California ranks last in quality of life in new report

Show Caption Hide Caption The surprising state where residents enjoy the best quality of life When it comes to those with the best quality of life, residents in North Dakota are sitting pretty at the top of the list. Buzz60's Sean Dowling has more.

Here's a nugget that won't make the welcome pamphlet: California has the worst quality of life in America.

At least that's what U.S. News & World Report's most-recent Best States rankings say. The Golden State ranked 50th in quality of life by fairing poorly in the natural and social environment categories.

The report, released Tuesday, ranks states based on a healthy environment and a sense of community. It takes into account each state's urban air quality, pollution and voter participation, among other measures.

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California ranked last in urban air quality and 45th in "low pollution health risk," although it was 13th in drinking water quality. The state also found itself second-to-last in voter participation, 44th in community engagement and 38th in social support.

Despite its beaches, redwood trees and Hollywood glam, the state's blemishes are often highlighted. Los Angeles consistently leads as the world's most traffic-congested urban area and even its own citizens have tried to secede multiple times.

Rounding out the rest of bottom five in quality of life were Texas, Illinois, Indiana and New Jersey.

The states with the best quality of life crowd the northern part of the U.S.: North Dakota ranked first followed by Minnesota, Wisconsin, New Hampshire and South Dakota.

The rankings and report are based on an index created by consulting firm McKinsey & Company, which surveyed more than 30,000 people.

Follow Sean Rossman on Twitter: @SeanRossman