Gainesville comes in at #97 on a WalletHub list of the best small cities in the country in which to start a new business but it slipped 50 places compared to last year’s ranking when it came in at #47. Topping the list is St. George, Utah, which was also at the top a year ago. EARLIER STORY. POSTED APRIL 16, 2024: Gville 47th on list of best cities to start a business
Ten Georgia cities are ranked ahead of Gainesville this year: LaGrange (10), Carrollton (15), Statesboro (24), Woodstock (42), Marietta (47), South Fulton (57), Duluth (60), Kennesaw (68), Alpharetta (81), and East Point (93).
There are 1,334 cities and towns on the list.
WalletHub used three main criteria in ranking them: Business Environment, Access to Resources, and Business Cost, 18 key metrics in all, ranging from the growth rate of the number of small businesses to investor access and labor costs.
There was no explanation as to why Gainesville lost ground this year.
You can read the full report here: Best & Worst Small Cities to Start a Business (2025)
