CNBC’s “Worst States” Ranking Sparks Right-Wing Critique

CNBC explained that its assessment considered “crime rates, air quality, healthcare access, worker protections, and civil rights laws” as factors that can lower a state’s quality-of-life score. The outlet’s methodology, however, was not detailed beyond this brief description, leaving the weighting of each factor unclear.

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Nolte points out that nine of the ten states on CNBC’s list recorded net population gains in 2025: Tennessee (+42,400), Texas (+67,300), Indiana (+12,200), Louisiana (-14,400), Georgia (+27,300), Utah (+3,300), Missouri (+14,400), Alabama (+23,400), Oklahoma (+14,500) and Arkansas (+14,500). By contrast, traditionally Democratic-leaning states such as California (-229,100), New York (-137,600) and Illinois (-40,000) saw declines, suggesting a disconnect between migration patterns and the “worst-state” designation.

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The columnist argues that crime statistics are inflated by “Democrat-run” cities—Memphis, Little Rock, Kansas City, St. Louis, Birmingham, New Orleans, Houston and Indianapolis—and that these urban pockets do not reflect conditions across the broader red-state territories. Additional criticisms include the exclusion of factors many residents deem vital, such as housing costs, taxes, business climate, unemployment rates and education outcomes. Nolte also highlights recent legislation in Tennessee, noting Governor Bill Lee’s “bathroom law” and a resolution designating June “Nuclear Family Month,” which he portrays as evidence of cultural bias in the ranking.

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• “Far-left CNBC’s rigged ranking of “America’s 10 Worst States to Live In” (I don’t link disinformation) is a fascinating look at the left’s laughable priorities, twisted mindset, and just how out of touch they are with Normal People.” — Mike Nolte, Breitbart columnist

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• “Crime rates, air quality, healthcare access, worker protections, and civil rights laws are among factors that can hurt a state in quality of life rankings.” — CNBC

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• “Bill Lee, make no apologies for a rash of state laws targeting the LGBTQ+ community, including a so-called “bathroom law” requiring transgender people to use the facilities designated for their sex at birth.” — Mike Nolte, Breitbart columnist

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• “The state also explicitly bars localities from adopting their own antidiscrimination ordinances.” — Mike Nolte, Breitbart columnist

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