16. Idaho

The Gem State is a bargain with its low costs. It is also among the best at training its workers. Jobs are returning slowly, despite surging economic growth.

Category
Score
2014 Rank
2013 Rank
Cost of Doing Business 326 8 7
Workforce 202 8 (Tie) 14
Quality of Life 193 16 (Tie) 16
Infrastructure & Transportation 165 34 20
Economy 166 42 31
Education 46 45 33
Technology & Innovation 91 41 37
Business Friendliness 162 6 5
Cost of Living 40 11 3
Access to Capital 15 21 (Tie) 39
Overall 1406 16 10

Economic Profile

Governor: Butch Otter, Republican

Population: 1,612,136

GDP growth: 4.1 percent

Unemployment rate (May 2014): 5 percent

Top corporate tax rate: 7.4 percent

Top individual income tax rate: 7.4 percent

Gasoline tax: 43 cents/gallon

Bond rating/outlook: Aa1/stable

Major private employer: St. Lukes's Health System

Economic profile sources: Federation of Tax Administrators, American Petroleum Institute, Moody's Investor Service, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Idaho Business Review

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