Eating healthy often feels like a personal choice—something that comes down to willpower, discipline, or knowing the “right” foods to buy. But a new February 2026 report suggests that where you live might play a much bigger role than you think.
According to research from supplements brand Ben’s Natural Health, some states make it far easier to access and afford nutritious food than others. The study examined all 50 states to determine where residents can most easily buy fruits, vegetables, and whole foods—the foundation of a balanced diet.
To create the rankings, researchers looked at several factors including how often people eat fruits and vegetables, the number of farmers’ markets in each state, obesity rates, and how much of the average salary residents spend on healthy groceries. Each state received a “Healthy Food Access Index” score out of 100, with higher scores indicating easier access to affordable, nutritious food.
The results show a clear pattern: access, affordability, and availability can dramatically shape how easy it is for people to maintain healthy eating habits.
New Jersey Leads the Way for Healthy Eating
Taking the top spot is New Jersey, which ranks as the easiest state for residents to maintain a healthy diet. The state boasts nearly 800 farmers’ markets—the highest number in the country—making fresh produce widely available.
Just as importantly, healthy groceries cost less than 4% of the average monthly salary in New Jersey. That affordability helps make nutritious food a realistic option for many households.
Because of that accessibility, about 11.4% of adults in the state report regularly eating fruits and vegetables—one of the highest rates nationwide. Combined with a relatively lower obesity rate of 27.7%, the data suggests that easier access to fresh food can have real impacts on health outcomes.
New York Residents Eat the Most Produce
Coming in a close second is New York, which stands out for having the highest rate of fruit and vegetable consumption in the country. Around 12% of adults say they regularly include produce in their diets.
One reason may be affordability. Healthy food costs just over 2% of the average monthly income in New York—the lowest percentage of any state analyzed.
With roughly 780 farmers’ markets operating across the state, residents also have plenty of opportunities to purchase fresh ingredients locally. The combination of availability and affordability likely contributes to New York’s relatively moderate obesity rate of 29.5%.
Connecticut and Washington Show the Power of Access
Connecticut and Washington take third and fourth place in the rankings, and both states demonstrate how access to local food systems can shape healthier habits.
Connecticut is home to more than 630 farmers’ markets, giving residents frequent opportunities to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. Roughly one in ten adults in the state report regularly eating produce.
While healthy groceries are slightly more expensive there—costing about 9% of the average salary—the abundance of local markets helps keep nutritious food accessible.
Washington tells a similar story. With nearly 600 farmers’ markets statewide and healthy food costing around 4.5% of monthly income, residents have relatively affordable access to fresh ingredients. This accessibility may help explain why Washington’s obesity rate sits around 31.5%, about five percentage points below the national average.
Massachusetts Rounds Out the Top Five
Massachusetts completes the top five states where eating healthy is easiest. The state has almost 500 farmers’ markets, meaning many residents can access fresh produce without traveling far.
Healthy groceries also remain reasonably affordable, costing about 5% of monthly income on average. That accessibility supports healthier habits across the state, with over 7% of adults regularly eating fruits and vegetables and an obesity rate of around 27%.
The Top 10 States for Healthy Food Access
Based on the Healthy Food Access Index, the states where residents have the easiest time accessing nutritious food are:
- New Jersey
- New York
- Connecticut
- Washington
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- New Hampshire
- Pennsylvania
- Colorado
- California
Many of these states share similar characteristics: higher numbers of farmers’ markets, better availability of fresh produce, and relatively affordable grocery costs compared to income.
Where Healthy Eating Is the Hardest
On the other end of the spectrum, the study found that eating healthy can be significantly more difficult in certain parts of the country. North Dakota ranked as the most challenging state for maintaining a nutritious diet.
In North Dakota, the cost of healthy food can exceed half of the average monthly income, making fresh produce far less accessible for many residents. The state also faces a high obesity rate of over 36%, highlighting how limited access to affordable nutritious food can influence health outcomes.
Why Access Matters More Than Motivation
According to a nutrition expert from Ben’s Natural Health, the issue isn’t simply about personal choices.
“About 40% of Americans struggle with obesity, one of the highest rates in the world. But this doesn’t mean people here can’t maintain healthy diets like Europeans do,” the expert explains. “The real issue is how massive our processed food and fast-food industries have become. They’ve undercut local farmers on price so severely that in some states, finding fresh produce at reasonable prices is nearly impossible.”
In other words, healthy eating isn’t just about knowledge or discipline—it’s about environment.
When fresh fruits and vegetables are easy to find and reasonably priced, people are far more likely to include them in their diets. But when nutritious food is expensive or hard to access, even the best intentions can become difficult to sustain.
The Takeaway
For many Americans, eating healthier may start with something bigger than a grocery list—it starts with access.
States with strong local food systems, abundant farmers’ markets, and affordable produce create environments where nutritious choices are easier to make. As this study highlights, improving access to fresh food could be one of the most effective ways to support healthier communities nationwide.
About the Author
Anna is a twenty-something living in the south. She's passionate about family, crafting, and continuing her education beyond her college degree.