It is really difficult to rate an entire state. For Louisiana, are we talking NOLA or Bastrop? Is Arkansas represented by Fayetteville or Pine Bluff? Pretty much all states have some cool places and some crappy places. So I'm making my list based on my favorite couple of places in a state.

1. Louisiana: B/c of NOLA. Wouldn't want to live anywhere else in the state, but I love New Orleans.
2. South Carolina: Charleston is fantastic, I really liked Hilton Head, and Greenville is a nice little town too. Easy access to Atlanta if you need a big city fix.
3. Tennessee: Nashville is fantastic, Chattanooga is cool, and there are some nice mountains. Would not want to live in Memphis, but a cool place for an occasional visit.
4. Georgia: I like Atlanta and Savannah, and I like how the state has mountains and beaches. I also like the climate in Atlanta. Warm, but you do get all the seasons.

5. Texas: In general I don't care for Texas, but Austin is great and I like San Antonio pretty well.
6. Florida: Tampa is cool, and the beaches are oh so nice. Key West is fun for a visit, don't think I'd want to live there though.

7. Alabama: Auburn and Huntsville are both nice. You also have a nice (but small) strip of beach and some mountains in the north.

8. Arkansas: NW Arkansas is nice and Little Rock isn't bad. Nice mountains, but I dislike being so landlocked.
9. Mississippi: The Gulf Coast is pretty, but none of the cities really do it for me. Close to NOLA in some places.
10. Kentucky: Louisville isn't bad and they have some nice bourbon distilleries, but I didn't see much else to like.
11. Missouri: KC has some good food, but I don't love any of the cities and it is too far inland for me.