You’re an entrepreneur? That’s awesome! Want to start a new business? That’s great. Want to know where to start it? That’s a bit of a tall order for an answer in just a few words. Choosing the right city can be just as important for entrepreneurs as choosing the right business model.

Some cities are so expensive that they become unaffordable for a fledgling business. Others may not be as expensive but may lack the resources you need to work your magic. Some cities don’t have enough capital to spare to invest in your business. Others lack the skilled human resources you need to succeed. Still others, like Silicone Valley and the East Coast, are saturated with businesses. So how does one pick the right city to do business in? The answer is simple. You make a list and go with the option that suits you.

Top Cities in the U.S. for Entrepreneurs

There are a number of factors to consider when it comes to the best cities to start businesses in. Some of the factors considered when compiling such lists include information on:

  • Living costs
  • Projected job growth
  • Entrepreneurial resources
  • The Kauffman Index

These factors, along with some number crunching, help narrow down your list of options. We have selected 5 of the best cities in this respect. They are:

  1. San Diego, California
  2. Los Angeles, California
  3. Dallas, Texas
  4. Miami, Florida
  5. Austin, Texas

Let’s have a closer look at each city and what makes it ideal for business.

1. San Diego, California

This city has a higher per-capita density of entrepreneurs than even San Francisco and San Jose. There are also a ton of business-based events and resources you can take advantage of. A good example is StartUp San Diego. The service provides support to new businesses and connects business owners with peers. It also hosts a week-long entrepreneurship event in June.

StartUp San Diego isn’t the only support you get in the city. Others like Seed San Diego connect businesses with local venture capitalists. San Diego is by no means a cheap city, but it is still one of the least expensive in California. There is also a concentration of diverse talent in the city. From biotech to the military to school, the talent you’re looking for is likely just around the corner.

2. Los Angeles, California

L.A. may be known for the Hollywood lifestyle, but it’s also one of the most populous cities in America. It has one of the highest numbers of business owners per capita in the country. The “Silicon Beach” crowd makes L.A. a great city for startups and business owners. Silicon Beach is technically just Westside but the term is used loosely.

It generally refers to the startup culture currently growing in L.A. Plus the fast-paced, energetic L.A. lifestyle attracts tons of skilled talent from across the country. If nothing else, you’ll be catching glimpses of celebrities more often than anywhere else.

3. Dallas, Texas

Dallas stays true to traditional Texan hospitality, especially towards businesses and business owners. Dallas does not have as many businesses as other cities in Texas, but it goes out of its way to be friendly to them. It’s also much more supportive of its entrepreneurial citizens. The Dallas Entrepreneurship Center is one of the biggest attractions for business owners in the city.

It offers support to new businesses and even provides co-shared spaces for you to work. There are also a number of accelerators that can really help your business take off. Tech Wildcatters is one of the most well-known accelerators in the city and is popular with local fledging businesses.

4. Miami, Florida

Miami has come a long way from being a tourist attraction and a place for people to retire comfortably. You’d be surprised to know that Miami is actually one of the best cities in America to start your business. The city has a very impressive startup density. Around 107 out of every 1,000 businesses are a new business.

That’s more than a whopping 10% of all businesses in the locality. It also has the most number of business owners per capita on this list. Miami is swimming in skilled talent that can help propel your business to success. And when you’re looking for a break from the office, there’s always the beach and great food to distract you.

5. Austin, Texas

Austin or “Silicone Hills” is the number one city to start a new business in, according to experts. The startup density is second only to Miami, standing at around 104 new businesses for every 1,000 businesses. There’s also a huge entrepreneurial population. 1 out of every 200 people you meet there is a business owner. In terms of living costs, Austin is much more inexpensive than other cities in the USA. It’s even currently the best city in the US for Millennials to buy their first homes.

Entrepreneurship is not without its glamor and allure. But people tend to ignore the grit, determination, and hard work that get successful entrepreneurs to where they are. Being an entrepreneur is not easy. As Uncle Ben said, “With great power comes great responsibility”.

You’re not just responsible for yourself, but also for your employees as well. People depend on your decisions to make a living. So make sure you put thought into your choices, including the city you decide to start your business in.

Source: Success