CALIFORNIA CLOUT

State politicians have touted California’s economy as being so big it would be the sixth largest in the world, but what they don’t tell you is the high cost of living knocks it down a few notches. .

GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT

In trillions of U.S. dollars for 2015.

NO. 1 IN THE U.S. California’s economy produces over $1 trillion more than the next most productive state, New York. Real gross domestic product by state from the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis for fourth quarter 2015 – does not include cost of living.

California’s production is greater than these 15 states combined.



THE DOWNSIDE

CNBC grades the states using 60 metrics for business in 10 categories. California ranked second to last (49th) in 2016 for “cost of doing business.” Hawaii is the only state ranked lower than California.

HIGH COST OF LIVING According to CNBC’s rankings, California has the fourth highest cost of living in the nation behind Hawaii, New York and Delaware.

Other categories 2016 rank

Workforce 21

Infrastructure 33

Economy 8

Quality of life 23

Technology and Innovation 2 Education 38

Business friendliness 50

Access to capital 2

Overall 32