GA Named One Of The Worst Places To Live In The US In 2026: New Study

A new study that quantified the quality of life in 10 states this week reported Georgia is one of the worst places to live in the U.S. in 2026.

CNBC, a major consumer and business news outlet, conducted the study as part of its 20th Annual America’s Top States for Business ranking. The results, based on 138 metrics, were released on July 11.

A maximum of 2,500 points were available in the Top States for Business study. Georgia received 1,472 points.

The quality of life is one of 10 categories CNBC focused on while compiling data, and it factors in 11.6 percent of a state's overall score, according to the news outlet. In 2025, the quality of life measured at about 10 percent.

Crime rates, air quality, health care, child care, state law inclusivity and reproductive rights also contributed to the overall score. (See full results below.)

Ultimately, Georgia received an "F" grade for what CNBC deemed a lack of strong worker protections, inclusiveness and health care. The Peach State received 89 out of 290 points in quality of life.

Georgia does little to safeguard the LGBTQ+ community, CNBC stated. The state's only strength is in child care, according to the study.

To back its findings, CNBC cited Gov. Brian Kemp's signage of Senate Bill 36 in April 2025. The Georgia Religious Freedom Restoration Act received opposition from critics who argued SB 36 was discriminatory across multiple groups.

Here are the top 10 worst states in the U.S. and their overall grades, per CNBC:

1. Tennessee, 64
2. Texas, 78
3. Indiana, 82
4. Louisiana, 89
5. Georgia, 89
6. Utah, 95
7. Missouri, 98
8. Alabama, 99
9. Oklahoma, 103
10. Arkansas, 103

Here are the top 11 best states in the U.S. and their overall grades, per CNBC:

1. Vermont, 233
2. Maine, 232
3. New Jersey, 223
4. Minnesota, 210
5. Connecticut, 205
6. Hawaii, 191
7. New Hampshire, 189
8. Virginia, 189
9. North Dakota, 186
10. Massachusetts, 184
11. Nebraska, 184

Though Georgia did not make the cut to be crowned one of the best states to live in, the Peach State was once again named in the top 10 for business. Georgia was fourth in the July 2023 CNBC ranking.

RELATED:

• Where Does GA Rank Among America’s Top States For Businesses?

• Georgia Named Top State For Business For 10th Straight Year: Kemp

Quality of life was the sole category where Georgia received an "F." The state thrived in the categories of infrastructure and access to capital, scoring an "A-" in both.

The remaining grades were as follows: "B-" in economy, "B" in workforce, "B+" in cost of doing business, "B+" in technology and innovation, "C+" in business friendliness, "B" in education and "C-" in education.

Additionally, Georgia has the following characteristics as reported by CNBC:

• Population: 11,302,748
• GDP growth (Q1 2024): 2.50 percent
• Unemployment rate (May 2024): 3.40 percent
• Top corporate tax rate: 4.99 percent
• Top individual income tax rate: 4.99 percent
• Gasoline tax: 52.45 cents/gallon
• Bond rating (Moody’s/Standard and Poor): Aaa, Stable/AAA, Stable

Here are the top 10 states for business, per CNBC:

1. Ohio
2. North Carolina
3. Virginia
4. Texas
5. Minnesota
6. Michigan
7. Georgia
8. Florida
9. Tennessee
10. Indiana

Data sources used in the economic profile are the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federation of Tax Administrators, American Petroleum Institute (including 18.40 cent/gallon federal tax), Moody’s Investor Service and S&P Global Market Intelligence.

>> Full methodology: 2026 Best States for Business