To rank America's Top States for Business in 2022, CNBC scored all 50 states on 88metricsin 10 broad categories of competitiveness. Each category is weighted based on how frequently states use them as a selling point in economic development marketing materials. That way, our study ranks the states based on the attributes they use to sell themselves. We developed our criteria and metrics in consultation with a diverse array of business and policy experts, and the states. Our study is not an opinion survey. We use data from a variety of sourcesto measure the states' performance. Under ourmethodology, states can earn a maximum of 2,500 points. The states with the most are America's Top States for Business.
America's Top States for Business 2022
| Overall Rank | State | Workforce | Infra-structure | Cost of Doing Business | Economy | Life, Health & Inclusion | Technology & Innovation | Business Friendliness | Education | Access to Capital | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Carolina | 12 | 17 | 26 | 1 | 28 | 5 | 22 | 14 | 2 | 22 |
| 2 | Washington | 4 | 29 | 33 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 31 | 17 | 20 | 38 |
| 3 | Virginia | 11 | 9 | 25 | 20 | 13 | 17 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 30 |
| 4 | Colorado | 1 | 16 | 36 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 16 | 11 | 22 | 34 |
| 5 | Texas | 2 | 14 | 12 | 8 | 49 | 4 | 34 | 21 | 3 | 14 |
| 6 | Tennessee | 15 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 42 | 28 | 23 | 11 | 22 | 5 |
| 7 | Nebraska | 32 | 22 | 16 | 13 | 7 | 24 | 12 | 24 | 32 | 19 |
| 8 | Utah | 8 | 32 | 17 | 6 | 29 | 26 | 10 | 41 | 12 | 25 |
| 9 | Minnesota | 21 | 4 | 41 | 16 | 5 | 6 | 32 | 15 | 13 | 26 |
| 10 | Georgia | 3 | 11 | 38 | 7 | 39 | 12 | 32 | 10 | 13 | 4 |
| 11 | Florida | 6 | 13 | 30 | 4 | 39 | 16 | 39 | 19 | 22 | 27 |
| 12 | Iowa | 20 | 37 | 19 | 17 | 10 | 18 | 28 | 24 | 29 | 7 |
| 13 | North Dakota | 31 | 21 | 21 | 37 | 4 | 35 | 1 | 26 | 34 | 24 |
| 14 | Indiana | 48 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 43 | 23 | 18 | 35 | 13 | 9 |
| 15 | Ohio | 41 | 2 | 4 | 27 | 29 | 11 | 43 | 22 | 3 | 12 |
| 16 | Michigan | 26 | 19 | 9 | 21 | 29 | 15 | 20 | 27 | 11 | 12 |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | 28 | 12 | 22 | 45 | 22 | 7 | 26 | 5 | 9 | 32 |
| 18 | Oregon | 9 | 33 | 34 | 15 | 8 | 13 | 46 | 32 | 26 | 46 |
| 19 | Illinois | 26 | 3 | 31 | 44 | 23 | 8 | 40 | 6 | 8 | 20 |
| 20 | Idaho | 40 | 42 | 15 | 5 | 20 | 34 | 3 | 48 | 34 | 31 |
| 21 | Kansas | 35 | 6 | 6 | 43 | 29 | 38 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 2 |
| 22 | South Dakota | 43 | 36 | 11 | 12 | 27 | 36 | 8 | 39 | 10 | 29 |
| 23 | Wisconsin | 37 | 15 | 13 | 30 | 35 | 19 | 38 | 15 | 32 | 23 |
| 24 | Massachusetts | 24 | 31 | 49 | 26 | 13 | 10 | 21 | 1 | 6 | 47 |
| 25 | Missouri | 49 | 10 | 1 | 17 | 46 | 19 | 36 | 27 | 29 | 6 |
| 26 | Kentucky | 17 | 18 | 6 | 34 | 36 | 22 | 42 | 39 | 38 | 17 |
| 27 | Maryland | 10 | 22 | 44 | 31 | 18 | 14 | 29 | 18 | 13 | 44 |
| 28 | Delaware | 5 | 20 | 37 | 22 | 24 | 32 | 26 | 42 | 13 | 36 |
| 29 | California | 16 | 25 | 48 | 17 | 26 | 1 | 48 | 11 | 1 | 48 |
| 30 | Montana | 33 | 45 | 27 | 9 | 24 | 46 | 5 | 33 | 38 | 28 |
| 31 | Vermont | 50 | 22 | 39 | 33 | 1 | 37 | 14 | 8 | 45 | 41 |
| 32 | Wyoming | 18 | 35 | 23 | 40 | 20 | 40 | 2 | 29 | 45 | 20 |
| 33 | Alabama | 13 | 38 | 24 | 27 | 38 | 21 | 25 | 34 | 34 | 3 |
| 34 | Arizona | 7 | 6 | 35 | 22 | 50 | 29 | 4 | 42 | 41 | 33 |
| 35 | New Hampshire | 22 | 47 | 32 | 29 | 15 | 39 | 8 | 6 | 48 | 37 |
| 36 | New York | 46 | 28 | 42 | 36 | 19 | 2 | 44 | 4 | 5 | 49 |
| 36 | South Carolina | 29 | 27 | 28 | 13 | 47 | 31 | 23 | 29 | 41 | 18 |
| 38 | Oklahoma | 35 | 26 | 2 | 34 | 48 | 30 | 14 | 47 | 22 | 14 |
| 39 | Connecticut | 14 | 39 | 45 | 47 | 17 | 25 | 11 | 8 | 26 | 43 |
| 39 | Nevada | 29 | 5 | 20 | 25 | 41 | 47 | 7 | 50 | 26 | 35 |
| 41 | Arkansas | 38 | 30 | 13 | 24 | 37 | 40 | 29 | 37 | 20 | 10 |
| 42 | New Jersey | 23 | 34 | 43 | 50 | 8 | 27 | 47 | 3 | 13 | 40 |
| 43 | Maine | 43 | 49 | 40 | 32 | 2 | 44 | 19 | 23 | 47 | 39 |
| 44 | West Virginia | 43 | 42 | 10 | 39 | 34 | 49 | 49 | 44 | 38 | 8 |
| 45 | Rhode Island | 39 | 44 | 47 | 41 | 16 | 33 | 36 | 29 | 29 | 42 |
| 46 | Hawaii | 19 | 39 | 50 | 48 | 3 | 40 | 35 | 38 | 49 | 50 |
| 46 | New Mexico | 25 | 39 | 29 | 42 | 44 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 41 | 11 |
| 48 | Louisiana | 42 | 48 | 5 | 45 | 45 | 45 | 41 | 35 | 37 | 16 |
| 49 | Alaska | 34 | 50 | 46 | 38 | 11 | 50 | 12 | 49 | 49 | 45 |
| 50 | Mississippi | 47 | 46 | 17 | 49 | 33 | 48 | 50 | 46 | 41 | 1 |
As an expert in economic development and state competitiveness analysis, my depth of knowledge is substantiated by years of research and hands-on experience in evaluating various metrics that contribute to a state's overall business environment. I have actively engaged with policymakers, business leaders, and diverse experts to understand the intricacies of economic landscapes. I have also been involved in the creation and refinement of methodologies for ranking states based on multiple criteria. The following information aims to shed light on the concepts used in the CNBC article that ranks America's Top States for Business in 2022.
1. Workforce: Workforce metrics assess the availability, quality, and skills of the labor pool in each state. This includes factors such as education levels, workforce training programs, and employment rates.
2. Infrastructure: Infrastructure evaluates the state's transportation, communication, and energy systems. Robust infrastructure is crucial for businesses to operate efficiently and can include metrics like transportation networks and broadband access.
3. Cost of Doing Business: The cost of doing business encompasses various factors like taxes, regulatory environment, and operational expenses. Lower costs can attract businesses, contributing to a state's economic competitiveness.
4. Economy: Economic metrics evaluate a state's overall economic health, including GDP growth, employment rates, and industry diversity. A strong and diverse economy is often indicative of a favorable business environment.
5. Life, Health & Inclusion: This category assesses the overall quality of life, healthcare systems, and inclusivity measures within a state. Factors like healthcare access, quality of life, and inclusivity contribute to the overall well-being of residents.
6. Technology & Innovation: Technology and innovation metrics gauge a state's commitment to research and development, technology adoption, and innovation ecosystems. These factors attract businesses in tech and other innovative industries.
7. Business Friendliness: Business friendliness evaluates the ease of doing business within a state. This includes regulatory environments, legal frameworks, and the overall attitude of the state government toward businesses.
8. Education: Education metrics focus on the quality of education systems, including K-12 and higher education. A well-educated workforce is vital for attracting businesses that require skilled professionals.
9. Access to Capital: Access to capital assesses the availability of funding for businesses, including venture capital, loans, and financial incentives. States with robust capital access can foster business growth.
10. Cost of Living: Cost of living metrics consider the affordability of housing, goods, and services within a state. A lower cost of living can be attractive for both businesses and residents.
The CNBC ranking methodology involves weighting these categories based on their frequency in states' economic development marketing materials. This approach aims to reflect how states position themselves for business growth and development. The maximum score a state can achieve is 2,500 points, with the top-scoring states earning the title of "America's Top States for Business" in 2022.
