Texas has been recognized as one of the top states for business, achieving fourth place in CNBC's 2026 America's Top States for Business study published on July 9. This marks a decline from the second position it held the previous year.
Ohio took the top spot for the first time, with North Carolina following in second place, just nine points behind. Virginia secured third place, while Minnesota rounded out the top five, placing behind Texas.
The state's business environment remains robust, with Texas ranked first nationally for Workforce and second for both Economy and Access to Capital. The study highlights Texas's logistical advantages, including significant ports, international airports, rail systems, and highway infrastructure, which position it as a key trade and shipping hub. Additionally, a favorable tax climate and consistent corporate investments have helped maintain Texas's high ranking over the years.
However, CNBC noted that Texas's livability scores hinder its overall ranking, placing it at 49th out of 50 for Quality of Life due to high crime rates, inadequate healthcare, and a lack of inclusiveness. These factors negatively impact the state’s economic strengths in the study's assessment, which evaluates all 50 states across ten competitive categories.
Despite this drop from second to fourth, Texas has consistently ranked highly in these studies since their inception in 2007. The ranking coincides with a surge in corporate relocations and expansions in North Texas, including Little Elm, which benefits from a strong workforce and business investments.
