NASHVILLE – A new CNBC quality of life study has ranked Tennessee as the worst state in the nation to live in for 2026, based on certain factors including worker protections, healthcare access, and inclusiveness. Tennessee Republicans have held control of the state for over 15 years. During that time, Tennesseans have watched the cost of housing, groceries, healthcare, and childcare hit record-high levels while access to quality healthcare, worker protections, wages, and economic opportunity has failed to keep pace.

Statement from Rachel Campbell, Chairwoman of the Tennessee Democratic Party:

“Tennessee is home. Every Tennessean deserves the opportunity to build a good life here, raise a family, find affordable healthcare, earn a good paycheck, and know their children will have a brighter future. Instead, after more than 15 years of one-party Republican control, our state has become a place where working families are asked to settle for last place while Republicans spend their time fueling division and distracting from their failures. Tennesseans deserve leaders who are focused on lowering costs, expanding opportunity, and making this the best state in the country to live, work, and raise a family. That’s what we are fighting for. And Tennessee Democrats will keep fighting for a Tennessee that is first, not last.”