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Best Places to Live as a Self-Employed Business Owner in 2025
One of the top perks of self-employment is the ability to choose where you live. There’s no question that finding the right location to start or grow your business is key for entrepreneurs. Choosing an affordable, business-friendly city makes it easier to build a thriving business and enjoy a high quality of life.
We’ve searched the country to uncover some of the top states and cities for small business owners. We looked for a strong local economy, solid infrastructure, moderate to low cost of living, good weather and an abundance of fun things to do. Read on to discover some of the best places to live as a small business owner in the United States.
Top States For Small Business Owners
Texas
They say everything’s bigger in Texas — and that includes the opportunities! With a booming economy, no corporate or income taxes, beautiful weather and an independent, do-it-yourself culture, the Lone Star State is a prime destination for business builders.
From sprawling cities to quirky small towns, from the wildflower-speckled Hill Country to the Gulf Coast beaches, Texas has something for almost everyone. One potential downside is that property taxes are on the high end — an important consideration for those who own brick-and-mortar businesses.
North Carolina
The Tar Heel State consistently ranks near the top of the list of business-friendly states. North Carolina offers strong economic growth, moderate living costs and a culture of innovation. Outside of business hours, enjoy mild winters and sunny summers (but watch out for the humidity!). North Carolina is rich in both history and scenic diversity. Take some time to explore the Blue Ridge Mountains, Atlantic beaches, and the rolling hills of the Piedmont region.
Washington
Home to corporate behemoths Amazon and Microsoft, Washington is famous for its high-tech scene. But the Evergreen State is a great home base for small and micro business owners in all niches. Washington is welcoming and open to new people, products and ideas… whether it’s an innovative app or a different style of coffee. (Starbucks was founded in Seattle!)
The state’s workforce is educated, highly skilled and has one of the highest disposable incomes in the nation. Unfortunately, this comes at a cost– according to Forbes, Washington has the 8th highest cost of living in the United States. But prices tend to drop as one moves away from Seattle, and the natural beauty of the state speaks for itself.
Tennessee
Whether you prefer country or blues, Tennessee is a great place to grow a business. The Volunteer State boasts solid infrastructure, a robust economy, and affordable prices on everything from housing to taxes. Up-and-coming cities Memphis and Nashville are popular with business owners, with tons of networking opportunities and a low cost of living. Another perk? Tennessee is centrally located near 75% of the U.S. population, making it easy to host events or ship products directly to consumers.
Top Small to Midsize Cities For Small Business Owners
(Pop. Under 500,000)
Bend, Oregon
Population: 104,906
Median Home Price: $712,500
Crime Rate: 17.7 per 1,000 residents
If you love small towns and big adventures, Bend might be an ideal location! This laid-back mountain town offers nearly unlimited opportunities for outdoor recreation, a hopping craft brewery scene and 300 days of sunshine a year. It became a magnet for remote workers during the pandemic and remains an excellent choice for online business owners. (Due to the city’s small size, most in-person businesses focus on healthcare, tourism or hospitality.)
Bend is an affluent town with a good economy and higher than average cost of living. With its gorgeous parks, mountain views and friendly vibes, it’s easy to see why people are drawn to this Central Oregon gem. The downsides? Bend’s infrastructure is struggling to keep up with the recent population growth and the nearest big city, Portland, is a 3-hour drive away.
Corpus Christi, Texas
Population: 313,061
Median Home Price: $256,000
Crime Rate: 39.6 per 1,000 residents
One of the most affordable coastal towns in the United States, Corpus Chrisi offers pristine beaches, fascinating museums and an abundance of wildlife. (Don’t miss the baby sea turtle releases on North Padre Island!) Another huge plus is the weather, with warm winters and plenty of sunshine year-round. Hurricanes can be a concern in the Gulf Coast region, although Corpus Christi rarely suffers a direct hit.
Corpus Christi has excellent infrastructure for a small city, with the fifth-largest port in the U.S., a large naval air base, an international airport, and several highways that connect the city to the rest of Texas. Local residents tend to be friendly, welcoming and supportive of small businesses. Entrepreneurs can take advantage of the pro-business Texas climate and enjoy a lower cost of living compared to cities like Austin or Dallas.
Provo, Utah
Population: 110,763
Median Home Price: $461,250
Crime Rate: 15.55 per 1,000 residents
Nestled up against the Wasatch Mountains, Provo is a charming ski town that’s quickly turning into an entrepreneurship hot spot. Home to Brigham Young University and several successful tech startups, Provo has a culture of innovation that belies its small size. Local business accelerators and boot camps help entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life, and the community enthusiastically backs new companies. Utah is considered a favorable state for small business owners, with high consumer spending, low taxes and a steadily growing economy.
Top Big Cities For Small Business Owners
(Pop. 500,000+)
Columbus, Ohio
Population: 917,811
Median Home Price: $265,000
Crime Rate: 40.13 per 1,000 residents
Known for spacious parks and college football, Columbus offers the perfect balance of big-city opportunity and small-town warmth. It is centrally located in the middle of Ohio and has some of the best infrastructure in the Midwest. Wide streets, ample parking and beautiful bridges make it easy to explore the city’s many unique neighborhoods.
The Columbus economy is consistently strong, even during downturns, thanks to the presence of the state government, Ohio State University, major medical systems and several large corporations. Entrepreneurs love the low cost of living, pro-business culture and the networking events, accelerators and other resources available
to small business owners.
Charlotte, North Carolina
Population: 928,154
Median Home Price: $389,000
Crime Rate: 41.95 per 1,000 residents
Bursting with Southern charm and urban excitement, Charlotte is an entrepreneurship hub with a growing startup scene. Low taxes and easy access to capital make the Queen City a top destination for ambitious business builders.
The city’s moderate cost of living (on par with the U.S. average) is balanced by its convenient location in the middle of the Eastern Seaboard. Charlotte experiences all four seasons, with humid summers and wet winters. Don’t miss the city’s excellent museums, historic Fourth Ward neighborhood and delicious Southern fusion cuisine.
Kansas City, Missouri
Population: 509,993
Median Home Price: $235,400
Crime Rate: 63.18 per 1,000 residents
Located in the heart of the Midwestern “Silicon Prairie” region, where tech startups are flourishing, Kansas City is an affordable and family-friendly place for business owners. It’s famous for barbecue joints and jazz music, but Kansas City has a lot to offer entrepreneurs as well. Local residents love supporting small businesses and the low cost of living makes it easier to get a new business off the ground. Be aware that Kansas City is located right in the middle of Tornado Alley, which means high winds and the occasional rush to a storm shelter.
Atlanta, Georgia
Population: 512,047
Median Home Price: $410,000
Crime Rate: 47.91 per 1,000 residents
Modern Atlanta is a global city with the world’s busiest airport, high-ranking universities, and influential companies of all sectors and sizes. Despite the city’s recent growth, the cost of living and doing business in Metro Atlanta remains relatively low. With a solid economic outlook and a diverse, educated workforce, there is tremendous potential for entrepreneurs to grow with the city. The mild winters, ample green space, rich cultural heritage and BeltLine urban trail system all contribute to making Atlanta a great place to call home.