36. Mississippi

The Magnolia State offers very low business costs, including the lowest wages in the nation. But a plaintiff-friendly legal system has kept many businesses away.

Published 4:18 PM ET Tue, 24 June 2014 Updated 3:17 PM ET Wed, 2 July 2014 CNBC.com

Category	Score	2014 Rank	2013 Rank
Cost of Doing Business	342	4 (Tie)	3
Workforce	170	17	18
Quality of Life	112	38	37
Infrastructure & Transportation	180	31 (Tie)	36
Economy	223	26 (Tie)	47
Education	36	48	47
Technology & Innovation	51	47	44
Business Friendliness	21	49	49
Cost of Living	45	6	10
Access to Capital	10	31 (Tie)	39
Overall	1190	36	41

Economic Profile

Governor: Phil Bryant, Republican

Population: 2,991,207

GDP growth: 1.6 percent

Unemployment rate (May 2014): 7.5 percent

Top corporate tax rate: 5 percent

Top individual income tax rate: 5 percent

Gasoline tax: 37 cents/gallon

Bond rating/outlook: Aa2/stable

Major private employer: Huntington Ingalls

Economic profile sources: Federation of Tax Administrators, American Petroleum Institute, Moody's Investor Service, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Harrison County Development Commission

America's Top States For Business

America's Top States For Business '14

CNBC unveils its 8th annual America's Top States for Business--see where your state ranks.
Inside the Kansas tax cuts

A massive tax-cutting package championed by the Kansas governor is having unintended consequences.
Businesses fear Indiana religious act

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence has signed into law a religious freedom act that the state's business community strongly opposes.
Apple's $2B global command center in AZ

Apple plans one of its largest investments ever—a $2 billion center in Mesa, Arizona, powered largely by solar energy.

More From America's Top States For Business

Scott Cohn

Special Correspondent, CNBC

Top States for Business

America's Top States for Business 2023: See the full rankings

CNBC unveils its 16th annual America's Top States for Business ranking, scoring all 50 states on 86 measures of competitiveness across 10 broad categories.
These are the 10 American states that are the most prepared for extreme weather

Floods, extreme heat, and wildfire smoke are among climate risks touching all our lives, but where you live in the U.S. makes a big difference in level of risk.
These are the states in America that are the least prepared for extreme weather

Extreme weather is increasing, and these states are the worst in the U.S. at being prepared to protect residents and businesses.

From the Governors

Low-tax Wyoming chases American Dream

With an S&P Triple A rating, booming energy market and no or low taxes, Wyoming makes chasing the American Dream possible.

Latest Special Reports

CNBC Changemakers

CNBC Changemakers: Women Transforming Business is an annual list spotlighting women whose accomplishments have left an indelible mark on the business world.
Your Money

Unlock the keys to building a successful long-term financial plan: manage your money, grow your money, and protect it.
Sustainable Future

More than ever, the hope for a sustainable world has gained traction among the next generation of businesses, policymakers and investors. CNBC’s Sustainable Future focuses on how smart investments, new ideas and tech innovation can generate commerce — and a world — with staying power.