New Study Reveals How Connecticut and New York Stack Up on Going Green

According to the results of a new WalletHub study, where you live plays a pretty big role in how “green” your lifestyle actually is—and both New York and Connecticut are holding their own.

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The study looked at all 50 states using a bunch of different environmental factors—everything from air and water quality to how people actually behave when it comes to eco-friendly habits. And while there are a few usual suspects at the top, New York really stands out, landing inside the Top 5 overall. That’s a big deal when you consider how massive and populated the state is.

Connecticut isn’t far behind either, coming in solidly within the Top 15. It might not grab headlines the same way New York does, but quietly, the Nutmeg State is doing a lot right—especially when it comes to limiting its overall environmental impact.

Here’s how the Top 15 states shake out:

1. Vermont
2. Hawaii
3. California
4. New York
5. Washington
6. Maryland
7. Maine
8. New Hampshire
9. South Dakota
10. Colorado
11. Minnesota
12. Massachusetts
13.Connecticut
14.Oregon
15. New Jersey

New York’s high ranking is driven by a mix of strong environmental policies and relatively solid eco-friendly habits from residents. For a state that never sleeps, it’s apparently doing a decent job of keeping things cleaner than you might expect.

As for Connecticut, the state performs especially well when it comes to reducing harmful environmental contributions. Translation: it’s not just about looking green—it’s actually doing a better job than most at cutting down on the stuff that causes long-term damage.

And this stuff matters. The U.S. has been dealing with an increasing number of billion-dollar weather disasters, and while you can’t stop everything, the way states manage resources, emissions, and infrastructure can make a real difference.

If you’re living in New York or Connecticut, you’re in a pretty good spot compared to the rest of the country. Not perfect, but definitely ahead of the curve when it comes to going green.