The MAP SO HARD blog
Stories behind the maps
Deeper analysis on how the 50 states stack up — what the rankings mean, where the data comes from, and why it matters. Every figure is cited and dated.
- healthdiabetesanalysis
The Diabetes Belt Is Real — And It Overlaps With Almost Everything Else
West Virginia ranks #1 in the country for diabetes, smoking, and obesity all at once. Here is what our maps show about how America's health problems cluster.
MAP SO HARD · June 2, 2026
- moneygasanalysis
Where Gas Costs the Most in 2026 — and Why It Is Not Where You Think
California drivers pay nearly $2.30 more per gallon than drivers in the cheapest state. We break down what our gas-price map actually shows.
MAP SO HARD · June 2, 2026
- aboutmethodology
How We Rank All 50 States — And Why Every Number Has a Source
A look under the hood at MAP SO HARD: where the data comes from, how we handle ties and missing years, and why we will never make a number up.
MAP SO HARD · June 2, 2026