Texas: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #34 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 29,145,505.
Texas ranks #34 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (44.9). Real Estate and Rental and Leasing carries the lowest risk at 41.4 (Moderate), while Finance and Insurance is the most challenging at 50.4 (Elevated). The 9.1-point spread signals moderate variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 1,671,855 jobs.
Texas: 44.9 Average Entry Risk
Texas at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in Texas
Industries with the lowest entry risk in Texas.
Entry Risk by Industry in Texas
Compare market entry conditions across industries in Texas. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
Texas Industry Data: 667,232 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 41.4 | #28/51 | 43,376 | 256,463 | $82,311 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 41.5 | #20/51 | 15,452 | 225,306 | $132,041 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 41.6 | #17/51 | 85,556 | 1,400,612 | $42,727 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 42.2 | #30/51 | 132,852 | 1,046,565 | $122,527 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 43.0 | #34/51 | 48,894 | 893,892 | $61,525 |
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 46.0 | #38/51 | 65,336 | 1,346,478 | $27,231 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 46.3 | #29/51 | 64,262 | 857,532 | $83,416 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 46.8 | #36/51 | 101,227 | 1,671,855 | $61,610 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 50.1 | #36/51 | 61,653 | 376,798 | $54,286 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 50.4 | #25/51 | 48,624 | 650,125 | $119,659 |
Largest Industries in Texas by Employment
Metro Markets in Texas
26 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
How Texas Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
| State | Avg Entry Risk | vs TX |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 44.9 | — |
| Arkansas | 38.6 | -6.3 |
| Louisiana | 44.5 | -0.4 |
| Oklahoma | 44.9 | 0.0 |
| New Mexico | 47.2 | +2.3 |
Texas: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is Texas's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
Texas averages 44.9 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #34 of 51 state markets. Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions; the national average sits near 44.
What is the easiest industry to start a business in within Texas?
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing carries the lowest entry risk in Texas at 41.4 (Moderate). It employs 256,463 workers across 43,376 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in Texas?
Finance and Insurance posts Texas's highest entry risk at 50.4 (Elevated). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in Texas?
667,232 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in Texas, employing 8,725,626 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is Texas's largest industry by employment?
Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer in Texas with 1,671,855 jobs across 101,227 establishments and an entry risk score of 46.8.