Six Florida Cities Ranked Among Best Places to Start a Business

If you’re an entrepreneur, you’ll want to know the best places to start your business. If you’re looking for a profitable venture, don’t overlook Florida. The Sunshine State offers many opportunities for businesses to thrive.

According to WalletHub’s 2025 ranking of the best large U.S. cities to start a business, six Florida metros dominate the top 10, with each offering valuable strengths for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Florida Cities in the Top 10

Also cracking the top 10 were Austin, TX (No. 3), Boise, ID (7), Atlanta, GA (8), and Raleigh, NC (9).

What Makes These Cities Startup-Friendly?

WalletHub assessed 100 large cities using 19 metrics across three key categories:

• Business environment (50%)
• Access to resources (25%)
• Business costs (25%)

Here’s a closer look at each Florida city’s advantages:

Orlando

• Strengths: Ranked #1 overall due to excellent scores in the business environment. Orlando has a booming small business scene, strong investor presence per capita, and a fast-growing working-age population.
• Ecosystem: A thriving tech and tourism hub, Orlando is home to the Central Florida Research Park, aerospace industries, and major attractions like Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. This boosts both innovation and foot traffic.

Tampa

• Highlights: Boasts low corporate tax rates and a strong entrepreneurial activity index, indicating not just many startups, but high survival rates.
• Overall profile: Secured the second rank with a solid balance of affordability, resources, and business dynamics.
• Local economy: Anchored by major employers in healthcare, shipping, finance, and education, with institutions like University of South Florida lending talent and support.

Jacksonville

• Perks: Consistently high in business environment and cost metrics. The city’s port, logistics infrastructure, and diversified economy make it a strong choice for scalability and stability.

Miami

• Advantages: Ranked high in business environment and boasts a lead in startups per capita. As a global commerce hub with a strong international business presence, it provides ample access to capital, corporations, and diversity.

St. Petersburg

• Assets: Near the top in business costs and environment scores. St. Petersburg may not seem as flashy as Miami or Orlando, but it is an increasingly attractive choice for smaller ventures thanks to its cultural vibrancy, arts scene, and accessible infrastructure.

Hialeah

• Notables: Ranked #10 overall, Hialeah stands out for its high density of startups per 100,000 residents. However, it does rank lower in resource access, indicating organic entrepreneurial momentum.

Learn More About Starting A Business in Florida

If you’ve always dreamed of a successful business, Florida can make your dreams come true. There are so many positive things about the state and there are so many tourists creating revenue.

Orlando business startup lawyer B.F. Godfrey from Godfrey Legal can provide you with the legal help you need to make your business a success. Schedule a consultation with our office today to learn more. Call (407) 890-0023 or fill out the online form.

Source:

patch.com/florida/southtampa/these-fl-towns-among-best-startup-companies-experts-say