Story perspectives

North Carolina #2 Business State, drops to 35th quality ranking

7/10/2026

Summary

North Carolina Ranks

CNBC ranked North Carolina second in its 2026 Top States for Business list, behind Ohio.
Although the state fell from first place the previous year, missing a repeat by nine points, CNBC named it first in economy category.
CNBC ranked North Carolina 35th for cost of living and 34th for quality of life, citing rising crime, while Governor Stein said the state is growing, urging investment in people and costs.

Summary

Amazon Uses Rankings

Amazon confirmed it consulted the CNBC rankings when deciding locations for its 2018 nationwide HQ2 competition.
CNBC created the Top States for Business rankings in 2007 while President George W. Bush was in office amid early housing-market bubble warnings.
Governors of high-ranking states have regularly cited the rankings in speeches and campaign material over the past 20 years.
Political opponents have used the rankings to criticize incumbent parties' economic records.

1 of 2

North Carolina Ranks

CNBC ranked North Carolina second in its 2026 Top States for Business list, behind Ohio.
Although the state fell from first place the previous year, missing a repeat by nine points, CNBC named it first in economy category.
CNBC ranked North Carolina 35th for cost of living and 34th for quality of life, citing rising crime, while Governor Stein said the state is growing, urging investment in people and costs.

1 / 2