Best Cities for Small Business in Missouri
Missouri for Small Business: The Full Picture
Missouri ranks #22 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: 46/100) with 3.2% unemployment indicates tight labor markets — good for consumer spending but potentially challenging for hiring.
Population is roughly stable, meaning market growth will depend on capturing share rather than riding demographic expansion. Workforce quality may require investment in training — the education score of 45/100 suggests gaps in preparation. Housing at $258,000 median helps attract and retain employees who can afford to live nearby.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Small Business
| # | City | Grade | Small Business Score | Overall | Fiscal Health | Economy | Growth | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wildwood | A | 70.7 | 60.8 | 100 | 91 | 47 | 35,168 |
| 2 | Chesterfield | A+ | 70.6 | 66.8 | 92 | 83 | 46 | 49,591 |
| 3 | Wentzville | A | 67.8 | 61.8 | 80 | 74 | 60 | 45,734 |
| 4 | O'Fallon | A | 67.0 | 63.1 | 77 | 73 | 56 | 94,073 |
| 5 | Lee's Summit | A | 66.4 | 61.5 | 74 | 69 | 65 | 104,352 |
| 6 | St. Peters | B+ | 64.6 | 58.9 | 70 | 64 | 74 | 58,200 |
| 7 | St. Charles | B+ | 59.1 | 57.9 | 63 | 58 | 50 | 71,802 |
| 8 | Blue Springs | B | 59.0 | 56.2 | 64 | 60 | 54 | 59,416 |
| 9 | Oakville | C+ | 56.5 | 51.1 | 75 | 55 | 50 | 35,166 |
| 10 | University City | B | 52.3 | 54.0 | 49 | 57 | 42 | 34,655 |
| 11 | Jefferson City | C+ | 51.3 | 52.2 | 46 | 53 | 44 | 42,565 |
| 12 | Florissant | C+ | 50.9 | 50.9 | 52 | 50 | 41 | 51,915 |
| 13 | Kansas City | C | 50.1 | 48.2 | 42 | 50 | 51 | 510,671 |
| 14 | Columbia | B | 49.6 | 53.0 | 31 | 52 | 53 | 129,328 |
| 15 | Independence | C+ | 48.5 | 50.5 | 39 | 45 | 45 | 120,931 |
| 16 | St. Louis | C+ | 44.3 | 50.5 | 28 | 44 | 30 | 281,754 |
| 17 | Cape Girardeau | C | 43.7 | 45.6 | 26 | 46 | 49 | 40,047 |
| 18 | Joplin | D | 43.6 | 42.9 | 29 | 44 | 51 | 52,218 |
| 19 | St. Joseph | D | 43.2 | 42.4 | 31 | 45 | 44 | 70,702 |
| 20 | Springfield | D | 41.9 | 42.0 | 25 | 44 | 44 | 170,178 |