Texas is one of America’s unhealthiest states in new study

DALLAS (KDAF) — In 2025, most Americans are making health a priority, but what is the healthiest state in the U.S.?

A new study created The Healthy States Index to reveal the healthiest (and unhealthiest) states in America.

Texas is among the unhealthiest states, scoring just 5.88 out of 10, placing 42nd in the Healthy States Index. It has the fewest parks in the US, with just 3.24 per 100k people — a stark comparison to Maine, which tops the list with 50.2 per 100k people. Texas also has the second-fewest healthy stores at 9.18 per 100k people. Texans have an average life expectancy of 75.4 years – placing 31st nationwide.

Vermont ranks as the healthiest state in America, with a score of 8.69 out of 10. New Hampshire and Washington round out the top three, with scores of 8.43 and 8.35, while Louisiana ranks last, scoring just 4.97 out of 10, due to high smoking rates and limited access to wellness facilities.

The Healthiest States in the U.S.

#	State	Gyms per 100k	Healthy stores per 100k	Parks per 100k	Public pools per 100k	Running/walking routes per 100k	Pollution score /10	% of adults that smoke	Hospital readmission rates	Life expectancy at birth	Overall health score / 10
1	Vermont	13.11	37.95	17.43	19.44	31.01	4.54	13.23%	14.51%	78.4	8.69
2	New Hampshire	14.97	27.83	12.57	5.16	38.70	3.63	13.25%	14.85%	78.5	8.43
3	Washington	15.27	27.06	17.42	0.84	73.63	6.95	12.66%	13.62%	78.2	8.35
4	Maine	6.59	23.11	50.20	0.78	32.19	3.94	15.53%	13.77%	76.7	8.33
5	Utah	12.65	17.68	18.74	1.15	31.06	6.24	10.14%	13.71%	78.2	8.28
6	Oregon	14.73	25.12	26.75	1.40	58.68	6.56	15.11%	13.78%	77.4	8.26
7	Colorado	16.53	24.73	16.53	1.45	22.90	5.44	13.75%	14.14%	77.7	8.15
8	Maryland	8.84	16.83	12.46	43.02	24.39	6.13	13.27%	14.11%	77.2	8.02
9	Massachusetts	8.45	18.18	13.11	1.48	39.59	5.71	11.68%	15.31%	79.6	7.96
10	Iowa	9.34	20.46	22.82	0.83	38.32	6.49	16.27%	14.05%	77.7	7.91