Best States for Work-Life Balance in 2024

In today’s fast-paced world, finding the right balance between work and personal life is more important than ever, and where you live can play a huge role in achieving it.

As October marks National Work and Family Month, the B2B Reviews Research Team analyzed crucial factors—commute times, average hours worked per week, weekly pay, maternity leave policies, and even depression rates—to reveal which states are setting the standard for work-life balance.

These rankings come at a pivotal time when Americans are reassessing priorities, with work-from-home options, labor rights, and mental health taking center stage.

When asked about the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance, Dr. Donnie Hutchinson, a recognized leader in work-life balance and self-care for first responders, said, “The possibility of getting out of balance is highly probable. [Work-life balance] generally has an ebb and flow methodology. It’s challenging and unlikely to say in an optimal WLB state. Much like how a chiropractor can thoughtfully adjust our spines and necks into ultimate alignment, we can do the same with our daily behaviors. When we find ourselves out of balance, we should hold ourselves accountable and thoughtfully snap, crack, and pop our daily behaviors to re-align with our priorities in life.”

Our findings not only spotlight states that support a healthier balance, but they cover areas where major improvements are needed—providing valuable insights that help you explore the evolving expectations of the modern workforce.

For a detailed list of how we determined our rankings, take a look at our methodology.

Best States for Work-Life Balance Ranked

Sort the table to see where your state ranks overall or by category.

Top 10 States for Work-Life Balance

The best state overall for a successful and healthy work-life balance is Minnesota. Minnesota is in the top 15 for every category we examined, excluding depression rates, earning a total weighted score of 76.84 out of 100. It ranks number five for fewest average hours worked per week and number eight for highest average earnings per week. The focus Minnesota has on expanding workers' rights and supporting working middle class families demonstrates how states can cultivate a healthier work-life balance for its residents.

• Average Commute Time: 23.3 minutes
• Average Hours Worked per Week: 33.1
• Average Earnings per Week: $1,249.19
• Maternity Leave: Yes, unpaid
• Percentage of Remote Workers: 16.10%
• Depression Rates: 20.20%

Even though Colorado’s average commute time is one of the longest, it has one of the best paid maternity leave policies in the country. It's top 10 state for hours worked per week, average earnings per week, and remote work, showing that the chances of having a healthy work-life balance in Colorado are highly likely.

• Average Commute Time: 25.6 minutes
• Average Hours Worked per Week: 33.3
• Average Earnings per Week: $1,258.74
• Maternity Leave: Yes, 12 weeks paid
• Percentage of Remote Workers: 19.90%
• Depression Rates: 18.50%

Coming in third overall, Wisconsin has the second lowest average hours worked per week, allowing its residents to have more time to pour into their social lives. It's average commute time of 22.2 minutes is lower than the national average, and promotes work-life balance for its state employees through a variety of paid leave benefits. Governor Tony Evers declared 2024 the "Year of the Worker," reflecting the state's focus on supporting workers and their families.

• Average Commute Time: 22.2 minutes
• Average Hours Worked per Week: 32.7
• Average Earnings per Week: $1,094.80
• Maternity Leave: Yes, unpaid
• Percentage of Remote Workers: 12.20%
• Depression Rates: 20.50%

Hawaii comes in at number one for the lowest depression rate, number four for average hours worked per week, and number 11 for average earnings per week. On top of having some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Hawaii's paid maternity leave policies are among the best in the country.

• Average Commute Time: 26.6 minutes
• Average Hours Worked per Week: 32.8
• Average Earnings per Week: $1,214.91
• Maternity Leave: Yes, 6-8 weeks paid; up to 6 months
• Percentage of Remote Workers: 8.70%
• Depression Rates: 12.70%

Oregon ranks fifth overall but comes in third for remote work, with 17% of its population enjoying the benefits of being able to work from home. Average commute times are slightly below the national average, and it's a top 10 state for average earnings per week.

• Average Commute Time: 23.3 minutes
• Average Hours Worked per Week: 33.9
• Average Earnings per Week: $1,218.37
• Maternity Leave: Yes, unpaid
• Percentage of Remote Workers: 17.70%
• Depression Rates: 21.40%

Known for its beautiful landscapes, ski resorts, and mountains near Salt Lake City, Utah comes in at number 10 for shortest commute times. With the tech industry continuing to grow in Utah, it has one of the highest percentages of remote workers in the United States, at 16.4%.

• Average Commute Time: 21.9 minutes
• Average Hours Worked per Week: 33.4
• Average Earnings per Week: $1,134.93
• Maternity Leave: No
• Percentage of Remote Workers: 16.40%
• Depression Rates: 22.70%

While Montana ranks seventh overall, it ranks fourth for average commute times and sixth for average hours worked per week. Known for its national parks, mountains, and wildlife, it's a great place to live and work.

• Average Commute Time: 18.8 minutes
• Average Hours Worked per Week: 33.2
• Average Earnings per Week: $1,051.11
• Maternity Leave: Yes, unpaid
• Percentage of Remote Workers: 11.30%
• Depression Rates: 23.40%

Coming in at eighth overall for a healthy work-life balance, Nebraska ranks 11th for low depression rates and fifth for shortest average commute time. The state's average hours worked per week falls just below the national average showing Nebraskans are good at maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

• Average Commute Time: 19.1 minutes
• Average Hours Worked per Week: 33.4
• Average Earnings per Week: $1,046.09
• Maternity Leave: No
• Percentage of Remote Workers: 10.10%
• Depression Rates: 17.00%

Despite being right behind New York regarding the highest average commute times, Maryland has one of the best maternity leave policies and eighth for lowest depression rates. It's average hours worked per week is slightly below the national average, and it's average earnings per week is slightly above the national average. It has one of the highest percentages of remote workers, ranking sixth overall in that category.

• Average Commute Time: 32 minutes
• Average Hours Worked per Week: 33.2
• Average Earnings per Week: $1,163.66
• Maternity Leave: Yes, 12 weeks paid
• Percentage of Remote Workers: 16.90%
• Depression Rates: 16.10%

South Dakota ranks tenth overall but is number one for average commute times, at 17.4 minutes, which is 15.8 minutes faster than New York, which has the longest average commute in the country. At 16.4%, depression rates in South Dakota are lower than the national average of 19.9%.

• Average Commute Time: 17.4 minutes
• Average Hours Worked per Week: 33.8
• Average Earnings per Week: $1,028.53
• Maternity Leave: Yes, unpaid
• Percentage of Remote Workers: 9.80%
• Depression Rates: 16.40%

Methodology

B2B Reviews compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia across six metrics to determine the best states for work-life balance. Data points included average commute times, average hours worked per week, average earnings per week, state-level maternity leave policies, the percentage of the population that works remotely, and state-wide depression rates.

States were ranked within each metric, earning a total score based on the weighted values shown below.

Average Commute Time - 25 Points

Average commute times for each state were sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS). States with a lower average commute time earned more points.

Average Hours Worked per Week - 25 Points

The average hours worked per week for each state was sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics August 2024 data. States with fewer average hours worked per week earned more points.

Average Earnings per Week - 15 Points

The average earnings per week were also sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics August 2024 data. States with higher average earnings per week earned more points.

Maternity Leave Policies - 10 Points

We gathered each state's maternity leave policy from World Population Review, and awarded points based on whether a state had unpaid, paid, or no maternity leave policies, as well as the length of the maternity leave policy. The table below shows how states were scored based on their maternity leave policies.

Percentage of Remote Workers - 10 Points

Using U.S. Census Bureau data, we looked at the total population aged 16 years and older and the number of remote workers in the same age group to calculate the percentage of remote workers in each state. States with a higher percentage of remote workers earned more points.

Depression Rates - 15 Points

We gathered depression rates for each state and the District of Columbia using 2023 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. States with lower depression rates earned more points.

The Bottom Line

October is National Work and Family Month, which aims to highlight and celebrate the advancements in creating a healthier and more adaptable workplace. This also reminds employers of the advantages of implementing work-life balance initiatives.

Our rankings show which states demonstrate having a healthy work-life balance. Earning a total weighted score of 76.84 out of 100 points, Minnesota is ranked number one overall due to being a top 15 state for every category we examined, excluding depression rates.

During National Work and Family Month, there are many ways you can focus on creating a better work-life balance, including:

1. Set Clear Boundaries: Establish firm boundaries between work and personal time. Avoid checking emails or working outside of designated hours to maintain a healthy separation.
2. Prioritize Self-Care: Carve out time each day for activities that help you recharge, whether it's exercise, meditation, hobbies, or spending time with loved ones.
3. Utilize Flexible Work Arrangements: If your employer offers flexible schedules, remote work options, or paid family leave, take advantage of these to better balance work and personal responsibilities.
4. Delegate Tasks: At work and home, delegate tasks where possible to free up time for activities that align with your personal priorities.
5. Take Breaks Throughout the Day: Incorporate regular breaks into your routine to avoid burnout. A few short breaks can improve productivity and mental well-being.
6. Plan Family and Personal Time: Schedule quality time with family or personal activities just like you would a work meeting. This ensures that time for yourself or your loved ones is treated as a priority.
7. Engage in Professional Development: Use this month to learn new strategies or tools that help with time management, task prioritization, or stress reduction, improving your work-life balance long-term.
8. Practice Mindfulness: Stay present in both your work and personal life. Mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing or short meditations, can help reduce stress and increase focus.
9. Take Advantage of Paid Time Off (PTO): If you have PTO available, consider taking some time off in October to recharge and reflect on how to achieve a better balance.
10. Communicate with Your Employer: Open a dialogue with your employer about your work-life needs, whether it's more flexibility, additional support, or clearer expectations to avoid overworking.

By actively embracing the advantages of a healthy work-life balance, you enhance not only your own well-being but also that of those around you.

Fair Use Statement

If you wish to share our findings, please do so for non-commercial purposes only and provide a link back to this report so readers can access our methodology.

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