The age of remote working means that many professionals really can work from anywhere — say, a beach in Bali — but if you want to start a business, geography really does matter sometimes. These are some of the best cities, both large and small, to build a successful business, according to WalletHub and the Chamber of Commerce.
Large cities
* Orlando, FL. Entrepreneurs will find a thriving small business scene with many eager investors and a strong talent pool.
* Charlotte, NC. Businesses in numerous industries thrive in this city, which offers low corporate tax rates and strong employment growth.
* Austin, TX. Austin boasts high affordability, no corporate taxes, and a large creative talent pool.
Small cities
* Cedar City, UT. Located roughly halfway between Salt Lake City and Las Vegas, Cedar City has a thriving startup scene, high employment growth, and one of the lowest average commute times in the country.
* Appleton, WI. Low unemployment, plenty of housing options, and a stable average income make this community of 75,000 a great environment for a small business.
* Cheyenne, WY. Low business costs and an entrepreneur-friendly environment create a bustling startup scene in this affordable western city.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.
