Best Cities to Start a Small Business

Starting up or relocating a small business can be an overwhelming undertaking, especially at the beginning.  

The first rule to any new business venture is always: “Location, location, location!”

In this article Thumbtack, an online marketplace that connects buyers with a vast range of professionals, surveyed nearly 18,000 small businesses in 95 cities across all 50 states in order to rank the top cities for small businesses.

To achieve the overall city grade, Thumbtack asked the small business owners to rank their city in 36 different categories.

Here are the top 10 cities in America for small businesses, according to the survey results, along with their grades in five of the 36 categories found to be key to providing happiness and success.  

10. San Antonio, Texas

Overall friendliness: A
Ease of starting a business: A-
Ease of hiring: B-
Regulations: A
Training and Networking Programs: A+
 

9. Boulder, Colorado

Overall friendliness: A
Ease of starting a business: A+
Ease of hiring: C
Regulations: B-
Training and Networking Programs: B-

8. Fort Collins, Colorado

Overall friendliness: A
Ease of starting a business: A
Ease of hiring: C-
Regulations: B-
Training and Networking Programs: A+
 

7. Houston, Texas

Overall friendliness: A+
Ease of starting a business: A+
Ease of hiring: B+
Regulations: A+
Training and Networking Programs: B+

6. Nashville, Tennessee

Overall friendliness: A+
Ease of starting a business: A+
Ease of hiring: A-
Regulations: A-
Training and Networking Programs: C-
 

5. Knoxville, Tennessee

Overall friendliness: A+
Ease of starting a business: A+
Ease of hiring: A-
Regulations: A+
Training and Networking Programs: D
 

4. Austin, Texas

Overall friendliness: A+
Ease of starting a business: A+
Ease of hiring: B-
Regulations: B
Training and Networking Programs: A+

3. Richmond, Virginia

Overall friendliness: A+
Ease of starting a business: A+
Ease of hiring: A+
Regulations: A+
Training and Networking Programs: A+
 

2. Dallas, Texas

Overall friendliness: A+
Ease of starting a business: A+
Ease of hiring: B+
Regulations: A+
Training and Networking Programs: A-
 

1. Manchester, New Hampshire

Overall friendliness: A+
Ease of starting a business: A+
Ease of hiring: A-
Regulations: A+
Training and Networking Programs: B+

If you’re looking to start a new business or move your office to a brand new location, keep these top cities in mind!