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Each US State's Work-Life Balance Ranked, From Best To Worst

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September 28, 2021 at 2:16 AM·11 min read

It may feel like you're always slogging away at work, but it turns out some states do better than others when it comes to work-life balance. To see how your state measures up, we've ranked the work-life balance in each state from best to worst.

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To get this ranking, the American Work-Life Balance Index measured each US state using four factors:

1. Average number of weekly hours worked over the past 12 months for workers ages 16 to 64, according to the United States Census Bureau.

2. Average commute time in minutes, according to the United States Census Bureau.

3. Average Glassdoor work-life balance review score of companies based in each state using a sample of 1,800 companies. (Glassdoor data was not available for Vermont, Wyoming, Hawaii, and Alaska, so the final score for these states was calculated using the other three factors.)

4. The state’s rank on Gallup’s 2019 Well-Being Index on a scale of 1 (best) to 50 (worst).

Based on these four factors, the American Work-Life Balance Index assigned each state a total score out of 10 possible points.

1.BEST: Utah

Rock arch in Utah — Average hours worked/week: 37.3
Average commute time (in minutes): 22.5
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 4.03
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 5
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 9.12/10
Tobiasjo / Getty Images

2.Vermont

Person running in fall colors — Average hours worked/week: 37.4
Average commute time (in minutes): 24
Glassdoor work-life balance score: N/A
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 7
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 8.43/10
Redtea / Getty Images

3.Montana

High alpine lake surrounded by mountains — Average hours worked/week: 38.4
Average commute time (in minutes): 19.5
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.7
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 4
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 8.23/10
Stellalevi / Getty Images

4.Wyoming

Mountains coming out of grassy river area — Average hours worked/week: 40.3
Average commute time (in minutes): 19.1
Glassdoor work-life balance score: N/A
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 2
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 7.62/10
Benedek / Getty Images

5.Maine

Lighthouse on the coast of Maine — Average hours worked/week: 38.4
Average commute time (in minutes): 24.6
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 4.05
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 21
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 7.57/10
Enzo Figueres / Getty Images

6.Nebraska

Bridge into a Nebraska city — Average hours worked/week: 39.4
Average commute time (in minutes): 19.5
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.75
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 18
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 7.19/10
John Coletti / Getty Images

7.North Dakota

Mountains in the Badlands — Average hours worked/week: 40.1
Average commute time (in minutes): 17.9
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.6
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 10
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 7.06/10
Peter Unger / Getty Images

8.Delaware

House on the coast in Delaware — Average hours worked/week: 38.1
Average commute time (in minutes): 26.7
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.63
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 8
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 7.04/10
Anthony Dezenzio / Getty Images/EyeEm

9.Iowa

Corn being grown in rows — Average hours worked/week: 39
Average commute time (in minutes): 19.8
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.72
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 26
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 6.92/10
David Papazian / Getty Images

10.Hawaii

Coast of Hawaii — Average hours worked/week: 39
Average commute time (in minutes): 28.1
Glassdoor work-life balance score: N/A
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 1
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 6.91/10
Art Wager / Getty Images

11.New Mexico

River and hills in desert area — Average hours worked/week: 38.3
Average commute time (in minutes): 22.6
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.8
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 30
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 6.9/10
Teresa Kopec / Getty Images

12.Minnesota

City in Minnesota with green space — Average hours worked/week: 38.2
Average commute time (in minutes): 24.4
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.52
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 12
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 6.87/10
Davel5957 / Getty Images

13.Oregon

Water in Oregon at the base of a volcano — Average hours worked/week: 37.8
Average commute time (in minutes): 24.2
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.69
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 28
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 6.77/10
Benedek / Getty Images

14.Idaho

Mountains in the spring in Idaho — Average hours worked/week: 38.5
Average commute time (in minutes): 21.5
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.45
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 22
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 6.48/10
Ron And Patty Thomas / Getty Images

15.Connecticut

Boats on the water near the city — Average hours worked/week: 37.9
Average commute time (in minutes): 27
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.51
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 16
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 6.46/10
Denistangneyjr / Getty Images

16.Alaska

Kayak on the water in Alaska — Average hours worked/week: 41.6
Average commute time (in minutes): 20.2
Glassdoor work-life balance score: N/A
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 3
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 6.45/10
The Good Brigade / Getty Images

17.Rhode Island

Night image of a city in Rhode Island — Average hours worked/week: 37.4
Average commute time (in minutes): 25.7
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.47
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 25
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 6.37
Shobeir Ansari / Getty Images

18.Wisconsin

Little town near the woods — Average hours worked/week: 38.6
Average commute time (in minutes): 22.7
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.53
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 24
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 6.36/10
Jamesbrey / Getty Images

19.Colorado

People mountain biking on a trail in the mountains — Average hours worked/week: 39.1
Average commute time (in minutes): 26.5
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.48
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 6
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 6.29/10
Michaelsvoboda / Getty Images

20.Washington

Seattle with the mountains in the background — Average hours worked/week: 38.7
Average commute time (in minutes): 28.8
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.65
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 13
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 6.25/10
Chinaface / Getty Images

21.California

Average hours worked/week: 38.2Average commute time (in minutes): 30.7Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.67Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 14�� TOTAL SCORE �� : 6.24/10 — Average hours worked/week: 38.2
Average commute time (in minutes): 30.7
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.67
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 14
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 6.24/10
Alexander Spatari / Getty Images

22.Arizona

Mountains at sunset — Average hours worked/week: 38.7
Average commute time (in minutes): 26.6
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.53
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 15
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 6.18/10
Curt Apduhan / Getty Images

23.New Hampshire

Colorful houses on the water in fall — Average hours worked/week: 38.6
Average commute time (in minutes): 28
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.48
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 11
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 6.11/10
Denistangneyjr / Getty Images

24.Massachusetts

Coastal town with boats in the harbor — Average hours worked/week: 38
Average commute time (in minutes): 31
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.63
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 17
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 6.07/10
Denistangneyjr / Getty Images

25.South Dakota

Mount Rushmore under a blue sky — Average hours worked/week: 39.9
Average commute time (in minutes): 17.9
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.1
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 9
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 6.02/10
Darwin Fan / Getty Images

26.Kansas

Town built on a waterway — Average hours worked/week: 39.2
Average commute time (in minutes): 20
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.48
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 35
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 5.8/10
Joe Sohm / Getty Images/Collection Mix: Subjects RF

27.Michigan

Michigan lake at sunset — Average hours worked/week: 38.2
Average commute time (in minutes): 25.1
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.52
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 33
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 5.49/10
Wiltser / Getty Images

28.Mississippi

Average hours worked/week: 39.3Average commute time (in minutes): 25.1Glassdoor work-life balance score: 4Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 47�� TOTAL SCORE �� : 5.72/10 — Average hours worked/week: 39.3
Average commute time (in minutes): 25.1
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 4
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 47
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 5.72/10
Art Wager / Getty Images

29.Nevada

Road to beautiful red rock formations — Average hours worked/week: 38.9
Average commute time (in minutes): 25.6
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.39
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 19
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 5.7/10
Denistangneyjr / Getty Images

30.Indiana

Night shot of a city in Indiana — Average hours worked/week: 38.7
Average commute time (in minutes): 24.2
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.67
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 41
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 5.66/10
Davel5957 / Getty Images

31.Virginia

bright orange fall trees — Average hours worked/week: 39
Average commute time (in minutes): 29.1
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.68
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 27
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 5.47/10
Kelly Verdeck Photography / Getty Images

32.Missouri

City built around waterways — Average hours worked/week: 38.9
Average commute time (in minutes): 24.3
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.61
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 40
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 5.44/10
Davel5957 / Getty Images

33.Ohio

City at night on the water — Average hours worked/week: 38.3
Average commute time (in minutes): 24.3
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.41
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 38
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 5.37/10
Pgiam / Getty Images

34.Florida

Coastal front alongside palm trees — Average hours worked/week: 38.9
Average commute time (in minutes): 28.4
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.42
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 20
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 5.34/10
Alexander Spatari / Getty Images

35.Pennsylvania

Small town in the hills in the fall — Average hours worked/week: 38.7
Average commute time (in minutes): 27.8
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.47
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 34
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 5/10
Alex Potemkin / Getty Images

36.Georgia

Colorful houses near a green park — Average hours worked/week: 39.4
Average commute time (in minutes): 29.3
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.5
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 23
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 4.99/10
Daniela Duncan / Getty Images

37.Alabama

Waterfall in the woods — Average hours worked/week: 39.2
Average commute time (in minutes): 25.4
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.6
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 44
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 4.92/10
Veni / Getty Images

38.South Carolina

Bridge crossing a river at sunset — Average hours worked/week: 39.2
Average commute time (in minutes): 26
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.52
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 39
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 4.88/10
Kenwiedemann / Getty Images

39.Louisiana

People kayaking in the bayou — Average hours worked/week: 39.5
Average commute time (in minutes): 26.6
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.7
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 43
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 4.88/10
Wanderluster / Getty Images

40.New Jersey

Average hours worked/week: 38.6Average commute time (in minutes): 33.1Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.65Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 31�� TOTAL SCORE �� : 4.87/10 — Average hours worked/week: 38.6
Average commute time (in minutes): 33.1
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.65
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 31
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 4.87/10
Ferrantraite / Getty Images

41.North Carolina

Person looking toward a lighthouse near the coast — Average hours worked/week: 39
Average commute time (in minutes): 25.7
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.37
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 36
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 4.8/10
Ferrantraite / Getty Images

42.Texas

City sprawl in Texas — Average hours worked/week: 40
Average commute time (in minutes): 27.2
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.51
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 29
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 4.72/10
Art Wager / Getty Images

43.Oklahoma

City on a waterway at sunset — Average hours worked/week: 39.9
Average commute time (in minutes): 22.7
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.49
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 45
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 4.62/10
Denistangneyjr / Getty Images

44.Kentucky

Water surrounded by green woods — Average hours worked/week: 39
Average commute time (in minutes): 24.2
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.43
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 48
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 4.61/10
Posnov / Getty Images

45.New York

Person standing in the street in New York — Average hours worked/week: 38.2
Average commute time (in minutes): 34
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.51
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 37
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 4.36/10
???? Marco Bottigelli / Getty Images

46.Illinois

River going through Chicago — Average hours worked/week: 38.7
Average commute time (in minutes): 29.6
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.43
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 42
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 4.29/10
Mlenny / Getty Images

47.Arkansas

Person stands on a rock outcropping among green forest — Average hours worked/week: 39.3
Average commute time (in minutes): 21.9
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.23
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 49
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 4.26/10
Boogich / Getty Images

48.West Virginia

Bridge over a waterway at fall — Average hours worked/week: 39.3
Average commute time (in minutes): 26.4
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.5
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 50
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 4.21/10
Ali Majdfar / Getty Images

49.Maryland

Boats on the water by the city — Average hours worked/week: 38.8
Average commute time (in minutes): 33.7
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.44
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 32
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 4.14/10
Ron And Patty Thomas / Getty Images

50.WORST: Tennessee

Neon lights of Tennessee — Average hours worked/week: 39.3
Average commute time (in minutes): 25.9
Glassdoor work-life balance score: 3.32
Gallup well-being rank (lower = better): 46
?? TOTAL SCORE ?? : 4.03/10
???? Nina Dietzel / Getty Images

How do you feel about your work-life balance? Share your thoughts in the comments.

And for more stories about work and money, check out the rest of our personal finance posts.