Another national ranking, another headline for Texas.
WalletHub just dropped its 2025 list of the Best Large Cities to Start a Business, and several Texas cities landed in the top 25. Leading the charge?
Austin (#3 overall)
Fort Worth (#11)
Arlington (#15)
Dallas (#16)
Irving (#22)
All solid showings. In total, seven Texas cities ranked in the top 50, making a strong case that Texas continues to be one of the most business-forward states in the country.
But here’s the part we want to talk about: Who is this list really for? And what does it actually mean for the women building careers and companies in these cities?
What the Ranking Measures
WalletHub based the list on 19 metrics across three categories:
Business Environment – startup growth, job creation, and five-year survival rates
Access to Resources – availability of funding, workforce education, and investor activity
Business Costs – labor expenses, office space, and overhead
Austin earned high marks for its talent pool and access to capital. Irving and Fort Worth scored well in business environment. Laredo and Corpus Christi, while not in the top 25, were recognized for accessible small-business financing—an underrated metric with real-world impact.
So far, so good. But let’s zoom out for a second.
These rankings are helpful—but they’re not the whole story. And if you’re a woman in business in Texas, here’s why you might want to read between the lines.
“Best City” Doesn’t Mean Best Fit
Yes, Austin’s a startup darling. But it’s also one of the most expensive cities in the state—especially for early-stage founders, small teams, and solo entrepreneurs. Cost of living, real estate, and competition for talent are real factors. The “best” place to start a business might not be the one with the most headlines—it might be the one where your dollars go further and your business gets room to grow.
Access Isn’t Always Equitable
A city might be flush with accelerators, co-working spaces, and investor meetups—but that doesn’t mean they’re designed with you in mind. Many women still face real barriers when it comes to capital, mentorship, and community support. Just because the resources exist doesn’t mean they’re equally accessible to everyone.
Founders aren’t the only builders. Not everyone is launching a startup tomorrow—and that’s okay. Texas women are also growing careers in finance, tech, healthcare, manufacturing, and dozens of other industries. A truly “great” city for business should also offer upward mobility, flexible work options, and leadership opportunities.
There’s More Than One Path—and More Than One City
Austin may be getting the spotlight, but cities like Irving, Lubbock, Garland, and Plano offer real opportunity—with a different pace and price tag. And for many women, that balance of affordability, livability, and access is what makes a city truly “rank-worthy.”
Texas is full of business potential—but rankings only tell part of the story. What matters most is not what number your city lands on, but whether you have what you need to build the career, company, or life you’re working toward.
If you’re starting something (or scaling something, or reinventing something), start where you feel supported, not just where the numbers look good.
And if you’re looking for a community that sees the full picture—not just the metrics—Her Texas is here.
We’re building something statewide. And we’re just getting started.
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