5 Unhealthiest US States in 2026 — and What It Means for Your Money
Written by
Kerra Bolton
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
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Your ZIP code can influence more than your lifestyle.
It can shape medical spending, insurance premiums and long term financial risk. States with poorer overall health often see higher healthcare costs, more chronic illness and greater financial strain tied to ongoing medical needs.
Using a national health index that tracks factors such as obesity, mental health and access to care, some states consistently rank among the least healthy. Here are the five unhealthiest states in the U.S. in 2026 and what that could mean for household budgets and take home pay.
Mississippi
Mississippi consistently ranks among the least healthy states in the U.S., with adult obesity standing out as a major factor, according to the United Health Foundation.
Obesity is tied to significantly higher medical spending. The CDC estimates excess healthcare costs of $1,861 per person each year, rising to $3,097 per person for severe obesity, compared to adults at a healthy weight.
For households, that can translate into higher medical bills and rising insurance costs, adding real financial pressure on top of ongoing health concerns.
Louisiana
Louisiana ranks poorly for mental health, with 57% of adults reporting frequent mental distress in recent national health rankings by the United Health Foundation.
Depression alone costs U.S. employers about $187.8 billion per year, including $20.9 billion tied to absenteeism and $32.9 billion linked to lost productivity, according to mental health cost research by the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute (MMHPI).
For people managing ongoing mental health challenges, that can translate into higher medical bills, more missed workdays and reduced take-home pay over time. That affects both short-term cash flow and long-term financial stability.
West Virginia
West Virginia has a high share of adults living with multiple chronic conditions, including heart disease and diabetes, per the United Health Foundation. Managing chronic illness often comes with higher medical costs and time away from work.
Diabetes alone accounts for $413 billion a year in U.S. healthcare costs and lost work and wages, according to the CDC. The average person with diabetes may spend between $3,300 and $4,600 per year in out-of-pocket costs, including prescription medications, provider visits, medical supplies and lost wages from missed work, according to GoodRx.
Together, rising care costs and missed income can create ongoing strain on household budgets, especially for families managing long term health needs.
Indiana
Indiana reports 183.1 deaths per 100,000 people from heart disease, one of the higher rates in the U.S., according to CDC state data. Heart disease is also the leading cause of death in the state.
For families, heart disease often means higher medical bills, especially for hospital stays, prescription medications and ongoing treatment.
It can also affect earnings. In a study of adults ages 18 to 64 by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), heart disease was linked to average labor income losses of $13,463 per person, with total income losses estimated at $203.3 billion.
On top of that, treating heart disease carries average annual medical costs of about $4,900 per person and hospital stays average $21,560 per patient, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Together, medical expenses and lost income can create real financial strain for households.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has a high share of adults living with diabetes, a chronic condition that often requires ongoing medication, blood sugar monitoring and regular medical visits, per the United Health Foundation.
Diabetes is the most expensive chronic condition in the U.S., with healthcare costs and lost work and wages totaling $413 billion a year, according to the CDC. For individuals and families, managing diabetes can mean steady, recurring medical expenses, including prescriptions, supplies and routine care.
Over time, those ongoing costs, along with time away from work for appointments and treatment, can reduce take home pay and put pressure on household budgets, especially for families managing long term care.
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