California boasts an economy that stands as the fourth largest worldwide, having overtaken Japan in the prior year and ranking behind only the overall US, China, and Germany based on GDP.

Yet, GDP numbers do not always provide the complete narrative regarding conditions for residents and businesses in the area.

A new study from WalletHub assessed all US states along with Washington, DC, regarding their economies through 28 economic indicators. These formed three main categories: economic activity, economic health, and innovation potential.

Factors for economic activity encompassed the change in GDP from 2024 to 2025, proportion of fast-growing firms, and exports per person. Economic health covered unemployment rate, foreclosure rate, and fiscal stability. Innovation potential looked at high-tech job share, business startup rates, and similar measures.

Each state's weighted average across these areas was computed to determine the final ranking. Data came from sources like the US Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Although the study does not fully depict economic conditions for inhabitants, it can point to states offering more employment prospects and strong business expansion opportunities. WalletHub noted that the analysis highlights "which states are pulling the most weight in moving the US economy forward."

"A strong state economy does not ensure success for residents, but it does make financial achievement more possible," stated WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo.

The following presents every US state and Washington, DC, ordered by economic standing, from lowest to highest.

51. West Virginia

Economic Activity Rank: 51

Economic Health Rank: 30

Innovation Potential Rank: 51

50. Kentucky

Economic Activity Rank: 43

Economic Health Rank: 38

Innovation Potential Rank: 50

49. Louisiana

Economic Activity Rank: 37

Economic Health Rank: 48

Innovation Potential Rank: 47

48. Maine

Economic Activity Rank: 50

Economic Health Rank: 25

Innovation Potential Rank: 41

47. Rhode Island

Economic Activity Rank: 49

Economic Health Rank: 35

Innovation Potential Rank: 31

46. Wyoming

Economic Activity Rank: 46

Economic Health Rank: 20

Innovation Potential Rank: 44

45. Mississippi

Economic Activity Rank: 34

Economic Health Rank: 32

Innovation Potential Rank: 45

44. Hawaii

Economic Activity Rank: 30

Economic Health Rank: 14

Innovation Potential Rank: 49

43. Oklahoma

Economic Activity Rank: 39

Economic Health Rank: 23

Innovation Potential Rank: 40

42. Missouri

Economic Activity Rank: 44

Economic Health Rank: 33

Innovation Potential Rank: 32

41. South Dakota

Economic Activity Rank: 47

Economic Health Rank: 1

Innovation Potential Rank: 48

40. North Dakota

Economic Activity Rank: 48

Economic Health Rank: 5

Innovation Potential Rank: 38

39. Iowa

Economic Activity Rank: 45

Economic Health Rank: 29

Innovation Potential Rank: 28

38. Ohio

Economic Activity Rank: 32

Economic Health Rank: 44

Innovation Potential Rank: 33

37. Illinois

Economic Activity Rank: 27

Economic Health Rank: 50

Innovation Potential Rank: 26

36. Arkansas

Economic Activity Rank: 24

Economic Health Rank: 15

Innovation Potential Rank: 46

35. Nevada

Economic Activity Rank: 21

Economic Health Rank: 34

Innovation Potential Rank: 43

34. Nebraska

Economic Activity Rank: 40

Economic Health Rank: 7

Innovation Potential Rank: 37

33. Washington, DC

Economic Activity Rank: 25

Economic Health Rank: 51

Innovation Potential Rank: 14

32. Alaska

Economic Activity Rank: 14

Economic Health Rank: 42

Innovation Potential Rank: 42

31. Wisconsin

Economic Activity Rank: 41

Economic Health Rank: 26

Innovation Potential Rank: 18

30. Pennsylvania

Economic Activity Rank: 29

Economic Health Rank: 41

Innovation Potential Rank: