Supportive Cities for Small Businesses
Small businesses are at the heart of local communities. They’re the coffee shops you walk past every morning, the family run stores that know your name, and the ideas that turn neighborhoods into something special. Beyond driving the economy, they create jobs, foster connection, and give cities their character.
We analyzed over 200 cities to identify which U.S. locations best support small businesses. Our ranking considered the total number of small businesses, as well as average Yelp ratings and reviews, to measure customer engagement and satisfaction. We also looked at search interest for terms like “shop local” and “small businesses near me” using Keyword Tool to capture community intent.
From there, we factored in average commercial rent to assess affordability and each city’s walkability score to account for foot traffic potential and ease of access to local storefronts.
Just as these cities support small businesses, Acuity Scheduling is here to support your scheduling needs.
The top 10 cities for small business support
These towns go above and beyond to support local businesses, showing up in meaningful ways that strengthen both their communities and local economies.
1. Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky, located in Fayette County, is home to nearly 12,000 small businesses. These businesses boast an impressive average Yelp rating of 4.5 stars, with each receiving around 932 reviews on average. Search interest for small businesses is strong in the area, reflecting a community that actively supports local establishments. Additionally, the average commercial rent sits at just $15.45 per square foot, one of the lowest rates in the nation. Together, these factors make Lexington the #1 city for small business owners looking to open and grow across a variety of industries.
2. New Orleans, Louisiana
Coming in at the #2 spot for towns supportive of small businesses is New Orleans, Louisiana. The city is home to over 11,000 small businesses, with each receiving an average of around 8,000 Yelp reviews. While New Orleans is a popular tourist destination, it’s also a city that rallies around its community, supporting local businesses, many of which have been around for generations.
3. Anaheim, California
In the #3 spot is Anaheim, California, part of the larger Orange County area, and home to over 100,000 small businesses. While it’s a popular tourist destination, it also serves as a strong local hub, with each business averaging a 4.34 Yelp rating and over 10,000 reviews. The Anaheim Chamber of Commerce invests heavily in local businesses, often hosting after-hours mixers and leading monthly events for community business owners.
4. Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio, is another city that strongly supports its local businesses and is home to over 34,000 small businesses. Small businesses are considered the backbone of the Cleveland area, employing 46% of the local workforce. The city is also known for its low operating costs and high investment in entrepreneurship.
5. Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu, Hawaii, part of the larger Honolulu County, is home to over 30,000 small businesses, each averaging around 9,000 Yelp reviews and benefiting from a high walkability score. This strong level of customer engagement, paired with easy access to local storefronts, creates an environment where small businesses can consistently attract both residents and visitors.
6. Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is known for its strong startup culture and support for small businesses, with the city offering initiatives such as job creation tax credits, property investment reimbursements, and small business loans. Around 25,000 small businesses call Cincinnati home. This combination of financial support and a growing entrepreneurial ecosystem makes the city an attractive destination for new and expanding businesses, helping foster long-term growth and innovation across a variety of industries.
7. Irvine, California
Also part of Orange County is Irvine, California, which ranks in spot #7. The city supports entrepreneurs through incubators, low taxes (including a 1.5% utility user tax), and dedicated Business Resource Center services offered by the Greater Irvine Chamber. Each business has an average Yelp review score of 4.26 and receives up to 9,000 reviews from members of the community. Small businesses in Irvine are often focused on health innovation and medical technology.
8. Arlington, Virginia
Arlington, Virginia, part of Arlington County, ranks #8 for supportive small business environments. The city is home to over 10,000 businesses, averaging a 4.22 Yelp rating and around 9,000 reviews per business. Arlington is known as one of the best large cities to start a business due to low business costs and high access to resources.
9. Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida, is often known as a tourist hub, but it comes in at spot #9 on our list of supportive towns for small businesses. The city is home to 42,000 small businesses, and the Orange County Small Business Grant Program has supported nearly 8,000 businesses with grants, with 65% of funding going toward minority- and women-owned businesses.
10. St. Paul, Minnesota
In the #10 spot is St. Paul, Minnesota, which is home to 15,000 small businesses and has a high search volume reflecting strong interest in supporting small businesses and shopping local. St. Paul is known for its small business culture, which focuses on supporting local entrepreneurs and strengthening the community, particularly within historic neighborhood corridors.
Supporting small businesses where it matters most
Small businesses thrive when communities actively show up for them through access, investment, and everyday support. From strong local economies to initiatives that reduce barriers for entrepreneurs, these cities are helping small businesses not just survive, but grow and scale.
When you’re running a small business, time is one of your most valuable resources. Acuity Scheduling makes it easier to manage your time, book clients, and stay focused on what matters most in whichever city you call home.
Methodology
To rank the U.S. cities that best support small businesses, we analyzed key factors from the 200 most populous mid-sized cities (population 400,000 or less) including the total number of small businesses and average Yelp reviews and ratings to capture customer engagement and satisfaction, along with search interest for terms like “shop local” and “small businesses near me” to highlight community intent using Keyword Tool. We also evaluated average commercial rent to assess affordability, with lower costs indicating a more accessible environment for small business owners. Finally, we included each city’s walkability score to account for foot traffic potential and ease of access to local storefronts. Data is accurate as of April 8, 2026.
