CNBC is stirring the pot again with its recent annual quality of life rankings, and this time it seems they’ve managed to ruffle quite a few feathers. The network decided to declare that the ten worst states to live in are all led by Republican governors. That’s right—Tennessee, Texas, Indiana, Louisiana, Georgia, Utah, Missouri, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Arkansas are all on this not-so-coveted list. What did they base their ranking on, you ask? Well, according to them, it involves things like crime rates, air quality, health care access, civil rights laws, and worker protections. However, there’s a tiny hiccup in their findings—many of these states are actually gaining residents, not losing them!
Take Tennessee, for instance. Scheduled to be at the bottom of the barrel according to this list, they earn the dubious title of the worst place to live. CNBC cites their bathroom law, which complicates restroom use based on someone’s sex assigned at birth. They also took issue with Governor Bill Lee declaring June as Nuclear Family Month, an initiative meant to bolster family values. This isn’t sitting well with the folks at CNBC, but let’s pause for a moment and think: Is a bathroom policy really what determines a great place to live? Surely things like job opportunities, taxes, and a friendly community might carry a bit more weight!
The irony here is quite delicious. Much of the data reveals a different story altogether. While California, New York, and Illinois are seeing residents pack up and leave in droves—losing numbers in the tens of thousands—states like Texas and Georgia are actually seeing an influx of new residents. In fact, between 2020 and 2025, red states have gained between 700,000 and a whopping 2 million new residents! It seems that so-called quality of life can sometimes be subjective, especially when a significant number of people are making the bold choice to relocate to these much-maligned states.
Some commentators are scratching their heads at CNBC’s selections and believing it reflects a disconnect from reality. How can anyone prioritize bathroom policies over crucial aspects like home affordability and tax rates? It’s a curious world out there, and for every person concerned about restroom access, there are likely dozens more who value the lower taxes and business-friendly environments that many of these states offer. A little common sense, perhaps, is what’s needed here.
Furthermore, many believe these rankings appeal to only a select minority of people. The focus seems more about catering to progressive ideals than offering a comprehensive viewpoint of what makes a state livable for the majority. While arguments certainly can be made regarding education and healthcare, states like Georgia and Texas often shine in those departments despite not making CNBC’s cut of the desirable states. Taking a look at the full picture reveals that every state has its advantages and disadvantages, and it’s essential to recognize that there’s a large portion of the populace who are quite content where they are—regardless of what a ranking might say.
In summary, while CNBC gallantly attempts to rank the states, their methodology raises more questions than it answers. Are they tapping into the true pulse of the populace, or are they simply churning out clickbait content? As more people move to thriving red states, one must wonder what the future of these rankings will look like. People seem more eager to pursue the American dream in these states than to fret about laws surrounding bathroom usage. Maybe next year, they’ll add a new category: “The Most Family-Friendly States That Aren’t Ranked by CNBC.” Now that would be a list worth reading!
