3. Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas ranks third with a total score of 5.79. It’s got a unique combination of affordability and infrastructure advantages. The city shines with the lowest cost of living among the top contenders(just $1,151 monthly), earning a stellar 9.35 score. Property prices are equally attractive, with the lowest rental rates for business spaces among all cities studied.
The best part though? Las Vegas’ exceptional internet infrastructure, scoring 7.04 for speed. Paired with an optimal coworking space cost(perfect 10 score), it creates an ideal foundation for digital brands and online businesses. While Las Vegas has fewer networking opportunities than others, its overall value proposition remains strong, especially for startups and entrepreneurs mindful of operational costs.
Las Vegas presents an unmatched environment for hospitality and event-based brands seeking exposure. The city’s massive tourism industry offers brand visibility and customer engagement opportunities.
Entertainment, leisure, and lifestyle businesses leverage Las Vegas’s 24/7 economy and convention calendar to showcase products and services to diverse audiences. The city’s reputation for experiential marketing and immersive brand activations sets a unique landscape where customer-facing businesses can rapidly build recognition and loyalty.
4. Austin, TX
Austin ranks fourth with a total score of 5.72, cementing its reputation as a tech-forward brand-building destination. The Texas capital earned a perfect 10 for internet speed, offering businesses the fastest and most reliable connectivity. Its cost of living is also remarkably competitive($1,110 monthly), earning another perfect 10.
With over 1 million residents and reasonable property prices, Austin has a sizable market without the extreme costs associated with larger metropolitan areas. The city’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem shows in its moderate event score(4) and solid influencer presence(806,480 across Texas). Austin presents a compelling case for tech brands prioritizing digital infrastructure and affordability.
Austin is the optimal environment for startups and digital-first brands seeking innovation-friendly surroundings. The city’s booming tech and ecommerce scene has created a rich ecosystem of talent, mentorship, and investment opportunities tailored explicitly to emerging businesses.
A thriving creative and entrepreneurial community drives collaboration, knowledge sharing, and brand growth through incubators and accelerators. Tech brands thrive in Austin, where early adoption of new products and services is the norm.
5. Nashville, TN
Nashville charts fifth with a score of 5.27, offering a balanced environment for brand builders. The city performs well in internet infrastructure(8.71), providing reliable connectivity for digital operations. With a moderate cost of living($1,241 monthly) and competitive rental prices, Nashville represents a financially accessible option for new business ventures.
The city’s average monthly salary (scoring 6.69) indicates a healthy local economy without high labor costs. However, Nashville’s entrepreneurial ecosystem shows room for growth, scoring lower for networking events (2) and coworking spaces (1). The city’s moderate influencer presence (244,599 across Tennessee) suggests a potential for brand partnerships.
Nashville has the ideal environment for music, lifestyle, and food brands looking to tap into the city’s creative energy. Known as “Music City,” Nashville is a gateway to the music industry ecosystem, from production and publishing to live venues and talent.
The city’s authentic Southern culture fosters independent brands with distinctive personalities and storytelling. Food and beverage ventures benefit from Nashville’s reputation as a culinary destination with a supportive community that embraces local businesses. The city’s growing tourism sector offers additional exposure opportunities for brands rooted in Nashville’s distinctive cultural identity.
Source: Unsplash
6. Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles ranks sixth with a total score of 5.21, balancing its higher costs with exceptional brand exposure opportunities. The city’s most impressive asset is its massive influencer presence(over 2.1 million influencers across California). This concentration of content creators enables brand collaborations and visibility.
Despite its higher cost of living($1,320 monthly) and property prices, Los Angeles has a reasonable internet infrastructure(7.17 score) and substantial coworking spaces (139). The city’s average monthly salary($4,550 after tax) reflects the competitive job market. For brands prioritizing media exposure and industry connections, especially entertainment and fashion, Los Angeles remains a powerful, if costly, option.
Los Angeles is the premier destination for fashion, entertainment, and lifestyle brands seeking to break into trend-setting industries. The city’s thriving streetwear, fitness, and beauty sectors offer rich networking opportunities and customer testing grounds. With top media access and celebrity culture, Los Angeles provides brands natural pathways to visibility and relevance.
7. New York City, NY
New York City ranks seventh with a total score of 4.66. The city leads in coworking space availability(401 locations) and influencer presence with the highest density per capita (64 per 1,000 residents). These factors create huge networking and exposure opportunities.
However, New York’s high cost of living and rental prices (scoring 1 in both categories), as well as the high average monthly salary ($5,270 after tax) to hire local talent, present barriers to entry.
New York City opens VIP doors for luxury, media, and finance brands willing to take on the competition. Access to global media outlets and top-tier PR firms caters to brands ready to make their mark. The high costs are a hurdle, but they also attract high-end brands and customers, reinforcing a premium market.
The networking shines here, with daily opportunities to connect with industry leaders, investors, and collaborators. For well-funded brands aiming for global recognition and high-profile connections, New York offers influence and prestige—despite the steep costs.
8. Chicago, IL
Chicago ranks eighth with a total score of 4.65. The city performs ok in cost metrics, with the monthly cost of living earning a 6.94 score. Chicago’s standout advantage is its coworking infrastructure, with 132 spaces available, providing flexible working options.
The city’s average monthly salary($4,086 after tax) indicates a strong talent pool without overwhelming labor costs.
Chicago’s modest internet speed score (3.57) and entrepreneurial event score (3) suggest room for improvement in its digital and networking infrastructure. Chicago is a practical compromise for brands seeking a balance of affordability and big-city resources.
Chicago is a prime hub for food, retail, and consumer goods brands setting up centralized operations. Compared to coastal alternatives, the city offers remarkable affordability, allowing brands to allocate resources toward growth rather than overhead.
The city’s diverse neighborhoods provide excellent testing grounds for retail concepts before expansion. For consumer-facing brands, Chicago blends urban sophistication and Midwestern practicality.
9. Denver, CO
Denver ranks ninth with a total score of 4.33. The city excels in internet infrastructure, tied with Nashville for second-best connectivity. Denver’s cost of living is competitive($1,301 monthly).
However, Denver faces challenges like higher average salaries ($5,042 after tax) and fewer networking opportunities (scoring 1 for entrepreneurial events). The city also has the lowest influencer presence(115,782 across Colorado).
For brands prioritizing quality of life and technical infrastructure over marketing reach, Denver is still worth a shot. Denver provides a supportive environment for outdoor and wellness-focused brands aligned with its active lifestyle culture. The city’s reputation for environmental consciousness welcomes eco-friendly products and sustainability-oriented business models.
Wellness brands benefit from Denver’s health-minded customer base that prioritizes fitness, nutrition, and holistic well-being. Denver’s access to outdoor recreation draws talent and customers who value adventure and natural experiences.
For brands in the growing wellness and sustainable living sectors, Denver’s values and lifestyle offer strategic advantages difficult to replicate elsewhere.
Source: Unsplash
10. San Francisco, CA
San Francisco ranks tenth with a total 3.38 score, reflecting its status as the most expensive city for brand builders. The city’s biggest downsides are the highest cost of living($1,572 monthly) and average salaries($7,595 after tax), creating substantial financial barriers for new businesses.
Despite these obstacles, San Francisco still has its advantages. The city shares California’s impressive influencer presence(2.1 million) with Los Angeles, providing excellent exposure opportunities. San Francisco also does well in entrepreneurial events (scoring 6), offering valuable networking possibilities. For well-funded tech brands with specific strategic needs, San Francisco remains relevant despite the costs.
San Francisco presents a unique environment for high-end brands and ecommerce tech startups seeking innovation-driven growth. Despite the high costs, the city offers unmatched access to venture capital, technological talent, and cutting-edge innovation networks.
Brands developing sophisticated digital infrastructures benefit from San Francisco’s world-class tech companies and development resources. The region’s disruption and early adoption culture creates an ideal environment for forward-thinking products and services.
While the investment requirements are big, San Francisco’s connections and credibility prove invaluable for brands with ambitious scaling plans and technical differentiation strategies.
