Source: CNBC — 2026 America’s Top States for Business
When we hear that a state has been named one of the best places in America for business, it can sound like information meant only for CEOs, corporations, and economic development officials. But I think families should pay attention, too.
Where businesses choose to grow can affect where jobs are created, what kinds of opportunities are available, how communities develop, and what young people may find when they begin looking for their first jobs or considering where they want to live as adults.
CNBC has released its 2026 America’s Top States for Business rankings, and this year’s list puts Ohio at No. 1, followed by North Carolina, Virginia, Texas, and Minnesota.
CNBC evaluated all 50 states using 138 metrics across 10 categories of competitiveness, looking at factors that companies consider when deciding where to locate or expand.
That gives families something interesting to look at beyond simply asking, “Where is the best place to do business?”
Instead, we can ask:
What does a state’s business environment mean for the families who live there?
CNBC’s 2026 Top Five States for Business
According to CNBC’s 2026 study:
- Ohio
- North Carolina
- Virginia
- Texas
- Minnesota
North Carolina has remained near the top of CNBC’s rankings, while Ohio moved into the No. 1 position for the first time. But the ranking isn’t simply a measure of which state has the most businesses.
CNBC’s study looks at factors companies consider when deciding where to locate and expand. The categories are weighted differently to reflect the factors that matter in today’s business environment.
Why Ohio Took the Top Spot
Ohio’s No. 1 finish was driven particularly by infrastructure and cost of doing business.
CNBC says Ohio ranked first in infrastructure. The state has extensive transportation access, shovel-ready sites, and substantial data-power capacity.
Ohio also ranked first for cost of doing business, helped by comparatively affordable rents and insurance costs.
There is an interesting counterpoint, though.
Ohio’s workforce category ranked 34th. CNBC pointed to factors including limited population growth, educational attainment, and productivity.
That is a good reminder that a state’s strengths and challenges can exist at the same time.
A state can be attractive to companies because of infrastructure and costs while still facing workforce challenges.
What About Texas?
For those of us who live in Texas, the No. 4 ranking is particularly interesting.
Texas placed fourth among all 50 states in CNBC’s 2026 ranking.
That doesn’t mean every Texas family will experience the state’s business environment in the same way.
A national ranking gives us a broad picture. Our individual experiences depend on where we live, the industries around us, housing costs, schools, transportation, available jobs, and many other factors.
Still, a strong business environment can be one piece of the larger picture families consider when thinking about their community’s future.
Why Should Parents Care About Business Rankings?
This is where I think these rankings get more interesting.
Our children are growing up in a world where the jobs they eventually enter may look very different from the jobs their parents had.
Businesses need infrastructure.
They need workers.
They need technology.
They need access to transportation, energy, housing, education, and other resources.
And when companies decide where to expand, those decisions can influence communities.
For families, that means a business ranking isn’t necessarily something to read and immediately decide, “We should move to that state.”
Instead, it can be a starting point for asking better questions.
What industries are growing where we live?
Are young people finding opportunities after high school or college? Is the workforce prepared for the jobs businesses are trying to fill? Is housing affordable enough for workers and families? Is the infrastructure keeping up with population and business growth?
Are communities investing in the things families actually need?
Those questions can tell us much more about our own community than a national ranking by itself.
Infrastructure Matters More Than Many Families Realize
One of the biggest takeaways from CNBC’s 2026 study is the importance of infrastructure.
CNBC’s analysis considers things such as transportation, utilities, water, energy, and the infrastructure needed to support modern industries and data centers.
That may sound like corporate jargon. But infrastructure eventually touches families. Roads affect our commutes. Power affects our homes. Water affects our communities. Internet and technology infrastructure affect our children’s education and our ability to work.
Transportation affects whether people can get to jobs, schools, doctors, and activities. So when a state is investing in infrastructure to attract businesses, families should also be asking whether that investment is keeping pace with the needs of the people already living there.
A Ranking Is a Starting Point, Not the Whole Story
One thing I appreciate about looking at a study like this is that it gives us an opportunity to look beyond a single number. Ohio may be No. 1 overall, but that doesn’t mean Ohio is automatically the right place for every family. North Carolina may be No. 2, but that doesn’t tell us everything about every community in North Carolina. Texas may be No. 4, but that number doesn’t describe what it is like to live in every Texas town or city.
The same is true of every state on the list. A ranking compresses a tremendous amount of information into one position. Families need to look at the information behind the position.
What Families Can Take Away
If you’re thinking about moving, choosing a college, looking for work, or simply trying to understand where your children may build their futures, rankings like CNBC’s can provide another piece of information.
But don’t stop at the ranking.: Look at:
- Employment opportunities
- Growing industries
- Workforce development
- Education and training
- Housing costs
- Transportation
- Infrastructure
- Technology access
- Cost of living
- State and local economic conditions
And then look closer at the particular community you’re considering. Because a state can rank highly for business while individual families still face very different realities. For parents, that may be the most useful lesson from CNBC’s 2026 list. We don’t have to look at a ranking and simply accept the number. We can use it as a reason to ask questions. And when we’re talking about where our families will live, work, learn, and build their futures, asking those questions matters.
The 2026 Top Five
Ohio — No. 1
North Carolina — No. 2
Virginia — No. 3
Texas — No. 4
Minnesota — No. 5
CNBC’s study evaluated all 50 states across 138 metrics and 10 categories of competitiveness.
Source: CNBC, 2026 America’s Top States for Business.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
