A new study puts LaGrange, Carrollton, and Statesboro in the national spotlight for entrepreneurs looking to set up shop without big-city headaches.
Georgia’s business scene just got a big boost — and not from Atlanta this time. According to WalletHub’s latest analysis of the best small cities to start a business, three Georgia towns broke into the top 25 across the entire United States. It’s another win for a state that’s been quietly nurturing a business-friendly environment outside the major metro areas.
LaGrange Leads the Way for Georgia Entrepreneurs
LaGrange wasn’t just some honorable mention. The west-central Georgia city, with a 2025 population hovering around 33,294, snagged the No. 10 spot overall. That’s not a small feat considering WalletHub pitted 1,334 cities against each other.
The study ranked cities based on three things that keep every small business owner up at night: business environment, access to resources, and costs. In all those areas, LaGrange shined.
Folks around here are no strangers to ambition. You can feel it walking down Main Street. New cafes, shops, tech startups—you name it, they’re popping up. And let’s be real: for entrepreneurs sick of paying sky-high rents and battling endless red tape, LaGrange feels like a breath of fresh air.
Carrollton Climbs the Ladder, Too
Now, Carrollton isn’t just riding LaGrange’s coattails. Clocking in at No. 15 nationally, this west Georgia town has been quietly building a solid reputation for new ventures.
Walk through Adamson Square downtown, and you’ll see why. It’s not just charming — it’s thriving. There’s an energy that suggests Carrollton’s best days aren’t behind it; they’re happening right now.
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Lower commercial rents make setting up shop way less stressful.
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The University of West Georgia provides a steady stream of young talent.
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The town’s leadership has been actively investing in infrastructure and small business grants.
One local café owner said it best: “In Carrollton, if you’ve got a dream and a plan, people will actually listen.” Hard to argue with that.
There’s also a bonus that doesn’t show up in WalletHub’s charts: people around here want to see their neighbors succeed. It’s a small town thing. And honestly? It’s kind of beautiful.
Statesboro Makes a Strong Showing
Then there’s Statesboro. Coming in at No. 24, this southeastern Georgia city might not be flashing neon signs, but it’s sending a clear message: we’re open for business.
With Georgia Southern University right in town, Statesboro boasts a built-in market of students, faculty, and staff that small businesses can tap into immediately.
And let’s not gloss over the cost of living. It’s cheaper than the national average — by a good margin. That means entrepreneurs can stretch their dollars further, whether it’s on a lease, inventory, or just plain old groceries.
A quick real-world example? A 1,500-square-foot storefront in downtown Statesboro can rent for less than half of what you’d pay in a mid-tier Atlanta suburb. That’s not hype — that’s dollars and sense.
One local boutique owner laughed when asked if she’d consider moving her store to a bigger city. “Why would I? Here, I’m a big fish in a cozy pond. In Atlanta, I’d just be another guppy.”
Small Cities, Big Advantages
WalletHub’s methodology deserves a closer look. It didn’t just focus on where it’s cheap to start a business. It measured the whole experience — from access to skilled workers, to financing options, to five-year business survival rates.
The top ten cities, in case you’re curious, weren’t your typical big-name metros either:
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St. George, UT
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Fort Myers, FL
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Cedar City, UT
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Washington, UT
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Bozeman, MT
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Holland, MI
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Bend, OR
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Redmond, OR
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Greenville, SC
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LaGrange, GA
Notice something? Half of these cities aren’t on the average entrepreneur’s radar. But maybe they should be.
The thing is, setting up shop in a smaller city often means less bureaucracy, faster networking, and better odds of making a real splash. Plus, you’re not just another face in the crowd. You matter to the community.
And communities that care? They buy local. They show up. They root for you.
Georgia’s Growing Appeal Beyond Atlanta
Georgia has been riding high on national business rankings for a while now. Think about all those “Top State for Business” awards it’s collected like trophies. But usually, it’s Atlanta, Savannah, or Augusta grabbing headlines.
This new WalletHub list flips that narrative. It shows the magic isn’t locked inside Georgia’s big cities.
LaGrange, Carrollton, and Statesboro are writing their own stories — stories about opportunity, grit, and hometown pride. They’re proving that with the right mix of affordability, support, and determination, small towns can offer big dreams.
Sure, these places may not have skyscrapers or fancy international airports. But what they do have? Heart. Hustle. And a community that actually notices when you open your doors.
And for a lot of small business owners, that makes all the difference in the world.
