Best Cities for Small Business in Ohio
What Small Business Should Know About Ohio
Ohio ranks #37 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: 32/100) with 4.1% 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: 55/100) produces a reasonably well-prepared workforce. Housing at $241,000 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 | Dublin | A+ | 73.4 | 67.7 | 100 | 88 | 46 | 49,031 |
| 2 | Kettering | B | 53.5 | 55.0 | 56 | 51 | 41 | 57,442 |
| 3 | Lakewood | B | 53.0 | 56.3 | 49 | 54 | 43 | 50,229 |
| 4 | Parma | B | 52.1 | 54.6 | 51 | 51 | 44 | 78,952 |
| 5 | Cuyahoga Falls | C+ | 51.2 | 51.6 | 53 | 51 | 43 | 50,864 |
| 6 | Columbus | C | 48.0 | 48.1 | 35 | 47 | 55 | 909,074 |
| 7 | Elyria | C | 45.8 | 48.0 | 31 | 43 | 49 | 52,833 |
| 8 | Newark | C | 45.1 | 46.5 | 34 | 45 | 46 | 50,393 |
| 9 | Hamilton | D | 43.1 | 44.5 | 29 | 41 | 46 | 63,124 |
| 10 | Middletown | D | 42.9 | 44.6 | 29 | 41 | 47 | 50,607 |
| 11 | Euclid | C | 42.5 | 46.0 | 29 | 38 | 39 | 48,991 |
| 12 | Cincinnati | D | 40.8 | 42.2 | 19 | 41 | 47 | 311,112 |
| 13 | Akron | D | 39.0 | 40.2 | 20 | 36 | 41 | 188,692 |
| 14 | Lorain | D | 35.5 | 39.9 | 8 | 33 | 43 | 65,330 |
| 15 | Springfield | F | 35.5 | 34.6 | 18 | 33 | 39 | 58,410 |
| 16 | Dayton | F | 34.6 | 35.4 | 10 | 32 | 39 | 135,507 |
| 17 | Cleveland | F | 32.8 | 34.9 | 2 | 34 | 42 | 362,670 |
| 18 | Toledo | F | 32.3 | 35.8 | 15 | 24 | 30 | 265,306 |
| 19 | Canton | F | 31.2 | 32.9 | 5 | 29 | 36 | 69,196 |
| 20 | Youngstown | F | 30.8 | 35.4 | 0 | 24 | 33 | 59,605 |