Best Cities to Start a Business in Idaho

Idaho is best known for its potato crop, comprising almost one third of the nation’s total supply, yet in recent years, the science and technology sector has quietly come to dominate its economy, responsible for 70% of the state’s total exports and 25% of its revenue. Additionally, Idaho is consistently ranked in America’s top five most small business-friendly states.

Idaho’s tech sector is based in Boise, the state’s capital and largest city. Micron Technology, a leading producer of semiconductor devices, and Clearwater Analytics, an investment accounting software firm with $1.7 trillion in investment assets, are headquartered in the city and many other tech businesses.

The high level of tech activity in Boise proves its worth as a fertile breeding ground for new businesses. The low cost of living and the potential for outdoor activity doesn’t hurt, either. Entrepreneurs should consider this city and nearby Meridian as the top places in the state to start a business.

Only cities with over 50,000 inhabitants are reported in the results. Some data had to be interpolated to the county level and extrapolated to all the cities in the county. We concentrated on the following metrics to obtain our ranking: Cost of living, Best state for business, Unemployment, Kauffman index, and Universities.