Texas has been ranked fourth in CNBC's 2026 America's Top States for Business study, which was released on July 9. This marks a drop from its previous position of second place. Ohio has taken the top spot, followed by North Carolina, Virginia, and Minnesota, which rounds out the top five.
Despite this decline, Texas remains competitive with a strong business environment. The state holds the top position in the nation for its workforce and ranks second for both its economy and access to capital. The state's robust logistics infrastructure, including major ports and airports, supports its status as a key trade and shipping hub.
Additionally, Texas benefits from a favorable tax environment and consistent corporate investments.
However, CNBC notes that Texas faces challenges in livability, ranking 49th out of 50 states for quality of life due to high crime rates, inadequate healthcare, and issues related to inclusiveness. These factors negatively impact the overall score in the study, which evaluates all states across ten competitiveness categories.
In North Texas, this ranking comes during a period of significant corporate relocations and expansions. The Dallas Regional Chamber reported 119 corporate moves or expansions in 2025, the highest in any U.S. metro area. This growth is evident in communities like Allen, which benefit from the state's strong workforce and business investment.
