Several South Carolina cities rank among the best small cities in the country for launching a new business, according to a 2026 study from personal finance website WalletHub.
The study compared more than 1,300 small cities across 18 metrics grouped into three categories: business environment, access to resources, and business costs. Cities included in the study have populations between 25,000 and 100,000 residents.
Greenville led all South Carolina cities with an overall ranking of fifth in the nation, scoring high marks for access to resources and business costs. Spartanburg followed at 46th, bolstered by strong scores in business costs. Rock Hill ranked 102nd overall, tied with Texas City, Texas.
WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo noted that small cities offer entrepreneurs distinct advantages, including lower overhead costs and stronger customer relationships, though he cautioned that limited networking opportunities and a less diverse customer base can present challenges.
The following South Carolina cities were included in the study’s full rankings:
Greenville, No. 5
Spartanburg, No. 46
Rock Hill, No. 102
Aiken, No. 119
Greer, No. 124
Mauldin, No. 131
Anderson, No. 141
Goose Creek, No. 182
Myrtle Beach, No. 174
Hilton Head Island, No. 210
Florence, No. 211
Summerville, No. 245
Mount Pleasant, No. 309
Sumter, No. 381
Top 10 Small Cities in the Nation
St. George, Utah, claimed the top overall spot nationally, ranking among the best cities for startups per capita and small business growth. Fort Myers, Florida, came in second, leading the country in investors per capita. Washington City, Utah, ranked third, followed by Bozeman, Montana, at fourth. Greenville, South Carolina, rounded out the top five. Cedar City, Utah, Boca Raton, Florida, Cheyenne, Wyoming, Ocala, Florida, and Dover, Delaware, filled out the remainder of the top ten.
Source: WalletHub, Best and Worst Small Cities to Start a Business (2026)
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