
New Study Ranks Rhode Island as Worst State to Start a Business In
I have good news and bad news.
The good news is my husband and I are opening a kickboxing gym in North Kingstown, Rhode Island this year. Hooray!
The bad news? Apparently, Rhode Island is the worst state in the country to start a business in 2025. Cue the record scratch.
Starting a business is never easy, but according to Adam McCann, a financial writer for WalletHub, Rhode Island makes it close to impossible.

Best & Worst States to Start a Business in 2025
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics about one-fifth of all startups typically don’t survive past year one of operation, and that isn’t even considering high inflation and labor shortages.
For this study, WalletHub compared the 50 states across 25 key indicators of startup success, like business environment and access to resources, to determine the best locations in which to launch and grow a business.
READ MORE: MA Ranks #1 for Worst Drivers in America
Rhode Island Ranked Worst State to Start a Business
When it comes to accessible financing, Rhode Island is towards the end of the pack. For business environment, which includes factors such as the average length of a work week, startups per capita, and the growth of average business revenues, the Ocean State is dead last.
With an overall score of 33.51, Rhode Island ranks 50th, a stark comparison to neighboring Massachusetts, which ranked 33rd.
As a future Rhode Island business owner, this study takes the wind out of my sails, but only for a moment.
There is always room for someone to break the mold, right?
Right?
Pray for me.
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