News Summary
Texas has secured the second spot in CNBC’s latest analysis of the Top States for Business, just behind North Carolina. Achieving a score of 1,601 points, Texas outshines states like Florida and Virginia, but faces challenges in infrastructure and quality of life. Despite these hurdles, Texas remains a strong contender in the business landscape, boasting a robust economy and a large workforce. The state looks to improve its rankings by addressing quality of life metrics while continuing to drive job growth in the future.
Texas Ranks Second in CNBC’s Business Analysis for 2025
In a remarkable achievement for the Lone Star State, Texas has been ranked second in the latest *Top States for Business* analysis for 2025, following North Carolina, which secured the top position with a score of 1,614 points. Texas was close behind, scoring 1,601 points, underscoring its reputation as a premier destination for commerce.
Ranking Overview: Texas Against Its Peers
Texas stands out prominently among its competitors, outperforming Florida, Virginia, and Ohio, which completed the top five rankings. This commendation aligns with ongoing efforts by the Texas Governor to position the state as a business-friendly environment. CNBC’s evaluation focuses on ten critical categories — including education, workforce, technology, economy, infrastructure, and quality of life — collectively totaling 2,500 possible points.
Texas’ Strengths and Weaknesses
Texas has demonstrated outstanding performance particularly in the economy, workforce, and technology categories, where it received A+ ratings. With a robust workforce numbering around 15.8 million, it supports a varied and thriving economy. However, challenges persist; the state garnered a C+ rating in infrastructure and also faced hurdles related to cost of living. In the quality of life category, Texas scored only 72 points, yielding an F rating, while North Carolina achieved a significantly higher score of 136.
The quality of life assessment encompasses several essential factors, including crime rates, environmental quality, healthcare, childcare, worker protections, and anti-discrimination policies. The data reveals critical areas for Texas to address to improve its standing in future evaluations.
Economic Landscape and Job Growth Prospects
Despite facing some obstacles, Texas remains a vital player in the national economic landscape, exhibiting a 4.1% unemployment rate, slightly below the national average of 4%. Since 2007, Texas has consistently ranked among the top six states for business, even achieving the top position in 2018. Ongoing projects in North Carolina, notably a new factory promising to create 14,500 jobs and an Amazon data center expansion costing $10 billion, have drawn attention to the significance of quality of life in attracting businesses and talent.
Acknowledgment from External Entities
Texas’s favorable business climate has also been recognized by external rankings, such as *Site Selection magazine*, which awarded Texas the title of *Top State Business Climate* for 2024. Nevertheless, the city of Houston has been noted for ranking 34th in another evaluation for the best large cities to initiate a business in 2025.
Future Challenges and Opportunities
Looking ahead, the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth region continues to drive job creation, positioning Texas for ongoing economic success. To sustain its elite status and improve competitive standing in business growth, enhancing quality of life will be crucial.
Texas may have secured the second place this year, but with its dynamic workforce and determined spirit, it continues to be a significant contender in the business landscape. Observers will be keen to see how Texas evolves and strives for improvement in the coming years.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Dallas News
- Entergy News
- Statesman
- Innovation Map
- PR Newswire
- Wikipedia: Texas
- Google Search: Texas business rankings
- Google Scholar: Texas business
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas
- Google News: Texas business rankings
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
