Here Are the 6 Best and Worst States to be Unemployed

Here Are the 6 Best and Worst States to be Unemployed While the national unemployment satz fell to 3.8 percent in May the lowest its been in 17 years those 3.8 percent may have greater difficulty being unemployed and searching for a new job in certain states.Anew reportfound that Missouri, Alaska, and North Carolina are the toughest states to be in while trying to re-enter the workforce.The report, byGOBankingRates.com, listed the worst to best states for the unemployed searching for a new job based on the states unemployment rate, its employment growth rate, and the amount of time residents in that state are able to collect unemployment insurance while searching for a job.Weve outlined the top three worst states in which to be unemployed and the top three best states below.Worst states to be unemployed1. MissouriWith an unemployment rate of 3.6 percent, Missouri is the toughest state in which to be unemployed. And their employment growth is at an extreme low -.38 percent -- the ei ghth-lowest employment growth rate in the country.The state also only gives unemployed residents 13 weeks of unemployment insurance, which is half the amount of time the majority of states offer.Missouri isnt all that bad, though -- its zentralwert home price is a low $170,000, meaning residents can own a home for less than $1,000 a month, according to another GOBankingRates.comstudy.2. AlaskaAt 7.3 percent, Alaskas unemployment rate is the highest in the country. However, its employment growth is a little mora promising than Missouris, at -.02 percent.While it ranks as the second worst state to be unemployed, living in the northern state does have its perks its one of only7 stateswith no income tax.3. North CarolinaThe Tarheel state has an unemployment rate of 4.4 percent, as well as a more optimistic employment growth than its predecessors 1.21.North Carolina also offers residents a low 12 weeks of unemployment insurance, and its median home price is higher than the national avera ge at $259,000. But, the state is the only one out of the top three worst states for the unemployed that didnt experience a decrease in employment growth over the past year.Regarding Missouri and Alaskas decrease in employment growth this past year, aGOBankingRates.com representative said,State regulations that would provide more weeks of unemployment insurance would help these states rank higher, but because the job market isnt as strong in these states as it is out west, the improvement process would take a longer time unless an influx of job openings began occurring.The personal finance site ended the list with the best states in which to be unemployed. Colorado, Utah, and Massachusetts took the top spots (in that order).And theres a reason the top two spots went to western states, according to theGoBankingRates representative.Several Western states have seen significant civilian labor force growth between April 2017 and April 2018, and this is due to several startups moving out west along with a strong job market hiring at record rates. This, combined with labor force unemployment rates being among the lowest in the U.S., results in western states ranking so well.Best states to be unemployed1. ColoradoColorado holds the title of having the highest employment growth rate in the country, at 3.14 percent. And the Rocky Mountain state has the fifth-lowest unemployment rate in America at 2.9 percent.2. UtahUtah features the sixth-lowest unemployment rate in the country at 3.1 percent, as well as the fifth-highest employment growth rate at 2.21 percent.Salt Lake City was even recently named thebest city for college gradsto begin their careers in 2018 by the site Wallethub.3. MassachusettsMassachusetts has an unemployment rate of 3.5 percent and an employment growth of 1.25 percent.The state also gives its residents 30 full weeks of unemployment insurance, the longest of any other state in the country.