New ‘Prosperity Index’ Ranks US States With More Than Just Money

The American Dream is about more than just financial resources, which is why a new index seeks to quantify prosperity using 230 different data measures to assess well-being in states across the US.

The results: Massachusetts comes out on top, with Mississippi bringing up the rear.

The index is the first major research issued by the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, an offshoot of the Milken Institute focused on economic and social mobility. The Washington-based center steps from the White House is scheduled to open to the public in 2024.

Prosperity is defined using 11 broad topic areas including health, education, natural ...