Why This Southern City Is the Most Popular for Side Hustles

Copyright Inc. Magazine

Atlanta, over the past few years, has become a hotspot for startups, with a thriving entrepreneurial community thanks to a moderate cost of living, increased access to venture capital, and a strong tech community. It’s not just startups that are thriving in the city, though. The Big Peach, as locals call it, is also the top city in the country for side hustles, according to a new report. On an average month, there are 1,914 searches for side hustle-related terms coming from Atlanta, far more than any other city on the list. On average, there were 384 searches per 100,000 residents. The study, from direct-to-film transfer company Ninja Transfers, analyzed search volumes for side hustles in 170 U.S. major cities, focusing on 80 different types of side gigs. Atlanta’s monthly searches were nearly double the closest cities on the list, with podcasting, online tutoring, and freelance tutoring topping the list for that city. The Southeast, in general, was a hotspot for people seeking side hustles. Three of the top five cities were located in that region. Cities in the Rust Belt and Midwest also featured prominently. Featured Video An Inc.com Featured Presentation These were the top 10 cities for side hustles: Atlanta, Ga. Orlando, Fla. Salt Lake City, Utah St. Louis, Mo. Birmingham, Ala. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Minneapolis, Mn. Miami, Fla. Cleveland, Ohio Pittsburgh, Penn. Podcasting was the most popular side hustle among all of the searches among people looking for a side hustle. Online tutoring came second, followed by freelance writing, and mystery shopping. “Many Americans nowadays are looking to explore further than the standard 9-to-5,” said Victor Ilisco, director of sales and operations at Ninja Transfers in a statement. “[Side hustles] are becoming increasingly accessible thanks to digital platforms and tools. And the barrier for starting one is a lot smaller than what it used to be.” While most side hustles are ways for people to earn extra income, they can become fully-fledged business—sometimes growing into operations that rack up millions of dollars in sales. Atlanta, meanwhile, has become a launch pad for many startups in the software, fintech and healthcare fields. Among the companies that have gotten their start there are Mailchimp (which was acquired by Intuit in 2021), data privacy firm OneTrust, and cryptocurrency payment company BitPay. The heart of the city’s startup culture is the Atlanta Tech Village, which has helped launch over 300 startups, which have collectively raised more than $3.2 billion in capital. That incubator offers entrepreneurs a place where they can interact with other founders and collaboratively solve problems, access to mentors and office and event space to build and showcase their companies. This year, Atlanta was home to 213 of the fastest growing companies on the Inc. 5000 list. And a WalletHub list of the “Best & Worst Places to Start a Career for 2025” ranked Atlanta first. The qualities that make the city ideal for startups can also be beneficial for people pursuing side hustles. The entrepreneurial energy that encourages startups also benefits freelance ventures and side hustles that approach an unmet need from a different angle. And if your side hustle begins to grow into something more than extra income, there are plenty of resources to help you take it to the next level.