June 16, 2026
CNBC Special Correspondent Scott Cohn to Lead Coverage for the 20th Year of America’s Top States for Business across CNBC Platforms Beginning Tuesday, July 14
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., June 16, 2026 – As businesses navigate the opportunities created by artificial intelligence alongside the challenges of higher costs, shifting trade policies and global uncertainty, states are competing more aggressively than ever for investment and talent. CNBC’s 2026 America’s Top States for Business rankings reveal which states are best positioned to help companies grow and succeed.
Beginning Tuesday, July 14, CNBC will deliver comprehensive coverage of its America’s Top States for Business study across its platforms. The rankings will be revealed during CNBC’s Business Day programming on Wednesday, July 15, while CNBC.com will feature the complete overall ranking for all 50 states and an in-depth look at each state’s performance across the ten categories of competitiveness.
CNBC Special Correspondent Scott Cohn will report live from the top-ranked state and reveal the top five states on the 2026 list during “Squawk Box” (6AM-9AM ET) on Wednesday morning.
In addition, CNBC’s digital destination, cnbc.com/topstates, will feature coverage of each state, including economic snapshots (employment, budget, tax, and housing data) and exclusive stories examining the unique issues facing them this year.
Follow @CNBC on all social platforms and use #TopStates to join the conversation.
CNBC’s exclusive study scores all 50 states on 138 metrics across ten categories of competitiveness. The methodology grades the states based on factors companies consider each year when making site selection decisions, and the states pitch in their efforts to win business. Then, the economic development marketing pitches of every state are analyzed to determine the appropriate weight for each category. The more weight a category carries, the more metrics it includes.
Here are the 2026 categories and weightings:
Infrastructure (440 points – 17.6%)
Revitalizing domestic manufacturing, rebuilding supply chains and redefining the very nature of work takes a reimagined infrastructure. Companies are clamoring to build facilities and take advantage of strong demand. So, new in 2026, we are measuring the speed at which states are approving permits for things like new construction. We measure the vitality of each state’s transportation system by the value and volume of goods shipped by air, waterways, roads and rail. We look at the condition of highways and bridges, the availability of air travel, and the time it takes to commute to work. With skyrocketing demand for abundant, reliable power, we scrutinize each state’s electrical grid more closely than ever before. In addition to measuring the reliability of each state’s power grid, we consider cost and generating capacity. Water demand is soaring too, so we evaluate the availability of fresh water and the condition of each state’s water and wastewater utilities. In an increasingly data driven world, we look at broadband connectivity, as well as large-scale computing power in each state. We consider access to markets by measuring the population living within 500 miles of each state. We look at the availability of vacant land and office and industrial space, and we measure state site readiness programs in terms of their overall funding and the number of certified or “shovel ready” sites. We measure each state’s sustainability in the face of climate change, looking at the risk of flooding, wildfires, and extreme weather, and how prepared each state is to face them.
Economy (415 points – 16.6%)
Particularly in uncertain times, companies are seeking states with stable finances and solid economies. We examine the economic strength of each state by looking at GDP growth and job growth over the past year. We measure each state’s fiscal condition by looking at its credit ratings and outlook, its overall budget picture including spending, revenues and reserves, as well as pension obligations. We rate the health of the residential real estate market based on multiple factors including inventory, price appreciation, equity, foreclosure activity and mortgage delinquencies, affordability, home seller gains, and property taxes. Because a diverse economy is important in any environment, we consider the number of major corporations headquartered in each state. We measure each state’s entrepreneurial economy based on new business formations, and we consider the survival rate of new businesses. With more than a year of President Trump’s tariffs under the nation’s belt, we now have hard data on their impacts in each state, as well as the positive impact of tariffs struck down in court. We also consider the role of federal spending and employment in each state’s economy, and states’ overall dependence on federal dollars.
Workforce (345 points – 13.8%)
With the explosion in new technology and workers in many fields in short supply, the definition of a qualified worker is expanding. In addition to measuring each state’s concentration of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) workers and the percentage of workers with college degrees, we also consider workers with associate degrees and industry-recognized certificates. We look at which states are most successful in attracting talent at all levels, considering the net migration of educated workers to each state, and how states are faring in the competition to attract skilled workers. We look at state worker training programs, right to work laws, and worker productivity based on economic output per job.
Quality of Life (290 points – 11.6%)
As more companies mandate that their employees return to the office, they are also looking for locations that offer the best quality of life. We rate the states on livability factors like per capita crime rates, environmental quality, and health care. With studies showing that childcare is one of the main obstacles to employees entering or re-entering the workforce, we consider the availability and affordability of qualified facilities. We look at worker protections including livable wage policies, paid leave, and rights to organize. We look at inclusiveness in state laws, including protections against discrimination of all kinds, as well as voting rights and secure election systems. And with surveys showing a sizeable percentage of younger workers would not live in a state that bans abortion, we factor reproductive rights in this category as well.
Cost of Doing Business (285 points – 11.4%)
Businesses of all sizes are battling persistent inflation, and location matters. We look at what each state’s ability to ease business expenses. We consider the competitiveness of each state’s tax climate. We also measure wage and utility costs, as well as the cost of office and industrial space. We consider the cost of property-casualty insurance, along with forecasted premium increases. We consider the incentives and tax breaks that states offer to reduce business costs, and we consider available incentives targeted toward development in disadvantaged communities.
Technology & Innovation (245 points – 9.8%)
Truly competitive states prize innovation, nurture new ideas, and have the resources to support them. We measure the states based on results, including the number of patents issued per capita. We also consider federal health, science and agriculture research grants. But with many of those programs still on the chopping block, we also measure each state’s risk from cuts and changes in grant formulas. We also consider which states provide their own support for research and development, independent of the federal government. With domestic semiconductor research, development and manufacturing taking center stage, we look at how each state’s place in this crucial technological ecosystem. We measure each state’s role in the artificial intelligence revolution in terms of where new AI models are being developed and where the AI jobs are, and we measure each state’s advance computing power.
Business Friendliness (225 points – 9%)
Companies follow the path of least resistance. That includes a legal and regulatory framework that does not overburden business. We measure each state’s lawsuit and liability climates, regulatory regimes covering areas such as trade and labor, as well as overall bureaucracy. New in 2026, we measure the length and efficiency of each state’s permitting processes. As companies race to build new facilities and expand existing ones, we look at state land use regulations. We also consider how hospitable states are toward emerging industries including artificial intelligence, digital assets and cryptocurrency; prediction markets, quantum computing and digital health, giving them a framework for growth without stifling innovation. We consider so-called regulatory “sandboxes” that give companies leeway to innovate, and we look at legal and regulatory regimes that provide guardrails rather than obstacles.
Access to Capital (105 points – 4.2%)
Companies large and small need ready access to financing. We look at venture capital investments in each state, as well as traditional bank lending by state in relative and absolute terms. We also look at state-backed capital assistance and loan guarantee programs. And we measure foreign direct investment in each state.
Education (100 points – 4%)
A state’s education system is its main source for talent and an engine of innovation. It is also a key consideration for companies and families deciding where to put down roots. We look at multiple measures of K-12 education including test scores, class size and spending. We consider the number of colleges and universities in each state as well as long-term trends in state support for higher education. With the search for talent expanding to include employees with marketable, industry-recognized skills, we measure each state’s community college and career education systems.
Cost of Living (50 points – 2%)
With inflation persisting, companies and workers are seeking states where prices are stable and daily living is affordable. The cost of living helps drive the cost of doing business. We measure the states based on an index of costs for basic items. With a deepening national housing crisis, we measure housing costs for both homeowners and renters. And as the insurance crisis spreads, we consider the cost to insure a median priced home in each state.
