**How Divided Are America’s Feelings About California?**
A curious poll of 1,000 American adults, conducted for Clever Real Estate, explored how the nation views various traits of the 50 states. My trusty spreadsheet review of this popularity contest delved into America’s love-hate relationship with the Golden State.
### Most and Least Desirable States
The survey took an interesting approach by asking participants to rank states as both the most and least desirable places to live. When it came to the most desirable, California claimed the No. 2 spot, just behind Florida. Following California were Hawaii, Texas, and New York — each known for their strong economies and popular vacation destinations. The lowest desirability ratings went to Mississippi, Kansas, and Nebraska.
However, the picture got more complicated when respondents were asked to name the least desirable states. Here, California topped the list, followed by Alabama, New York, Alaska, and Florida. On the opposite end, North Carolina, New Hampshire, and Montana received the lowest “least desirable” scores, meaning they were seen as relatively favorable.
### Affordability Rankings
A somewhat more straightforward split appeared in questions related to affordability. When asked about relocation destinations with unlimited budgets, California ranked No. 3, trailing Hawaii and Florida. The states with the lowest ratings in this category were Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas.
But if finances are tight, California’s ranking plummets—it came in 42nd as a recommended move for those struggling financially. This aligns with the Golden State’s famously high cost of living. Some of the top bargains for budget-conscious movers were Alabama, Arkansas, and West Virginia. On the other side, Massachusetts, Hawaii, and New Jersey were considered the least affordable.
### Other Rankings: Underrated, Boring, and Quirky
California also scored poorly as a “most underrated” state, ranking No. 43. In this category, smaller states with lower populations tended to fare better. Vermont, Wyoming, and Maine topped the list, while Mississippi, New York, and Louisiana received the lowest scores.
Two other poll questions yielded more ambiguous interpretations. When asked about the “most boring” states (which could imply dullness or peacefulness), California ranked in the middle at No. 29. Iowa, Idaho, and Wyoming were seen as the most boring, whereas Hawaii, North Carolina, and Massachusetts were considered the least boring.
The final intriguing question addressed states with the quirkiest residents. “Quirky” can be viewed positively or negatively, depending on one’s perspective. California topped this list, followed by Alaska, New York, Utah, and Oregon. North Carolina, South Carolina, and Maryland were seen as the least quirky.
### The Final Score
California received highly divergent grades across categories. Six of its rankings fell within either the top or bottom 10, tying it with North Carolina for the most extreme scores. Other states with five extreme rankings included Florida, New York, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and North Dakota.
This poll paints a complex picture of California’s image—admired for its desirability and unique culture, yet criticized for affordability and its polarizing appeal. It seems the Golden State continues to inspire both love and frustration across America.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/09/19/americas-love-hate-relationship-with-california-echoes-in-this-poll/