CNBC just released their 2022 List of The Best States For Business and North Carolina came in at number one! Over the years we have been a staple in the top 10 and even finished 2nd last year. This year however North Carolina was able to take the business crown. It’s a bright spot in what has been a challenging year for many people with rising inflation. How did CNBC determine this list?

According to the list:

To rank America’s Top States for Business in 2022, CNBC scored all 50 states on 88 metrics in 10 broad categories of competitiveness. Each category is weighted based on how frequently states use them as a selling point in economic development marketing materials. That way, our study ranks the states based on the attributes they use to sell themselves. We developed our criteria and metrics in consultation with a diverse array of business and policy experts, and the states. Our study is not an opinion survey. We use data from a variety of sources to measure the states’ performance. Under our methodology, states can earn a maximum of 2,500 points. The states with the most are America’s Top States for Business.

See the breakdown of North Carolina and read the full 2022 Best States For Business list below: 

  • 1. North Carolina

    Workforce:  12

    Infrastructure:  17

    Cost of Doing Business:  26

    Economy:  1

    Life, Health & Inclusion:  28

    Technology & Innovation:   5

    North Carolina

  • 2. Washington

    Workforce:  4

    Infrastructure:  29

    Cost of Doing Business:  33

    Economy:  3

    Life, Health & Inclusion:  6

    Technology & Innovation:   2

    Seattle

    Panoramic view of Seattle cityscape and Space Needle at sunset, Washington, USA

  • 3. Virginia

    Workforce:  11

    Infrastructure:  9

    Cost of Doing Business:  25

    Economy:  20

    Life, Health & Inclusion:  13

    Technology & Innovation:   17

    Virginia

  • 4. Colorado

    Workforce:  1

    Infrastructure:  16

    Cost of Doing Business:  36

    Economy:  11

    Life, Health & Inclusion:  12

    Technology & Innovation:  9

    Denver Colorado

  • 5. Texas

    Workforce:  2

    Infrastructure:  14

    Cost of Doing Business:  12

    Economy:  8

    Life, Health & Inclusion:  49

    Technology & Innovation:   4

    houston texas

  • 6. Tennessee

    Workforce: 15

    Infrastructure: 8

    Cost of Doing Business: 8

    Economy: 2

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 42

    Technology & Innovation:  28

    Tennessee

    Nashvile TN skyline with red sunset and birds

  • 7. Nebraska

    Workforce: 32

    Infrastructure: 22

    Cost of Doing Business: 16

    Economy: 13

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 7

    Technology & Innovation:  24

    Nebraska

  • 8. Utah

    Workforce: 8

    Infrastructure: 32

    Cost of Doing Business: 17

    Economy: 6

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 29

    Technology & Innovation: 26

    Utah

  • 9. Minnesota

    Workforce: 21

    Infrastructure: 4

    Cost of Doing Business: 41

    Economy: 16

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 5

    Technology & Innovation: 6

    Minnesota

  • 10. Georgia

    Workforce: 3

    Infrastructure: 11

    Cost of Doing Business: 38

    Economy: 7

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 39

    Technology & Innovation: 12

    Georgia

  • 11. Florida

    Workforce: 6

    Infrastructure: 13

    Cost of Doing Business: 30

    Economy: 4

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 39

    Technology & Innovation: 16

    Jacksonville, Florida Skyline

  • 12. Iowa

    Workforce: 20

    Infrastructure: 37

    Cost of Doing Business: 19

    Economy: 17

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 10

    Technology & Innovation: 18

    Iowa

  • 13. North Dakota

    Workforce: 31

    Infrastructure: 21

    Cost of Doing Business: 21

    Economy: 37

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 4

    Technology & Innovation: 35

    North Dakota

  • 14. Indiana

    Workforce: 48

    Infrastructure: 1

    Cost of Doing Business: 2

    Economy: 10

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 43

    Technology & Innovation: 23

    Indiana

    Aerial view over the downtown city skyline of Fort Wayne Indiana USA

  • 15. Ohio

    Workforce: 41

    Infrastructure: 2

    Cost of Doing Business: 4

    Economy: 27

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 29

    Technology & Innovation: 11

    Ohio

  • 16. Michigan

    Workforce: 26

    Infrastructure: 19

    Cost of Doing Business: 9

    Economy: 21

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 29

    Technology & Innovation: 15

    Michigan

  • 17. Pennsylvania

    Workforce: 28

    Infrastructure: 12

    Cost of Doing Business: 22

    Economy: 45

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 22

    Technology & Innovation: 7

    Pittsburgh

    Spring in Pittsburgh city, Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh skyline with cherry blossoms.

  • 18. Oregon

    Workforce: 9

    Infrastructure: 33

    Cost of Doing Business: 34

    Economy: 15

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 8

    Technology & Innovation: 13

    Oregon

  • 19. Illinois

    Workforce: 9

    Infrastructure: 33

    Cost of Doing Business: 34

    Economy: 15

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 8

    Technology & Innovation: 13

    Illinois

  • 20. Idaho

    Workforce: 40

    Infrastructure: 42

    Cost of Doing Business: 15

    Economy: 5

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 20

    Technology & Innovation: 34

    Idaho

  • 21. Kansas

    Workforce: 35

    Infrastructure: 6

    Cost of Doing Business: 6

    Economy: 43

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 29

    Technology & Innovation: 38

    Liberty Memorial and Union Station aerial views, downtown Kansas City

  • 22. South Dakota

    Workforce: 43

    Infrastructure: 36

    Cost of Doing Business: 11

    Economy: 12

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 27

    Technology & Innovation: 36

    South Dakota

  • 23. Wisconsin

    Workforce: 37

    Infrastructure: 15

    Cost of Doing Business: 13

    Economy: 30

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 35

    Technology & Innovation: 19

    Wisconsin

  • 24. Massachusetts

    Workforce: 24

    Infrastructure: 31

    Cost of Doing Business: 49

    Economy: 26

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 13

    Technology & Innovation: 10

    Massachusetts

  • 25. Missouri

    Workforce: 49

    Infrastructure: 10

    Cost of Doing Business: 1

    Economy: 17

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 46

    Technology & Innovation: 19

    Missouri

    St. Louis downtown city skyline at twilight.

  • 26. Kentucky

    Workforce: 17

    Infrastructure: 18

    Cost of Doing Business: 6

    Economy: 34

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 36

    Technology & Innovation: 22

    Kentucky

  • 27. Maryland

    Workforce: 10

    Infrastructure: 22

    Cost of Doing Business: 44

    Economy: 31

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 18

    Technology & Innovation: 14

    Maryland

  • 28. Delaware

    Workforce: 5

    Infrastructure: 20

    Cost of Doing Business: 37

    Economy: 22

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 24

    Technology & Innovation: 32

    Delaware

  • 29. California

    Workforce: 16

    Infrastructure: 25

    Cost of Doing Business: 48

    Economy: 17

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 26

    Technology & Innovation: 1

    California

    Spring morning light hits the tree filled hillside in front of the Los Angeles skyline in Southern California

  • 30. Montana

    Workforce: 33

    Infrastructure: 45

    Cost of Doing Business: 27

    Economy: 9

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 24

    Technology & Innovation: 46

    Montana

  • 31. Vermont

    Workforce: 50

    Infrastructure: 22

    Cost of Doing Business: 39

    Economy: 33

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 1

    Technology & Innovation: 37

    Vermont

  • 32. Wyoming

    Workforce: 18

    Infrastructure: 35

    Cost of Doing Business: 23

    Economy: 40

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 20

    Technology & Innovation: 40

    The 10 Most Beautiful Places in the US to Vacation in the Winter

  • 33. Alabama

    Workforce: 13

    Infrastructure: 38

    Cost of Doing Business: 24

    Economy: 27

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 38

    Technology & Innovation: 21

    Alabama

  • 34. Arizona

    Workforce: 7

    Infrastructure: 6

    Cost of Doing Business: 35

    Economy: 22

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 50

    Technology & Innovation: 29

    Chandler AZ

  • 35. New Hampshire

    Workforce: 22

    Infrastructure: 47

    Cost of Doing Business: 32

    Economy: 29

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 15

    Technology & Innovation: 39

    New Hampshire

  • 36. New York

    Workforce: 46

    Infrastructure: 28

    Cost of Doing Business: 42

    Economy: 36

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 19

    Technology & Innovation: 2

    New York

  • 36. South Carolina

    Workforce: 29

    Infrastructure: 27

    Cost of Doing Business: 28

    Economy: 13

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 47

    Technology & Innovation: 31

    South Carolina

  • 38. Oklahoma

    Workforce: 35

    Infrastructure: 26

    Cost of Doing Business: 2

    Economy: 34

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 48

    Technology & Innovation: 30

    Washington State

  • 39. Connecticut

    Workforce: 14

    Infrastructure: 39

    Cost of Doing Business: 45

    Economy: 47

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 17

    Technology & Innovation:  25

    Connecticut

  • 49. Nevada

    Workforce: 29

    Infrastructure: 5

    Cost of Doing Business: 20

    Economy: 25

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 41

    Technology & Innovation:  47

    Nevada

    Aerial view of Las Vegas strip in Nevada as seen at night USA

  • 41. Arkansas

    Workforce: 38

    Infrastructure: 30

    Cost of Doing Business: 13

    Economy: 24

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 37

    Technology & Innovation: 40

    Arkansas

  • 42. New Jersey

    Workforce: 23

    Infrastructure: 34

    Cost of Doing Business: 43

    Economy: 50

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 8

    Technology & Innovation: 27

    Newark New Jersey

    Newark, New Jersey, USA skyline on the Passaic River.

  • 43. Maine

    Workforce: 43

    Infrastructure: 49

    Cost of Doing Business: 40

    Economy: 32

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 2

    Technology & Innovation: 44

    Maine

  • 44. West Virginia

    Workforce: 43

    Infrastructure: 42

    Cost of Doing Business: 10

    Economy: 39

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 34

    Technology & Innovation:  49

    West Virginia

  • 45. Rhode Island

    Workforce: 39

    Infrastructure: 44

    Cost of Doing Business: 47

    Economy: 41

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 16

    Technology & Innovation: 33

    Rhode Island

  • 46. New Mexico

    Workforce: 25

    Infrastructure: 39

    Cost of Doing Business: 29

    Economy: 42

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 44

    Technology & Innovation: 43

    Albuquerque, NM

    Hot air balloons drifting over the Rio Grande river in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

  • 46. Hawaii

    Workforce: 19

    Infrastructure: 39

    Cost of Doing Business: 50

    Economy: 48

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 3

    Technology & Innovation: 40

    Hawaii

  • 48. Louisiana

    Workforce: 42

    Infrastructure: 48

    Cost of Doing Business: 5

    Economy: 45

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 45

    Technology & Innovation: 45

    New Orleans

    Bourbon St, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA cityscape of bars and retaurants at twilight.

  • 49. Alaska

    Workforce: 34

    Infrastructure: 50

    Cost of Doing Business: 46

    Economy: 38

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 11

    Technology & Innovation: 50

    Alaska

  • 50. Mississippi

    Workforce: 47

    Infrastructure: 46

    Cost of Doing Business: 17

    Economy: 49

    Life, Health & Inclusion: 33

    Technology & Innovation: 48

    Mississippi

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