Not West Virginia, Not Arkansas — This Southern State Was Named The Worst For Millennials
Millennials, the group of people born between 1981 and 1996, make up around 20% of the U.S. population. Although this group of people is diverse, the group as a whole is stereotypically known for several things. These include their hipster fashion, high education, foodie identity, and social media use. Once known as a generation defined by city life, more and more are moving to the suburbs while simultaneously embracing travel. In order to help them navigate this transition into settled adult life, WalletHub did a study analyzing the best U.S. states for millennials. The finance site found that out of all 50 states — plus Washington, D.C. — Mississippi was the worst place in the country for this tech-savvy, podcast-loving generation.
In order to determine this, WalletHub compared millennials' experiences in the arenas of affordability, education & health, quality of life, economic health, and civic engagement. Highlighting that millennials have less access to the financial opportunities of the previous generation — thanks to the 2008 financial crisis — the study aims to help this generation find places abounding in opportunities, affordable prices, and good quality of life. Despite having mild winters, a beautiful Gulf Coast region, and friendly people, some of Mississippi's problems, like poor education and high unemployment, make it unappealing for young people.
Mississippi ranks poorly in factors important for millennials
It's not just WalletHub saying Mississippi is one of the worst places to move to, either, as other sites have also ranked the state poorly. For example, Consumer Affairs placed it among the 10 worst states to move to in 2026 for everyone, not just young people. What makes this Southern state with scenic forests, some of the best beaches along the Gulf, and coastal getaways full of seafood a poor choice for millennials?
WalletHub took many factors into consideration in its study, and the Magnolia State ended up in last place overall. For education & health, it came 47th. This was calculated based on factors like the percentage of millennials with a high school diploma, as well as overall health — including smoking, obesity, and binge drinking rates. For quality of life, it ranked 50th out of 51. This means that millennials in Mississippi are more likely to live with their parents, that the state is not family friendly, and that the state is not amenable for singles. When it came to economic health, Mississippi came in dead last, indicating that unemployment and the percentage of millennials living in poverty were high and that average earnings and labor force participation for that generation were low. Even though this state didn't rank as low in civic engagement and affordability, these other factors brought it down overall.
The pros and cons of traveling to Mississippi
Just as Mississippi ranked lowest for millennials to live in, it also ranks low on many U.S. travel lists. In 2024, GB The Green Brand labeled Mississippi as the worst state for hikers, due to low diversity, length, and number of trails (via WJTV). Business Insider ranked it 45th in the country for travel, while Thrillist placed it at No. 42 on its list of the most beautiful states in the U.S. Likewise, among general internet discussions, Mississippi anecdotally surfaces in forums about the worst U.S. vacation destinations. Users cite issues like poor infrastructure (which impacts things like road trip travel), poor tap water quality, high humidity, racism, and poverty.
At the same time, there are parts of this state that travelers might miss out on if they discount it because of these lists. Mississippi's Gulf Coast, for example, has white sandy beaches, fishing, and casinos. This area is also home to the Gulf Islands National Seashore, which the state shares with Florida. Here, visitors can hike along maritime forests, swim in bright blue ocean waters, and dive or snorkel amid the park's vast underwater ecosystem. History lovers can head to the state's many historic sites, which include Vicksburg National Military Park. At this Civil War site, travelers can see a historic battlefield, hike along the 16-mile Tour Road, or watch a living history event.
While the Magnolia State of Mississippi came in last, the West Coast state of Washington was ranked the best place in America for millennials by WalletHub. Seattle has previously been listed as one of the best cities for health and wellness lifestyles, both of which are valued by millennials.