9 Hot Startup U.S. Cities That Aren't San Francisco or New York These are the places where startup dreams come easier and cheaper, but can still pay off big.

Ask someone to name cities with thriving tech, media, fashion or food scenes, and you'll hear the usual suspects: San Francisco; New York; Portland, Ore. But there's a slew of other metro areas with established infrastructure and skilled work forces that can match those more established locations at a fraction of the cost of living and with less day-to-day stress. These are the places where startup dreams come easier and cheaper, but can still pay off big. Start packing.

Adam Barker

1. Salt Lake City