In our Instagram-obsessed culture, looks seem to matter more than ever before. Everyone’s practicing their pose, tilting their faces to get the best light, popping a hip to slim the torso and using filters to remedy whatever nature gave them. And let’s not forget the people in the background of your photo—if it’s important to you that your vacation photos show well-dressed, attractive people around you, you might need to actually tailor your trip to go where the good-looking people are. Thankfully, there’s a new study from TDM Agency to help.
The data looks at metrics such as the number of Miss USA queens and PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive winners, lingerie models, and exercise and obesity rates to rank the 50 states according to the "beauty" of its residents.
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And, not a shock, the ranking names California as the best-looking state, and by a wide margin. Los Angeles, a place where perfectly symmetrical actors and lithe, leggy models abound, likely plays a large role in that perception. California also has the most Victoria’s Secret Angels and Sexiest Men Alive honorees (six of each) and is considered a very healthy state with a strong fitness profile.
In second place is New York, which also has a lot of models per capita and many celebrities (although only three Sexiest Men and no Victoria’s Secret folks). New York’s connection to the fashion industry also ensures some good-looking folks are strolling through Manhattan alongside the rest of us mere mortals.
In third place is Hawaii. Surprisingly the state has the most models: 1.65 models per capita, which means for every person, there is more than one person's worth of super-attractive models. (We don't understand the sexy math, we're just here for the sleek jawlines.) Hawaii has zero lingerie-wearing Angels or hunky PEOPLE cover stars, but it does boast five Miss USA winners. (Tying for second, Texas has 10.) And when you team exercise and obesity rates, Hawaii comes out as one of the best on the list.
A few more takeaways: The state with the fewest models is Wyoming. The state with the best exercise rates is Colorado, and the worst is a tie between Oklahoma and Mississippi. Lowest obesity? Colorado. Highest? Arkansas.
Here is the list of the top 10 best-looking states:
1. California
2. New York
3. Hawaii
4. Texas
5. Illinois
6. Massachusetts
7. Alaska
8. New Jersey
9. Utah
10. Connecticut