����Ӱ��AV

Some states contribute a lot more to the U.S. economy than others. For example, California, Texas, New York and Florida have economies so large that if they were countries, they would rank in the top 20 in the world. Living in one of these states might help boost your financial prospects.

“A strong state economy doesn't guarantee success for the state's residents, but it certainly makes financial success more attainable,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “Factors like a low unemployment rate and high average income help residents purchase property, pay down debt and save for the future. The best state economies also encourage growth by being friendly to new businesses and investing in new technology that will help the state deal with future challenges and become more efficient.”

In-Depth Look at Washington

Washington's economy is strong in part because the state prioritizes research and development and its job market is geared toward technological progress. It has the second-most industry R&D investment per capita and the second-highest percentage of jobs that are in high-tech industries.

Some parts of Washington's economy are weaker, though. For example, the state only ranks 43rd for the unemployment rate and 46th for the underemployment rate.

Many factors play into how strong a state's economy is, and the study analyzed 28 different metrics grouped into three main categories.

How Washington Ranks in Key Categories

• Eighth for economic activity
• 18th for economic health
• Second for its innovation potential

Overall, Washington ranks second in the country in WalletHub's study.

Best State Economies

The methodology can be found on the on WalletHub.