Best Cities to Start an Auto Mechanic Business

Where a solo auto mechanic business has the most room Our calculation

Champaign, IL ranks first. One-person auto repair businesses there average $106,209 a year in revenue, with 5.7 auto repair businesses for every 10,000 residents (typical metro: 8.7). We scored all 387 metros where the Census publishes auto repair business counts.

1
ChampaignILLINOIS · IL · $106,209 avg solo revenue · 5.7 auto repair businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
88
2
CrestviewFLORIDA · FL · $83,794 avg solo revenue · 7.4 auto repair businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fast population growth
87
3
CorvallisOREGON · OR · $79,031 avg solo revenue · 5.8 auto repair businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
84
4
Iowa CityIOWA · IA · $82,975 avg solo revenue · 7.2 auto repair businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
84
5
BostonMASSACHUSETTS · MA · $94,773 avg solo revenue · 6.1 auto repair businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
82
6
PensacolaFLORIDA · FL · $79,038 avg solo revenue · 7.5 auto repair businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fast population growth
82
7
RenoNEVADA · NV · $82,034 avg solo revenue · 7.2 auto repair businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
82
8
FlagstaffARIZONA · AZ · $86,057 avg solo revenue · 6.9 auto repair businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
81
9
Green BayWISCONSIN · WI · $83,758 avg solo revenue · 6.8 auto repair businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
81
10
DaphneALABAMA · AL · $69,721 avg solo revenue · 7.3 auto repair businesses per 10k residents · Strong on fewer competitors per resident and fast population growth
80
11
Santa FeNEW MEXICO · NM · $95,359 avg solo revenue · 7.1 auto repair businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
80
12
MadisonWISCONSIN · WI · $78,847 avg solo revenue · 6.9 auto repair businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
80
13
SalemOREGON · OR · $86,746 avg solo revenue · 6.9 auto repair businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
80
14
New HavenCONNECTICUT · CT · $87,318 avg solo revenue · 6.0 auto repair businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
80
15
NorwichCONNECTICUT · CT · $85,667 avg solo revenue · 5.0 auto repair businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
80

Weights: average solo revenue 3, fewer competitors per resident 3, revenue compared with the local employee wage 2, new home permits 1, population growth 1. Each factor is a percentile among these metros.

Top 5 by each factor Government data

Highest solo revenue

Champaign, IL: $106,209
Barnstable Town, MA: $104,164
Worcester, MA: $100,901
Manchester, NH: $97,361
San Jose, CA: $96,759

Least competition

Bremerton, WA: 4.2 per 10k residents
Honolulu, HI: 4.4 per 10k residents
Ann Arbor, MI: 4.8 per 10k residents
Ithaca, NY: 5.0 per 10k residents
Norwich, CT: 5.0 per 10k residents

Most new building

Wildwood, FL: 24.5 home permits per 1k
North Port, FL: 19.8 home permits per 1k
Lafayette, IN: 17.9 home permits per 1k
Myrtle Beach, SC: 17.0 home permits per 1k
Wilmington, NC: 16.8 home permits per 1k

Fastest-growing population

Wildwood, FL: +21.1%
Myrtle Beach, SC: +20.9%
Lakeland, FL: +19.8%
St. George, UT: +17.4%
Ocala, FL: +17.3%

Every metro Government data

Click a column to sort. “Rate to match it” is the hourly rate you'd need to bill to replace the local employee median, at our default assumptions (25% for tax and benefits, $30,000 overhead, 1,400 billable hours). Try your own numbers in the rate calculator.

#	Metro	Score	Solo revenue	Businesses / 10k people	Employee median	Rate to match it	Permits / 1k
1	Champaign, IL	88	$106,209	5.7	$48,090	$64/hr	3.8
2	Crestview, FL	87	$83,794	7.4	$47,760	$64/hr	11.5
3	Corvallis, OR	84	$79,031	5.8	$54,330	$70/hr	5.0
4	Iowa City, IA	84	$82,975	7.2	$49,960	$66/hr	7.1
5	Boston, MA	82	$94,773	6.1	$63,060	$78/hr	2.0
6	Pensacola, FL	82	$79,038	7.5	$46,290	$63/hr	6.3
7	Reno, NV	82	$82,034	7.2	$50,190	$66/hr	5.2
8	Flagstaff, AZ	81	$86,057	6.9	$49,030	$65/hr	4.4
9	Green Bay, WI	81	$83,758	6.8	$56,180	$72/hr	4.3
10	Daphne, AL	80	$69,721	7.3	$45,720	$62/hr	10.8
11	Santa Fe, NM	80	$95,359	7.1	$55,640	$71/hr	3.2
12	Madison, WI	80	$78,847	6.9	$60,650	$76/hr	10.0
13	Salem, OR	80	$86,746	6.9	$57,960	$73/hr	3.2
14	New Haven, CT	80	$87,318	6.0	$59,760	$75/hr	1.8
15	Norwich, CT	80	$85,667	5.0	$58,950	$74/hr	1.6
16	Watertown, NY	78	$87,489	6.6	$47,280	$64/hr	2.5
17	Amherst Town, MA	78	$79,317	6.7	$58,980	$74/hr	1.8
18	Ithaca, NY	77	$72,478	5.0	$48,820	$65/hr	4.5
19	Trenton, NJ	77	$79,754	7.0	$56,550	$72/hr	3.0
20	Worcester, MA	77	$100,901	7.9	$54,330	$70/hr	1.9
21	State College, PA	76	$77,889	6.4	$47,240	$64/hr	2.0
22	Owensboro, KY	76	$82,943	7.3	$43,900	$61/hr	2.3
23	Elmira, NY	76	$88,517	6.8	$46,720	$63/hr	1.2
24	Provo, UT	76	$68,965	8.0	$43,980	$61/hr	10.2
25	Honolulu, HI	76	$79,080	4.4	$49,020	$65/hr	1.4
26	San Jose, CA	75	$96,759	5.9	$77,840	$91/hr	2.8
27	Dayton, OH	75	$73,369	6.7	$47,100	$63/hr	2.4
28	Bloomington, IN	75	$73,190	7.4	$48,480	$65/hr	7.8
29	Oshkosh, WI	75	$74,066	6.9	$52,040	$68/hr	4.0
30	Eugene, OR	75	$79,226	7.0	$51,770	$68/hr	4.0
31	Hilton Head Island, SC	75	$70,828	8.0	$50,920	$67/hr	13.5
32	Staunton, VA	74	$83,388	8.8	$49,470	$66/hr	7.8
33	Lexington, KY	74	$69,238	7.2	$46,080	$63/hr	4.5
34	Logan, UT	74	$71,494	8.4	$46,490	$63/hr	7.6
35	Racine, WI	72	$78,354	7.6	$50,320	$66/hr	3.4
36	Kenosha, WI	72	$82,952	7.7	$57,540	$73/hr	5.3
37	Fayetteville, AR	72	$65,489	7.9	$46,840	$63/hr	15.5
38	Hanford, CA	72	$78,190	6.1	$64,090	$79/hr	3.3
39	Medford, OR	71	$82,048	7.5	$57,390	$73/hr	4.2
40	Ogden, UT	71	$63,287	6.9	$46,650	$63/hr	5.5
41	Austin, TX	71	$68,124	8.1	$50,610	$67/hr	11.3
42	Bozeman, MT	71	$90,987	10.6	$61,320	$76/hr	12.4
43	Bend, OR	71	$84,414	9.8	$57,300	$73/hr	12.1
44	Toledo, OH	70	$89,090	7.8	$47,090	$63/hr	0.8
45	Yuba City, CA	70	$95,932	9.7	$58,580	$74/hr	4.5
46	Panama City, FL	70	$62,026	7.7	$43,730	$60/hr	10.8
47	Phoenix, AZ	70	$68,318	8.2	$50,090	$66/hr	7.9
48	Binghamton, NY	70	$85,140	7.8	$47,870	$64/hr	1.9
49	Cheyenne, WY	70	$84,190	8.9	$53,750	$69/hr	5.5
50	Hartford, CT	70	$73,383	6.1	$58,910	$74/hr	1.3
51	Lewiston, ID	70	$69,741	7.4	$48,870	$65/hr	4.7
52	Kiryas Joel, NY	70	$77,650	7.7	$56,260	$72/hr	3.1
53	Knoxville, TN	70	$67,813	8.1	$48,540	$65/hr	8.4
54	Raleigh, NC	70	$65,795	7.9	$50,600	$67/hr	11.8
55	Wenatchee, WA	69	$60,659	6.1	$50,940	$67/hr	8.7
56	Kalamazoo, MI	69	$67,350	5.6	$48,210	$64/hr	1.9
57	Napa, CA	69	$90,815	6.7	$76,450	$90/hr	2.7
58	Lafayette, IN	69	$63,000	6.8	$49,290	$65/hr	17.9
59	Midland, MI	69	$70,062	6.6	$48,490	$65/hr	1.5
60	Myrtle Beach, SC	69	$63,100	8.3	$45,360	$62/hr	17.0
61	San Luis Obispo, CA	69	$81,942	7.2	$61,620	$76/hr	2.4
62	Minneapolis, MN	68	$70,545	6.5	$60,490	$75/hr	3.9
63	Appleton, WI	68	$82,577	8.9	$58,060	$73/hr	5.1
64	Barnstable Town, MA	68	$104,164	9.3	$60,650	$76/hr	2.7
65	Harrisburg, PA	68	$74,587	8.3	$49,540	$66/hr	2.0
66	Santa Maria, CA	68	$75,710	6.6	$61,110	$76/hr	3.1
67	Cincinnati, OH	68	$67,426	7.0	$49,090	$65/hr	3.2
68	Blacksburg, VA	68	$70,426	7.1	$48,500	$65/hr	2.7
69	Coeur d'Alene, ID	68	$75,472	10.1	$50,910	$67/hr	9.4
70	Boulder, CO	68	$71,607	5.7	$63,950	$79/hr	6.1
71	Kahului, HI	67	$89,862	9.0	$57,180	$72/hr	5.5
72	Syracuse, NY	67	$73,796	7.7	$49,410	$66/hr	3.1
73	Lawton, OK	67	$73,720	7.8	$45,010	$62/hr	1.6
74	Lubbock, TX	67	$76,245	10.2	$44,950	$62/hr	8.0
75	Michigan City, IN	67	$76,922	7.9	$50,400	$66/hr	2.6
76	Mankato, MN	67	$82,709	8.9	$48,450	$65/hr	3.4
77	Bellingham, WA	67	$68,500	7.4	$56,550	$72/hr	5.3
78	Beckley, WV	67	$79,717	7.6	$37,340	$55/hr	0.7
79	Omaha, NE	66	$65,155	7.2	$54,230	$70/hr	6.5
80	Elizabethtown, KY	66	$79,750	9.8	$41,630	$59/hr	3.9
81	Portland, OR	66	$71,094	6.7	$60,450	$75/hr	3.3
82	Ocala, FL	66	$72,226	11.1	$45,900	$62/hr	15.0
83	Boise City, ID	66	$65,859	8.8	$48,630	$65/hr	11.6
84	Philadelphia, PA	66	$75,872	7.5	$58,460	$74/hr	2.1
85	Albany, NY	66	$68,294	6.5	$55,500	$71/hr	2.3
86	Buffalo, NY	66	$67,962	6.1	$48,550	$65/hr	1.3
87	Carson City, NV	65	$71,750	8.2	$54,270	$70/hr	9.8
88	Bridgeport, CT	65	$67,819	6.4	$62,440	$77/hr	3.6
89	Bremerton, WA	65	$60,857	4.2	$53,820	$69/hr	6.4
90	Durham, NC	65	$60,479	7.0	$51,580	$67/hr	10.1
91	Salt Lake City, UT	65	$61,757	7.3	$47,280	$64/hr	6.0
92	Waterbury, CT	65	$71,467	6.8	$59,040	$74/hr	1.1
93	Morgantown, WV	65	$65,940	7.2	$37,060	$55/hr	0.2
94	Oxnard, CA	65	$86,620	7.7	$65,160	$80/hr	1.9
95	Chico, CA	65	$78,620	7.8	$63,070	$78/hr	4.8
96	Providence, RI	64	$71,808	7.8	$51,970	$68/hr	1.7
97	Manchester, NH	64	$97,361	9.7	$59,720	$75/hr	1.5
98	Santa Rosa, CA	64	$92,052	8.2	$75,080	$88/hr	3.5
99	Visalia, CA	64	$71,216	8.7	$46,280	$63/hr	3.7
100	Chambersburg, PA	63	$90,953	14.0	$48,270	$65/hr	6.6
101	Columbia, MO	63	$62,650	7.4	$48,370	$65/hr	3.8
102	Johnson City, TN	63	$63,639	7.5	$49,830	$66/hr	4.3
103	Lebanon, PA	63	$93,562	11.9	$49,180	$65/hr	3.8
104	Des Moines, IA	63	$61,342	6.7	$60,470	$75/hr	8.5
105	Denver, CO	63	$71,949	8.1	$61,960	$77/hr	5.3
106	Erie, PA	63	$83,750	8.7	$46,840	$63/hr	0.9
107	Columbus, OH	63	$64,092	7.3	$56,150	$72/hr	7.2
108	Grand Junction, CO	63	$82,475	10.5	$58,200	$73/hr	5.1
109	Mansfield, OH	63	$86,366	9.0	$48,350	$65/hr	0.9
110	San Diego, CA	63	$73,022	7.0	$64,320	$79/hr	3.6
111	San Francisco, CA	63	$80,899	5.7	$76,030	$89/hr	1.7
112	Sheboygan, WI	62	$69,365	7.9	$51,080	$67/hr	3.1
113	Slidell, LA	62	$64,420	8.5	$47,350	$64/hr	4.0
114	St. George, UT	62	$68,383	11.1	$47,430	$64/hr	14.5
115	St. Cloud, MN	62	$76,722	10.1	$48,490	$65/hr	3.9
116	Wilmington, NC	62	$60,033	8.4	$48,100	$64/hr	16.8
117	Jacksonville, NC	62	$64,157	8.7	$46,180	$63/hr	6.6
118	Allentown, PA	62	$81,288	9.2	$57,810	$73/hr	2.3
119	Brunswick, GA	62	$71,536	10.0	$47,880	$64/hr	5.5
120	Seattle, WA	62	$62,465	5.4	$59,290	$74/hr	3.9
121	Billings, MT	62	$91,536	14.3	$60,150	$75/hr	5.4
122	Fargo, ND	62	$63,711	7.2	$59,510	$75/hr	5.8
123	Evansville, IN	62	$60,345	6.4	$47,920	$64/hr	3.0
124	Lancaster, PA	62	$89,193	10.5	$50,530	$67/hr	2.3
125	Portland, ME	62	$73,544	9.0	$59,090	$74/hr	6.2
126	Kansas City, MO	62	$63,873	7.2	$53,790	$69/hr	4.5
127	Olympia, WA	61	$57,242	5.1	$51,260	$67/hr	5.6
128	Pittsburgh, PA	61	$72,925	8.4	$48,900	$65/hr	2.4
129	Prescott Valley, AZ	61	$71,561	11.4	$47,480	$64/hr	7.0
130	Lincoln, NE	61	$67,176	8.8	$49,500	$66/hr	7.0
131	Dubuque, IA	61	$78,139	8.5	$61,030	$76/hr	3.4
132	Milwaukee, WI	60	$68,463	6.0	$62,530	$77/hr	2.0
133	Gettysburg, PA	60	$83,981	14.5	$48,770	$65/hr	4.5
134	Grand Rapids, MI	60	$61,719	7.2	$49,310	$65/hr	3.7
135	Atlantic City, NJ	60	$67,463	7.6	$54,840	$70/hr	4.3
136	Fresno, CA	60	$68,133	8.4	$52,000	$68/hr	3.0
137	Charlottesville, VA	59	$58,266	6.0	$59,130	$74/hr	9.5
138	Rochester, NY	59	$70,274	7.1	$58,530	$74/hr	1.7
139	Rochester, MN	59	$62,735	7.4	$49,920	$66/hr	3.2
140	Redding, CA	59	$86,575	10.0	$50,260	$66/hr	1.4
141	Tucson, AZ	58	$58,924	7.3	$48,600	$65/hr	4.4
142	Washington, DC	58	$64,897	6.8	$61,860	$77/hr	2.8
143	Burlington, VT	58	$75,870	9.7	$57,580	$73/hr	5.5
144	Sioux City, IA	58	$69,797	8.6	$54,230	$70/hr	3.9
145	Fond du Lac, WI	58	$87,763	10.7	$54,300	$70/hr	1.8
146	Clarksville, TN	58	$55,045	7.1	$49,570	$66/hr	8.7
147	Grand Island, NE	58	$87,477	12.8	$53,250	$69/hr	3.5
148	Mount Vernon, WA	58	$65,552	7.5	$55,270	$71/hr	2.8
149	Sherman, TX	57	$69,281	13.5	$49,030	$65/hr	13.1
150	Gainesville, GA	57	$73,472	14.5	$55,330	$71/hr	9.4
151	College Station, TX	57	$56,222	7.7	$49,080	$65/hr	8.6
152	Muskegon, MI	57	$60,855	7.4	$47,350	$64/hr	2.6
153	Anniston, AL	57	$80,868	10.1	$44,590	$61/hr	1.2
154	Anchorage, AK	56	$71,000	7.7	$59,880	$75/hr	0.7
155	Greeley, CO	56	$73,610	12.1	$60,920	$76/hr	8.5
156	Glens Falls, NY	56	$72,692	9.0	$50,300	$66/hr	2.6
157	Traverse City, MI	56	$69,138	9.5	$52,220	$68/hr	5.2
158	Palm Bay, FL	56	$58,573	8.6	$47,670	$64/hr	7.3
159	North Port, FL	56	$61,566	9.1	$51,970	$68/hr	19.8
160	Huntsville, AL	55	$55,353	8.3	$46,840	$63/hr	8.7
161	Lima, OH	55	$70,696	9.0	$45,740	$62/hr	1.5
162	Hot Springs, AR	55	$69,750	10.0	$40,430	$58/hr	3.3
163	Pittsfield, MA	55	$64,522	7.3	$51,400	$67/hr	1.2
164	Idaho Falls, ID	55	$66,415	12.2	$48,320	$65/hr	9.3
165	Santa Cruz, CA	55	$68,706	7.1	$58,860	$74/hr	1.8
166	Punta Gorda, FL	55	$58,645	9.3	$46,190	$63/hr	15.0
167	Jackson, MI	54	$60,543	6.4	$51,870	$68/hr	1.9
168	Muncie, IN	54	$60,754	8.0	$47,360	$64/hr	2.9
169	Eau Claire, WI	54	$67,496	10.1	$50,280	$66/hr	5.4
170	Topeka, KS	54	$65,052	8.6	$48,320	$65/hr	2.7
171	Bloomington, IL	54	$55,605	5.0	$46,260	$63/hr	1.6
172	Bay City, MI	53	$64,326	7.7	$47,830	$64/hr	0.7
173	Auburn, AL	53	$54,143	8.1	$47,250	$64/hr	7.9
174	Tulsa, OK	53	$60,271	8.9	$47,410	$64/hr	5.0
175	Charleston, SC	53	$53,070	7.5	$49,120	$65/hr	8.7
176	Ames, IA	53	$60,490	6.9	$58,820	$74/hr	3.1
177	Gainesville, FL	52	$50,580	7.2	$47,460	$64/hr	10.5
178	Merced, CA	52	$64,456	8.2	$59,390	$74/hr	2.7
179	Springfield, MA	52	$68,183	8.0	$56,440	$72/hr	0.7
180	Duluth, MN	52	$64,530	8.1	$52,640	$68/hr	2.3
181	Nashville, TN	52	$62,168	8.9	$58,700	$74/hr	9.2
182	Sebastian, FL	52	$54,443	7.0	$47,950	$64/hr	1.5
183	Bangor, ME	52	$68,365	10.7	$50,170	$66/hr	3.1
184	Pueblo, CO	52	$75,018	9.3	$58,480	$74/hr	1.3
185	Joplin, MO	51	$66,741	11.6	$46,320	$63/hr	3.0
186	Indianapolis, IN	51	$53,794	7.4	$50,530	$67/hr	5.4
187	Vineland, NJ	51	$65,679	8.9	$48,670	$65/hr	0.9
188	Wichita, KS	51	$58,384	8.2	$47,800	$64/hr	4.8
189	New York, NY	51	$59,829	6.6	$57,760	$73/hr	2.2
190	Cleveland, OH	51	$63,265	7.9	$50,260	$66/hr	1.9
191	Reading, PA	51	$72,266	10.9	$51,310	$67/hr	1.3
192	Wildwood, FL	51	$35,410	5.2	$47,480	$64/hr	24.5
193	Hinesville, GA	51	$53,836	8.4	$46,810	$63/hr	7.3
194	Great Falls, MT	51	$76,700	10.9	$59,110	$74/hr	3.0
195	Los Angeles, CA	51	$72,806	8.5	$62,820	$78/hr	2.1
196	South Bend, IN	51	$58,279	7.0	$49,080	$65/hr	2.3
197	Johnstown, PA	50	$82,200	12.2	$46,350	$63/hr	0.5
198	Hagerstown, MD	50	$59,773	9.7	$47,800	$64/hr	5.4
199	Deltona, FL	50	$59,050	10.4	$46,810	$63/hr	7.7
200	Oklahoma City, OK	50	$58,657	9.3	$46,820	$63/hr	5.9
201	Tampa, FL	50	$61,325	10.9	$47,880	$64/hr	6.9
202	Colorado Springs, CO	50	$62,965	8.6	$60,710	$76/hr	7.6
203	Fort Collins, CO	50	$62,551	8.7	$61,610	$76/hr	6.6
204	Waco, TX	50	$60,233	9.4	$46,790	$63/hr	4.8
205	La Crosse, WI	50	$66,551	9.2	$50,180	$66/hr	2.8
206	Birmingham, AL	49	$59,506	8.6	$47,830	$64/hr	3.6
207	Fort Wayne, IN	49	$55,621	7.9	$49,810	$66/hr	3.6
208	Canton, OH	49	$65,679	9.2	$46,990	$63/hr	1.6
209	Vallejo, CA	49	$63,611	7.0	$69,710	$84/hr	1.9
210	Winchester, VA	49	$66,676	11.2	$57,570	$73/hr	6.2
211	Greenville, SC	49	$58,777	10.3	$48,120	$64/hr	8.6
212	York, PA	49	$67,004	10.0	$55,110	$71/hr	3.4
213	Manhattan, KS	49	$56,957	8.5	$44,410	$61/hr	3.7
214	Altoona, PA	49	$79,500	12.0	$46,160	$63/hr	0.7
215	Albuquerque, NM	49	$53,219	6.7	$48,820	$65/hr	3.1
216	Sioux Falls, SD	49	$62,012	9.3	$59,190	$74/hr	7.8
217	Springfield, IL	49	$55,224	5.2	$48,810	$65/hr	1.1
218	Sierra Vista, AZ	49	$63,281	10.0	$44,540	$61/hr	3.7
219	Utica, NY	48	$71,168	10.2	$47,770	$64/hr	1.1
220	Williamsport, PA	48	$74,119	11.5	$48,450	$65/hr	0.6
221	Asheville, NC	48	$60,363	10.5	$47,900	$64/hr	7.8
222	Bowling Green, KY	48	$57,942	11.6	$42,860	$60/hr	7.9
223	Fort Smith, AR	48	$60,928	10.5	$42,030	$59/hr	2.9
224	Pocatello, ID	48	$58,541	10.1	$46,450	$63/hr	6.6
225	Akron, OH	48	$61,393	7.6	$52,900	$69/hr	1.1
226	Walla Walla, WA	48	$59,000	7.7	$50,090	$66/hr	2.6
227	Wausau, WI	48	$69,979	10.8	$53,100	$69/hr	2.5
228	Lake Havasu City, AZ	48	$62,379	12.9	$46,670	$63/hr	8.2
229	Baltimore, MD	48	$60,974	7.3	$57,630	$73/hr	2.0
230	Abilene, TX	47	$56,364	9.3	$46,190	$63/hr	6.4
231	Richmond, VA	47	$57,221	8.2	$61,510	$76/hr	6.8
232	Jonesboro, AR	46	$58,661	11.3	$44,830	$61/hr	7.5
233	Las Vegas, NV	46	$52,653	8.5	$47,650	$64/hr	6.2
234	Athens, GA	46	$55,752	8.7	$51,170	$67/hr	5.8
235	Tallahassee, FL	45	$50,605	8.2	$45,640	$62/hr	7.0
236	Spokane, WA	45	$51,688	7.4	$54,840	$70/hr	5.3
237	Charlotte, NC	45	$59,007	10.2	$53,660	$69/hr	8.0
238	Morristown, TN	45	$54,034	8.9	$47,600	$64/hr	4.8
239	Rapid City, SD	45	$66,135	12.2	$58,980	$74/hr	6.3
240	Salisbury, MD	45	$62,795	8.9	$54,840	$70/hr	1.6
241	Grants Pass, OR	45	$70,867	12.4	$54,330	$70/hr	3.3
242	Houma, LA	44	$56,355	8.2	$45,840	$62/hr	2.9
243	Lansing, MI	44	$52,753	6.3	$56,130	$72/hr	1.8
244	Davenport, IA	44	$52,470	6.5	$47,880	$64/hr	1.6
245	Sacramento, CA	44	$64,863	9.1	$72,020	$86/hr	4.4
246	Longview, WA	44	$53,200	7.3	$54,080	$70/hr	2.7
247	Elkhart, IN	44	$63,331	11.0	$49,990	$66/hr	3.8
248	Montgomery, AL	43	$51,830	7.4	$47,030	$63/hr	2.8
249	St. Louis, MO	43	$54,973	6.9	$58,190	$73/hr	2.2
250	Columbia, SC	43	$51,139	8.7	$48,080	$64/hr	7.1
251	Charleston, WV	43	$48,458	5.7	$41,390	$58/hr	0.6
252	Spartanburg, SC	42	$58,533	17.4	$48,610	$65/hr	11.6
253	Scranton, PA	42	$65,318	11.8	$47,600	$64/hr	1.1
254	Burlington, NC	42	$45,270	8.5	$45,750	$62/hr	11.5
255	Winston, NC	42	$56,201	11.2	$46,080	$63/hr	6.8
256	Twin Falls, ID	42	$59,024	15.2	$46,990	$63/hr	5.6
257	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY	42	$53,234	8.6	$47,440	$64/hr	4.4
258	Kokomo, IN	42	$49,926	6.2	$48,580	$65/hr	1.3
259	Columbus, IN	42	$40,360	5.5	$49,180	$65/hr	2.2
260	Pinehurst, NC	42	$46,000	8.5	$48,640	$65/hr	10.3
261	Amarillo, TX	41	$61,884	13.4	$45,860	$62/hr	3.7
262	Lexington Park, MD	41	$62,686	9.2	$56,560	$72/hr	2.1
263	Lawrence, KS	41	$40,610	5.8	$47,880	$64/hr	3.1
264	Greenville, NC	41	$29,458	7.1	$47,220	$64/hr	7.3
265	Youngstown, OH	41	$59,004	8.8	$46,090	$63/hr	0.7
266	Little Rock, AR	40	$46,942	8.1	$46,130	$63/hr	4.1
267	Hickory, NC	40	$56,685	11.9	$46,860	$63/hr	8.5
268	Kennewick, WA	40	$38,120	7.5	$53,450	$69/hr	7.8
269	Killeen, TX	40	$45,586	8.6	$45,870	$62/hr	6.8
270	Monroe, MI	40	$60,636	8.3	$57,400	$73/hr	1.2
271	Dothan, AL	40	$51,181	8.9	$44,170	$61/hr	3.9
272	Weirton, WV	40	$47,981	7.0	$40,670	$58/hr	0.1
273	Jacksonville, FL	39	$50,430	9.2	$51,530	$67/hr	8.0
274	Albany, OR	39	$56,744	8.6	$53,290	$69/hr	1.4
275	Ann Arbor, MI	39	$42,466	4.8	$58,420	$74/hr	2.9
276	Stockton, CA	39	$57,278	8.9	$62,840	$78/hr	3.2
277	Savannah, GA	39	$45,966	8.7	$52,230	$68/hr	12.8
278	Chattanooga, TN	39	$53,469	9.2	$51,020	$67/hr	5.1
279	St. Joseph, MO	39	$66,022	11.8	$47,180	$64/hr	0.5
280	Dover, DE	39	$52,046	9.4	$48,800	$65/hr	6.7
281	Paducah, KY	39	$62,711	12.2	$43,260	$60/hr	1.7
282	Cleveland, TN	38	$47,862	8.8	$48,900	$65/hr	7.3
283	Salinas, CA	38	$61,063	8.3	$62,770	$77/hr	1.8
284	Riverside, CA	38	$64,250	11.2	$64,210	$79/hr	3.4
285	Peoria, IL	38	$49,761	6.8	$47,750	$64/hr	0.6
286	Chicago, IL	38	$64,642	10.5	$55,320	$71/hr	1.7
287	Jefferson City, MO	38	$59,018	10.6	$47,010	$63/hr	1.4
288	Dallas, TX	37	$55,340	12.6	$49,720	$66/hr	8.3
289	New Orleans, LA	37	$54,852	8.2	$49,190	$65/hr	1.7
290	Cedar Rapids, IA	37	$52,954	8.7	$49,890	$66/hr	3.6
291	Yuma, AZ	37	$53,035	12.2	$44,510	$61/hr	5.5
292	Lafayette, LA	37	$53,887	11.1	$45,920	$62/hr	5.0
293	Harrisonburg, VA	37	$58,402	13.3	$48,930	$65/hr	6.2
294	Kingsport, TN	37	$55,084	9.7	$48,670	$65/hr	3.7
295	Houston, TX	36	$55,381	14.6	$50,940	$67/hr	8.7
296	Huntington, WV	36	$44,358	7.4	$37,240	$55/hr	0.8
297	Springfield, OH	36	$40,500	6.8	$46,300	$63/hr	2.9
298	Virginia Beach, VA	36	$46,149	7.0	$58,290	$73/hr	2.2
299	Battle Creek, MI	36	$44,732	6.5	$47,720	$64/hr	0.9
300	Missoula, MT	35	$52,633	9.6	$59,650	$75/hr	7.1
301	Parkersburg, WV	35	$51,545	9.2	$37,250	$55/hr	1.1
302	Bismarck, ND	34	$50,029	8.6	$56,960	$72/hr	3.0
303	Roanoke, VA	34	$51,624	8.5	$51,230	$67/hr	2.8
304	Helena, MT	34	$60,731	12.4	$57,820	$73/hr	2.3
305	Lynchburg, VA	34	$44,644	8.6	$46,970	$63/hr	4.2
306	Cape Coral, FL	34	$50,424	12.7	$46,840	$63/hr	16.6
307	Rome, GA	34	$55,356	11.4	$47,460	$64/hr	3.3
308	Fayetteville, NC	34	$38,192	7.7	$46,870	$63/hr	5.4
309	Niles, MI	34	$54,074	8.7	$49,450	$66/hr	2.4
310	Augusta, GA	33	$43,995	8.9	$48,730	$65/hr	6.6
311	Lakeland, FL	33	$49,388	12.5	$45,900	$62/hr	10.4
312	Sumter, SC	33	$56,796	11.6	$46,500	$63/hr	3.4
313	Homosassa Springs, FL	33	$41,773	9.7	$46,150	$63/hr	12.9
314	San Antonio, TX	33	$51,580	11.6	$46,880	$63/hr	4.0
315	Dalton, GA	33	$55,214	12.1	$47,770	$64/hr	3.8
316	Tyler, TX	32	$52,389	11.9	$44,590	$61/hr	2.2
317	Texarkana, TX	32	$57,545	11.9	$44,940	$62/hr	2.0
318	Springfield, MO	32	$54,701	12.1	$49,570	$66/hr	3.6
319	Decatur, IL	32	$45,486	7.0	$47,880	$64/hr	0.4
320	Janesville, WI	32	$46,451	7.9	$53,240	$69/hr	2.4
321	Lake Charles, LA	32	$34,402	6.5	$45,540	$62/hr	2.2
322	Kingston, NY	32	$54,071	9.1	$53,290	$69/hr	2.4
323	Greensboro, NC	31	$46,644	9.3	$48,770	$65/hr	4.9
324	Orlando, FL	31	$50,915	14.8	$47,850	$64/hr	10.0
325	Florence, SC	31	$51,449	10.4	$46,130	$63/hr	4.5
326	Grand Forks, ND	31	$53,446	8.8	$58,680	$74/hr	2.2
327	Gulfport, MS	31	$37,963	9.1	$39,120	$56/hr	7.9
328	Tuscaloosa, AL	31	$41,829	8.3	$45,070	$62/hr	2.2
329	Saginaw, MI	31	$35,806	6.7	$47,320	$64/hr	1.1
330	Naples, FL	30	$47,876	11.3	$51,320	$67/hr	6.9
331	Hattiesburg, MS	30	$46,168	9.9	$37,700	$55/hr	0.8
332	Bakersfield, CA	29	$55,325	10.3	$62,450	$77/hr	3.5
333	San Angelo, TX	29	$50,974	9.8	$46,130	$63/hr	2.8
334	Farmington, NM	29	$54,187	9.6	$46,660	$63/hr	0.7
335	Rockford, IL	29	$53,524	9.5	$48,110	$64/hr	1.1
336	Fairbanks, AK	28	$58,333	9.2	$61,060	$76/hr	0.3
337	Midland, TX	28	$50,428	22.8	$49,990	$66/hr	7.3
338	Detroit, MI	28	$50,695	8.7	$56,000	$71/hr	2.0
339	Atlanta, GA	28	$51,554	13.0	$51,450	$67/hr	5.4
340	Longview, TX	28	$54,362	12.8	$46,400	$63/hr	1.0
341	Waterloo, IA	28	$47,337	9.0	$48,720	$65/hr	3.3
342	Wichita Falls, TX	28	$53,683	11.0	$44,780	$61/hr	1.1
343	Yakima, WA	27	$43,542	8.7	$50,150	$66/hr	2.8
344	Casper, WY	27	$57,356	10.8	$59,530	$75/hr	2.5
345	Wheeling, WV	27	$40,587	7.5	$42,030	$59/hr	0.0
346	Valdosta, GA	27	$41,425	9.6	$46,730	$63/hr	6.0
347	Cape Girardeau, MO	27	$55,254	11.6	$48,690	$65/hr	1.0
348	Port St. Lucie, FL	27	$44,700	12.5	$49,380	$66/hr	9.3
349	Terre Haute, IN	27	$49,673	9.0	$46,840	$63/hr	1.7
350	Modesto, CA	27	$56,341	9.9	$62,770	$77/hr	2.2
351	Odessa, TX	27	$51,434	33.9	$47,510	$64/hr	5.6
352	Florence, AL	27	$41,252	9.5	$39,800	$57/hr	2.6
353	Decatur, AL	26	$49,846	11.3	$45,740	$62/hr	2.6
354	Flint, MI	26	$45,044	8.2	$48,680	$65/hr	1.1
355	Warner Robins, GA	25	$23,710	10.2	$49,120	$65/hr	6.8
356	Hammond, LA	25	$44,192	13.0	$45,450	$62/hr	8.5
357	Enid, OK	23	$50,396	11.3	$40,670	$58/hr	0.3
358	Shreveport, LA	23	$41,949	8.8	$45,990	$62/hr	2.7
359	El Centro, CA	23	$49,519	9.3	$54,330	$70/hr	1.3
360	Victoria, TX	23	$51,010	12.9	$45,060	$62/hr	1.9
361	Las Cruces, NM	23	$31,190	9.5	$45,690	$62/hr	3.7
362	Goldsboro, NC	23	$43,000	13.3	$43,970	$61/hr	8.0
363	Baton Rouge, LA	23	$37,555	9.5	$48,480	$65/hr	4.9
364	Lewiston, ME	23	$47,000	11.7	$56,370	$72/hr	4.0
365	Jackson, MS	23	$42,382	9.8	$38,040	$55/hr	2.6
366	Alexandria, LA	22	$44,218	9.0	$44,900	$62/hr	1.8
367	Miami, FL	22	$48,706	20.0	$49,550	$66/hr	3.8
368	Sebring, FL	22	$34,637	12.4	$44,650	$61/hr	7.3
369	Columbus, GA	21	$40,809	8.8	$48,830	$65/hr	1.9
370	Rocky Mount, NC	19	$31,786	10.6	$38,880	$56/hr	3.7
371	Laredo, TX	19	$38,368	26.1	$39,450	$57/hr	5.0
372	Brownsville, TX	18	$36,289	14.3	$39,160	$56/hr	6.3
373	Mobile, AL	18	$35,597	9.3	$47,330	$64/hr	2.7
374	McAllen, TX	18	$29,695	20.5	$39,920	$57/hr	8.2
375	Corpus Christi, TX	17	$38,872	11.9	$44,710	$61/hr	4.7
376	Monroe, LA	17	$45,044	11.3	$43,760	$60/hr	2.4
377	Kankakee, IL	17	$46,347	10.6	$45,190	$62/hr	1.1
378	Gadsden, AL	16	$47,109	21.7	$42,200	$59/hr	1.2
379	Beaumont, TX	15	$38,383	11.1	$47,050	$63/hr	2.4
380	Minot, ND	14	$52,113	12.4	$60,020	$75/hr	1.8
381	El Paso, TX	14	$43,879	15.2	$44,250	$61/hr	2.3
382	Jackson, TN	14	$35,895	11.6	$49,910	$66/hr	2.6
383	Sandusky, OH	13	$38,417	11.3	$46,660	$63/hr	2.8
384	Macon, GA	11	$30,724	12.5	$47,700	$64/hr	2.2
385	Memphis, TN	10	$36,657	12.2	$50,490	$67/hr	2.5
386	Eagle Pass, TX	7	$21,565	17.0	$44,360	$61/hr	1.6
387	Albany, GA	3	$21,844	16.6	$49,710	$66/hr	1.3

How to read this

Revenue is what one-person businesses take in before expenses, not take-home pay. A high figure with lots of competitors per resident usually means a busy but crowded market; a lower figure with few competitors can mean room to grow. Business counts come from the Census Nonemployer Statistics (2024) and County Business Patterns (2023), grouped as “auto repair”, so they include some firms outside the trade itself.

For pay as an employee in any of these cities, see the auto mechanic salary overview or the best cities for auto mechanics to work.

Census Nonemployer Statistics 2024; County Business Patterns 2023; Census Building Permits 2025; Census population estimates; BLS OEWS May 2025. Our data

Best cities to start an auto mechanic business