CNBC Rankings EXPOSED After Every Red State Named Worst Places to Live

Liberty Check

• CNBC exclusively ranked all Republican-led states as the 10 worst places to live, while Census data shows those same states are gaining population
• The outlet’s criteria explicitly penalized states for conservative policies on bathroom laws, abortion restrictions, and traditional family values
• Americans continue fleeing blue strongholds like California and New York for the very red states CNBC claims are ‘worst’

CNBC faced widespread ridicule Monday after releasing its annual quality-of-life rankings that placed conservative red states in all 10 spots of the “worst places to live” — even as official U.S. Census data shows those same states are leading the nation in population growth.

Critics immediately called out what they described as blatant liberal bias embedded in the outlet’s ranking criteria.

Counting down from tenth to first, CNBC ranked the bottom states as Arkansas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Missouri, Utah, Georgia, Louisiana, Indiana, Texas, and Tennessee. Every single state is Republican-led and voted for President Donald Trump in 2024.

The list represents a subset of CNBC’s annual “America’s Top States for Business” study. The outlet claims it’s “placing increasing emphasis on Quality of Life,” which now makes up 11.6% of a state’s overall score.

But the methodology reveals the ideological slant. CNBC’s criteria explicitly penalize states for lack of protections against discrimination, restrictive abortion laws, and traditional family policies — essentially punishing conservative governance.

“Some states offer exemplary quality of life. But these ten states do not make the grade,” the CNBC report stated.

Conservative commentator Reverend Jordan Wells exposed the absurdity:

“CNBC just dropped their 2026 ’10 Worst States to Live In’ list … and it’s pure comedy. Shocking. All deep red, conservative states. But somehow California and New York — with the highest taxes in the country, insane cost of living, and endless progressive policies — didn’t crack the top 10?”

Newsmax contributor Chrissy Clark responded with sarcasm:

“This is correct. Please believe this. Tennessee is HORRIBLE. You definitely shouldn’t move here…”

The outlet took direct shots at local conservative legislation across the board. Tennessee was penalized for its bathroom law — which requires transgender individuals to use facilities corresponding with their biological sex — as well as legislation barring localities from passing their own antidiscrimination ordinances.

CNBC even criticized a joint resolution signed by Gov. Bill Lee designating June as “Nuclear Family Month.”

Utah was dinged for its $7.25 minimum wage and air quality. Georgia was explicitly called out for offering “few protections for LGBTQ+ people, making it one of America’s least inclusive states.”

Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom immediately seized on the study, posting on X:

“Notice something in common? All led by Republicans — many suffering from California Derangement Syndrome.”

But conservatives and independent commentators noted that everyday Americans are voting with their feet against progressive governance — and moving to the very states CNBC claims are worst.

Rep. Lance Gooden, R-Texas, posted:

“If you hate not paying income taxes, law and order, parental rights, smaller government, school choice, the Second Amendment, and criminal illegal aliens being arrested … Here’s another garbage list from the mainstream media!”

Conservative activist Robby Starbuck, a Tennessee resident, fired back at Newsom:

“Actually I noticed something else: The list is a bulls••t list that has nothing to do with quality of life for sane people. It’s all predicated on far left BS… Our states all gained population while YOUR state lost a record amount.”

Media personality Patrick Bet-David cited the net migration gains, noting that Texas added over 67,000 residents and Tennessee added over 42,000. Georgia and Alabama also saw population influxes.

“’10 worst states’ based on what? CNBC had ‘inclusivity’ as one of its criteria,” Bet-David noted. “The numbers tell a different story.”

The demographic shift highlights a broader post-pandemic exodus from historically blue strongholds. While regions across the South and Sun Belt experience economic and population booms, major progressive cities like Boston, Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles continue to bleed residents due to high taxes, rising crime, and astronomical costs of living.

U.S. Census Bureau data reveals that Los Angeles County alone has watched its population shrink from roughly 10 million in 2020 down to about 9.7 million today, losing over 56,000 residents in just a single one-year stretch.

Similarly, a recent study by the Citizens Budget Commission confirmed that New York City continues to suffer net negative migration, losing far more domestic residents than it gains.

Americans are speaking loud and clear — they’re choosing freedom over leftist control.