Best Cities for Small Business in Missouri
Missouri ranks #26 of 50 for small business, with a small business score of 56.7. Wildwood is its best city for small business at 72.3.
- Missouri, all states
- #26 of 50
- Population
- 35,133
Missouri for Small Business: The Full Picture
Missouri ranks #26 out of 50 for small business owners and entrepreneurs, with a mixed set of conditions for entrepreneurs. The state's fiscal health score of 65/100 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. Missouri's overall tax burden is 7.83% of income, with a 5.7% income tax rate that applies to both personal and pass-through business income. The 8.44% combined sales tax rate is on the higher side and worth factoring into pricing strategy. The economic environment (score: 38/100) with 4% unemployment shows healthy labor availability.
Population is roughly stable, meaning market growth will depend on capturing share rather than riding demographic expansion. The education system (score: 60/100) produces a reasonably well-prepared workforce. A typical home value of $267,879 helps attract and retain employees who can afford to live nearby.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Small Business
| # City | Grade | Small Business score | Overall | Household finances | Economy | Growth | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Wildwood | A+ | 72.3 | 67.6 | 100 | 89 | 42 | 35,133 |
| 2Chesterfield | A+ | 70.3 | 70.5 | 91 | 81 | 42 | 49,574 |
| 3Wentzville | A | 69.1 | 66.0 | 79 | 73 | 64 | 47,061 |
| 4O'Fallon | A | 68.3 | 67.0 | 78 | 73 | 54 | 93,801 |
| 5Oakville | B+ | 65.1 | 61.4 | 75 | 62 | — | 35,333 |
| 6Lee's Summit | A | 65.0 | 65.0 | 74 | 68 | 52 | 103,656 |
| 7St. Peters | A | 63.1 | 63.9 | 70 | 63 | 47 | 59,092 |
| 8St. Charles | A | 60.7 | 63.0 | 64 | 59 | 45 | 71,508 |
| 9Blue Springs | B+ | 59.8 | 61.0 | 66 | 59 | 48 | 59,965 |
| 10University City | A | 58.7 | 63.2 | 49 | 58 | 53 | 34,685 |
| 11Florissant | B | 52.4 | 57.2 | 50 | 46 | 37 | 51,773 |
| 12Jefferson City | B | 51.9 | 56.4 | 47 | 53 | 38 | 42,488 |
| 13Kansas City | C | 50.9 | 50.3 | 43 | 50 | 50 | 510,612 |
| 14Columbia | B | 50.4 | 57.8 | 34 | 51 | 49 | 128,548 |
| 15Independence | C | 46.3 | 50.8 | 37 | 42 | 37 | 121,740 |
| 16Cape Girardeau | C | 44.8 | 49.4 | 26 | 44 | 47 | 40,344 |
| 17Joplin | D | 44.7 | 47.5 | 32 | 43 | 47 | 52,593 |
| 18St. Joseph | D | 44.1 | 47.8 | 33 | 44 | 40 | 71,236 |
| 19Springfield | D | 42.8 | 46.4 | 28 | 42 | 40 | 169,954 |
| 20St. Louis | D | 42.1 | 45.0 | 27 | 41 | 31 | 288,512 |
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: Missouri for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Missouri a good state for small business?
Missouri ranks #26 out of 50 for small business with a persona-weighted score of 56.7/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (80/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (15/100).
What is the best city for small business in Missouri?
Wildwood ranks #1 in Missouri for small business with a score of 72.3/100, followed by Chesterfield and Wentzville.
What factors are most important for small business in Missouri?
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.