LOGAN — Utah and neighboring Idaho are once again ranked among the top states in the nation for economic competitiveness, according to a new report.
The 2026 “Rich States, Poor States” index from the American Legislative Exchange Council ranks Utah No. 1 in economic outlook, while Idaho comes in at No. 3, highlighting the strength of the Intermountain West.
The economic outlook ranking is a forward-looking measure based on state policies, including tax rates, labor laws and government spending.
Utah has held the top spot for several consecutive years, reflecting what the report identifies as a consistent pro-growth policy environment.
Idaho has also remained near the top of the rankings in recent years, continuing its position among the most competitive states for future economic growth.
The report also evaluates economic performance over the past decade, measuring factors such as gross domestic product growth, job creation and domestic migration.
Utah ranks 4th in economic performance nationwide, driven in part by the fastest GDP growth in the country from 2015 to 2024 and strong employment gains.
Idaho ranks 3rd in economic performance, including No. 1 in non-farm employment growth and No. 2 in GDP growth over the same period.
Both states also saw continued population gains, with positive domestic migration contributing to their overall economic expansion.
The report attributes higher rankings to policies that generally emphasize lower taxes, limited government spending and labor market flexibility.
Utah’s continued top ranking underscores its economic influence across Northern Utah where population growth and workforce expansion have mirrored broader statewide trends.
Idaho’s performance further reinforces the broader regional trend, with both states ranking in the top tier nationally for both projected growth and recent economic results.