
| Rank | Metro Area | Cost of Business Rank | Job Growth Rank | Education Rank | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ![]() Des Moines, IA | 33 | 35 | 34 | 589,500 |
| 2 | ![]() Provo, UT | 28 | 31 | 40 | 552,800 |
| 3 | ![]() Raleigh, NC | 31 | 29 | 13 | 1,194,100 |
| 4 | ![]() Lincoln, NE | 11 | 24 | 31 | 310,700 |
| 5 | ![]() Nashville, TN | 19 | 16 | 71 | 1,647,200 |
| 6 | ![]() Denver, CO | 134 | 44 | 20 | 2,649,400 |
| 7 | ![]() Fort Collins, CO | 78 | 19 | 9 | 311,300 |
| 8 | ![]() Oklahoma City, OK | 24 | 18 | 102 | 1,297,900 |
| 9 | ![]() Seattle, WA | 167 | 68 | 14 | 2,744,100 |
| 10 | ![]() Durham, NC | 64 | 46 | 11 | 523,600 |







