15 Best Cities in the United States for Startups and Entrepreneurs (Updated for 2024)

Silicon Valley has dominated the U.S. startup ecosystem for many decades.

Despite repeated efforts, few cities outside the Valley (New York and Boston) have historically had the critical mix of VC funding, network, and talent to fuel vibrant startup centers. Best startup city rankings have reflected this truth for a long time.

But this is becoming less true today as more and more entrepreneurs find their way across the U.S.

Many metro areas now have growing infrastructure and increasingly skilled workforces that can support tech startups. 

Increasingly, these metro areas regularly appear in rankings of the best cities in the United States for startups and entrepreneurs.

The good news is that these new metro centers are significantly less expensive than Silicon Valley or the East Coast. 

Over the past fifteen years, crowdspring has helped thousands of entrepreneurs and owners launch businesses. I’ve also mentored thousands of entrepreneurs in the U.S. and worldwide. While mentoring, I’ve learned a lot about resources available for entrepreneurs in different U.S. states.  As a result, I’ve developed many insights and tips on starting, running, and growing a business. I share these insights, tips, learnings, and actionable tips in this guide.

Between 2021 and 2022, the number of small businesses in the U.S. increased by nearly 1 million to 33.2 million.

2022 Small Business Map in the United States, including Texas

You can start a successful business in any city. But some cities and states offer more incentives, stronger communities, and better resources.

Let’s look at the 15 best U.S. cities (outside Silicon Valley and the East Coast) to build your startup in 2024.

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  • How to Start a Business Checklist
  • Starting a Corporation Guide
  • Is an LLC Right for You?
  • Starting a Sole Proprietorship
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Free Business Startup Kit

Receive six actionable guides, including a how to start a business checklist, detailed comparisons of LLCs, corporations, sole proprietorships, and partnerships to determine the best fit for your business, plus insights on crafting a compelling pitch deck to attract investors.

  • How to Start a Business Checklist
  • Starting a Corporation Guide
  • Is an LLC Right for You?
  • Starting a Sole Proprietorship
  • Starting Business Partnerships
  • Creating a Powerful Pitch Deck

Free Business Startup Kit

Receive six actionable guides, including a how to start a business checklist, detailed comparisons of LLCs, corporations, sole proprietorships, and partnerships to determine the best fit for your business, plus insights on crafting a compelling pitch deck to attract investors.

  • How to Start a Business Checklist
  • Starting a Corporation Guide
  • Is an LLC Right for You?
  • Starting a Sole Proprietorship
  • Starting Business Partnerships
  • Creating a Powerful Pitch Deck

Austin, TX

The Texas capital was recently named the #1 place in America to start a business by CNBC.

According to the 2016 Kauffman Growth Entrepreneurship Index, Austin grew its startups faster than every city except Washington, D.C., growing by 81.2 percent. That’s exceptional startup growth that other cities will find tough to match.

In large part due to the University of Texas at Austin and other universities’ influence, Austin is known for having an educated workforce.

Austin has become quite a hotspot. Employers and people interested in growth industries are drawn to the youthful, smart energy that flourishes there.

William Hurley, the co-founder of Honest Dollar, an Austin-based provider of retirement plans to small businesses, says creative talent is abundant:

It’s got the music, the university scene, the hippies and the rule-breakers…. It’s very easy to hire people who want to push the limits. It’s an incredibly innovative city.

Austin also stands out for its affordability. Many small-business owners, who often pay taxes at the individual level, appreciate that the state has no personal income tax. The state also has a corporate tax rate of zero. Combined, these factors point to available money for business owners to invest in their ventures.

The overall culture in Austin is renowned for its supportiveness of the small business community. Celebrating its unique culture and the flourishing business community is very appealing, and many new startups are flocking to the city to embrace it as their own.

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Here’s how the Surge Cities Index from Inc. ranks Austin:

Boulder, CO

Boulder may be known for its eccentric, diverse population, but that reputation belies its true nature as an entrepreneurial powerhouse.

In 2015 Nerdwallet.com chose it as one of the best places to start a business, as well as the #1 city for female entrepreneurs, and for a good reason: It’s an affluent urban center and was ranked as one of the top 20 most productive metro areas in terms of GDP. It’s no wonder so many entrepreneurs launch their startups in Boulder.

Several high-profile companies call Boulder home, including herbal tea leader Celestial Seasoning, Ball Aerospace, and respected startup accelerator TechStars.

Several local venture capital firms, including Foundry Group, bolster Boulder’s entrepreneurial system.

With its concentrated mix of start-ups, established businesses, and venture capital, Boulder has all the elements to fuel sustainable economic growth. Foundry Group’s founder Brad Feld noted:

Entrepreneurs here use a ‘give before you get’ mentality. We are willing to help anyone without an expectation of what we are going to get back in the short term. This creates a powerful long-term dynamic.

Boulder is an entrepreneurial force of nature. In 2010, the city had six times more high-tech startups per capita than the nation’s average. Its dynamic culture encourages Boulder’s prosperous economy, draws people in (especially millennials), and provides them with excellent motivation to stay.

Miami, FL

Miami city skyline panorama at dusk with urban skyscrapers and a bridge over the sea with reflection

Don’t let the sand, sun, and tourism of South Beach distract you from Miami’s reputation as a great place for new businesses. The Kauffman Index recently named Miami the most entrepreneurial city in the U.S., with the country’s highest startup density, 107.8 startups per 100,000 people.

The city isn’t just the home of new businesses. Large companies like Google, Twitter, Facebook, and Apple have offices there and 139 companies on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies.

Free Business Startup Kit

Receive six actionable guides, including a how to start a business checklist, detailed comparisons of LLCs, corporations, sole proprietorships, and partnerships to determine the best fit for your business, plus insights on crafting a compelling pitch deck to attract investors.

  • How to Start a Business Checklist
  • Starting a Corporation Guide
  • Is an LLC Right for You?
  • Starting a Sole Proprietorship
  • Starting Business Partnerships
  • Creating a Powerful Pitch Deck

Free Business Startup Kit

Receive six actionable guides, including a how to start a business checklist, detailed comparisons of LLCs, corporations, sole proprietorships, and partnerships to determine the best fit for your business, plus insights on crafting a compelling pitch deck to attract investors.

  • How to Start a Business Checklist
  • Starting a Corporation Guide
  • Is an LLC Right for You?
  • Starting a Sole Proprietorship
  • Starting Business Partnerships
  • Creating a Powerful Pitch Deck

Free Business Startup Kit

Receive six actionable guides, including a how to start a business checklist, detailed comparisons of LLCs, corporations, sole proprietorships, and partnerships to determine the best fit for your business, plus insights on crafting a compelling pitch deck to attract investors.

  • How to Start a Business Checklist
  • Starting a Corporation Guide
  • Is an LLC Right for You?
  • Starting a Sole Proprietorship
  • Starting Business Partnerships
  • Creating a Powerful Pitch Deck

Miami’s close ties with Latin America have bolstered its appeal. Laura González-Estéfani, Director of Partnerships & Mobile LatAm for Facebook, says:

There is talent, there is support from the institutions and private initiatives that are focused on boosting innovation, and there is an incremental interest from VCs and business angels for innovative projects.

Brian Brackeen, CEO of Miami-based Kairos, also found Miami hard to resist:

We were searching things like AngelList, GitHub, different state web sites, then we took all that data and Miami was at the very top of the list in every important category…Cheapest for our employees, and the best tax situation for the company and our workers.

A diverse, skilled population, robust entrepreneurial environment, and an invaluable bridge to Latin America: The “Magic City” may be just that for entrepreneurs seeking a thriving, business-friendly place to set up shop.

This comprehensive guide on how to form an LLC in Florida can help you get started quickly.

Here’s how the Surge Cities Index from Inc. ranks Miami:

Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles is known for sun, stars, and surf; now you can add startups to the list.

The city is renowned as a center for tech entrepreneurship. In addition to being the third-largest startup hub in the U.S. (behind Silicon Valley and New York), the city of flowers and sunshine boasts one of the largest concentrations of engineering graduates in the country.

LA has also increasingly attracted more and more venture capital investment and investors.

All of these things aside, one of its biggest attractions may be what is not: Silicon Valley.

This was one of the reasons entrepreneur Justin Yoshimura (founder of the start-up 500friends) found his way there:

Compared to San Francisco in particular, it’s very cheap. Santa Monica is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in L.A. and I have a yard with a pool and a beautiful home for less than what I would pay for an equivalent-sized condo in San Francisco.

The city isn’t lacking for high-profile companies, either, with Snapchat, SpaceX, VR trailblazer Oculus, and League of Legends creator Riot Games calling Los Angeles home. The city’s energy fuels and sustains a community of entrepreneurs, whether they’re here because of the diversity, the mild weather, and the relaxed atmosphere.

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Entrepreneur Adam Pokornicky found the city’s community inspiring:

I’m seeing a consistent pattern of optimism, curiosity, and community, That kind of energy and like-mindedness is a breath of fresh air and super motivating.

Psyop founder Todd Mueller agreed, drawing attention to the city’s mix and diversity of talent:

Venice itself represents this sort of oddball collection of people representing different backgrounds and worldviews, but they share an openness and a curiosity that, when you harness it for a common cause like building a startup, is very powerful.

This comprehensive guide on how to form an LLC in California can help you get started quickly.

Here’s how the Surge Cities Index from Inc. ranks Los Angeles:

San Francisco, CA

The days of San Francisco being famous for trolley cars, Rice-A-Roni, and serving as a refuge for artists and bohemians are long over.

For better or worse, the city and the Bay Area are now synonymous with entrepreneurship and innovative high-tech thought leadership.

The concentration of startups, especially tech startups in the city by the bay, is dizzying. You can find Twitter next to Square and Uber, and Dropbox, Pinterest, and Zynga within blocks of each other.

The whole city feels like a self-perpetuating machine, where venture capital draws in startups, which pulls in more venture capital, and so on. If the tourist tours of start-ups are any indication, the area’s nickname as the “Hollywood of Technology” is wholly appropriate.

It makes a lot of sense for companies and entrepreneurs to want to be here. In addition to the availability of funding and startup resources, the huge numbers of skilled workers and prestigious schools that help to educate them are unparalleled.

Musician Paul Kantner once said that San Francisco was “49 square miles surrounded by reality.” That may be true for the opportunities for startups and entrepreneurs, but the reality of big money and big business’ strain on the city itself is everywhere. Housing and rent prices are at unbelievable levels, and the difficulties of such a high cost of living are real and growing issues.

All of these things said, there are many benefits to entrepreneurs in the city and Silicon Valley. For some, the intensity of energy and innovation found here may be irresistible.

This comprehensive guide on how to form an LLC in California can help you get started quickly.

Here’s how the Surge Cities Index from Inc. ranks San Francisco:

Provo, UT

Utah’s entrepreneur-friendly culture is well known, but even with that considered, there is still something noteworthy going on in the Beehive State, especially in Provo. The amount raised in 2014 by companies based out of the Provo-Orem metropolitan area was staggering: around an average of 51.3 million dollars.

This, along with over 800 million dollars raised by Utah-based companies that year, ranked Utah as the seventh highest in the country, an impressive achievement for a state with just three million people.

There are many big companies based in Provo, too, which helps attract and retain people with desirable skills and experience. Novell has its corporate headquarters in the city, as do Qualtrics, BlueHost, and Jive Communications. Brigham Young University has renowned entrepreneurship programs and produces many graduates who start businesses of their own.

Provo also stands out as a great city for entrepreneurs and startups because it’s affordable. The cost of living in the city is a big attraction, with the median price of homes hovering around $220,000. Compared to the median price of homes in San Francisco (which as of June 2017 was over 1.5 million), the cost of living combined with the access to venture capital and a skilled, motivated workforce makes Provo a compelling option.

Las Vegas, NV

Startup activity in Las Vegas is booming.

A recent study by the Kauffman Foundation found Las Vegas bounding onto the startup scene, countering the public perception that Vegas is entirely centered around gambling and resorts.

After the economy crashed in 2008, Las Vegas was pushed to reinvent itself to survive. With businesses clearing out of California because of its oppressive taxation, Las Vegas welcomed many entrepreneurs with open arms and appealing tax relief.

The city is now the host to many of the largest industry trade shows for tech and other industries. It also boasts plenty of investors with co-working spaces and funding and mentoring programs to stimulate a business environment.

Tony Hsieh of Zappos appreciates the “endless possibilities” he has discovered in Nevada. Hsieh put $350 million into revitalizing Las Vegas to contribute to becoming “the co-learning and co-working capital of the world.” He began a venture fund in 2012, VTF Capital, which invests in other businesses interested in joining the Nevada scene.

Living in Nevada is significantly more cost-effective than most other places in the country. Las Vegas sets itself apart from startup cities like Boston and San Francisco by offering a much lower cost of living in a major city. This is extremely attractive for younger professionals interested in city living – and lets them afford to experience more than a closet-sized apartment filled with Cup-O-Noodles.

Here’s how the Surge Cities Index from Inc. ranks Las Vegas:

Denver, CO

Maybe there’s something about the majestic mountains in Denver, a symbolic challenge perpetually imagined in its rising peaks. According to the Kauffman report on entrepreneurship, Denver is ranked tenth for a US city with the most start-up activity.

As Denver continues to explode with startups and small business ventures, many millennials are heading to the beautiful city.  Denver is also one of the most educated cities in the US. 53 percent of the population holds a bachelor’s degree, and Colorado is ranked first as a relocation city for skilled workers ages 25 to 44.

Investment in transportation is another major player in Denver’s appeal. It has a new, multi-billion dollar rail system called FastTracks, which is continuing to expand. There is, of course, also the Denver International Airport, which is now the largest American airport by landmass – and it’s only half completed.

Gusto, the San Francisco-based payroll startup, opened its second office in Denver this month. Rachel Kim, a communications employee with the company, cites Denver’s proximity and easy transport to the Bay Area as major reasons for Gusto branching out there. She also cites the spirited small business community as a significant part of the city’s appeal.

Eric Remer, the founder of Denver-based startup PaySimple, said:

We have a really supportive startup environment, partially because we’re a relatively smaller community. The companies out here, they’re rooting for each other.

Between the striking beauty of the landscape, the easy access to major transportation, and the vibrant and educated community, Denver would make a great choice for anyone ready to set out on their startup journey.

Here’s how the Surge Cities Index from Inc. ranks Denver:

Seattle, WA

Seattle is home to Microsoft, Amazon, Starbucks, and other well-known companies, but it has recently become a welcoming place for startups, entrepreneurs, and small business owners.

Seattle has been among the fastest-growing cities in the United States since 2010, and its population is expected to increase by an additional 200,000 over the next 20 years. A young, vibrant population, a booming tech industry, and a run of interesting restaurants, unique shops, and coffeehouses are among the reasons for the increase in start-up traffic in Seattle.

“Seattle historically is a place that attracts pioneers to come and do their own thing,” says Maud Daudon, CEO of the Seattle Metro Chamber of Commerce. Those pioneers are attracted to the eclectic, entrepreneurial spirit that the city breathes.

Seattle doesn’t offer major tax incentives for entrepreneurs. Still, it does have plenty of venture capital firms and economic development ventures to help foster the development of small businesses and start-up companies. The incubators and business programs at the University of Washington and community colleges are just as enticing as these, where aspiring entrepreneurs can get their start.

Here’s how the Surge Cities Index from Inc. ranks Seattle:

Chicago, IL

As always, we’re excited about listing Chicago as one of our top cities for startups and entrepreneurs. And this status is well deserved. Chicago stands alone, not just in the Midwest but in the United States, among the “biggest and baddest of startup cities” when it comes to profitability, according to PitchBook. That’s only one reason venture capitalists love Chicago.

Chicago’s tech proficiency is becoming increasingly recognized in the start-up scene. KPMG’s survey of over 800 tech leaders found Chicago in the top 10 tech innovation hubs worldwide. KPMG Chicago’s Mike Gervasio further cited the capital market and “an innovative culture” as partially responsible for Chicago’s impressive climb up the global ladder. That culture helped garner upwards of $1.7 billion in funding last year, and Chicago is host to many promising start-ups.

Startups in Chicago make good bets for those who invest in them. In Chicago, 45 percent of investments produced 10 times a return on investment. Chicago’s numbers are routinely superior, with 81 percent of its startups producing between three and 10 percent yield on an initial investment. Now wonder VCs love Chicago.

And as we have previously noted:

While startup resources in Chicago were scarce a decade ago, things have changed quite a bit. Chicago’s 1871, created in 2012 to support Chicago’s startup community, ranks 1st in the U.S. among North American Business Incubators and 4th in the world. 1871 is home to hundreds of early stage, high growth digital startups and offers tremendous resources and programming to entrepreneurs at all stages of their startup journey.

Sound good? We think so. Crowdspring couldn’t imagine our home being anywhere else.

This comprehensive guide on how to form an LLC in Illinois can help you get started quickly.

Here’s how the Surge Cities Index from Inc. ranks Chicago:

Salt Lake City, UT

Add another entrepreneurial notch to Utah’s belt with Salt Lake City.

Salt Lake City is home to Domo, Qualtrics, Divvy, and many other up-and-coming startups.

With three major universities in the greater metro area and other smaller colleges, Salt Lake City is bursting with qualified graduates each year. This is a driving factor for why the city has one of the lowest median ages of entrepreneurs in the country. Combine this with a lower-than-average cost of living and business-friendly laws, and Salt Lake City is a hotbed of business startup activity.

The city itself boasts a bustling downtown and artsy neighborhoods. You’ll find cafes, bakeries, and restaurants in its 9th and 9th neighborhoods and eclectic local shops in the Sugar House area.

Saint Louis, MO

St. Louis…gateway to the west, amazing ribs, and business start-ups!

St. Louis has that tight-knit community feel but has been undergoing a resurgence with new jobs, tourism, and revitalization. The low cost of living combined with the nation’s top business survivability rating of 85.32% makes it a prime choice for budding entrepreneurs.

Personal finance site, The Penny Hoarder named St. Louis the top pick for best city for Millenials. It’s no wonder that millennials start approximately 40% of St. Louis’s new ventures.

There are also many resources for startups in St. Louis, including the business accelerator Accelerate St. Louis, and EQ, an entrepreneurial media outlet.

Detroit, MI

Detroit is no longer just the motor city! In fact, Inc. calls Detroit a “Start-up City, USA.”

This big city still has that small-town vibe that lets startups stand out. There’s a slew of workspace resources available, including Ponyride, Bamboo Detroit, and Green Garage.

More so, there’s just a ton of SPACE. Vacant lots, even skyscrapers, are available to purchase…cheaply. This, plus a low cost of living and loads of top-notch talent, makes Detroit a startup’s dream.

Still not sure? Check out Detroit Startup Week, a free 5-day smorgasbord of conferences and panels to give your entrepreneurial heart the warm fuzzies while filling your brain with crucial startup know-how.

This comprehensive guide on how to form an LLC in Michigan can help you get started quickly.

Nashville, TN

Nashville is known for its music industry, but its startup opportunities are just as promising!

Nashville was listed as the 7th fastest growing city in 2018. With an impressive unemployment rate of 2.7%, it’s no wonder folks are flocking to Music City.

Nashville’s central location is enticing to direct-to-consumer businesses, as well. One-day shipping to 75% of the continental US is a huge plus.

Creative work environments abound in Nashville, whether you need communal space, private offices with great amenities, or a location with daily rates. Plus, there are community resources like The Nashville Entrepreneur Center (EC) with opportunities for networking, co-working, and workshops.

Working artists, writers, and performers are not without options, either. Workshops, grants, events, and even teaching opportunities are available from resources like The Arts + Business Council of Greater Nashville (ABC), The Tennessee Arts Commission, and The Porch Writers’ Collective.

Atlanta, GA

If you haven’t visited Atlanta in a few years, you’ve missed a blossoming tech culture. Atlanta has become one of the country’s top technology towns.

This is due, in part, to an exploding mix of job opportunities. Software development and computer support roles have grown by almost 47 percent in the past decade (about 20 percent higher than the national average).

Importantly, Georgia is one of the cheapest states to live in, coming in at number 9 in America. As a result, the cost of doing business in Atlanta is 7 percent below the national average.

It doesn’t hurt that startups can access talented graduates from Emory University and Georgia Tech.

The Advanced Technology Development Center at Georgia Tech is one of the city’s major tech incubators. More than 90 percent of the companies incubated there are still in business after 5 years.

Atlanta Technology Village has helped more than 300 startups and has helped to create more than 6,500 jobs.

This comprehensive guide on how to form an LLC in Georgia can help you get started quickly.

Top rising cities

Here are additional U.S. cities you should consider as some of the best for startups and entrepreneurs. These cities are rapidly becoming successful hubs of entrepreneurial activity.

    • Baltimore, MD (cost of doing business is 11% above the national average)
    • Charlotte, NC (cost of doing business is 12% below the national average)  [This comprehensive guide on how to form an LLC in North Carolina can help you get started quickly.]
    • Cincinnati, OH (cost of doing business is 7% below the national average) [This comprehensive guide on how to form an LLC in Ohio can help you get started quickly.]
    • Columbus, OH (cost of doing business is 2% below the national average) [This comprehensive guide on how to form an LLC in Ohio can help you get started quickly.]
    • Indianapolis, IN
    • Houston, TX [This comprehensive guide on how to form an LLC in Texas can help you get started quickly.]
    • Dallas, TX [This comprehensive guide on how to form an LLC in Texas can help you get started quickly.]
    • Minneapolis, MN (cost of doing business is 2% above the national average)
    • Philadelphia, PA (cost of doing business is 2% above the national average) [This comprehensive guide on how to form an LLC in Pennsylvania can help you get started quickly.]
    • Pittsburgh, PA [This comprehensive guide on how to form an LLC in Pennsylvania can help you get started quickly.]
    • Portland, OR (cost of doing business is equal to the national average)
    • San Jose, CA [This comprehensive guide on how to form an LLC in California can help you get started quickly.]
    • San Diego, CA [This comprehensive guide on how to form an LLC in California can help you get started quickly.]

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