This paper uses grey correlation model to analyze the degree of influence on the innovation ability of 11 provinces and cities in the economic belt from four aspects: economic development,innovation investment, innovation environment and technology transformation,based on the 2008-2016 panel data.The empirical results show that: as a whole, the main factors affecting the regional economic innovation capacity of the Yangtze River Economic Belt are economic development, R&D investment, and technological transformation. Based on regional differences, the formulation of policies and measures is particularly important for enhancing regional economic innovation in the Yangtze River Economic Belt.