The Best Cities for Independent Financial Advisors in 2025—and Why Etico Is Growing There

If you’re an independent financial advisor—or considering breaking away—location still matters. 

While remote work and digital planning tools have expanded your reach, the reality is: some markets are primed for advisor growth more than others. 

At Etico, we work closely with advisors across the country to help them scale, transition, or launch new practices. Here are five of the best cities for independent financial advisors—because they’re investing in themselves.

Want to see how Etico can help you and your firm? Book a call with me!

1. Dallas, TX 

The Fastest-Growing Wealth Hub in the South

Why Dallas Is One of the Best Cities for Independent Financial Advisors

• Rapid population growth (1,000+ new residents/day in DFW) 

• Strong business and entrepreneur base 

• High concentration of small business owners, tech execs, and real estate investors 

• No state income tax and favorable cost of living 

Why Etico is focused on Dallas: We’ve already built a support team on the ground—so onboarding, client transition, and local networking are seamless. Advisors who join Etico in Dallas gain access to a powerful combination of white-glove support and growth capital, without giving up control. 

2. Charlotte, NC 

Wall Street of the South

Why this market matters: 

• Home to major banks and Fortune 500 HQs 

• Surge in mid-career executives relocating from NYC, DC, and Boston 

• Strong intergenerational wealth planning demand 

Advisor insight: Clients in Charlotte want high-touch service but are skeptical of big-brand firms. Independent advisors have a huge opportunity to offer boutique-level care, personalized strategies, and transparent pricing. 

How Etico helps: We offer compliance support, portfolio management, and transition planning that allow advisors to focus on clients, not operations. Charlotte is a key priority for us in 2025. 

3. Nashville, TN 

Music City, Money City

What’s happening in Nashville: 

• Booming tech, healthcare, and entertainment economy 

• Population growth driving new wealth creation 

• A mix of high-net-worth families and young professionals seeking financial guidance 

Why it’s advisor-friendly: Like Dallas, Nashville offers no state income tax, a vibrant small business community, and a culture that values relationships. For advisors who prioritize connection, Nashville is fertile ground. 

Etico’s advantage: We’re bringing our open-architecture platform, succession planning expertise, and white-labeled investment strategies to help advisors stand out in this competitive but collaborative market. 

4. Denver, CO 

Tech, Outdoors, and Affluent Millennials

Market trends: 

• Influx of high-income transplants from California and New York 

• Growth in dual-income families, remote workers, and ESG-focused investors 

• Demand for tax-aware, socially responsible portfolios 

What advisors need to know: Denver clients value authenticity, transparency, and financial planning with purpose. Advisors who align with these values are building deep, loyal relationships and seeing strong AUM growth. 

Etico’s role in Denver: We support advisors with turnkey investment strategies (including ESG/impact options), CRM and tech stack integration, and practice growth coaching tailored to the local market. 

5. Sarasota / Tampa Bay, FL 

Retirees, Entrepreneurs, and Legacy Planning Central 

What makes this market unique: 

• One of the top U.S. retirement destinations 

• High net-worth concentration with complex estate and tax needs 

• A blend of legacy clients and emerging entrepreneurs from across the country 

Advisor opportunity: Many legacy firms here are aging—and clients are looking for modern, tech-savvy, relationship-driven advisors. Whether you're expanding or relocating, Sarasota and the broader Tampa Bay area are ideal for long-term, multi-generational client acquisition. 

Etico’s position: We’re actively recruiting advisors in this region and providing succession support, transition capital, and white-label branding tools to help you own your practice and your legacy. 

So, Why These 5 Markets? 

We’re not picking cities at random. We’ve analyzed where: 

• AUM growth is accelerating 

• High-value clients are underserved by large firms 

• Independent advisors want more support without giving up ownership 

• There’s strong demand for tech-enabled, human-first financial advice 

Etico helps advisors build practices that are: 

• Scalable 

• Sustainable 

• Still 100 percent yours 

We believe in partnership—not control. 

Ready to Grow Where the Market Is Headed? 

Whether you're: 

• Breaking away to launch your own firm 

• Looking to expand into a second office 

• Planning a move to one of these booming regions 

• Or considering retirement and want to transition clients smoothly 

Etico offers a modern, high-touch platform designed to support your next move. 

We’ll help you: 

• Evaluate market opportunity 

• Plan your transition 

• Build infrastructure for scale 

• Preserve your brand and client relationships 

Let’s Talk 

Want to explore your options in one of these cities—or another one on your radar? 

→ Book a confidential call with me 

→ See how Etico supports independent advisors 

Let’s build something that lasts—together. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What are the best cities for independent financial advisors in 2025? 

In 2025, independent financial advisors are thriving in a growing number of U.S. markets—especially cities that combine strong demographics, economic growth, and underserved investor demand. 

Some of the top metropolitan areas include: 

• Dallas, TX – A magnet for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and high-income transplants seeking tax-efficient strategies. No state income tax, rapid population growth, and low competition make it ideal for independent advisors. 

• Charlotte, NC – Known as the “Wall Street of the South,” Charlotte offers access to corporate executives, retirees, and young professionals in need of holistic planning. 

• Nashville, TN – A booming healthcare and entertainment hub with a strong base of emerging wealth, especially among dual-income families and business owners. 

• Denver, CO – A high-earning millennial population, ESG-minded investors, and active lifestyle clients make Denver a fast-growing market for modern, values-driven advisors. 

• Sarasota & Tampa Bay, FL – A retiree destination with significant legacy planning needs, alongside an influx of entrepreneurs relocating from the Northeast and Midwest. 

Beyond these five priority markets, advisors are finding major opportunities in other cities that are often overlooked by large national firms. These include: 

• Boise, ID – Consistently ranked as one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., with a rising professional class and strong community loyalty. 

• Lexington & Louisville, KY – Strong intergenerational wealth presence and less competition from national RIAs. 

• Des Moines, IA – A financial services hub with a high density of professionals and strong local roots. 

• Omaha, NE – A stable economy and concentration of business owners and HNW families. 

• Knoxville & Chattanooga, TN – Growing populations, low cost of living, and a culture that values personalized service. 

• Greenville, SC – An emerging market with a blend of young families, retirees, and small business owners. 

• Saratoga Springs, NY – Seasonal wealth, real estate investors, and a community that prefers boutique service over national brands. 

In 2025, the best cities for independent advisors share a few key traits: 

• Fast-growing populations with rising income and investable assets 

• Underserved client segments, especially in estate planning, business succession, and retirement income 

• Local culture that favors personal relationships over commoditized advice 

Advisors entering these markets—whether through relocation, expansion, or acquisition—have a significant opportunity to grow while maintaining independence. 

Etico supports advisors in these markets with white-glove transition services, scalable tech and investment platforms, and growth capital to accelerate success without sacrificing ownership or autonomy. 

Why is Dallas a hot market for financial advisors? 

Dallas has emerged as one of the top growth markets for independent financial advisors in 2025 due to its unmatched combination of economic expansion, demographic momentum, and investor demand. 

The Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metroplex continues to see over 1,000 new residents per day, many of whom are business owners, high-earning professionals, or affluent retirees relocating from higher-cost states. Texas’ favorable tax environment—including no state income tax—makes it especially attractive for wealth preservation and multi-generational planning. 

Entrepreneurs, tech executives, real estate investors, and physicians are drawn to the city’s business-friendly climate and high quality of life. Yet, many of these individuals are underserved by traditional financial institutions. This creates an ideal opportunity for independent advisors offering personalized, high-touch financial planning and investment advice. 

With low saturation from legacy firms and a culture that values relationships, Dallas provides a fertile environment for advisors looking to build or scale a practice while maintaining control over how they serve clients. 

How can Etico help me grow in a new market? 

Etico helps independent financial advisors grow in new markets by offering a full-service platform designed to eliminate friction and accelerate success—without compromising your autonomy. 

Whether you're expanding your footprint or relocating your practice, Etico delivers white-glove support across every stage of growth, including: 

• Seamless onboarding and repapering assistance 

• Personalized transition planning and communication support 

• Compliance oversight tailored to your business model 

• Access to institutional-grade investment strategies and model portfolios 

• Integrated technology tools for CRM, billing, reporting, and client engagement 

• Practice management coaching and ongoing strategic support 

• Local market insights and referral network development 

Our goal is to handle the operational and regulatory complexity behind the scenes so you can stay focused on what matters most—serving your clients and growing your business. We act as a true partner, not a platform owner, giving you the tools, resources, and freedom to thrive in any market you choose.