Tampa has been ranked the top U.S. city for international business, according to an analysis by the Financial Times and Nikkei.
According to the report, Tampa earned recognition from foreign investors for its competitive business environment. The city is particularly favored for lower utility costs, quality of life, and lower crime rates.
For its findings, FT-Nikkei Investing in America 2025 overviewed 91 U.S. cities across 50 metrics considered important to foreign investors. Categories factored included workforce quality, business environment, infrastructure and quality of life.
In its third year, the report also introduced a "trade war resilience" category, which evaluates a local economy’s reliance on imports and exports.
Overall, Tampa received a score of 67. The city specifically fared well in quality of life (81/100), followed by trade war resilience (74/100), workforce and talent (72/100), openness (72/100), and foreign business needs (72/100).
Notably, Tampa jumped 26 spots in the rankings.
But it wasn't the only Florida city in the top 10. Orlando also made the list at No. 4, while Miami ranked No. 9.
Specifically, Orlando received high marks for openness (83/100) and trade war resilience (75/100). Overall, it was given a score of 65.
Miami earned high marks for foreign business needs (89/100) and investment trends (78/100). Overall, it was given a score of 63.
A member of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office, Christina Pushaw, celebrated the news on social media, saying, "Florida has 3 of the top 10." It was also shared by the state's official international commerce agency, SelectFlorida.
Seattle, Washington, and Raleigh, North Carolina, ranked No.2 and No. 3, respectively. The top 10 also included Cincinnati, Ohio (No. 5), Washington, D.C. (No. 6), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (No. 7), Fort Worth, Texas (No. 8), and Irving, Texas (No. 10).
Florida also had no city at the bottom of the rankings. Bakersfield, California, was given that distinction (No. 91) with a score of 32.
It was followed by Laredo, Texas (No. 90), Stockton, California (No. 89), El Paso, Texas (No. 88), Detroit, Michigan (No. 87), Fresno, California (No. 86), Riverside, California (No. 85), Tucson, Arizona (No. 84), North Las Vegas, Nevada (No. 83), and Chula Vista, California (No. 82) in the bottom 10.
