CNBC’s annual study once again puts all 50 states to the test, measuring them on 135 different metrics, the most-ever, in 10 key categories of competitiveness.
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Vermont Score and Ranking
| CATEGORY | 2025 SCORE | 2025 RANK | 2024 RANK | 2025 GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECONOMY | 211 | 35 | 41 | C- |
| INFRASTRUCTURE | 171 | 40 | 38 | D+ |
| WORKFORCE | 152 | 40 | 41 | D |
| COST OF DOING BUSINESS | 119 | 35 | 37 | C- |
| BUSINESS FRIENDLINESS | 140 | 25 | 28 | C+ |
| QUALITY OF LIFE | 228 | 1 | 1 | A+ |
| TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION | 97 | 42 | 33 | F |
| EDUCATION | 58 | 20 | 17 | B- |
| ACCESS TO CAPITAL | 16 | 44 | 44 | F |
| COST OF LIVING | 31 | 25 | 33 | C |
| OVERALL | 1223 | 38 | 37 |
Economic Profile
Governor: Phil Scott, Republican
Population: 648,493
GDP growth (Q1 2025): -0.3%
Unemployment rate (May 2025): 2.6%
Top corporate tax rate: 8.5%
Top individual income tax rate: 8.75%
Gasoline tax: 50.08 cents/gallon
Bond rating (Moody's/S&P): Aa1, Stable/AA+, Stable
Economic profile sources: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federation of Tax Administrators, Energy Information Administration (including 18.40 cent/gallon federal tax), Moody's Investor Service, S&P Global Market Intelligence
More coverage of the 2025 America's Top States for Business
- See the full list of America's Top States for Business 2025
- Methodology: How we chose America's Top States for Business in 2025
- North Carolina is America's Top State for Business in 2025 led by economy, workforce
- Alaska is America's Worst State for Business as oil prices sink
- Massachusetts is America's Most Improved State for Business
- Virginia drops in rankings, taking hit from Trump's federal job cuts
