LendingTree Names Seattle, Denver, and Tampa Best Cities for New Small Businesses

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The research team at LendingTree®, the nation's leading online loan marketplace, analyzed metro areas across the U.S. to determine the places with the most favorable conditions for new small businesses. Each area's rate of new, small and profitable firms determined its ranking in the study, which found that small businesses in Seattle, Denver and Tampa are more likely to achieve early profitability.

Key findings

    --  Seattle took the top spot as the best metro area for new small
        businesses. Seattle's significant portion of businesses making a profit
        is particularly impressive - nearly 71% of firms.
    --  Denver also has a high rate of firms making a profit, earning the area
        second place. Additionally, Denver has some of the youngest businesses
        in the country -- nearly 36% of businesses in the area have been open
        less than six years.
    --  Florida cities take three of the top 10 places: Tampa, Miami and Orlando
        (the state's fourth city, Jacksonville is only just outside at No. 11).
        Along with No. 1 Seattle, Portland represents the Pacific Northwest in
        the No. 5 spot.
    --  At the bottom of the list, Memphis has a small pool of startups. About
        28% of businesses have been operating for less than six years, one of
        the lower rates in the study. Bigger firms tend to dominate the Memphis
        business scene, as about 44% of firms take in more than $1 million in
        revenue and more than 10% of businesses employ at least 250 people. In
        an environment where large firms dominate, it may be difficult for new
        businesses to gain traction.
    --  The Rust Belt did not fare well in our study: Pittsburgh, Cleveland,
        Cincinnati and Buffalo all placed in the bottom 15.

Top 10 Places for New Small Businesses


                  Rank 
           
              Metro 
     
           % of Businesses 5      
       
            % of     
     
              % of Businesses       
     
              % of Firms with   Index
                                                    Yrs Old or                     Businesses            with Revenue Less                    Less than 250
                                                     Younger                       Profitable                 than $1M                          Employees

    ---

         
          1           
           Seattle                                34.4%                 70.9%                              70.3%                          95.6%   100

           ---

         
          2           
           Denver                                 35.7%                 69.4%                              70.8%                          94.9% 97.46

           ---

         
          3         
           Tampa, Fla.                              35.4%                 64.9%                              74.1%                          95.8% 95.76

           ---

         
          4            
           Miami                                 39.2%                 61.0%                              76.7%                          97.9% 92.37

           ---

         
          5       
           Portland, Ore.                             33.1%                 69.8%                              69.2%                          95.5% 88.98

           ---

         
          6           
           Atlanta                                35.5%                 66.6%                              70.2%                          95.2% 88.14

           ---

         
          7        
           Orlando, Fla.                             38.6%                 64.7%                              74.0%                          94.6% 86.44

           ---

         
          8         
           Los Angeles                              36.3%                 62.9%                              69.6%                          98.0%  83.9

           ---

         
          9          
           New York                                35.7%                 57.4%                              72.1%                          98.6% 81.36

           ---

        
          10         
           Minneapolis                              27.9%                 69.1%                              69.6%                          95.9% 79.66

           ---

To view the full report, visit
https://www.lendingtree.com/business/small/best-places-for-new-small-businesses/

Methodology

LendingTree commissioned Qualtrics to conduct an online survey of 1,281 Americans, with the sample base proportioned to represent the overall population. The survey was fielded Jan. 2-10, 2020.

For the purposes of this survey, generations are defined by the following ages in 2020:

    --  Generation Z: ages 18-23
    --  Millennials: ages 24-39
    --  Generation X: ages 40-54
    --  Baby boomers: ages 55-74
    --  Silent generation: ages 75+

About LendingTree
LendingTree (NASDAQ: TREE) is the nation's leading online marketplace that connects consumers with the choices they need to be confident in their financial decisions. LendingTree empowers consumers to shop for financial services the same way they would shop for airline tickets or hotel stays, comparing multiple offers from a nationwide network of over 500 partners in one simple search, and can choose the option that best fits their financial needs. Services include mortgage loans, mortgage refinances, auto loans, personal loans, business loans, student loans, insurance, credit cards and more. Through the My LendingTree platform, consumers receive free credit scores, credit monitoring and recommendations to improve credit health. My LendingTree proactively compares consumers' credit accounts against offers on our network, and notifies consumers when there is an opportunity to save money. In short, LendingTree's purpose is to help simplify financial decisions for life's meaningful moments through choice, education and support. LendingTree, LLC is a subsidiary of LendingTree, Inc. For more information, go to www.lendingtree.com, dial 800-555-TREE, like our Facebook page and/or follow us on Twitter @LendingTree.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Megan Greuling
Megan.greuling@lendingtree.com
704-943-8208

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lendingtree-names-seattle-denver-and-tampa-best-cities-for-new-small-businesses-301010057.html

SOURCE LendingTree