NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Cleveland, TN

Metro Market Score 47.2 (Moderate), ranked #102 of 378 metros. 419 establishments, 5,502 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 47.2
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Moderate

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national retail trade average.

📈Rapid Growth⚡Rising Wages

Cleveland ranks in the upper half for retail trade market conditions, driven by above-average employment growth. With a market score of 47.2, conditions are relatively favorable compared to most metros.

Industry Concentration
76.5
LQ: 1.27
Rank #289 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
39.7
$36,524 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 91.5
Employment growth index
Rank #33 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
78.2
YoY wage change index

419 Retail Trade Firms in Cleveland

419
Establishments
+4.0% YoY
5,502
Total Employment
+2.9% YoY
$36,524
Average Annual Wage
+3.2% YoY
1.27
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Cleveland vs Tennessee Statewide

How this metro's retail trade market compares to Tennessee overall. The state ranks #22/51 for entry risk.

Measure Cleveland TN Statewide
Overall Score 47.2 Moderate 42.8 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #102 of 378 metros #22 of 51 states

Metro and state scores use different methodologies (metro has 4 QCEW-based metrics; state adds BDS survival and momentum data). Direct score comparisons are approximate.

Other Industries in Cleveland

Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 15.9 Information 20.5 Finance and Insurance 32.1 Accommodation and Food Services 45.0 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 47.7 Other Services 52.3 Construction 57.5 Administrative and Support Services 60.4

Retail Trade in Other Tennessee Metros

Chattanooga 38.0 #35/378 Jackson 40.4 #52/378 Kingsport-Bristol 43.3 #74/378 Clarksville 48.6 #116/378 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin 50.3 #145/378 Johnson City 51.1 #154/378 Morristown 58.4 #236/378 Knoxville 63.7 #297/378

About Metro Market Score: A weighted composite of industry concentration (25%), wage competitiveness (25%), wage pressure (20%), and employment growth trend (30%). Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions. For Cleveland's retail trade sector, the industry concentration component (76.5) has the strongest pull on the composite. Metro scores use QCEW data only (no BDS survival data at metro level). Read full methodology →

Data Sources

Data period: 2024. Last updated: April 2026.