It doesn't seem too unreasonable that states with lower populations would rank so favorably given the criteria described.
Less people could mean less air pollution and fewer contaminants in municipal water supplies from runoff. This would theoretically decrease the occurrence of pollution related illness. I would imagine that fracking in ND, though a huge business, only occurs in a few key areas of the state, thus limiting it's negative affects on quality of life.
Smaller communities are also known for their close social circles. When there are only a handful of people in a town, it is not uncommon to interact with the same individuals regularly. If you look at the rankings, Alaska ranks number one in the "Social Environment" category. Only in a large city can one feel alone despite being surrounded by people everywhere they go.
I do agree with your point though. The criteria is very narrow and doesn't discuss many of the aspects of what "quality of life" is in the minds of most people. What about entertainment? Employment? Poverty levels? Prices? These things are important to people and I think fall under the umbrella of "quality of life" in general.
I'd imagine those other factors you cited wouldn't favor California by all that much, entertainment being the exception (and one narrowly concentrated in certain metropolitan areas); in my experience and observation (having lived in California all my life up until about a year ago), employment, poverty levels, and prices are all dismal at best.
Less people could mean less air pollution and fewer contaminants in municipal water supplies from runoff. This would theoretically decrease the occurrence of pollution related illness. I would imagine that fracking in ND, though a huge business, only occurs in a few key areas of the state, thus limiting it's negative affects on quality of life.
Smaller communities are also known for their close social circles. When there are only a handful of people in a town, it is not uncommon to interact with the same individuals regularly. If you look at the rankings, Alaska ranks number one in the "Social Environment" category. Only in a large city can one feel alone despite being surrounded by people everywhere they go.
I do agree with your point though. The criteria is very narrow and doesn't discuss many of the aspects of what "quality of life" is in the minds of most people. What about entertainment? Employment? Poverty levels? Prices? These things are important to people and I think fall under the umbrella of "quality of life" in general.