United States Life-Work Balance Index 2025: Top 10 States With The Best Life-Work Balance

Revealing the best US states for life-work balance, global employment expert Remote has published a national study ranking all 50 states — the 2025 US Life-Work Balance Index. 

The key findings are as follows

• Maine is the #1 state for life-work balance with a score of 69.62 out of 100, followed by Washington and Illinois.

• Louisiana is the worst-ranked state for life-work balance with a score of 25.01 out of 100.

• Alongside Louisiana, southern states make up nine of the bottom 10 places — including Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Oklahoma.

The study assesses relevant statutory and cultural protections across every state, awarding each a ‘life-work balance score’ out of 100. State scores are determined by key ranking factors including minimum wage, sick leave entitlement, maternity leave, public happiness, average work hours, LGBTQ+ inclusivity, and public safety. 

Barbara Matthews, Chief People Officer at Remote, comments on the latest index: “This is our first deep-dive into life-work balance in the US since our original assessment in 2022. A lot has changed since then, but wellbeing and engagement remains a core priority for many millions of Americans. Our 2024 global ranking placed the US just 55th in a review of life-work balance across the top 60 GDP nations, far behind neighboring Canada and countries in Europe and Oceania. We know, however, that attitudes to life and work in the United States can vary depending on location, factoring in state law and individual culture. This review of all 50 states shows just that. States that have performed comparatively well such as Maine offer statutory protections such as paid annual leave and paid sick leave, while also ranking high across cultural factors like inclusivity and safety.” 

Here are the top 10 US states for life-work balance in 2025

1. Maine — 69.62

Maine claims the title of best US state for life-work balance. The Pine Tree State’s top ranking comes down to its strong ‘safest state rating’ of 66.95 out of 100, beating all other states in the top 10. Maine is also a proud supporter of its LGBTQ+ residents, earning it a healthy inclusivity score, and with the average employee clocking 39.2 hours per week on the job, its residents enjoy more free time than the majority of working Americans in other major states like New York or California. 

2. Washington — 64.26

Washington places second on the US Life-Work Balance Index with an overall score of 64.26. What makes The Evergreen State a great place to work and live? The state boasts the highest minimum wage in the country, with workers paid at least $16.28 per hour. Washington is also one of only seven US states that don’t levy a personal income tax, so residents stand to earn more on average but also keep hold of more. 

3. Illinois — 63.65

Illinois earns third place thanks to its strong score for LGBTQ+ inclusivity (85 out of 100), and its respectable minimum wage. Residents of The Prairie State earn at least $15 per hour by state law as of January 2025. Illinois locals also get the best of both worlds; for many professionals, the bright city lights and hubbub of Chicago can prove tempting, but the state also offers plenty of smaller rural (and affordable) towns, should the hustle and bustle of The Windy City prove unappealing.

4. Connecticut — 63.07

Connecticut’s ranking is thanks to its generous minimum wage ($15.69 per hour), comparatively high happiness score of 60.14, and the fact its residents are entitled to 12 weeks of statutory maternity leave. This data makes Connecticut one of the best locations for professionals pondering the possibility of raising a family, with parents in The Constitution State eligible to receive 60% of their full-time wage while caring for their new child. 

5. Massachusetts — 62.58

Massachusetts is arguably one of America’s most historically intriguing locales — but what makes it such a great state to work from? Massachusett’s impressive safety score is the second-highest in the top 10 at 60.02 alongside its high score of 89 for LGBTQ+ inclusivity. When combining these factors with The Bay State’s healthy minimum wage of $15 per hour, it’s easy to see why it’s such an appealing location. 

6. Nevada — 61.37

Nevada’s spot in the top 10 is largely down to its annual leave allowance. Nevada is one of only three states with guaranteed statutory paid leave of up to five days per year. Alongside Maine and Illinois, Nevadans are accustomed to getting a little more me-time than the rest of the US and can enjoy the wealth of natural beauty and outdoor activities the state has to offer. Nevada also has a strong LGBTQ+ inclusivity score and enjoys a sub-40-hour working week.

7. New York — 59.46

New York places a respectable seventh in this year’s index. A state bolstered by its ever-prosperous economy, New York offers a generous 12 weeks of statutory maternity leave, alongside a maternity leave payment percentage of 67% (one of just seven other states to offer any allowance at all). New York is a natural choice for city-loving families, with the fourth-highest minimum wage offering of any state of $15.50 per hour.

8. Oregon — 59.06

Oregon places in the top ten thanks to its lower-than-average working hours (37.8 hours per week), high LGBTQ+ inclusivity score, and a decent average hourly wage in comparison to most other states. Oregon also offers a particularly high standard of living, boasting beautiful scenery, creative communities, a focus on eco-friendly practices, and no sales tax, making every dollar go that little bit further. 

9. California — 58.37

Given its ample minimum wage offering of $16 per hour, the nation’s most populated state is also an attractive option for US workers. Californians enjoy up to five days of statutory sick pay, an ample 70% payment rate for maternity leave, and some of the most inclusive workplaces in the US. However, residents also have to be comfortable with longer working hours, spending an average of over 40 hours on the job per week.

10. Colorado — 58.26

Rounding out the top 10 is Colorado. The Centennial State offers its residents one of the most generous sick day allowances of any state — six days — along with 12 weeks of maternity leave, and one of the shortest average working weeks in the US. 

Commenting further on the US Life-Work Balance Index and what ‘life-work balance’ means, Remote’s Chief People Officer, Barbara Matthews: “Remote uses the term 'life-work balance' instead of 'work-life balance' because people who have the flexibility to prioritize their personal lives and obligations first show increased productivity, higher job satisfaction, and lower burnout rates. The index highlights the strides some individual states have made while recognizing that others still have much work to do in this area.

“There isn’t a magic formula or a neat one-size-fits-all solution to life-work balance. The perception of life-work balance will vary between states, individuals, and industries. However, with competition for the world’s best talent intensifying, it’s about fostering an environment where employees feel supported and empowered to find their unique balance. Looking at statutory protections is a strong foundation or starting point to cement this philosophy into wider working practices. By empowering people through factors such as paid time off or paying a meaningful minimum wage, decision-makers can start improving the baseline of their employee's life-work balance.”

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