A new report from WalletHub is breaking down the greenest states in America for 2026, and Rhode Island is landing in the middle of the pack nationally but behind the rest of New England.
According to the study, Rhode Island ranked 20th overall in the country based on environmental quality, eco friendly behaviors, and climate impact.
Despite finishing in the top half nationwide, Rhode Island ranked last among all six New England states, with every neighboring state placing higher.
Here’s how the rest of New England performed:
• Vermont #1 overall in the country • Maine #7 • New Hampshire #8 • Massachusetts #12 • Connecticut #13 • Rhode Island 20
That means five out of six New England states landed in the top 15, making the region one of the strongest in the country for environmental performance.
The report also breaks down how Rhode Island performed in key categories:
Water Quality Ranked among the lowest in the country
Soil Quality Ranked 49th overall
Gasoline Consumption 4th lowest in the U.S.
Energy Consumption Ranked 1 lowest per capita in the nation
While Rhode Island performs well in energy efficiency and fuel usage, lower rankings in environmental quality, especially water and soil, continue to hold the state back compared to the rest of New England.
ContributorApril 13, 20261 Mins read14 
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