Earlier this year, the website CardHub announced its 2013 list of best cities for small business. (They also announced a worst list, but we’ll let them catch the flak on that.) As we’ve seen dozens of such rankings over the years, we’ve decided to keep a lookout for different lists that claim to rank small business-friendly cities. Here’s their list:

1. Denver

(Image: on Flickr via Larry Johnson)

Denver ranked a mile-high on the list. With 30 small businesses per 1,000 people, it’s the 2nd fastest-growing workforce in the country.

 2. Boston

(Image: via wikimedia commons)

Despite the city’s high cost of living and the Bay State’s high tax rates, Boston boasts robust small business vitality, a strong employment rate and overall friendliness to small business.

3. Minneapolis

(Image: via wikimedia commons)

Companies with 50 employees or less comprise almost half of Minneapolis’ Chamber of Commerce membership. Another great stat: There are 27 small businesses per 1,000 residents.

 4. Seattle

(Image: on Flickr via Michael Holden)

Arguably the coffee and craft beer capital of the West Coast, Seattle boasts 27.47 small businesses per 1,000 residents.

5. San Francisco

(Image: via wikimedia commons)

The City by the Bay pays the nation’s second-highest wages for new employees of small businesses. And there’s gold in them thar hills: The city has recently started an Emerging Business Loan Fund that can stake qualified businesses to anywhere between $50,000-$1 million for staffing, operations, equipment, real estate costs and expansion.