The 20 Best U.S. Cities for Starting a Business

To many, the United States represents the land of opportunity.  Most people believe that if you work hard enough, anything will be possible in this country.  As a result, many Americans have an entrepreneurial spirit and dream of one day being their own boss and starting a business.  While there are millions of people all across the country who are hard-working and dedicated to making their dreams come true, it often takes more than that to get a business of the ground.  Something that many people often don’t take into consideration is location.  Unfortunately, most people who are starting a business don’t have the luxury of getting up and moving to the best place, but for those who do, there are several cities in the country that can help your business be successful.  Here are the 20 best U.S. cities for starting a business.

 (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma City may seem like an unlikely place for good business, but it is one of the best cities for those looking to launch a startup company.  According to a source at nerd wallet: “Oklahoma City has seen a recent uptick in small business lending, which is helping to spur entrepreneurship there.”  It is also relatively easy to start a small business in Oklahoma in comparison so other places throughout the country.

 (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)

Miami, FL

Miami is a great city for so many things, so it should come as no surprise that it’s also a great place to start a business.  With its very diverse population and constant influx of tourists, there’s plenty of opportunity for a wide variety of businesses to be successful.

 (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville may not be as busy as Miami, but it’s still got a lot of great things going on.  According to a report in 2014 that discussed the advantaged to starting a business in Jacksonville, “Jacksonville’s high ranking as an entrepreneurial destination mirrors expectations for h2 growth throughout the city’s economy.” Although there aren’t a ton of big businesses moving to the city, there’s a lot of opportunity for people looking to start small businesses of their own.

(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Columbus, OH

The midwest often gets overlooked, but the city of Columbus has the potential to change that.  Over the last few years, Columbus has been considered one of the best places for those looking to start a business in the United States.

(Photo by Jay LaPrete/Getty Images)

Las Vegas, NV

Las Vegas is a popular destination for tourists, but it’s also becoming a popular spot for those looking to start a business. Although the city may seem fickle, Forbes suggest that people really take Vegas into consideration.  With its warm weather, and very busy culture, Vegas could be a great option.

 (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

New York, NY

New York is one of the greatest places on earth.  In a city that is home to more than 8 million people, New York has an endless stream of potential customers for those looking for a place to set up shop.  New York is also well-known for its diverse culture and no sleep mentality, which could be great for someone whose willing to work.

(Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

Denver, CO

Many of the reasons that make Denver a great place to life also double as reasons why Denver is a great place to start a business.  Denver has a relatively low-cost of living, but provides its residence with a very high quality of life.  Denver is also one of the most educated cities in the country which may be attractive to people who are seeking to hire an educated workforce.

 (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Des Moines, IA

Sure, Des Moines may not be the most fun place around, but all of that could change if the city continues to grow.  Apparently , the city is great for people who are looking to start a business and for people who are looking to start a career.  The greater Des Moines Partnership also provides a network of support for those in business.

 (Photo by Steve Pope/Getty Images)

Raleigh, NC

Raleigh is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, and it also has one of the fastest growing job markets. For people looking to start a business, these two factors can be very attractive and can also mean that there will be guaranteed growth for business owners.

(Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Nashville, TN

Nashville may be the home of country music, but it’s also one of the best places in the country for starting a business.  According to Angela Jones, executive director at the  Nashville Business Incubation Center at Tennessee State University: “There’s no state tax here, and the city offers funding for new businesses…The six major colleges here also are continuously feeding an educated workforce into the labor pool. Many of these graduates come out of college and are focused on starting their own companies.”

 (Photo by Rusty Russell/Getty Images)

Boston, MA

Over the last several years, Boston has been one of the most ideal locations for starting a business.  The city’s rich history and tradition of hard work are likely to provide business owners with a h2 and dedicated work force.

 (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kathryn E. Macdonald/U.S. Navy via Getty Images)

Atlanta, GA

The city of Atlanta is becoming one of the most popular cities in the south.  Over the last few years, people, especially young professionals, have been relocating to Atlanta. According to sources: “The city has made lots of overtures to attract startups, such as tax rebates. And Atlanta used to be a nightmare for getting business licenses. That process has also been streamlined.” Georgia State University also has a great entrepreneurship program that produces future business owners each year.

(Photo by Davis Turner/Getty Images)

Jackson, MS

Business probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Jackson, Mississippi, but recently, the city has been working to change that.  Several sources, including CNN, have reported that Jackson is one of the best cities in the country for starting a business thanks to an influx of young professionals who are ready to bring new life to the city.

 (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Austin, TX

In 2014, Forbes reported that Austin was one of the best cities for launching a startup business because of its rapid growth.  This year, the city continues to be a hot spot for growth in both business and culture.

 (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images)

Omaha, NE

You’ve probably heard of Silicon Valley, but what about Silicon Prairie? Apparently, that’s the nickname the city of Omaha is going for with its rapid growth in business.  Omaha may be an attractive place for those looking to strike out on their own because of its low cost of living and low startup costs.  The city also has “great institutional support for entrepreneurs.”

(Photo by Eric Francis/Getty Images)

Seattle, WA

The weather in Seattle may not be the best, but for business owners Seattle offers an opportunity to rain money.  Both Forbes and CNN have listed Seattle as a great place to launch a startup, and things are continuing to look good for businesses in the city.  the local colleges and universities in this area also home to stop really great business programs.

(Photo by Ron Wurzer/Getty Images)

San Diego, CA

The city of San Diego both welcomes an encourages people who are looking to start their own businesses. With its nice weather, and low cost of living compared to other major cities, San Diego can be the perfect place for those looking to gain footing in the business world.

(Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images)

Portland, OR

Over the last five years, Portland has been a place of growth for small businesses, and has also created a positive environment for those looking to start a business.  Portland also offers a very low cost of living, so those who are struggling to turn a profit in the beginning of their journey will still be able to survive in the city.

 (Photo by Craig Mitchelldyer/Getty Images)

Salt Lake City, UT

In recent years, Salt Lake City has become an attractive destination for young entrepreneurs.  As a result, many have opened up shop in the city.  For those looking to get started now, there’s already a large population of self starters who may be able to lend a helping hand and provide a supportive network.

(Photo by George Frey/Getty Images)

San Francisco, CA

Also known as Silicon Valley, San Francisco is home to stop of the biggest and most well-known tech startups in the country.  However, although the area has a reputation for being home to many technology based businesses, there is also plenty of opportunity for other types of business as well.  With a high population and generally high income, San Francisco is full of consumers who enjoy trying new things and aren’t afraid to shell out some cash.

(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)