business
Tennessee ranked worst state to live, CNBC study finds
By Kassidy Brown at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 12, 2026
· 2 min read
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Tennessee ranked last among all 50 states for quality of life in CNBC’s annual America’s Top States for Business study for 2026.The business news channel said this year’s study had an increased emphasis of “quality of life, saying this year’s methodology has this categor...
Key takeaway (WSMV) - Tennessee ranked last among all 50 states for quality of life in CNBC’s annual America’s Top States for Business study for 2026.
Why this matters in The Nashville
Tennessee's ranking as the worst state to live in terms of quality of life has significant implications for Nashville 's economic development efforts. While the city has successfully attracted businesses and investments in recent years, the state's poor quality of life score could deter top talent from relocating to the area. Nashville's ability to compete with other major cities for skilled workers and entrepreneurs may be hindered by the state's high crime rates, limited worker protections, and restrictive laws. The city's thriving music and arts scene, as well as its growing healthcare industry, may not be enough to offset the negative perceptions of the state as a whole. As city leaders continue to promote Nashville as a desirable place to live and work, they will need to address the underlying issues that contributed to the state's low quality of life score and work to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all residents.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: July 12, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Tennessee ranked last among all 50 states for quality of life in CNBC’s annual America’s Top States for Business study for 2026.The business news channel said this year’s study had an increased emphasis of “quality of life, saying this year’s methodology has this categor...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 12, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Kassidy Brown at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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