Special Reports

Americas Top States For Business 2010

PRIOR RANKINGS 2009 2008 2007

And The Winner Is—Texas
The Lone Star State is No. 1 again—upsetting Virginia for the second time in three years— with their highest overall score in the history of our study.

OVERALL RANKINGS:

Top Five

1. Texas
2. Virginia
3. Colorado
4. North Carolina
5. Massachusetts

Bottom Five

50. Alaska
49. Rhode Island
48. Hawaii
47. Nevada
46. West Virginia

CATEGORY RANKINGS:

Access to Capital

1. California
2. Massachusetts
3. New York
4. New Jersey
5. Washington

Business Friendliness

1. Delaware
2. Virginia
3. South Dakota
4. Colorado
5. Arizona

Cost of Doing Business

1. Iowa
2. Arkansas
3 Oklahoma
4. South Dakota
5. Missouri

Cost of Living

1. Oklahoma (T)
1. Tennessee (T)
3. Arkansas (T)
3. Kentucky (T)
5. Kansas (T)

Economy

1. Texas
2. New York
3. North Dakota
4. South Dakota
5. Minnesota

Education

1. Massachusetts
2. New Jersey (T)
2. New York (T)
4. Pennsylvania (T)
4. Vermont (T)

Quality of Life

1. Hawaii
2. Colorado
3. Vermont
4. New Hampshire
5. Utah

Technology & Innovation

1. California
2. New York
3. Massachusetts
4. Texas
5. Washington

Transportation

1. Texas
2. Georgia (T)
2. Ohio (T)
4. Kentucky (T)
4. Tennessee (T)

Workforce

1. Florida
2. Arizona
3. Georgia (T)
3. North Carolina (T)
5. South Carolina

FEATURED STORIES

The Most Improved States
More than a couple states can make a case for most-improved status in 2010.
Are America's Leaders From Top States?
The results don’t reflect well on the home states of these leaders, regardless of their politics.
Cost of Living vs Quality of Life
Cost of living vs quality of life—it’s a tug of war for workers and companies in the USA.
2010's Tech Titans
The tech and innovation category carry weight in the rankings. Here's what it takes to be #1.
Top States Poll: What Do You Think?
Tell us what you think in our polls, then tell us why in the comments section!
QUIZ: Top States For Business
Test your knowledge on which states are good homes for business!

SLIDESHOWS

Most Expensive States to Live
Some of these states also had some of the highest scores in the quality-of-life category.
States With the Highest Unemployment Rates
Which states currently have the worst levels for unemployment?
The Worst 2011 State Budget Gaps
States are facing tough budget situations, here are the ones with the worst.
States Most In Need of an eCommerce Tax
An eCommerce sales tax could help cover budget gaps in many states.
America’s Double-Dip Real Estate Markets
Some real estate markets that have gone up, may again be on a downward trajectory.
America's Healthiest and Sickest States
You may be surprised to see which are the healthiest and sickest.
The Unhappiest States in America
As it turns out, some states are much happier than others.

TOP STATES VIDEOS

- Jobs In America
  A look at the states hit by burst of layoffs, with CNBC's Scott Cohn.
- Unemployment Across States
  A look at unemployment across the United States, with CNBC's Scott Cohn.
- America Reacts
  Ranking the top states for business, with CNBC's Scott Cohn.
- Texas: America's Top State for Business
  CNBC's Scott Cohn is in Austin, Texas, and tells viewers what makes the Lone Star State America's top state for business.
- Mystery Solved, Texas Tops!
  Texas is America's top state for business, with CNBC's Scott Cohn.

About CNBC | Site Map | Video Reprints | Advertise | Help | Contact
Privacy Policy |

| Terms of Service | Independent Programming Report

Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes
Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis

© 2012 CNBC LLC. All Rights Reserved.