CNBC Names Ohio Top U.S. State for Business in 2026

CNBC named Ohio the top state for business in the United States for 2026, marking the first time the state has held the number one rank. Ohio climbed from 34th place in 2010 and 5th place in 2025, securing the lead by ranking first in both infrastructure and the cost of doing business. The network attributed the win to the state's broad market access, affordable housing, and a robust inventory of shovel-ready sites.

Governor Mike DeWine credited the achievement to a long-term strategy involving tax cuts, the elimination of three business taxes, and the WorkOhio initiative. Other leaders highlighted a collaborative alignment between the state government and JobsOhio. Despite the overall win, Ohio ranked 35th in workforce due to low educational attainment. The ranking has become a central point in the gubernatorial race, with Democratic nominee Dr. Amy Acton arguing that working families have not felt the benefits, while Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy framed it as a victory over Democratic policies.

Other states also saw significant movements in the 2026 report. North Carolina finished second, and Virginia rose to third place, with Governor Abigail Spanberger attributing the climb to strategic investments in workers. Michigan ranked sixth, maintaining a strong grade for the cost of doing business. Conversely, Hawaii ranked 50th, receiving failing grades for infrastructure and business costs, though it maintained a high quality-of-life score. New Hampshire improved slightly to 34th place, bolstered by high scores in business friendliness and quality of life.