Texas Holds No. 8 U.S. Economy Rank in 2026, Leading Exports per Capita
Updated
Updated · CultureMap Austin · Jun 17
Texas Holds No. 8 U.S. Economy Rank in 2026, Leading Exports per Capita
3 articles · Updated · CultureMap Austin · Jun 17
Summary
WalletHub kept Texas at No. 8 among 50 states and Washington, D.C. in its 2026 Best & Worst State Economies report, showing the state held last year's position after slipping out of the top five.
The ranking drew on 28 metrics across economic activity, economic health and innovation potential; Texas placed No. 7 in activity, No. 11 in health and No. 24 in innovation.
Texas scored strongest on change in non-farm payrolls at No. 6, GDP change and startup activity at No. 8, but lagged on unemployment at No. 30 and high-tech job share at No. 21.
Exports per capita stood out as a national strength, with Texas tied for No. 1 alongside Louisiana, Kentucky, North Dakota and Indiana.
Massachusetts led the 2026 ranking, followed by Washington and Utah, while WalletHub said Texas is among a handful of states whose economies would rank in the world's top 20 if they were countries.