Best Cities for Small Business in Oklahoma
Oklahoma for Small Business: The Full Picture
Oklahoma ranks #35 out of 50 for small business owners and entrepreneurs, presenting some challenges for business formation and growth. The state's fiscal health score of 58/100 is adequate, though fiscal conditions aren't a standout advantage.
Tax policy directly impacts the bottom line. Oklahoma's overall tax burden is 7.01% of income, with a 4.75% income tax rate that applies to both personal and pass-through business income. The 9.06% combined sales tax rate is on the higher side and worth factoring into pricing strategy. The economic environment (score: 40/100) with 3.3% unemployment indicates tight labor markets β good for consumer spending but potentially challenging for hiring.
Population growth of 0.6% is a tailwind β a growing customer base and expanding labor pool benefit most small businesses. Workforce quality may require investment in training β the education score of 22/100 suggests gaps in preparation. Housing at $244,000 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 | Bixby | A | 66.9 | 62.5 | 73 | 69 | 74 | 29,402 |
| 2 | Owasso | B+ | 63.5 | 59.3 | 62 | 62 | 80 | 39,013 |
| 3 | Jenks | B+ | 62.7 | 60.1 | 74 | 72 | 51 | 26,519 |
| 4 | Edmond | B+ | 61.3 | 59.3 | 68 | 70 | 52 | 98,113 |
| 5 | Broken Arrow | B+ | 60.5 | 57.4 | 60 | 63 | 70 | 119,666 |
| 6 | Yukon | B | 58.7 | 56.3 | 55 | 60 | 68 | 24,802 |
| 7 | Moore | B | 54.2 | 53.2 | 54 | 60 | 48 | 63,045 |
| 8 | Oklahoma City | C | 48.7 | 46.3 | 41 | 55 | 56 | 702,654 |
| 9 | Norman | C+ | 48.5 | 50.4 | 36 | 54 | 50 | 130,052 |
| 10 | Enid | C | 47.1 | 46.8 | 42 | 52 | 43 | 50,821 |
| 11 | Bartlesville | D | 45.2 | 44.9 | 38 | 49 | 48 | 37,559 |
| 12 | Midwest City | D | 43.5 | 43.8 | 37 | 47 | 46 | 58,170 |
| 13 | Shawnee | D | 43.4 | 44.8 | 26 | 45 | 51 | 31,511 |
| 14 | Ponca City | D | 42.5 | 42.7 | 33 | 47 | 40 | 24,377 |
| 15 | Tulsa | D | 42.5 | 41.6 | 31 | 48 | 46 | 410,915 |
| 16 | Ardmore | D | 41.2 | 39.4 | 32 | 43 | 44 | 24,757 |
| 17 | Stillwater | C | 39.7 | 48.7 | 4 | 43 | 50 | 48,818 |
| 18 | Duncan | D | 38.9 | 42.8 | 27 | 35 | 34 | 22,872 |
| 19 | Lawton | D | 37.9 | 38.9 | 24 | 43 | 37 | 90,226 |
| 20 | Muskogee | F | 34.4 | 34.9 | 15 | 38 | 39 | 36,819 |