Being your boss has many benefits – from setting your hours to making as much as you want.
But where should you run your business? Which are the best cities for entrepreneurs? Consider one of the locations below as your new place of business.
Dallas, Texas
Texas is often one of the best states for self-employed individuals because of the lack of a state income tax and its friendliness to small businesses. There’s also no corporate income tax in the Lone Star state.
In Dallas, self-employed workers earn about $85,000 per year. With a relatively low cost of living, you can live quite well on this salary in Dallas.
When you combine a solid income with low taxes, life in Dallas, Texas, can be attractive for the self-employed.
Some of the best business niches include consulting, fresh produce, and perishable delivery services. For example, once you invest in essential equipment for a produce delivery company, this can be a lucrative business.
Boise, Idaho
Boise is ranked as one of the best cities to live in, and it’s also great for freelancers. Almost seven percent of residents say they are self-employed, and 15% report self-employment income.
Boise also boasts a growing technology sector, low cost of living, and low taxes.
Boise State University also is helping the self-employed with the Venture College Incubator. This is a three-month program that helps college students start their businesses.
Boise also has breathtaking mountain hiking trails and a thriving arts community.
Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale also is an attractive place to work for yourself. So while you might need to spend a little more on a home, this sunny city is an excellent choice.
For starters, it’s estimated that about 9% of residents here work for themselves. If your business doesn’t work out, this city has a strong job market and only about 3% unemployment.
Salt Lake City, Utah
In Salt Lake City, you can earn a solid, self-employed income of $68,000 per year. There also is much beauty to see in this area, with the Rocky Mountains nearby.
Salt Lake City is also increasing in size, with more than 200,000 residents.
Provo, Utah
The Provo metropolitan area is one of the fastest-growing in the US. The cost of living is 3% below the national average, and the flat state income tax of 4.95% is reasonable.
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa might not be at the top of your list, but Oklahoma and this city have much to offer. Tulsa made national headlines in 2018 with the Tulsa Remote program. This offered $10,000 and a spot in a co-working space if entrepreneurs agreed to live here for a year.
And the city also has 5.5% of the population working for themselves, and at least 10% report some self-employment income. In addition, taxes and the cost of living in Oklahoma are reasonable so that, with a low living cost, you can find a home here well below the national average.
Fort Worth, Texas
As with Dallas, you don’t have to concern yourself with state income taxes in Fort Worth.
This sister city of Dallas has about 6.5% of the population working for themselves, and the cost of living is a bit lower than Dallas.
Both Ft. Worth and Dallas also have a lot of coffee shops. So if you want to hang out, drink coffee, and work on your business, you’ll have plenty of options.
Now that you know some of the best cities for the self-employed, you just need to choose one!
