Red States Criticize CNBC for Quality-of-Life Rankings

Republican governors expressed strong objections to CNBC’s recent quality-of-life rankings. The financial news outlet placed conservative states in the bottom 10 of their annual list, despite these states leading in population growth according to U.S. Census data.

Online ridicule and backlash from conservative figures followed the release of CNBC’s 2026 “America’s Top States for Business” study. Critics accused the outlet of liberal bias, particularly targeting the ranking criteria that they claim unfairly penalize conservative legislation.

“Somebody must have forgotten to tell the tens of thousands of new Arkansans who have moved to our state about this CNBC report,” said Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. “They’re voting with their feet for the commonsense, conservative leadership Arkansas offers.”

Arkansas was mentioned among other Republican-led states, such as Oklahoma, Alabama, Missouri, and Texas, which all appeared on the list. These states supported Donald Trump in the 2024 election, highlighting the political divide in the assessment.

CNBC emphasizes the “Quality of Life” category, constituting 11.6% of a state’s overall score this year, a rise from 10% previously. The rankings use data on crime rates, air quality, and healthcare but heavily weigh ideological policies, often penalizing states with restrictive legislation.

A representative for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott criticized the list as “flawed” and disconnected from reality, citing Texas’ appealing opportunities and freedoms. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s office labeled the rankings “baseless” and politically motivated.

“Instead of publishing these laughable rankings, CNBC should talk to any of the over 500,000 Americans who have moved to Georgia, many fleeing blue states for red states governed by common sense,” added Kemp’s spokesperson.

Census data show significant domestic migration to states like Texas, Tennessee, and Alabama, challenging CNBC’s portrayal of these areas as less desirable. In contrast, Los Angeles County saw a population loss of 53,000 residents within the same period.

While South and Sun Belt regions thrive economically, major blue regions are witnessing declines. Texas gained a net 67,000 residents through domestic migration alone between mid-2024 and mid-2025. Meanwhile, New York City experienced a net loss of 114,000 residents over the same timeframe.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office remarked on the study’s partisan alignment in a social media post, while CNBC declined to comment on the situation when approached by Fox News Digital.

Joshua Q. Nelson, a reporter for Fox News Digital, covers cultural trends, education, and public policy, including reparations and immigration issues. For story tips, Joshua can be contacted via email or followed on social media platforms.