All that oil cash floating around led to some questionable decisions over the years. But with the lowest number of people per square mile and the chilliest average temps, lonely Alaskans are probably just hoping someone else moves in to help warm the place up.

Roughly 60% of Arizona residents admitted they skip out on regular dental checkups. That might fly if you’ve already got a full set of dentures, but for everyone else, it’s just kind of disgusting.

In Arkansas, only about 6.1% of people hold an advanced degree or higher. So if you’re a professor looking to relocate, you might want to really think twice before putting down roots here.

Everyone knows the air quality in Los Angeles is rough, almost like breathing on the set of a dystopian action film. But try visiting Bakersfield, Fresno, Modesto, or Sacramento—it’s not much of an improvement. It’s as if California went out of its way to make Fresno even less appealing.

If you’re at a get-together in Colorado and overhear people chatting about “fresh powder,” don’t assume they’re talking about skiing. You might want to double-check what kind of party you’re at.

Connecticut leads the nation in school enrollment and per-person income, but the wealth gap is massive—the top 1% make 41 times more than everyone else. The wealthy just keep stacking cash while the rest settle for grabbing a slice of pizza in New Haven.

A Gallup survey found that under half of Delaware’s residents get even minimal regular exercise—just 30 minutes a day, three times a week. Then again, since you can drive across the state in about an hour, most people probably have no idea how long that trip would take on foot anyway.

Florida holds the record for the most boating-related accidents and fatalities. On the bright side, studies suggest that the average Floridian handles a boat about as well as a squirrel on espresso. So there’s that.

When it comes to ethics, Georgia’s lawmakers rank dead last, with more than 650 state employees accepting gifts over just two years. Reaching them for comment is tough—unless you come bearing game tickets or a spiral-cut ham.

While homelessness has gone down in many parts of the U.S. recently, Hawaii still has a rate five times higher than Mississippi, Indiana, and Kansas combined. On the plus side, at least the sleeping spots come with ocean views.

Thankfully, Idaho doesn’t see a ton of traffic accidents, mainly because not a lot of people live there or need to drive through it. For comparison, D.C. and New York weren’t far behind, which fits their reputations. But Idaho’s motorists? They’re just plain bad at driving.

Illinois residents aren’t just getting injured by gun violence or overloaded with deep-dish pizza. With so many rail yards running through the state, train derailments are surprisingly frequent—just enough to beat out Texas for the top spot.

Well, here’s a shocker. Everyone expected Florida to win this category hands down. Sorry if you bet on it. Really, sorry if you bet anything at all.

Marijuana usage among black and white residents in Iowa is about the same, but black Iowans are eight times more likely to end up arrested for it. That disparity is a lot bigger than most would guess.

If you ever wondered why The Wizard of Oz begins in black and white, you might be surprised to learn it’s not just a stylistic choice—Kansas really does give off that kind of vibe, at least to most of the country.

While the Kentucky Wildcats have racked up eight NCAA titles, real wildcats wouldn’t exactly be living their best lives here. For seven straight years, Kentucky has been ranked the worst state when it comes to protecting animals.

Louisiana leads the nation in both murder rates and gun-related deaths. So if you’re planning a wild night after Mardi Gras, maybe think twice—unless you’re looking to end up featured on a late-night true crime show.

In Maine, if you’re trying to land your helicopter, chances are you’ll have to head into New Hampshire just to find a suitable spot. It’s a hassle, but hey—owning a helicopter means you’re probably doing alright.

Maryland seems to let its senior citizens off pretty easy when it comes to serious crime. Only about 7.5% of inmates are over 50, which is half the national average. Looks like getting older has perks—at least in court.

Way back in 1984, Massachusetts became the pioneer in banning happy hour. Since then, workers have had no choice but to vent about their jobs over drinks that are full-priced—and full of regret.

Thanks to 8 Mile, Detroit got a bit of a cinematic revival, but drive beyond that and Michigan’s roads are a total disaster. The state only shells out $174 per person each year to maintain its roads and bridges, so make sure your vehicle can handle the punishment.

Back in 2010 alone, Minnesota got slammed by 145 tornadoes. That’s no small number. So before heading there, check the forecast—and double-check that your hotel won’t blow away with your luggage.

People living in Mississippi can expect to hit about 75 years old on average. Meanwhile, residents of 11 other states often live past 80. That’s five bonus years spent literally anywhere but Mississippi.

There’s no sugarcoating this one—it’s just plain awful. Even if the animals were well-treated, which they’re not, it would still be unacceptable. If you witness it, report it. And if you can, consider adopting.

In the late ’90s, Montana decided daytime speed limits weren’t necessary anymore. People basically floored it just to escape faster, blasting ’90s pop songs at twice the legal speed. Speed limits came back eventually, but getting people to follow them is still hit or miss.

You’re probably not going to stumble upon anything proudly labeled “Made in Nebraska.” Then again, that just means the field’s wide open if you’re looking to start your own venture.

It’s not shocking that Nevada has one of the highest marriage rates in the U.S., considering all those quickie ceremonies performed by Elvis impersonators and booze-fueled weddings between strangers. Thankfully, what happens in Vegas—including bad legal decisions—mostly stays there.

New Hampshire doesn’t give you much to complain about—unless you’re trying to get around by water. In that case, expect to be annoyed more often than not.

New Jersey takes the crown for the most speed traps in the nation, with one showing up roughly every 30 miles. That adds up to about $30,000 in road fees per mile. And if you’re just a little too fast? Expect a doubled fine labeled as “racing.” Not exactly the place for your Fast & Furious fantasies.

The term “accidental” can cover just about anything, so in this state, even stepping outside for a breath of fresh air might end poorly. Maybe the Grim Reaper picked up some real estate here.

Residents of New York get hit with the highest combined state and local taxes in the nation—averaging $9,718 a year, which is 39% more than the national average. Even when factoring in the cost of living, it’s still the most expensive place to pay up.

North Carolina landed at the bottom of national rankings for education, dragged down by poor spending, overburdened teachers, and far too many students who just aren’t motivated to learn.

North Dakota sits way out on the edge of the country and doesn’t have the benefit of a landmark like Mt. Rushmore to draw visitors. South Dakota might not be glamorous, but at least it has something more than a buffalo museum to offer.

Ohio came in dead last in a nationwide evaluation of water quality conducted by the Natural Resources Defense Council. If you’re planning a trip there, it might be smart to pack bottled water—and maybe some antibiotics, just in case.

Oklahoma-based fast food giant Sonic offers nearly 400,000 drink options and pushes out billions of Tater Tots each year. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean there’s a single vegetable in sight on those trays.

In Oregon, when it comes to painkillers, the rules seem to be simple: don’t mess with other people’s pills, and maybe ask if they’ve got any extras. Still, you have to wonder what’s hurting everyone so badly out there.

With over 22,000 bridges spanning the state, and nearly a quarter of them rated as structurally deficient, driving across one can quickly turn into either a moment of faith—or a reason to start praying.

More than half of Rhode Island’s teachers miss at least ten days of work each school year, and one out of five skip over twenty. If a student pulled that off, they’d be repeating a grade. The kicker? These teachers earn more than their counterparts in South Dakota.

South Carolina tops the charts when it comes to violent crime, with 766 incidents per 100,000 people. That whole idea of Southern hospitality? Doesn’t really hold up when you’re reading the crime stats.

Low pay isn’t just a problem for educators in South Dakota—it’s a statewide issue. With the lowest wages in the country, it’s bad news if you’re working for a living, but employers probably aren’t complaining.

In Tennessee, danger isn’t subtle—it’s the kind that demands constant awareness. If you’re the cautious type, you might want to just avoid going there altogether.

Texas holds the distinction of being the only state where fewer than 80% of the population has completed high school. So yes, everything really is bigger in Texas—including the number of dropouts.

Based on a study that analyzed Facebook “likes,” Utah turned out to be the nerdiest state in America. Maybe it’s easier to lean into fandoms when your beer is watered down and the party shuts down at 1 a.m.

Vermont’s enthusiasm for controlled substances might be linked to the fact that it has fewer children than any other state. With an aging population and a harsh dose of reality setting in, at least they made the most of their wild years.

Alaska may dominate the oil production game, but Virginia takes pride in something else—it ranks much lower when it comes to chlamydia. So dig deep, but maybe keep it clean.

Washington has legalized marijuana, but weirdly, residents can’t grow their own at home. So instead of tending plants, maybe just put on a Justin Bieber playlist—it’s free, and also a little confusing.

John Denver might have called West Virginia “almost heaven,” but from an economic standpoint, it’s closer to financial purgatory. With the lowest rate of full-time workers, the fewest college grads, and grim views on the future, things aren’t exactly looking up.

In Wisconsin, 12.8% of African American men are incarcerated, which is nearly double the national average of 6.7% and even worse than Oklahoma’s numbers. In this state, jail time seems to come faster than landing in Monopoly’s orange square.

Wyoming has the highest suicide rate in the country at 23.2 per 100,000 residents. For contrast, New Jersey’s rate is about three times lower. Then again, Wyoming is also the least populated state—so maybe the silence cuts a little deeper.