BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Birmingham is the fourth-worst city for business among Alabama's 50 largest municipalities according to a new ranking compiled by the nonprofit Alabama Policy Institute.

Anniston, Prichard and Selma were the only cities to score worse than Birmingham in the ranking, which takes into account measures of economic vitality, business tax burden, community allure and transportation infrastructure.

Among the sub-categories used to compile the overall ranking Birmingham ranked 39th for economic vitality, 49th for business tax burden, 47th for community allure and eighth for transportation infrastructure.

The state is a destination for new businesses and friendly to those that want to expand, the API said in a prepared statement, but some of its cities should work to better-attract industry.

“While from a state perspective, Alabama’s business-friendly image brings prospective employers to the table, Alabama’s individual cities must consider how they compare when working to attract new businesses and encourage established ones to remain,” the API said.

The API’s mission is to promote free markets and limited government.