Which state is the easiest place to rank on Google Maps?

Alaska averages lowest of the 14 states measured, at 37, with Hawaii (40) and Delaware (43) next. Its calmest city is Sitka, at 24, where plumbing scores just 12 and the top three hold 14.5 reviews at the median. Easy is relative: these scores compare every city measured together, so a low score means fewer established competitors than elsewhere, not none. Even in the calmest markets the map rewards a complete profile, the right categories and a steady flow of reviews.

What is the most competitive trade for local SEO in the US?

Dentists average 63 across 75 cities, the highest of 12 trades, and 33 of those cities score it over 65. Its top three Google Maps results hold a median of 706 reviews. The hardest single market is Chicago, IL, at 77, and California is its hardest state, averaging 72. The least competitive trade is pool companies, at 41, where 23 cities score under 35. Trade explains more of a score than geography does, which is why each state page breaks every city out by trade.

How many Google reviews does a local business need to compete?

It depends heavily on the trade. Across all cities measured, the median review count of the top three Google Maps results runs from 40 for pool companies to 706 for dentists. In the median city, 9 of the top 20 businesses have already passed 100 reviews. Those medians are the bar to aim for in a typical city, not a hard minimum. Reviews carry 30 of the index’s 100 points, and Google also ranks on relevance and distance, so a business below the median can still win searches close to its own address.

How is the Market Competition Index calculated?

Take pest control in Birmingham, AL, which scores 54, near the national median. Its top three map results hold 142 reviews at the median (weight 30), 17 of the top 20 have passed 100 (15) and the top ten average 4.8 stars (10). Competitor websites carry 20, the county’s 0.15 businesses per 1,000 homes 10 and the city’s 195,893 residents 15. Each signal is scaled from 0 to 1 across every city measured, then weighted; reviews and population use a logarithm.

When will my state be added to the SEO Market Map?

14 states are published as of October 29, 2026. The other 36 are being measured in free monthly batches of Google Places data, and a state is published only once every city and trade in it is complete, never half measured. Each time states join, every score is recalculated across everything measured, so published numbers can move slightly. Each state covers its five most populous incorporated cities that Google Ads can target; Hawaii, which has no incorporated cities, uses its five largest Census places, and Florida covers the ten cities we have city pages for. The methodology page lists every source and its date.

SEO Market Map · 14 states · 75 cities · 12 trades

Today’s SEO forecast for America.

Some markets are clear skies: a well-kept Google Business Profile wins the call. Others are a storm of competitors with thousands of reviews and built-out websites. We measured 75 cities in 14 states across 12 trades so far, with more states added each month. Find yours.

Run my
free audit Book
a call

In one paragraph

The SEO Market Map scores how hard it is to win local Google search in 75 US cities across 14 states and 12 trades, from 0 (calm) to 100 (severe). Each score reads who shows up on Google Maps, how many reviews they hold, what their websites do and how many businesses compete per home. The median state scores 54, read October 29, 2026.

The national radar

Arizona runs hottest. Alaska runs calmest.

Each state takes the average of its measured cities, and the map ranks the states against each other in five groups. The median state scores 54. Choose a trade above and the map re-ranks for it. Tap a state for its own forecast.

Tap a state

The United States

54median state / 100

14 states, 75 cities

Stormiest fifth ranks 1–2
Second stormiest fifth ranks 3–5
Middle fifth ranks 6–8
Second calmest fifth ranks 9–11
Calmest fifth ranks 12–14
Not yet measured 36 states

Across the 14 states measured so far, the median state scores 54 out of 100. Arizona runs hottest at 63 and Alaska calmest at 37. Underneath those averages sit 900 city and trade markets, from 12 for plumbing in Sitka, AK to 83 for law firms in Atlanta, GA.

By band, 143 markets score over 65, where full SEO with paid search is the norm; 672 sit between 35 and 65, where local SEO decides the call; and 85 score under 35, where a strong Google Business Profile and steady reviews may be enough.

The hardest trades on average are dentists (63), HVAC (58) and plumbing (57). Pool companies (41), landscaping (43) and electricians (47) average lowest. Within a single state the gap can be wide: dentists in Alaska run from 19 in Sitka to 71 in Anchorage, 52 points apart.

02 / 16

Dentists: local SEO competition across 14 states

Dentists average 63 across 75 cities, 1st of 12 trades. It is hardest in Chicago, IL, at 77, and calmest in Sitka, AK, at 19. The top three map results hold a median of 706 reviews, and a median of 18 of the top 20 have passed 100.

By state, California averages highest for dentists at 72, followed by Colorado (69) and Alabama (67); Alaska is calmest at 50. Across the 75 cities, 33 score it over 65 and 1 under 35.

In Chicago, IL, the leaders hold 993 reviews at the top-three median, 20 of 20 rivals have passed 100 and ratings average 4.9 stars. See SEO for dentists for the playbook.

03 / 16

How hard is SEO for HVAC across the US?

HVAC averages 58 across 75 cities, 2nd of 12 trades. Scores run from 16 in Sitka, AK to 75 in Phoenix, AZ. The top three map results hold a median of 616 reviews, and a median of 12 of the top 20 have passed 100.

By state, Arizona averages highest for HVAC at 67, followed by Alabama (64) and Colorado (64); Alaska is calmest at 40. Across the 75 cities, 22 score it over 65 and 3 under 35.

In Phoenix, AZ, the leaders hold 1,348 reviews at the top-three median, 19 of 20 rivals have passed 100 and ratings average 4.8 stars. Our page on SEO for HVAC covers how to compete.

04 / 16

Plumbing SEO, state by state

Plumbing averages 57 across 75 cities, 3rd of 12 trades. The toughest market is Chicago, IL (78); the calmest is Sitka, AK (12). The top three map results hold a median of 485 reviews, and a median of 11 of the top 20 have passed 100.

By state, California averages highest for plumbing at 70, followed by Arizona (69) and Florida (66); Alaska is calmest at 35. Across the 75 cities, 19 score it over 65 and 3 under 35.

In Chicago, IL, the leaders hold 1,554 reviews at the top-three median, 17 of 20 rivals have passed 100 and ratings average 4.8 stars. Our page on SEO for plumbing covers how to compete.

05 / 16

Law firms SEO, state by state

Law firms average 57 across 75 cities, 4th of 12 trades. The toughest market is Atlanta, GA (83); the calmest is Sitka, AK (21). The top three map results hold a median of 218 reviews, and a median of 9 of the top 20 have passed 100.

By state, California averages highest for law firms at 69, followed by Georgia (66) and Colorado (64); Alaska is calmest at 34. Across the 75 cities, 20 score it over 65 and 7 under 35.

In Atlanta, GA, the leaders hold 1,668 reviews at the top-three median, 19 of 20 rivals have passed 100 and ratings average 4.9 stars. Our page on SEO for law firms covers how to compete.

06 / 16

How hard is SEO for med spas across the US?

Med spas average 57 across 75 cities, 5th of 12 trades. It is hardest in Miami, FL, at 80, and calmest in Milford, DE, at 31. The top three map results hold a median of 193 reviews, and a median of 11 of the top 20 have passed 100.

By state, Arizona averages highest for med spas at 69, followed by California (68) and Colorado (68); Delaware is calmest at 44. Across the 75 cities, 20 score it over 65 and 2 under 35.

In Miami, FL, the leaders hold 1,350 reviews at the top-three median, 18 of 20 rivals have passed 100 and ratings average 4.9 stars. See SEO for med spas for the playbook.

07 / 16

Veterinarians SEO, state by state

Veterinarians average 56 across 75 cities, 6th of 12 trades. Scores run from 34 in Milford, DE to 68 in Jacksonville, FL. The top three map results hold a median of 388 reviews, and a median of 17 of the top 20 have passed 100.

By state, Colorado averages highest for veterinarians at 66, followed by Arizona (65) and California (63); Hawaii is calmest at 43. Across the 75 cities, 9 score it over 65 and 2 under 35.

In Jacksonville, FL, the leaders hold 483 reviews at the top-three median, 19 of 20 rivals have passed 100 and ratings average 4.6 stars. Our page on SEO for veterinarians covers how to compete.

08 / 16

Chiropractors: local SEO competition across 14 states

Chiropractors average 52 across 75 cities, 7th of 12 trades. It is hardest in San Diego, CA, at 68, and calmest in Sitka, AK, at 27. The top three map results hold a median of 252 reviews, and a median of 11 of the top 20 have passed 100.

By state, Arizona averages highest for chiropractors at 61, followed by California (60) and Colorado (57); Alaska is calmest at 39. Across the 75 cities, 3 score it over 65 and 3 under 35.

In San Diego, CA, the leaders hold 490 reviews at the top-three median, 16 of 20 rivals have passed 100 and ratings average 5.0 stars. How we approach it: SEO for chiropractors.

09 / 16

How hard is SEO for pest control across the US?

Pest control averages 51 across 75 cities, 8th of 12 trades. It is hardest in Mesa, AZ, at 77, and calmest in Juneau, AK, at 23. The top three map results hold a median of 382 reviews, and a median of 9 of the top 20 have passed 100.

By state, Arizona averages highest for pest control at 71, followed by California (62) and Florida (60); Alaska is calmest at 28. Across the 75 cities, 8 score it over 65 and 15 under 35.

In Mesa, AZ, the leaders hold 3,476 reviews at the top-three median, 19 of 20 rivals have passed 100 and ratings average 4.9 stars. How we approach it: SEO for pest control.

10 / 16

Roofing: local SEO competition across 14 states

Roofing averages 50 across 75 cities, 9th of 12 trades. The toughest market is Atlanta, GA (70); the calmest is Sitka, AK (19). The top three map results hold a median of 146 reviews, and a median of 8 of the top 20 have passed 100.

By state, Arizona averages highest for roofing at 63, followed by Colorado (57) and Georgia (57); Alaska is calmest at 26. Across the 75 cities, 5 score it over 65 and 6 under 35.

In Atlanta, GA, the leaders hold 413 reviews at the top-three median, 19 of 20 rivals have passed 100 and ratings average 4.9 stars. Our page on SEO for roofing covers how to compete.

11 / 16

Electricians SEO, state by state

Electricians average 47 across 75 cities, 10th of 12 trades. Scores run from 17 in Sitka, AK to 70 in Jacksonville, FL. The top three map results hold a median of 124 reviews, and a median of 5 of the top 20 have passed 100.

By state, California averages highest for electricians at 58, followed by Colorado (55) and Arizona (54); Hawaii is calmest at 29. Across the 75 cities, 4 score it over 65 and 9 under 35.

In Jacksonville, FL, the leaders hold 1,035 reviews at the top-three median, 16 of 20 rivals have passed 100 and ratings average 4.8 stars. How we approach it: SEO for electricians.

12 / 16

Landscaping SEO, state by state

Landscaping averages 43 across 75 cities, 11th of 12 trades. The toughest market is Jacksonville, FL (59); the calmest is Waipahu, HI (19). The top three map results hold a median of 77 reviews, and a median of 4 of the top 20 have passed 100.

By state, Arizona averages highest for landscaping at 50, followed by Colorado (48) and Indiana (48); Alaska is calmest at 30. Across the 75 cities, 0 score it over 65 and 11 under 35.

In Jacksonville, FL, the leaders hold 242 reviews at the top-three median, 11 of 20 rivals have passed 100 and ratings average 4.8 stars. See SEO for landscaping for the playbook.

13 / 16

Pool companies: local SEO competition across 14 states

Pool companies average 41 across 75 cities, 12th of 12 trades. It is hardest in Tucson, AZ, at 65, and calmest in Bridgeport, CT, at 21. The top three map results hold a median of 40 reviews, and a median of 3 of the top 20 have passed 100.

By state, Arizona averages highest for pool companies at 54, followed by Florida (49) and California (48); Hawaii is calmest at 30. Across the 75 cities, 0 score it over 65 and 23 under 35.

In Tucson, AZ, the leaders hold 674 reviews at the top-three median, 10 of 20 rivals have passed 100 and ratings average 4.7 stars. See SEO for pool companies for the playbook.

14 / 16

Which states are hardest for local SEO?

Of the 14 states measured so far, the five hardest on average are Arizona (63), California (61), Colorado (59), Florida (59) and Georgia (55). The five calmest are Alaska (37), Hawaii (40), Delaware (43), Connecticut (46) and Arkansas (50). The median state scores 54.

State averages hide wide spreads. Arizona runs from 59 in Chandler to 68 in Phoenix, California runs from 58 in Fresno to 66 in San Diego and Colorado runs from 51 in Lakewood to 67 in Denver. The national map colors states by rank in five equal groups, so a pale state is calm relative to the others measured, not empty of competition. Another 36 states join as their data completes.

15 / 16

What the top-ranking local websites do

We read 2,682 websites belonging to the businesses that rank in these searches. 54% carry local business markup and 65% changed their sitemap in the last year. California leads on markup at 63%; Delaware trails at 41%. The median ranking site lists 1 location-style page.

Sitemaps are freshest in Arizona, where 72% of ranking sites changed theirs in the past year, and stalest in Hawaii, at 52%. WordPress runs 1,376 of the sites, custom or less common builders 791 and Wix 139. No builder is required to rank; what the leaders share is structure: local business markup, a sitemap that grows as pages are added and a page for each place they serve. The free audit checks all three on your own site.

16 / 16

How to use the SEO forecast

Open your state, find your city and trade, and read the band. Under 35, a complete Google Business Profile and steady reviews may be enough. From 35 to 65, plan on local SEO. Over 65, expect full SEO and often paid search. Scores compare every city measured together, so they are a guide, not a guarantee.

Every state page lists its cities trade by trade, with the reviews, ratings and competitor websites behind each score. Data is read in free monthly batches; Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana and 32 other states are next. The methodology lists every signal, weight, source and date.

Warnings and all-clears

The ten most severe markets, and the ten calmest.

83Law firms in Atlanta, GA
80Law firms in Denver, CO
80Med spas in Miami, FL
80Law firms in Chicago, IL
79Med spas in Phoenix, AZ
79Med spas in Denver, CO
78Plumbing in Chicago, IL
77Pest control in Mesa, AZ
77Law firms in Los Angeles, CA
77Law firms in Miami, FL

12Plumbing in Sitka, AK
16HVAC in Sitka, AK
17Electricians in Sitka, AK
19Roofing in Sitka, AK
19Dentists in Sitka, AK
19Landscaping in Waipahu, HI
20Roofing in Fairbanks, AK
20HVAC in Hilo, HI
21Landscaping in Juneau, AK
21Law firms in Sitka, AK

The full forecast

Every state, every trade.

State averages of the Market Competition Index, 0 to 100, scored across all 75 cities measured together. Search data read October 29, 2026. How we measured it.
State	Plumbing	HVAC	Roofing	Electricians	Landscaping	Pest control	Pool companies	Dentists	Law firms	Med spas	Veterinarians	Chiropractors
Alabama	60	64	55	44	38	57	43	67	62	52	56	53
Alaska	35	40	26	33	30	28	39	50	34	46	46	39
Arizona	69	67	63	54	50	71	54	67	63	69	65	61
Arkansas	56	57	49	47	39	50	35	62	52	48	57	48
California	70	62	55	58	45	62	48	72	69	68	63	60
Colorado	63	64	57	55	48	50	40	69	64	68	66	57
Connecticut	45	49	44	44	40	36	31	60	62	52	49	48
Delaware	46	48	43	37	43	40	37	52	40	44	44	46
Florida	66	63	55	54	46	60	49	66	64	67	58	55
Georgia	59	62	57	53	44	53	41	60	66	60	58	52
Hawaii	44	41	38	29	31	43	30	55	36	45	43	41
Idaho	58	62	49	49	46	53	38	65	53	52	60	57
Illinois	60	59	52	43	47	51	41	67	61	58	57	57
Indiana	58	60	57	48	48	46	40	66	59	59	59	55

Each score blends six measured signals: the review strength of the top three businesses on Google Maps, how many established competitors there are, the star rating bar, what the top businesses’ websites do, how many businesses compete per home, and the size of the market. Read the methodology.

Questions

What business owners in every state ask first.

Jamie Kloncz · SEO Elite Agency, Naples

Of the 14 states measured so far, Arizona averages highest at 63, followed by California (61) and Colorado (59). Its hardest city is Phoenix, at 68, and its hardest trade is med spas there, at 79. State averages compress a lot: the same state can hold a market under 40 and another over 70. Open the state page to see the city and trade that matter to you, since that pair, not the state, sets the work a business needs.

Sources

Google Maps Platform: Text Search (New), Places API documentationOpened and checked October 30, 2026
U.S. Census Bureau: County Business Patterns (2023)Opened and checked October 30, 2026
U.S. Census Bureau: Population and Housing Unit Estimates (Vintage 2025)Opened and checked October 30, 2026
U.S. Census Bureau: Gazetteer Files (city locations)Opened and checked October 30, 2026
U.S. Census Bureau: Cartographic Boundary Files (state lines)Opened and checked October 30, 2026

Keep reading

How the forecast is measured The Arizona forecast The California forecast SEO for dentists SEO for HVAC Local SEO services

Written by Jamie Kloncz, founderSEO Elite Agency, Naples FL. Data last read October 29, 2026.

Start with the audit.

About 60 seconds, no email, and you get named findings for your own site, not a score out of a hundred.

Run my
free audit Book a call
instead