Top States for Business

1. North Carolina

Sean Pavone | Istock | Getty Images

North Carolina Score and Ranking

CATEGORY 2023 SCORE 2023 RANK 2022 RANK 2023 GRADE
WORKFORCE291112A+
INFRASTRUCTURE2241617B
ECONOMY31031A
LIFE, HEALTH & INCLUSION1493428D+
COST OF DOING BUSINESS1791826B+
TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION20265A-
BUSINESS FRIENDLINESS1271022B+
EDUCATION83714A-
ACCESS TO CAPITAL3962B+
COST OF LIVING242722C
OVERALL162811

Economic Profile

Governor: Roy Cooper, Democrat

Population: 10,698,973

GDP growth (Q1 2023): 1%

Unemployment rate (May 2023): 3.40%

Top corporate tax rate: 2.50%

Top individual income tax rate: 4.75%

Gasoline tax: 57.15 cents/gallon

Bond rating (Moody's/S&P): Aaa, Stable/AAA, Stable

Economic profile sources: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federation of Tax Administrators, American Petroleum Institute (including 18.40 cent/gallon federal tax), Moody's Investor Service, S&P Global Market Intelligence

America's Top State for Business 2023 is North Carolina
VIDEO15:5415:54
America's Top State for Business 2023 is North Carolina