They call Montana "The Last Best Place," and, apparently, most Montanans actually think that.

A recent poll by Gallup shows that a whopping 77 percent of Montanans thought that their state was either the best, or one of the best places in the U.S. to live.

Respondents were given four options in the poll and could respond by saying their state was either "the best possible state to live in," "one of the best possible states to live in," "as good a state as any to live in," or "the worst possible state to live in."

Gallup notes some striking differences among the top rated states (low population, colder climates, western geography). Perhaps the perception of good governance also plays a factor? A quick view at another Gallup poll (see image above) shows that most of the top ten states to live in also report strong trust in state governance.

Here's the ranking for the best states to live in:

  1. Montana 77%
  2. Alaska 77%,
  3. Utah 70%
  4. Wyoming 69%
  5. Texas 68%
  6. Hawaii 68%
  7. New Hampshire 67%
  8. North Dakota 67%
  9. Colorado 65%
  10. Vermont 61%.

Rhode Island took the bottom spot with only 18% of it's residents claiming it as a top place to live. Illinois was slightly better at 19%, followed by Mississippi at 26%.

Read more about the rankings and some theories as to why the states placed the way they did over at Gallup politics.

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