Texas is the worst state to live and work, according to a CNBC study.
In its annual 2023 study, CNBC ranked Texas as the worst state in the U.S. for workers and their families, taking into account factors such as crime rates, environmental quality, availability of child care, discrimination in state laws, and access to health care and abortion.
While Texas is one of the best states for business, it is not for workers and families.
The report highlights that Texas has the highest percentage of people without health insurance in the U.S., and the second lowest number of primary care physicians per capita.
Texas also has a high crime rate and is one of the most difficult states to live for the LGBTQ+ community and women. The state has one of the strictest abortion bans in the U.S.
Texas’ status as one of the best states for business has also declined in recent years. In 2023, the state fell out of the top five states for business for the first time in the 16-year history of CNBC’s rankings.
Texas Monthly also highlights that the state is losing companies, and those that remain in the state are facing major problems. With Oracle fleeing the state and Tesla facing major layoffs, business in the state looks bleak.
The report also highlights that there has been significantly less investment in startups. In 2021, venture capitalists invested $6.75 billion in Austin startups, while in 2023 they invested only $3.8 billion.
Taking all these factors into account, Texas was the worst state to live in in 2023. Do you think it will do better in the 2024 rankings?
