CNBC's ninth annual study once again puts all 50 states to the test, measuring them on more than 60 different metrics in ten key categories of competitiveness.
Top States For Business

8. Washington

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Category Score 2015 Rank 2014 Rank
Workforce21627 (Tie)24
Cost of Doing Business1852834
Infrastructure16033 (Tie)17
Economy22811 (Tie)2
Quality of Life24076
Technology & Innovation21314
Education11718 (Tie)25
Business Friendliness7024 (Tie)23
Cost of Living233638
Access to Capital41109
Overall149387

Economic Profile

Governor: Jay Inslee, Democrat

Population: 7,061,530

GDP growth: 3.0 percent

Unemployment rate (May 2015): 5.4 percent

Top corporate tax rate: 0 percent

Top individual income tax rate: 0 percent

Gasoline tax: 55 cents/gallon

Bond rating/outlook: Aa1/stable

Major private employer: Costco Wholesale

Economic profile sources: Federation of Tax Administrators, American Petroleum Institute, Moody's Investor Service, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Washington FY 2014 CAFR

FULL LIST: 2015 TOP STATES FOR BUSINESS

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