This article has a great interactive map on quality of life…note the overall geographic pattern of low quality of life….comments welcome….

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/26/upshot/where-are-the-hardest-places-to-live-in-the-us.html?WT.mc_id=D-E-Keywee-SOC-MOD-LABORDAYSALE-NWS-0828-0905&WT.mc_ev=click&bicmp=AD&bicmlukp=WT.mc_id&bicmst=1409247693000&bicmet=1410025293000&kwp_0=3113&kwp_1=66938&kwp_4=22049&_r=0&abt=0002&abg=1