LOGAN — Logan is among the top 50 small cities in the country for launching a business, according to a new report from personal finance website WalletHub.
The 2025 rankings, released ahead of National Small Business Week, compared more than 1,300 U.S. cities with fewer than 100,000 residents across 18 key metrics. Logan ranked 44th overall, joining seven other Utah cities and six from Idaho in the top 50.
St. George claimed the No. 1 spot nationally, followed by Cedar City at No. 3 and Washington at No. 4. Post Falls, Idaho, ranked highest among Idaho cities at No. 11.
Logan scored highest in average growth in the number of small businesses (87th) and financing accessibility (89th). But the city ranked lower in several categories, including workforce educational attainment (543rd), office-space affordability (479th), and average revenue per business (593rd).
“The benefits of starting a business in a small city include lower overhead costs, stronger relationships with customers and the potential to become a big fish in a little pond,” WalletHub stated in its report. “But there are drawbacks, too… including limited industry options, a less diverse customer base, and difficulty attracting and keeping top talent.”
WalletHub noted that St. George ranked highly due to its strong performance in startups per capita and a nearly 46% increase in small businesses between 2016 and 2022. The city also benefits from short commute times and affordable office space.
Cedar City, which placed third overall, has one of the highest rates of startups per capita, as well as the fifth-highest growth in the number of small businesses between 2016 and 2022, at nearly 39%.
“This growth is significant because it shows that the city has the conditions to keep small businesses afloat,” the report stated.
The report included commentary from economic and entrepreneurship experts. Thomas S. Lyons of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga noted that small cities offer easier access to customers and opportunities for strong branding but may lack the diversity and infrastructure needed for scaling a business.
“Networking is key,” Chris Wessell of the University at Albany added. “Gaining access to the right people to grow your business is monumentally easier than in a major metro.”
WalletHub’s rankings were based on a weighted scoring system across three main categories: business environment, access to resources, and business costs. Data sources included the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
The full report is available at wallethub.com.