To identify the best and worst states for business, CNBC scored all 50 states on 88 metrics in 10 categories of competitiveness:
1. Workforce
2. Infrastructure
3. Cost of doing business
4. Economy
5. Life, health and inclusion
6. Technology and innovation
7. Business friendliness
8. Education
9. Access to capital
10. Cost of living
Read more about the methodology here.
Below are the top five states and bottom five states. The complete ranking and scoring can be found here.
The best
1. North Carolina
2. Washington
3. Virginia
4. Colorado
5. Texas
The worst
46-T. Hawaii
46-T. New Mexico
48. Louisiana
49. Alaska
50. Mississippi
