A new data study by USA TODAY Blueprint places Dallas among the best four cities in the U.S. for entrepreneurs starting a business.

The study notes that a record-breaking 5.5 million new U.S. business applications were filed in 2023, but that 18% of startups fail within their 1st year—which gives choosing top locations like Dallas a decided edge.

Blueprint analyzed 8 data points from 46 of the most populous U.S. cities, including number of businesses launched, closure rates, GDP growth, the percentage of households with self=employed incomes, and more to rank the “best cities to start a business” rankings.

Austin tops the list at No. 1, followed by Miami, Florida; Nashville, Tennessee; Dallas; and Atlanta, Georgia among the Top 5.

No. 6 to No. 10 on the list were snagged, in order, by Phoenix, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; Raleigh, North Carolina; Houston; and Tampa, Florida.

Dallas ranks 3rd overall for net business openings

Per USA Today Blueprint, key findings that raised Dallas into the Top 4 include:

• Dallas’ “high success rate for business”: The city ranks 3rd overall for net business openings and 9th for net entry rates, with 4,388 more opening than closing in a year.
• Dallas has the 5th-highest employment in startups, with 4.4% (1 in 23 jobs).
• “There’s an entrepreneur in every 8th Dallas home”: 12.5% of Dallas households have one member or more who is self-employed.
• Dallas has the 6th-best GDP growth rate: GDP growth was 13.5% for the city in 2021.

“Dallas stands out with the third-highest number of net business openings and the fifth-highest percentage of total employment in startups, suggesting a supportive environment for new businesses,” the report states.

You can view the full report, its takeaways, and its methodology by going here.

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