For every one job that has left the state since 1997, three more have been created by companies moving here. The report was compiled by Camp Hill, PA-based Brandow Co. Inc., which publishes economic surveys on business development and relocation trends.

Only New Hampshire had a stronger move-in/move-out ratio. Many of the companies that moved to Arizona over the past few years have cited the state's talented labor pool, relatively inexpensive land costs and rent, top-notch universities and "tech-friendly" environment.

Kansas ranked third in the survey and Nevada ranked fourth, the Brandow Co. study says. The study covered more than 10 million private-sector companies operating between 1997 and the first half of this year.