The 8 Most Immigrant-Friendly States in the US (and 4 Runner-Ups) — Monito's List for 2024

The United States is quite literally a country of immigrants. Its storied history of welcoming migrants, which peaked in the early 1900s, remains alive in its national narrative and in its many immigrant-friendly states. 

Whether you already live in the US or are thinking of moving there, this list of the best states to live in the USA as an immigrant will detail important social, economic, and political systems that support newcomers and their communities. We also mention the top immigrant cities that make each state so friendly for immigrants.

Without further ado, we present the eight immigrant-friendly states that ranked for legal support and government leadership on behalf of migrants as well as job opportunities and livability. Make sure to read to the end to explore Monito’s honourable mentions of 4 other best states to move to.

8. Washington

Stephen Plopper on Unsplash

This lush state of the Pacific Northwest (not to be confused with the nation’s capital on the east coast) makes it onto the list for 2024 thanks to its inclusive immigration policies. Seattle — and smaller cities too — maintains a local office dedicated to immigrant inclusion with bilingual employees or contracted translation services. This, along with multi-lingual voting ballots, assists residents with their language needs and with their civic engagement.

Washington boasts an incredibly high quality of life as well. The life expectancy of the state, at 80 years, is among the highest in the country. Its public K-12 schools perform high above the national average while the state’s low crime rate means that families can enjoy a greater sense of safety.

Like many states with highly-populated urban areas, Washington falls short in the realm of economic opportunity. Above-average unemployment (4.4%), a high cost of living, and other factors that contribute to economic prosperity lowered the score of Seattle, and Washington as a whole.

7. District of Columbia

Andy He on Unsplash

Washington, D.C. is technically not a state (although legislation continues to enter Congress attempting to admit the district into the Union). Nonetheless, the District of Columbia earns the 7th spot on this list thanks largely to its immigrant-inclusive policies.

Government leadership and community support for immigrants in Washington, D.C. were high points, as a diverse array of community organizations exist in D.C. and are given a voice when lawmakers consult with the public.

In several other areas, however, Washington, D.C. is falling behind quite dramatically. In addition to its high unemployment rate and high cost of living, its crime rate is by far the worst in the United States. The level of inequality is visually apparent between the city’s neighbourhoods and its public schools, which are among the worst-performing in the nation.

6. Georgia

Ben Dutton on Unsplash

Atlanta, Georgia is one of those fast-rising American cities that is making waves with its influential music scene, low-cost living, and booming economy. Not only immigrants but also U.S. born residents are leaving their hometowns for Atlanta.

In fact, Georgia is one of the fastest-growing states in the country. Between 2000 and 2018, Georgia’s population increased by over 28% — or more than 2.3 million people. Its economy nearly doubled from $307 billion in 2000 to $592 billion by 2018. This vibrancy is one reason why Atlanta earned a socioeconomic score of 4.50 by the New American Economy.

Despite this recent success, Georgia’s K-12 education system has yet to catch up. The environmental standards of the state are just on par with the national average, but residents’ level of exposure to pollution ranks in the lowest 10 states.

5. Maryland

Gary Lopater on Unsplash

While Maryland’s total number of immigrants is lower than the likes of New York or New Jersey, the percentage of Maryland’s immigrants who go on to become entrepreneurs (6.9%) far exceeds the average. This is just one reason why Baltimore received a socioeconomic score of 4.50 and an overall score of 4.25 by New American Economy's 2021 study.

Baltimore has pushed to improve legal support for immigrants, including local police reform and small business relief during the covid-19 crisis. The wider state outside of Baltimore is quite livable and clean, with a good K-12 public school education system.

Although Washington, D.C.’s data is segregated from Maryland’s, it should be noted that the violent crime rate of the nation’s capital is far and away the highest of any region. With 999 incidents per 100,000 individuals (162 incidents higher than second-most Alaska), Washington, D.C.’s lack of safety can be a concern for Maryland residents who live nearby the D.C. metropolitan area.

4. New Jersey

Gautam Krishnan on Unsplash

Jersey City made the top ten in New American Economy’s most recent list of most immigrant-friendly cities with a score of 4.25. This may come to the chagrin of New Jerseyans, whose New York neighbours scored a 4.29. Nonetheless, they can be proud to have scored a 5.00 immigration policy score over New York’s 4.83.

Rivalries aside, New Jersey was considered an immigrant-dependent state by the New American Economy because immigrants were almost entirely responsible for growing the working-age population. While many New Jersey-born residents have left the state in recent years, immigrants have entered, worked, and maintained the growth of New Jersey. Other states will have to learn to attract immigrants like New Jersey does if their populations are to remain socially and economically afloat in the future.

While New Jersey won the esteemed top spot for best K-12 public schools by the U.S. News & World Report, its unemployment rate hit 5.2% in 2024. While not as expensive as California or New York, New Jersey still continues to have one of the highest costs of living in the country.

3. New York

Naomi Young

“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,” reads the inscription below the Statute of Liberty. This icon, along with Ellis Island, has certainly helped to define New York City as America’s port of entry for immigrants around the world. And this remains largely true, as over 22% of New York State is comprised of immigrants.

New York City is a fascinating place that rests between the Hudson River and the East River, where an incredible diversity of people live concentrated on a tiny peninsula. Thanks to New York City’s large number of vocation-training and entrepreneurship-support programs targeted to immigrants, Queens-based immigrants are more likely to become entrepreneurs than their U.S.-born counterparts. The state, as a whole, averages a high life expectancy of 80 years, and a good public education system too.

New York State falls short when it comes to economic opportunity metrics, such as its unemployment rate (5.3%). New York City itself is even worse, at 9.4%. NYC is also one of the most expensive cities in the world. The cost of living for the entire state, in general, is among the highest in the United States too.

2. Illinois

Sawyer Bengtson on Unsplash

Illinois’ metropole, Chicago, earned the highest overall city score by New American Economy with notable performance on all immigration policy categories. The Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection is a City of Chicago-specific government agency that helps immigrants open businesses. On the legal front, Illinois has implemented some of the most inclusive policies in the country, such as allowing undocumented students to pay ‘in-state’ prices for higher education.

Illinois is also known for its excellent K-12 public school system, which ranked 6th in the nation by the U.S. News World Report. With 13.9% of the state’s population being of immigrant background, Illinois’s education system is key to the prosperity of its migrant residents and citizens.

Where Illinois comes up short is in its high unemployment rate (5%) and its poor environmental health score. Its largest city, Chicago, has some of the highest rates of gun violence in the country as well. This has, in turn, negatively affected the crime rate of the state.

1. California

Jarrod Suda

With three cities that ranked as the top immigrant cities in America (Fremont, Chula Vista, and San Jose), California is the clear winner of this contest. California’s ballots are required to come printed in over 14 different languages, to promote the civic engagement of the state’s diverse population. California has gained a reputation as a hub for technology, entertainment, and several other massive industries, and hosts an incredible 829,369 immigrant entrepreneurs — the nation’s most.

California is also notable for its global (not just national) leadership on climate change policy. The United States Prosperity Index 2021 rated California highly for its nature conservation efforts and for its reduction in CO2 emissions. California’s average life expectancy is 81 years of age, tied with Hawai’i as the nation’s highest.

Despite its inclusive policies, iconic weather, and top refugee cities, California remains one of the most expensive states in the country. On top of that, California’s unemployment rate for December 2023 sat at 4.9% — 1.2% above the national average. Without suitable job opportunities for Green Card sponsorship, immigrants may opt to move to a state with a greater outlook.

Runner Ups for the Most Immigrant-Friendly States

Naomi Young

While the following states did not have their cities in New American Economy's top 10 most immigrant-friendly list, they stood out in other ways. In conjunction with New American Economy's research, we looked at economic attractiveness, safety, immigrant population size, and livability metrics — and the following four states ranked highly in at least three of these four categories.

If you are seeking Green Card sponsorship through family, through an employer, or by another means, don't count out these four states during your search!

1. Connecticut

Connecticut may seem a surprising number one choice for an honourable mention; it lacks the reputation of a New York or a California. However, a considerable 14.7% of the population have an immigrant background. The state boasts impressive benefits across many categories too. It has one of the longest life expectancies, lowest crime rates, and best public school systems in the country. It also came out second best overall in the United States Prosperity Index of 2021 for its healthy natural environment, including clean water, healthy land, and low emissions.

2. Virginia

Virginia has among the top public school systems in the country as well as among the lowest crime rates, making it an ideal place to live and raise a family. Its low unemployment rate and lower cost of living compared to its neighbours in the northeast make Virginia a competitive choice. In fact, Norfolk and Virginia Beach both ranked in New America Economy's top 10 cities by socioeconomic score (not taking into consideration the immigration policy score).

3. Florida

One in every five residents of Florida is an immigrant. This large population also benefits from the state's low unemployment rate (3.5%). And if accounting for socioeconomic factors alone (leaving out immigration policy), New American Economy ranks Jacksonville and St. Petersburg, Florida as the number two and number three best cities in America for immigration. With a high influx of domestic migration too, Florida is in the midst of economic opportunity and growth.

4. Massachusetts

With the second-best public school system in the nation for Kindergarten to 12th grade, Massachusetts earns a spot on the honourable mentions list. Education is one of the central factors that drive economic mobility. With great primary, secondary, and especially higher education, Massachusetts may be the state for you.

References Used in This Guide

1. National Conference of State Legislatures. State Unemployment Rates. 14 March 2022.
2. MERIC. Cost of Living Data Series. Accessed 17 March 2022.
3. Federal Bureau of Investigation. Crime in the U.S 2019. Accessed 17 March 2022.
4. World Population Review. Life Expectancy by State 2022. Accessed 17 March 2022.
5. New American Economy. U.S. Economic Data & Numbers. Accessed 17 March 2022.
6. US News & World Report. Best States for Childhood Education. Accessed 17 March 2022.
7. The US Prosperity Index 2021. Natural Environment. 23 July 2021.