Best and worst small cities to launch a new business

Man placing open sign on cafe door

Ready to take the plunge and open up your own business? Researchers say that after nailing down the perfect business plan an entrepreneur’s second move should be finding the perfect location.

And bigger isn’t always better when choosing a city, notes WalletHub’s list of 2018’s best and worst small cites to launch a business. Often times,  a city with a smaller population can offer a business owner a greater chance of success with lower overhead costs, stronger relationships with customers and the “potential to become a big fish in a little pond.”

Personal finance website WalletHub analyzed data of more than 1,200 small-sized cities using 18 metrics, from investor access to labor costs, to determine this year’s best and worst small cities to grow a business.

Here are 2018's top 20 small cities in which to start a business:

1. Holland, Michigan

2. St. George, Utah

3. Aberdeen, South Dakota

4. Wilson, North Carolina

5. Cheyenn, Wyoming

6. Clearfield, Utah

7. Ogden, Utah

8. Bismarck, North Carolina

9. Bozeman, Montana

10. Fort Myers, Florida

11. Enid, Oklahoma

12. Bountiful, Utah

13. Salisbury, North Carolina

14. Springville, Utah

15. Sanford, North Carolina

16. Brighton, New York

17, Brighton, New York

18. LaGrange, Georgia

19. Midvale, Utah

20. Bowling Green, Kentucky

Here are 2018's 10 worst small cities in which to start a business: 

1.      Suisun City, California

2.      Eastvale, California

3.      Saratoga, California

4.      Belmont, California

5.      Crofton, California

6.      Norco, California

7.      Pacifica, California

8.      Westfield, New Jersey

9.      Potomac, Maryland

10.   Wilmette, Illinois