Best Cities for Small Business in Georgia
Georgia ranks #13 of 50 for small business, with a small business score of 66.7. Johns Creek is its best city for small business at 72.5.
- Georgia, all states
- #13 of 50
- Population
- 81,988
Why Georgia Works for Small Business
Georgia ranks #13 out of 50 for small business owners and entrepreneurs, offering a favorable climate for new ventures. The state's fiscal health score of 70/100 signals a well-managed state government with sustainable finances — the kind of stability that benefits long-term business planning.
Tax policy directly impacts the bottom line. Georgia's overall tax burden is 8.47% of income, with a 5.39% income tax rate that applies to both personal and pass-through business income. The 7.49% combined sales tax rate is on the higher side and worth factoring into pricing strategy. The economic environment (score: 54/100) with 3.4% unemployment indicates tight labor markets — good for consumer spending but potentially challenging for hiring.
Population growth of 0.88% is a tailwind — a growing customer base and expanding labor pool benefit most small businesses. Workforce quality may require investment in training — the education score of 53/100 suggests gaps in preparation. A typical home value of $330,817 is manageable for employees at typical small-business salary levels.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Small Business
| # City | Grade | Small Business score | Overall | Household finances | Economy | Growth | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Johns Creek | A+ | 72.5 | 73.4 | 98 | 91 | 38 | 81,988 |
| 2Alpharetta | A+ | 71.2 | 70.6 | 94 | 91 | 42 | 66,855 |
| 3Roswell | A+ | 67.0 | 69.2 | 82 | 83 | 38 | 92,621 |
| 4Dunwoody | A | 66.0 | 67.1 | 82 | 80 | 43 | 51,758 |
| 5Brookhaven | A | 63.9 | 65.4 | 72 | 80 | 48 | 57,855 |
| 6Sandy Springs | A+ | 62.7 | 68.0 | 70 | 74 | 42 | 107,087 |
| 7Smyrna | A | 61.2 | 64.8 | 64 | 68 | 48 | 56,633 |
| 8Atlanta | B | 56.5 | 58.3 | 46 | 59 | 58 | 505,268 |
| 9Marietta | B+ | 55.3 | 60.9 | 48 | 56 | 47 | 62,263 |
| 10Warner Robins | C+ | 54.1 | 53.9 | 43 | 55 | 63 | 82,990 |
| 11South Fulton | C+ | 53.6 | 53.9 | 59 | 54 | 46 | 110,471 |
| 12Gainesville | C+ | 52.3 | 55.2 | 32 | 55 | 68 | 45,032 |
| 13Savannah | C | 47.0 | 51.9 | 29 | 50 | 40 | 147,898 |
| 14Columbus | C | 46.1 | 51.4 | 30 | 45 | 41 | 203,711 |
| 15Stonecrest | D | 43.6 | 46.5 | 38 | 46 | 40 | 60,501 |
| 16Athens-Clarke County unified government | C+ | 42.9 | 54.2 | 14 | 47 | 38 | 127,345 |
| 17Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government | D | 41.6 | 45.9 | 27 | 40 | 39 | 201,528 |
| 18Valdosta | D | 40.4 | 46.6 | 12 | 38 | 46 | 55,252 |
| 19Macon-Bibb County | F | 37.9 | 40.3 | 17 | 41 | 41 | 156,578 |
| 20Albany | F | 35.9 | 39.5 | 10 | 34 | 36 | 67,224 |
City small business scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out.
Compare: States with Similar Small Business Rankings
Also See: Georgia for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Georgia a good state for small business?
Georgia ranks #13 out of 50 for small business with a persona-weighted score of 66.7/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (73/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (8/100).
What is the best city for small business in Georgia?
Johns Creek ranks #1 in Georgia for small business with a score of 72.5/100, followed by Alpharetta and Roswell.
What factors are most important for small business in Georgia?
Rankings weighted toward business-friendly tax climate, strong economy, population growth, workforce quality, and transportation infrastructure — what matters when starting or running a small business.