I live in Massachusetts. The sales tax is 5%. Food and clothing are not taxed. I don't think property taxes are particularly high. One of the ballot questions yesterday was to eliminate the state income tax. It was voted down.

Most of our schools are excellent. I need to check out the state rankings that the previous poster mentions to check out the other statistics.

Edited to add:
Education: 2nd with 37.9% having completed a 4 year college degree or more
Income: 2nd
Violet Crime: 18th
Poverty: 41st at 12.9%

Anyone remember the "Don't Blame Me - I'm From Masschusetts" bumper stickers when Nixon was elected? Ours was the only state to go with McGovern in 1972.