Best Cities for Small Business in North Carolina
North Carolina ranks #9 of 50 for small business, with a small business score of 71.1. Apex is its best city for small business at 81.7.
- North Carolina, all states
- #9 of 50
- Population
- 70,630
Why North Carolina Works for Small Business
North Carolina ranks #9 out of 50 for small business owners and entrepreneurs — one of the most business-friendly environments in the country. The state's fiscal health score of 72/100 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. North Carolina's overall tax burden is 8.18% of income, with a 4.25% income tax rate that applies to both personal and pass-through business income. The 7% combined sales tax rate is moderate and worth factoring into pricing strategy. The economic environment (score: 43/100) with 3.8% unemployment shows healthy labor availability.
Population growth of 1.32% is a tailwind — a growing customer base and expanding labor pool benefit most small businesses. The education system (score: 61/100) produces a reasonably well-prepared workforce. A typical home value of $334,773 is manageable for employees at typical small-business salary levels.
All 22 Cities Ranked for Small Business
| # City | Grade | Small Business score | Overall | Household finances | Economy | Growth | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Apex | A+ | 81.7 | 74.9 | 97 | 89 | 95 | 70,630 |
| 2Wake Forest | A+ | 72.1 | 69.2 | 86 | 78 | 71 | 52,844 |
| 3Cary | A+ | 71.4 | 71.2 | 88 | 84 | 52 | 179,306 |
| 4Huntersville | A+ | 70.6 | 68.0 | 87 | 76 | 65 | 63,969 |
| 5Concord | B+ | 59.7 | 60.8 | 60 | 60 | 59 | 108,719 |
| 6Raleigh | B+ | 59.3 | 61.2 | 55 | 61 | 59 | 481,031 |
| 7Mooresville | B+ | 57.9 | 60.5 | 66 | 60 | 48 | 52,381 |
| 8Durham | B | 57.8 | 57.4 | 54 | 59 | 59 | 291,467 |
| 9Chapel Hill | A | 57.1 | 65.1 | 43 | 59 | 45 | 61,607 |
| 10Charlotte | B | 56.9 | 56.3 | 54 | 56 | 63 | 903,844 |
| 11Kannapolis | B | 55.6 | 57.9 | 49 | 53 | 58 | 57,890 |
| 12Wilmington | B | 52.4 | 55.7 | 40 | 51 | 53 | 120,805 |
| 13High Point | C+ | 50.6 | 53.3 | 39 | 45 | 58 | 116,245 |
| 14Jacksonville | C+ | 48.1 | 53.4 | 42 | 39 | 38 | 71,279 |
| 15Greensboro | C | 46.9 | 49.7 | 36 | 45 | 48 | 301,198 |
| 16Gastonia | D | 46.5 | 47.3 | 38 | 46 | 54 | 82,884 |
| 17Winston-Salem | D | 45.7 | 47.8 | 33 | 44 | 46 | 252,037 |
| 18Asheville | C | 45.5 | 51.7 | 45 | 44 | 20 | 94,535 |
| 19Burlington | D | 44.3 | 48.1 | 35 | 44 | 41 | 59,610 |
| 20Greenville | C | 42.8 | 49.6 | 16 | 39 | 51 | 92,857 |
| 21Fayetteville | D | 42.8 | 46.8 | 33 | 39 | 37 | 210,815 |
| 22Rocky Mount | D | 40.0 | 44.4 | 28 | 32 | 33 | 54,297 |
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: North Carolina for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is North Carolina a good state for small business?
North Carolina ranks #9 out of 50 for small business with a persona-weighted score of 71.1/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (74/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (14/100).
What is the best city for small business in North Carolina?
Apex ranks #1 in North Carolina for small business with a score of 81.7/100, followed by Wake Forest and Cary.
What factors are most important for small business in North Carolina?
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.