For some students , graduation means stepping out on their own and starting a business .

The question in some minds might be where to go . At least two of the best places to go into business are here in the sunshine state , according to the results of a survey recently released by WalletHub . To identify the most business-friendly small markets in which to launch a new venture , WalletHub ’ s analysts compared 1,268 small-sized cities across 15 key metrics . The data set ranged from “ average growth in number of small businesses ” and “ prevalence of investors ” to “ office-space affordability ” and “ corporate taxes ,” company spokesperson Diana Popa said .

Top 20 Best Small Cities to Start a Business

Comparing the Best & Worst Miami Beach , Fla ., has the highest number of startups per 100,000 residents , 246 , which is seven times higher than in Salisbury , Md ., the city with the lowest , 35 .

Santa Paula , Calif ., has the highest industry variety , which is four times higher than in Suisun City , Calif ., the city with the lowest .

Bethesda , Md ., has the highest percentage of the population with at least a bachelor ’ s degree , 82.2 percent , which is 22 times higher than in Soledad , Calif ., and Wasco , Calif ., the cities with the lowest , 3.7 percent .

Mountain View , Calif ., has the least affordable office spaces , with a price of $ 65.87 per sq . ft . per year , which is eight times higher than in Dothan , Ala ., and Kentwood , Mich ., the cities with the lowest price , $ 8.76 per sq . ft . per year .

Carbondale , Ill ., has the lowest labor costs , $ 17,677 , which is 11 times lower than in McLean , Va ., the city with the highest , $ 188,639 .

Weslaco , Texas , has the lowest cost-of-living index , which is six times lower than in Beverly Hills , Calif ., the city with the highest .

East Lansing , Mich ., has the shortest average work week , 28 hours , which is two times shorter than in Fort Hood , Texas , the city with the longest , 50 hours .

Source : WalletHub