphasis on “healthcare access” across several states.
• Target 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education. Hawaii’s plan for “universal preschool access by 2032” is a direct implementation of this target.
• Target 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights. This is directly supported by the article highlighting Vermont and Minnesota for their commitment to “reproductive rights.”
• Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers. The mention of “strong worker protections” in Minnesota and Massachusetts directly relates to this target.
• Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices. This is evidenced by mentions of “progressive legal protections,” “inclusiveness,” “LGBTQ+ protections,” and laws “protecting against discrimination” in states like Vermont, Maine, and Connecticut.
• Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality. The article’s repeated praise for states with high “air quality” and “cleanest air” (Vermont, Maine, Hawaii, North Dakota) directly addresses this target.
• Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. This is clearly linked to the data on “lowest crime rate” (Vermont) and “low rates of violent crime” (New Jersey, Connecticut) mentioned in the article.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Crime Rate Data: The article explicitly refers to “FBI data” to state that Vermont has the “lowest crime rate in the nation.” This is a direct indicator for Target 16.1.
• Air Quality Data: The mention of “EPA air data” for Maine and “cleanest air” rankings for several states serves as an indicator for Target 11.6.
• Premature Death Rate: The article cites the “United Health Foundation” for ranking New Jersey and Massachusetts as having the lowest premature death rates, which is a direct indicator for Target 3.4.
• Health Insurance Coverage Rate: The reference to the “Kaiser Family Foundation” for Minnesota’s “lowest uninsured rates” is a clear indicator for progress towards Target 3.8 (universal health coverage).
• Inclusiveness Ratings: The article mentions that the “Movement Advancement Project” gives Vermont high “inclusiveness ratings,” which can be used as an indicator for Target 10.3 concerning non-discriminatory policies.
• Mental Health Data: The reference to “CDC behavioral health data” supporting North Dakota’s low levels of mental distress is an indicator for Target 3.4.
• Healthcare Provider Density: Massachusetts leading in “primary care and mental health providers per capita” is a specific indicator related to the health workforce, which supports Target 3.8.
• Preschool Enrollment Policy: Hawaii’s stated goal of “guaranteeing universal preschool access by 2032” is a policy-based indicator for Target 4.2.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: indiandefencereview.com