For a state with just 1.4 million people, Maine seems to get more than its fair share of its attention nationally.
Apart from a high-profile Senate race, much of that attention is focused on quality of life topics: Maine’s appeal as a vacation destination, its ski and watersports options or its restaurants, fall fairs or antique shops and museums.
Where Maine ranked high on national lists:
- 4th Health care access
- 4th As a charitable state
- 5th Best state to have a baby
- 5th Most environmentally friendly state
- 9th For summer road trips
- 9th For health care
- 9th Job market
- 10th As a place for working moms
- 12th As a place for working dads
- 13th Best state to live
- 14th Best public school system
- 14th Military retirement
- 14th Best state to retire
Room for improvement:
- 1st Highest percentage of vacant homes in U.S., with 20.6%
- 43rd State economy
- 43rd State for telecommuting
- 23rd Best state to start a business
- 23rd State ranked by taxpayer ROI
- 34th Best state for singles
- 37th Best state economy
Sources: WalletHub, LendingTree
