Indiana is one of the top states for business, but one of the worst in terms of quality of life for residents, according to CNBC.
The state landed in the No. 10 spot on the news channel’s 2026 list of America’s Top States for Business.CNBC scored all 50 states on 138 metrics in 10 broad categories of competitiveness.
The outlet said it identified the factors companies consider when making site selection decisions, and where states are focusing their economic development efforts to win jobs and business; each category weighted based on how frequently states use them as a selling point.
Indiana came in at No. 4 for infrastructure, the top-weighted category in the list in 2026, taking into account transport hubs, utilities, access to fresh water and abundant energy to power things like advanced manufacturing and data centers.
The second top category was economy, followed by workforce.
The Hoosier state came in at No. 2 in the cost of doing business and No. 6 for cost of living.
Top 10 states for business in 2026
The overall rankings for CNBC’s America’s top states for business:
1. Ohio
2. North Carolina
3. Virginia
4. Texas
5. Minnesota
6. Michigan
7. Georgia
8. Florida
9. Tennessee
10. Indiana
Indiana’s poor quality of life
The state is No 8. on CNBC’s 2026 list of worst states to live in.
Crime rates, air quality, healthcare access, cost and availability of childcare, worker protections, civil rights laws and reproductive rights were among the factors considered in the quality of life rankings.
Quality of life was one of the factors considered when determining the best business rankings, accounting for 11.6% of the states’ overall scores. But even with a strong showing as a state for business, Indiana was graded an F for its quality of life.
Childcare was among the state’s weaknesses, the report said.
“With just 779 licensed childcare facilities in a state with nearly 7 million people, Indiana finishes at the bottom for childcare availability on a per capita basis. And what is available is expensive, eating up 15% of the median income for a household with two working parents in the Hoosier State,” according to the report. “In June, Indiana’s childcare agency unveiled a sweeping new policy proposal aimed at expanding access by, among other things, easing licensing requirements. Critics allege the proposal sacrifices quality.”
The state was also weak in healthcare and air quality factors.
Worst states to live in 2026
The following states have the worst quality of life scores – out of a possible 290 points – for 2026:
1. Arkansas -103, grade: D–
Strengths: Childcare, Air Quality
Weaknesses: Crime, Health, Inclusiveness
2. Oklahoma -103, grade: D–
Strengths: Childcare, Air Quality
Weaknesses: Reproductive Rights, Worker Protections
3. Alabama – 99, grade: D–
Strengths: Childcare, Air Quality
Weaknesses: Worker Protections, Health, Inclusiveness
4. Missouri – 98, grade: D–
Strengths: Air Quality, Worker Protections
Weaknesses: Crime, Health, Inclusiveness
5. Utah – 95, grade: F
Strength: Crime
Weaknesses: Health, Childcare, Worker Protections, Air Quality
6. Georgia – 89, grade: F
Strength: Childcare
Weaknesses: Inclusiveness, Health, Worker Protections
7. Louisiana – 89, grade: F
Strengths: Childcare, Air Quality
Weaknesses: Crime, Inclusiveness, Reproductive Rights
8. Indiana – 82, grade: F
Strength: Crime
Weaknesses: Childcare, Air Quality, Health
9. Texas – 78, grade: F
Strengths: Childcare, Air Quality
Weaknesses: Health, Crime, Inclusiveness, Worker Protections, Reproductive Rights
10. Tennessee – 64, grade: F
Strength: Air Quality
Weaknesses: Crime, Inclusiveness, Worker Protections
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana is a top business state but fails residents, reports say
Reporting by Cheryl V. Jackson, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cheryl V. Jackson, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
