CNBC recently published its list of the "10 Worst States to Live In for 2026," and Tennessee took the top spot — followed by Texas, Indiana, Louisiana, Georgia, Utah, Missouri, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.

There's just one problem: nobody told the hundreds of thousands of Americans who packed up and moved to these states last year.

What the rankings say vs. what people are actually doing

According to 2025 net migration data (per 10,000 residents), here's how CNBC's "worst" states actually performed:

StateCNBC Rank2025 Net MigrationTennessee#1 worst+43.6Texas#2 worst+23.0 (68,000+ new residents)Indiana#3 worst+5.3Louisiana#4 worst+3.0Georgia#5 worst+13.4Alabama#8 worst+36.6Oklahoma#9 worst+26.4Arkansas#10 worst+33.3

Eight of the ten states on CNBC's "worst" list posted net positive migration in 2025. Tennessee — ranked dead last — posted one of the strongest population gains in the entire country.

Compare that to states nowhere near CNBC's bottom 10: New York lost over 55,000 residents (-28.2 per 10,000). California lost -25.1. Massachusetts lost -37.9. These are the states people are actually leaving in large numbers, yet none of them cracked the "worst states" list.

Rankings vs. reality

Media rankings like this are usually built from a mix of survey data, cost indices, and editorial weighting — methodology choices that can produce a very different picture than what people are doing with their actual lives and life savings. A list can call a state "worst" all day long. It doesn't change where the moving trucks are headed.

Migration data is harder to argue with. It reflects real decisions — people choosing a state, buying a home, and putting down roots there. When a state with the #1 "worst" ranking is also posting some of the strongest inbound migration in the country, that's a signal worth paying more attention to than the headline.

What this means if you're the one relocating

If you're one of the people behind these migration numbers — moving for a job, a lower cost of living, more space, or a fresh start — the "worst states" narrative shouldn't be what drives your decision. Look at what's actually happening on the ground: home values, job growth, and whether people who've already made the move are staying.

Wherever you're headed, financing is one part of that move worth getting right — from understanding your purchasing power to structuring the loan that fits your timeline. If you're planning a relocation and want a second opinion on the numbers before you commit, that's a conversation worth having early.

Peter Seroter / Optimized Home Loans | Powered by Barrett Financial Group / NMLS# 997692 | Company NMLS# 181106 / 2701 E Insight Way, Suite 150, Chandler, AZ 85286