Texas has been recognized as the fourth best state for business in CNBC's 2026 America's Top States for Business study, published on July 9. This marks a decline from its previous position at second place last year.
Ohio has achieved the top ranking for the first time, followed by North Carolina in second place, Virginia in third, and Minnesota rounding out the top five. Texas continues to showcase a strong business environment, ranking 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 key trade hub. Additionally, a favorable tax environment and ongoing corporate investments have contributed to Texas's high rankings over the years.
However, CNBC pointed out challenges in livability, placing Texas at 49th for Quality of Life due to issues such as high crime rates, inadequate healthcare, and a lack of inclusiveness. These factors negatively impact the state's overall score in the competitiveness rankings, which assess all 50 states across ten categories.
Despite the drop from second to fourth, Texas has shown notable improvement, moving from sixth in 2023 to second in 2025. The Dallas Regional Chamber reported 119 corporate relocations or expansions in North Texas in 2025, the highest in any U.S. metro area, reflecting ongoing growth in regions like Celina, where a strong workforce and business investment are evident.
The ranking's strengths, a top-rated workforce and business investment, play out across North Texas communities including Celina.