Here’s the Best State to Start a Business — and the Worst, New Research Reveals

Deciding where to launch your next venture could be just as important as the idea itself.

By Amanda Breen edited by Jessica Thomas Jul 11, 2023
Joe Sohm/Visions of America | Getty Images

Roughly three in five Americans have had an idea for an entrepreneurial venture, according to a 2021 Zapier report — but a staggering 92% of them won’t take the steps necessary to bring their vision to life.

If you do want to start your own business (and avoid joining the latter statistic), considering where to launch might be just as important — if not more so — as determining what your next endeavor is.

Fortunately, new research from virtual receptionist service Moneypenny offers insight into the best and worst states to give entrepreneurship a shot.

Related: Starting a Business in 12 Easy Steps | Entrepreneur | Entrepreneur

After assessing all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on criteria including the number of SBA loan approvals so far in 2023, the level of state-levied corporate income tax, the average business survival rate and more, Moneypenny came up with the following ranking:

1. Ohio

7(a) loans 2023 approval count: 1,640

Score/10: 6.21

504 loans 2023 approval count: 53

Score/10: 1

Microloans 2023 approval count: 380

Score/10: 10

No. of cities in the innovation index: 6

Score/10: 5

Corporate income tax (based on lowest tax bracket): 0%

Score/10: 10

Total employer establishments (2020): 249,857

Score/10: 7.46

Total nonemployer establishments (2019): 817,642

Score/10: 7.64

Business failure rate (within one year): 18.7%

Score/10: 4.621

Average internet speed: 102.1

Score/10: 3.161

Cost of living: 91.3

Score/10: 9.273

Total score: 64

2. Washington

7(a) loans 2023 approval count: 636

Score/10: 2.33

504 loans 2023 approval count: 52

Score/10: .98

Microloans 2023 approval count: 23

Score/10: .58

No. of cities in the innovation index: 2

Score/10: 1.67

Corporate income tax (based on lowest tax bracket): 0%

Score/10: 10

Total employer establishments (2020): 194,967

Score/10: 8.02

Total nonemployer establishments (2019): 500,954

Score/10: 8.56

Business failure rate (within one year): 10.9%

Score/10: 10

Average internet speed: 149

Score/10: 6.57

Cost of living: 111.6

Score/10: 7.427

Total score: 56

3. Texas

7(a) loans 2023 approval count: 1,700

Score/10: 6.44

504 loans 2023 approval count: 125

Score/10: 2.41

Microloans 2023 approval count: 44

Score/10: 1.13

No. of cities in the innovation index: 6

Score/10: 5

Corporate income tax (based on lowest tax bracket): 0%

Score/10: 10

Total employer establishments (2020): 618,272

Score/10: 3.7

Total nonemployer establishments (2019): 2,658,054

Score/10: 2.32

Business failure rate (within one year): 18.2%

Score/10: 4.966

Average internet speed: 163.7

Score/10: 7.638

Cost of living: 92.1

Score/10: 9.2

Total score: 53

Colorado and Oklahoma round out the five top states for American entrepreneurs and startups, taking fourth and fifth place, respectively.

Related: 3 Things U.S. Startups Do Better Than European Startups

And the worst states to try your hand at business?

The unfortunate designation goes to Hawaii, primarily due to its 25.4% business failure rate; the District of Columbia, which has a 25.1% business failure rate and one of the highest corporate tax rates at 8.25%; and California, which boasts the most employer and nonemployer establishments — translating to significant competition.

Roughly three in five Americans have had an idea for an entrepreneurial venture, according to a 2021 Zapier report — but a staggering 92% of them won’t take the steps necessary to bring their vision to life.

If you do want to start your own business (and avoid joining the latter statistic), considering where to launch might be just as important — if not more so — as determining what your next endeavor is.

Fortunately, new research from virtual receptionist service Moneypenny offers insight into the best and worst states to give entrepreneurship a shot.

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Amanda Breen

Senior Features Writer at Entrepreneur
Entrepreneur Staff
Amanda Breen is a senior features writer at Entrepreneur.com. She is a graduate of Barnard College and received an MFA in writing at Columbia University, where she was a news fellow for the School of the Arts.

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