30. New Hampshire (Tie)

Quality of life and education is rock solid in the Granite State, although the cost of living is high. A much needed improvement: the state's infrastructure.

Published 4:19 PM ET Tue, 24 June 2014 Updated 3:18 PM ET Wed, 2 July 2014 CNBC.com

Category	Score	2014 Rank	2013 Rank
Cost of Doing Business	207	32	18
Workforce	116	41 (Tie)	33
Quality of Life	241	3	9
Infrastructure & Transportation	93	48	45
Economy	196	33	43
Education	98	10 (Tie)	2
Technology & Innovation	141	26	27
Business Friendliness	145	13	13
Cost of Living	8	43	40
Access to Capital	16	19 (Tie)	15
Overall	1261	30 (Tie)	27

Economic Profile

Governor: Maggie Hassan, Democrat

Population: 1,323,459

GDP growth: 0.9 percent

Unemployment rate (May 2014): 4.4 percent

Top corporate tax rate: 8.5 percent

Top individual income tax rate: 5 percent on interest and dividend earnings

Gasoline tax: 38 cents/gallon

Bond rating/outlook: Aa1/stable

Major private employer: Wal-Mart

Economic profile sources: Federation of Tax Administrators, American Petroleum Institute, Moody's Investor Service, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics, New Hampshire FY 2013 CAFR

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.