Final answer:
Factors like health, education, and human rights play a crucial role in determining the quality of life in states with low cost of living. Richard Florida's research highlights how cultural diversity and amenities contribute to a place's appeal. Economic disparities across states are also significant, with the Sun Belt region offering a potentially high quality of life at a lower cost.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering states with low cost of living and high quality of life, it is important to note that per capita GDP alone does not fully capture the quality of life. Factors such as health, education, human rights, and personal safety need to be taken into account. For instance, while certain areas might have a high income level, they could still be facing issues like undernourishment. Richard Florida's studies suggest that regions with good schools, parks, healthcare, entertainment, and cultural diversity attract and nurture talented individuals. Conversely, stark economic differences across states can affect well-being significantly, as highlighted by disparities in median household income and educational spending among states.
For example, Maryland and New York stand out for having high median incomes and educational spending, respectively, but this is not always indicative of overall well-being. The Sun Belt region, highlighted by states such as Florida and Arizona, offers a more moderate cost of living, attractive climate, and burgeoning service and information-based industries, which can lead to a high quality of life. Ultimately, when seeking states that balance cost of living with quality of life, it is crucial to examine a variety of socio-economic factors beyond GDP.