Best Cities for Small Business in Ohio
Ohio ranks #33 of 50 for small business, with a small business score of 49.7. Dublin is its best city for small business at 72.9.
- Ohio, all states
- #33 of 50
- Population
- 49,294
Ohio for Small Business: The Full Picture
Ohio ranks #33 out of 50 for small business owners and entrepreneurs, presenting some challenges for business formation and growth. The state's fiscal health score of 57/100 is adequate, though fiscal conditions aren't a standout advantage.
Tax policy directly impacts the bottom line. Ohio's overall tax burden is 9.36% of income, with a 6% income tax rate that applies to both personal and pass-through business income. The 7.29% combined sales tax rate is on the higher side and worth factoring into pricing strategy. The economic environment (score: 30/100) with 4.6% 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: 67/100) produces a reasonably well-prepared workforce. A typical home value of $248,803 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Dublin | A+ | 72.9 | 71.5 | 100 | 87 | 39 | 49,294 |
| 2Lakewood | A | 56.7 | 64.9 | 51 | 55 | 40 | 50,007 |
| 3Kettering | B+ | 56.5 | 61.8 | 57 | 50 | 43 | 57,206 |
| 4Parma | B+ | 54.0 | 60.8 | 52 | 51 | 39 | 79,870 |
| 5Cuyahoga Falls | B | 52.7 | 57.0 | 53 | 49 | 43 | 50,909 |
| 6Columbus | C+ | 49.6 | 54.5 | 36 | 47 | 48 | 914,802 |
| 7Newark | C | 46.1 | 51.2 | 36 | 43 | 44 | 50,783 |
| 8Elyria | C | 45.9 | 51.9 | 33 | 41 | 44 | 53,035 |
| 9Euclid | C+ | 45.2 | 52.9 | 32 | 38 | 36 | 48,823 |
| 10Hamilton | D | 43.8 | 47.9 | 28 | 39 | 46 | 63,468 |
| 11Middletown | D | 43.2 | 48.4 | 34 | 37 | 37 | 51,617 |
| 12Cincinnati | D | 38.9 | 45.2 | 16 | 38 | 36 | 311,224 |
| 13Akron | D | 37.8 | 42.6 | 18 | 32 | 38 | 189,247 |
| 14Lorain | D | 37.0 | 44.5 | 15 | 34 | 35 | 65,395 |
| 15Toledo | D | 35.6 | 42.9 | 17 | 25 | 27 | 267,463 |
| 16Cleveland | F | 34.5 | 40.5 | 3 | 33 | 39 | 366,097 |
| 17Dayton | F | 33.9 | 38.5 | 10 | 27 | 37 | 136,579 |
| 18Springfield | F | 33.0 | 36.2 | 18 | 29 | 29 | 58,190 |
| 19Canton | F | 32.7 | 37.7 | 8 | 27 | 32 | 69,755 |
| 20Youngstown | F | 31.4 | 39.7 | 0 | 19 | 33 | 59,331 |
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: Ohio for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ohio a good state for small business?
Ohio ranks #33 out of 50 for small business with a persona-weighted score of 49.7/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (78/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (10/100).
What is the best city for small business in Ohio?
Dublin ranks #1 in Ohio for small business with a score of 72.9/100, followed by Lakewood and Kettering.
What factors are most important for small business in Ohio?
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.