Best Cities for Small Business in Wisconsin
Wisconsin ranks #11 of 50 for small business, with a small business score of 68.2. Brookfield is its best city for small business at 72.3.
- Wisconsin, all states
- #11 of 50
- Population
- 41,273
Why Wisconsin Works for Small Business
Wisconsin ranks #11 out of 50 for small business owners and entrepreneurs, offering a favorable climate for new ventures. The state's fiscal health score of 64/100 is adequate, though fiscal conditions aren't a standout advantage.
Tax policy directly impacts the bottom line. Wisconsin's overall tax burden is 8.31% of income, with a 7.65% income tax rate that applies to both personal and pass-through business income. The 5.72% combined sales tax rate is moderate and worth factoring into pricing strategy. The economic environment (score: 55/100) 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. The education system (score: 77/100) produces a reasonably well-prepared workforce. A typical home value of $339,699 is manageable for employees at typical small-business salary levels.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Small Business
| # City | Grade | Small Business score | Overall | Household finances | Economy | Growth | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Brookfield | A+ | 72.3 | 71.8 | 91 | 82 | 52 | 41,273 |
| 2Menomonee Falls | A+ | 67.7 | 68.6 | 74 | 70 | 63 | 39,539 |
| 3Wauwatosa | A+ | 65.5 | 68.3 | 74 | 71 | 43 | 48,529 |
| 4New Berlin | A | 63.4 | 66.1 | 77 | 71 | 40 | 40,270 |
| 5Appleton | A | 59.2 | 63.0 | 60 | 61 | 48 | 75,023 |
| 6Madison | A | 58.9 | 65.7 | 44 | 63 | 54 | 278,001 |
| 7Waukesha | A | 58.8 | 64.5 | 59 | 63 | 40 | 71,233 |
| 8Janesville | B+ | 58.7 | 61.6 | 56 | 56 | 49 | 66,030 |
| 9Greenfield | B+ | 56.6 | 62.8 | 55 | 54 | 41 | 37,345 |
| 10West Allis | B+ | 55.8 | 62.0 | 48 | 50 | 48 | 59,612 |
| 11Wausau | B+ | 54.5 | 61.8 | 41 | 55 | 44 | 39,996 |
| 12Eau Claire | B+ | 54.1 | 60.8 | 43 | 56 | 49 | 70,322 |
| 13Oshkosh | B+ | 53.9 | 60.4 | 35 | 54 | 50 | 66,729 |
| 14Sheboygan | B | 52.8 | 58.3 | 45 | 53 | 42 | 49,645 |
| 15Green Bay | B | 52.8 | 56.8 | 42 | 55 | 47 | 106,253 |
| 16Kenosha | B | 52.0 | 56.9 | 46 | 53 | 41 | 99,372 |
| 17Fond du Lac | B | 51.8 | 56.5 | 44 | 51 | 40 | 44,494 |
| 18La Crosse | B | 48.9 | 57.2 | 25 | 50 | 40 | 51,356 |
| 19Racine | C+ | 46.5 | 53.2 | 32 | 42 | 38 | 77,633 |
| 20Milwaukee | D | 40.4 | 45.0 | 22 | 41 | 37 | 566,973 |
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: Wisconsin for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wisconsin a good state for small business?
Wisconsin ranks #11 out of 50 for small business with a persona-weighted score of 68.2/100. Its strongest relevant category is Safety (82/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (24/100).
What is the best city for small business in Wisconsin?
Brookfield ranks #1 in Wisconsin for small business with a score of 72.3/100, followed by Menomonee Falls and Wauwatosa.
What factors are most important for small business in Wisconsin?
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.