Texas has been recognized as the fourth best state for business in CNBC's 2026 America’s Top States for Business study, released on July 9. This marks a decline from its previous ranking of second place in the prior year.
Ohio achieved the top position for the first time, followed by North Carolina, Virginia, and Minnesota, which rounded out the top five. Texas continues to excel in several key areas, being ranked first nationally for Workforce and second for both Economy and Access to Capital. The state’s robust logistics infrastructure, including major ports and highways, supports its status as a leading hub for trade and shipping. A favorable tax environment and consistent corporate investments have contributed to Texas's strong performance in these rankings.
However, CNBC noted that Texas struggles with livability, ranking 49th out of 50 for Quality of Life due to high crime rates, inadequate healthcare, and issues with inclusiveness. These factors negatively impact the state's overall score in the competitiveness assessment, which evaluates all 50 states across ten categories.
In North Texas, including Frisco, the ranking is significant as the region experiences a surge in corporate relocations and expansions. The Dallas Regional Chamber reported a total of 119 corporate relocations or expansions within the area for 2025, making it the highest among U.S. metropolitan regions. The Dallas-Fort Worth area continues to grow with new data centers and corporate campuses, generating additional job opportunities.
The ranking's strengths, a top-rated workforce and business investment, play out across North Texas communities including Frisco.
