Alabama ranked No. 19 in CNBC’s recent “America’s Top States for Business,” up one spot from 2024.
The financial news agency measured each state on 135 metrics within 10 categories, including cost of doing business, workforce and quality of life. Out of a possible 2,500 points, Alabama received 1,337.
Alabama received its best marks in cost of living, No. 6, and business friendliness, No. 13. Its worst-performing categories were quality of life, No. 44, and access to capital, No. 40.
It’s workforce ranking went from 24 in 2024 to 16 this year. The state’s biggest slide in the metrics was in access to capital, moving from 29 to 40.
Last year, Alabama was “most improved” in the CNBC rankings.
“Since taking office in 2017, I have made it a priority to be sure Alabama is a top state for doing business, and I am proud we have steadily made progress,” Gov. Kay Ivey told Alabama Daily News about the ranking. “We have created a climate where our existing industries thrive and new ones want to locate here, and we are not slowing down.
“In addition to our economic development efforts, our long-term strategy includes focusing on education and developing our workforce. It takes all-around success to be at the top, and I believe Alabama is well on our way.”
The study’s top 10 states include several of Alabama’s neighbors and are: North Carolina, Texas, Florida, Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, Georgia, Tennessee, Indiana and Minnesota.