— Arizona posted a strong showing in WalletHub’s 2026 ranking of the Best Large Cities to Start a Business, with seven cities making the list and six landing in the top 40. The results point to Greater Phoenix as the state’s leading startup hub, while Tucson stands out for its affordability.
Phoenix ranked highest among Arizona cities at No. 13 overall, followed by Chandler at No. 18 and Mesa at No. 20. Scottsdale placed No. 29, Gilbert No. 32, and Glendale No. 38. Tucson ranked No. 60 in the national comparison of 100 large U.S. cities.
The Arizona results show a clear split between resource-rich growth markets and lower-cost business locations. Phoenix ranked No. 16 for business environment, though it was weaker in access to resources at No. 67 and business costs at No. 46. Chandler turned in one of the state’s strongest all-around performances, ranking No. 13 for business environment and No. 22 for access to resources, though it fell to No. 73 for business costs. Mesa appeared more balanced, ranking No. 36 for business environment, No. 57 for access to resources, and No. 38 for business costs…