5 Great Cities for Small Businesses

Small businesses continue to thrive across America, acting as the nation’s backbone and supporting countless local economies. Don’t believe us? Take a look at this: Today, there are more than 5,000,000 companies in the United States — and more than three-fourths of them have fewer than 10 employees (U.S. Census Bureau).

As such an important part of the American economy, it’s crucial to do everything you can to help ensure that your small business thrives in the face of competition. Part of that is your location. It’s true – some cities are simply better than others for small businesses. In order to showcase some towns that you may have missed on similar lists in the past, we’re focusing on American cities with 100,000 – 250,000 residents that have also been ranked as extremely small business friendly.

From Arizona to North Carolina and everywhere in between, there are hundreds of cities that are great for small businesses. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best outside of Wichita.

McKinney, TX

McKinney has been included as one of the United States’ three fastest growing cities for 4 out of the past 15 years, bringing in an attractive pool of skilled and qualified workers (nearly half of the city’s population holds a Bachelor’s Degree or higher, significantly higher than the state average). CNN’s Money Magazine has also ranked McKinney as the #1 place to live in the United States, thanks to the quality of living, job market, local economy, and more. McKinney’s economy is varied and pulls from several nearby suburbs, with major employers including Raytheon, the public school system, Encore Wire, government offices, and more.

Cary, NC

Cary is a charming town in the part of North Carolina known as the Research Triangle. North Carolina ranks high for its business tax climate and also for business costs, making it an especially friendly environment for small businesses and startups. Nearly two-thirds of the city’s population holds a Bachelor’s Degree or higher, a fact that can likely be attributed to the three world class research institutes located close by (UNC Chapel Hill, Duke, and NC State). Major employers in the area include Kellogg, American Airlines, Verizon, the SAS Institute, WakeMed, and more.

Murfreesboro, TN

Murfreesboro is part of the Nashville metro area, and is the fastest growing city in the state of Tennessee. Home to Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro has several large employers, including State Farm Insurance, Verizon, Amazon.com, Nissan, and more. Tennessee consistently ranks high for its business tax climate and business costs, making it a great home for small business.

Eugene, OR

Eugene is the second most populous city in Oregon and is possibly best known for being home to the University of Oregon. Eugene boasts an educated population, with major employers being the University of Oregon, as well as local, state, and federal government agencies. Known as the “world’s greatest city for the arts and outdoors,” Eugene offers its residents more than just a strong job market and local economy.

Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale has been described by some as a desert version of Miami’s famed South Beach. With a steady influx of population, Scottsdale boasts several large employers (including the Vanguard Group, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale Healthcare and more) as well as a vibrant arts and culture scene.