Great businesses to start

Metro population: 1.8 million

Range smaller businesses per 10, 000 folks: 105 (U.S. average: 131)

Cost of living for self-employed: 10.9percent below the U.S. average

Portion of populace with bachelor's degrees: 33.4percent (U.S. average: 28.5%)

Jobless price: 4.3per cent (U.S.: 5.7percent)

Business-minded Buckeyes do well in Ohio's capital. Numerous Fortune 500 organizations, including American energy and Nationwide Mutual Insurance, tend to be based in Columbus. But don't allow the big guys intimidate you: The city hosts 19, 341 organizations with only anyone to four staff members, in contrast to on average only 9, 611 small businesses for many metro areas within the U.S.

Low-living prices are a significant draw for businesses and residents alike. You'll likely invest less on nearly everything in Columbus, from groceries to healthcare (which obtained it a spot on our a number of The united states's most affordable big cities). Housing costs in the region are specially low, at 20.3percent underneath the nationwide average for self-employed employees. The typical rent for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment is $832 a month, versus $920 monthly the U.S. an average of.

You could get free insider assistance to help cut-through the red-tape of starting shop. In July 2014, the city council introduced Ryan Schick as the "small business concierge, " a newly developed place especially tasked with helping entrepreneurs get settled in Columbus. Their very first major task is to start, including getting funding and having the mandatory licenses and licenses. The site even provides step by step roadmaps for particular types of companies, including restaurants, day cares and barbershops.