By Andy Owens
aowens@scbiznews.com
Published July 11, 2012

CNBC, the international business news cable network, has named the best states for business, and South Carolina came in at No. 32, jumping five spots from last year’s ranking of No. 37.

CNBC used 43 benchmarks in the following 10 categories to determine a score: cost of doing business, workforce, quality of life, economy, transportation and infrastructure, technology and innovation, education, business friendliness, access to capital and cost of living.

South Carolina’s much-touted workforce did come in at No. 15 for the entire country, but the state didn’t crack the top 10 in any category. South Carolina did tie New Mexico for 46th in education and Mississippi for 41st in quality of life.

Here’s a look at the specific numbers CNBC pulled together along with a comparison between the Palmetto State (No. 32) and the Lone Star State (No. 1). You can see the complete list of every state along with an analysis of the numbers by clicking here.

America’s top states for business 2012

Four out of the top five states picked as the best for business are in the South, including the Palmetto State’s adjacent neighbor to the north.

Comparing the best to S.C.

A quick look shows Texas falls under 100 in only two categories while South Carolina goes below the century mark in four areas of CNBC’s scoring system.

SOURCE: CNBC