Utah’s economic outlook ranks No.1 for 19th consecutive year
Apr 15, 2026, 11:19 AM | Updated: Apr 16, 2026, 5:56 pm
The American flag and Utah’s state flag blow in the wind during the last day of the legislative session at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. (Tess Crowley, Deseret News)
(Tess Crowley, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah lawmakers came together on Wednesday to celebrate the state’s 19th year ranking as number one in the nation for its economic outlook in an annual index, amid nation-wide concerns with the rising cost of living expenses like housing and gas.
The ranking was determined by the yearly report “Rich States, Poor States” from the American Legislative Exchange Council, where Utah also ranked 4th in economic performance.
The index hasn’t received only positive feedback, however, because of criticism from state Democrats in past years, reportedly arguing it rewards Utah for cutting corporate taxes and having a low minimum wage.
Asked about those concerns, Utah Senate President Stuart Adams responded:
“We have the fastest growing household income in the country,” Adams said. “And that equates exactly to being able to buy things that are needed for families.”
ALEC’s rankings were heavily based off of state tax policies. That’s a big reason why Adams, echoing Gov. Spencer Cox in past years, said he believes Utah has come in first for nearly two decades straight.
“We have the fastest growing GDP in the entire nation,” Adams said. “And more importantly than that, we’ve cut taxes again, again, again, again, again…”
Utah Congressman Blake Moore also said he believes the state’s financial policies are a big reason why Utah is still leading the pack.
“Making tax policy permanent, as I mentioned, is gonna be the factor that keeps businesses and individuals knowing what they have to look forward to, Moore said. “The consistency that’s needed to get that confidence back to the market.”
Moore said conversations were happening in Washington, D.C. regarding high costs associated with the war in Iran.
“This conflict in the Middle East is … incredibly difficult,” Moore said. “This is a decades-long issue and I’m very hopeful we can turn a corner on this quickly.”
On Wednesday, Cox, who wasn’t at the event, discussed the ranking on social media, sharing the report findings and celebrating the state.
“Unlike rankings that look backward, this one measures the policies most likely to support opportunity in the years ahead,” Cox wrote. “Utah has remained at the top since the index began.”
This story may be updated.
