These 10 States Make it Easier to Start a Business Start your next venture in a business-friendly climate.
By Grace Reader
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
![](https://assets.entrepreneur.com/content/3x2/2000/20150708153227-forever-young-austin-texas-skyline.jpeg)
If you're looking to start a small business, you have likely considered target markets, financing and growth strategies, but don't forget one of the most important factors: location.
Related: How to Find the Best Location
Thumbtack, a service that connects people with businesses and licensed professionals, rated 35 states and 78 cities on overall small-business friendliness.
The survey asked 12,000 small-business owners about government policies in their areas, rating locations on ease of starting a business, ease of hiring and other business related regulations and codes.
Related: Rating the Best -- and Worst -- States to Do Business
Cities and states that make regulatory practices easier -- especially for licensing, taxes and employment -- generally rated better. Those surveyed said that regulations are often one of the biggest obstacles to overcome when starting a business.
For more on the methodology of the survey, click here. For a look at the 10 best states to start a business, continue on to the slideshow below.
![](https://assets.entrepreneur.com/slideshow/20160615183312-GettyImages-4693050931.jpeg?auto=webp&quality=95&&width=675)
10. South Carolina
Best: A for training and networking programs
Worst: C- for ease of hiring![](https://assets.entrepreneur.com/slideshow/20160615183510-GettyImages-181229873.jpeg?auto=webp&quality=95&&width=675)
9. Oregon
Best: A+ for ease of starting a business
Worst: D for zoning
![](https://assets.entrepreneur.com/slideshow/20160615183700-GettyImages-159289778.jpeg?auto=webp&quality=95&&width=675)
8. Arkansas
Best: A+ for environmental factors
Worst: C+ for ease of hiring
![](https://assets.entrepreneur.com/slideshow/20160615183908-GettyImages-180285541.jpeg?auto=webp&quality=95&&width=675)
7. Virginia
Best: A for ease of hiring
Worst: C- for training and networking programs
![](https://assets.entrepreneur.com/slideshow/20160615184611-GettyImages-530066931.jpeg?auto=webp&quality=95&&width=675)
6. Kansas
Best: A+ for ease of hiring
Worst: F for training and networking programs![](https://assets.entrepreneur.com/slideshow/20160615184925-GettyImages-144645895.jpeg?auto=webp&quality=95&&width=675)
5. Colorado
Best: A+ for training and networking programs
Worst: C- for zoning![](https://assets.entrepreneur.com/slideshow/20160615185228-GettyImages-559025517.jpeg?auto=webp&quality=95&&width=675)
4. Georgia
Best: A+ for overall friendliness
Worst: C- for training and networking programs![](https://assets.entrepreneur.com/slideshow/20160615185342-GettyImages-149655528.jpeg?auto=webp&quality=95&&width=675)
3. Tennessee
Best: A+ for overall friendliness
Worst: C- for training and networking programs![](https://assets.entrepreneur.com/slideshow/20160615185443-GettyImages-145652195.jpeg?auto=webp&quality=95&&width=675)
2. Utah
Best: A+ for overall friendliness
Worst: D+ for environmental factors![](https://assets.entrepreneur.com/slideshow/20160615185553-GettyImages-89580382.jpeg?auto=webp&quality=95&&width=675)
1. Texas
Best: A+ for overall friendliness
Worst: B for training and networking programs