Scott Cohn

CNBC's Scott Cohn reports on 2026's Top States for Business.

CNBC's Scott Cohn reports on 2026's Top States for Business.

Key Points Persistently high prices are a burden for the American people, but some states' residents are far less affected than others.

Key Points Nationwide, inflation is the highest it has been in three years. In some states, it is especially punishing.

Key Points Crime rates, air quality, healthcare access, worker protections, and civil rights laws are among factors that can hurt a state in quality of life rankings.

Key Points That is because workers in many fields remain in short supply, which means companies need to do all they can to attract talent.

Economy is a key category in CNBC’s America’s Top States for Business study, and some states stand out for the wrong reasons.

Economy is one of the most important categories in CNBC’s annual America’s Top States for Business rankings. Several states stand out for economic strength.

Key Points Nationwide worker shortages have eased from their acute levels following the pandemic, but companies are still demanding an abundant supply of skilled employees in the places they set up shop.

Key Points California's proposed billionaire tax would generate critical revenue, but longer-term economic damage is a risk if the wealthy