Where Solo Businesses Are Most Concentrated Across Major U.S. Metros

This table compares the 10 metros with the highest solo-business density among the 30 major U.S. metros studied. Rankings are based on nonemployer businesses per 10,000 residents. The Side-Hustle Capital Index compares each metro with Miami, the leader at 100 points. Metro types provide a separate comparison of business density and average gross receipts and do not affect the ranking.

Nonemployer businesses are businesses with no paid employees. They include both possible side hustles and full-time independent businesses and count business records rather than unique people.
The Side-Hustle Capital Index compares each metro’s solo-business density with Miami. Miami receives 100 points, and all other metros are scored relative to that benchmark. Index scores are comparative points, not the percentage of residents with a side hustle. Metro types compare each metro with the 30-metro medians for density and average gross receipts: Opportunity capital is above both medians; Volume capital has higher density and lower receipts; Premium solo economy has lower density and higher receipts; Employment-led metro is below both medians.
See more in methodology.