CNBC to Reveal 2026 Top States for Business on July 15, Ranking 50 States on 138 Metrics
Updated
Updated · CNBC · Jun 16
CNBC to Reveal 2026 Top States for Business on July 15, Ranking 50 States on 138 Metrics
3 articles · Updated · CNBC · Jun 16
Summary
July 15 is when CNBC will publish its 20th annual America’s Top States for Business rankings, scoring all 50 states across 10 competitiveness categories.
138 metrics — the study’s most ever — sharpen the 2026 focus on speed to market, adding permitting times, regulatory headwinds, power reliability and water supply as companies push for shovel-ready sites.
Economic stability, workforce quality, costs, quality of life, technology, education and access to capital also remain central as states compete for investment amid inflation, tariffs, budget cuts and rapid AI-driven expansion.
Governors increasingly use the rankings as policy benchmarks: Ohio cited its 2025 top-five finish, while Pennsylvania and Oregon have set goals to climb into CNBC’s top tier.
When states race to be the most 'business-friendly,' what happens to worker well-being and the local quality of life?
Can state power grids handle AI's massive energy demands without causing blackouts or skyrocketing costs for citizens?
With AI reshaping over half of US jobs, what is the plan to prevent a massive wave of worker displacement?
How Infrastructure Became the Key Metric in CNBC’s 2026 Top States for Business Rankings
Overview
The 2026 CNBC Top States for Business rankings mark a major shift by making Infrastructure the most important factor, now weighted at 17.6% of the total score. This change responds to the growing needs of modern industries, especially as sectors like artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing demand stronger infrastructure. New metrics in the rankings include the speed of permitting processes, careful review of power grid capacity and costs, and explicit measurement of AI readiness. These updates aim to show which states are best prepared to support fast-growing industries and highlight the real reasons behind economic success.