North Carolina has been named the top state for business in CNBC’s 2025 ranking, marking the third time in four years it has achieved this position. The state performed well across several categories including economy, workforce, infrastructure, and business friendliness. Analysts evaluated all 50 states using 10 broad categories and a total of 86 metrics to determine how effectively a state supports business growth and job creation.
The state’s strong economy, skilled workforce, and ongoing investments in innovation and infrastructure were key factors in its high ranking. North Carolina ranked first in Economy and second in Workforce, with CNBC highlighting strong GDP growth, high job creation rates, and a well-educated labor pool. Despite being ranked 29th in Quality of Life and 23rd in Cost of Living, North Carolina’s overall score of 1,614 out of 2,500 points placed it ahead of Texas and Florida.
The report underscores North Carolina’s growing status as a leader in the national business landscape and its attractiveness to both established companies and emerging industries.
