Beyond the Coasts: Surprising Cities Emerging as America’s Creative Hubs

For years, creativity in America seemed centered in big coastal cities like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. But new data shows artistic and entrepreneurial energy is spreading far beyond those urban centers. A 2025 study by UPrinting ranked U.S. cities by creative output, revealing a new wave of smaller and mid-sized cities becoming destinations where creativity drives both culture and commerce.

A Shift in America’s Creative Map

UPrinting’s research evaluated cities based on creative job concentration, cultural spaces, and design-oriented businesses. Traditional hubs still ranked high, but several unexpected cities broke through the top of the list.

Places like Milwaukee, Minneapolis, and Salt Lake City stood out for strong creative communities and accessible opportunities f