CNBC: South Carolina is the 4th Worst State to Live and Work in for 2023

Each year, as part of their overall assessment of state business climates, CNBC’s America’s Top States for Business study considers how welcoming each state is to workers and their families. Life, Health and Inclusion is one of the study’s ten categories, and with the nationwide worker shortage so severe this year, the category took on an increased importance in the study’s methodology.

CNBC says they consider multiple quality of life factors, including crime rates, environmental quality, and health care. They also look at the quality and availability of childcare. In addition, the company considered inclusiveness in state laws by measuring protections against discrimination, as well as voting rights. And with their surveys showing a substantial percentage of women considering abortion restrictions when making a choice of where to live in the wake of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, reproductive rights are part of this year’s equation as well.

Here’s what they said about the Palmetto State:

You can see the full bottom ten list here.