Connecticut moved up to 23rd in CNBC’s 2026 Top States for Business ranking, improving from 28th last year after the network revised its scoring.
Infrastructure became CNBC’s highest-weighted category for 2026, replacing the economy as companies put more emphasis on transportation, utilities, energy, water and faster permitting.
Connecticut’s best showings were No. 4 in education and No. 5 in quality of life, with midtier results in technology and innovation at 19th and business friendliness at 21st.
Costs still dragged on the state’s standing: Connecticut ranked 40th for cost of doing business, 44th for cost of living, 34th for economy and 29th for infrastructure.
Across New England, only Massachusetts ranked higher at No. 15, while Ohio took the national top spot for the first time and North Carolina finished second.