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Best Cities to Work in the U.S.
By Jake Steffens MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
*Content includes branded mentions of our sponsor ZipRecruiter.
No single city is perfect for finding quality employees, but some cities have unique offerings that tend to attract top talent. Factors such as job opportunities, earning potential, cost of living and quality of life are essential to drawing quality talent to a location.
In this article, we will highlight some of the top cities for workers and discuss some of the key metrics to look for in your own search when deciding where to recruit employees.
No matter where your business is located, you can use the top hiring website, ZipRecruiter, to find qualified candidates in your area. The platform’s technology finds suitable candidates for your position and invites them to apply.
Where are the best places to work in the U.S.?
While many places are considered good for working in the U.S., some cities stand out based on various factors that attract people to the area. We have compiled a list of the cities that you might find most compelling in your search for the best places to hire new employees.
Raleigh, North Carolina
The capital of North Carolina is known for having a small-town feel with big-city offerings. Raleigh is one of the three anchor cities of the Research Triangle region, making it home to some of the brightest minds in technology, but without the astronomical housing prices of its peers — such as San Francisco and Austin, Texas.
As one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, Raleigh has also experienced a steadily growing job market while maintaining an average unemployment rate of 3.1%. Raleigh’s relatively average cost of living also makes it an attractive location for workers looking for a comparably affordable place to call home.
Raleigh has numerous activities and attractions to keep employees and their families happy. Plentiful art galleries, the largest beer garden in the world, over 1,200 restaurants and a little over a two-hour drive to the ocean are only a few of the many benefits Raleigh offers.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Nestled at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, Salt Lake City draws in job seekers who have the desire to explore nature, thanks to the state’s multiple ski resorts, five national parks and numerous hiking destinations.
Although the cost of living in Salt Lake City is above average, the growing economy creates plenty of opportunities driven by a year-over-year job market increase of 3.7% and an unemployment rate of 2.5%.
Outside of economic factors, Salt Lake City also has a well-established art culture that is supported by the Sundance Film Festival, Utah Symphony and a thriving theater scene.
San Jose, California
The third largest city in California, San Jose has some of the world’s best companies, weather and colleges. Its proximity to Silicon Valley and several well-respected institutions of higher learning — such as Stanford University and the University of California, Santa Cruz — has made it the home of many technology companies, including Cisco, Apple and Adobe.
San Jose also boasts some of the best weather in the country, with an average of around 300 sunny days per year. These benefits do come with a high cost of living — San Jose’s cost of living is 49% higher than the national average. Everything from food or transportation to housing is more expensive in San Jose, but the housing prices are the toughest strain at 142% higher than the national average cost. The job market in San Jose has grown by 2.8% over the last 12 months, with an unemployment rate of 3.3%.
You can expect stiff competition for employees located in San Jose since so many strong companies are based in the area. However, there may be an opportunity to recruit students graduating from prestigious universities.
Phoenix, Arizona
The year-round sun, countless activities and booming job market rank Phoenix high among the best cities for workers. The weather in Phoenix is reliably sunny all year, but temperatures can run hot in the summer months. The surrounding areas of Tempe, Mesa, Glendale and Scottsdale are home to numerous attractions, each providing a unique experience to visitors.
Despite all these benefits, the cost of living is only slightly above average at 4% higher than the national average. Phoenix’s unemployment rate of 2.9% is below average but is countered by a year-over-year job market increase of only 2%.
The combination of weather, quality of life and cost of living make Phoenix one of the top cities job seekers are interested in. With such a sprawling metropolitan area, there are many opportunities to operate your business in Phoenix or find remote workers.
Boise, Idaho
Full of beautiful scenery, family activities during the day and dynamic social experiences at night, Boise has seen an influx of millennials moving into the city. The unique coffee shops, gyms and outdoor destinations are perfect for family life. For those more interested in bustling nightlife, Boise is home to many bars, including high-end cocktail bars and restaurants.
The Boise job market grew by 3.5 % over the last year, with an unemployment rate of only 2.9%. The cost of living in this activity-dense city is 8% higher than the national average. The higher average cost of living is primarily due to housing, which costs 26% more than the national average.
San Antonio, Texas
Many residents from California have flocked to the Texas city of Austin, but San Antonio is a hidden gem with just as much to offer as its popular northern neighbor. Whether you want to drink margaritas on the River Walk, visit exhibits dedicated to Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders, or grab breakfast tacos at the Chapala Taco House, San Antonio has no shortage of things to do.
A well-known military hub, San Antonio has seen growth in major industries, including bioscience, healthcare and tourism. Surprisingly, the amusements of San Antonio are accompanied by a below-national average cost of living — 8% lower than the national average. The housing costs alone in San Antonio are 20% lower than the U.S. average.
San Antonio has become a more popular destination for job seekers in the science and industrial sectors. Given the low cost of living, San Antonio may be ideal as a base to consider for operations.
Nashville, Tennessee
Thanks to its historic music scene, professional sports and hot chicken, Nashville has long been a destination for fun seekers, but it’s also one of the best places to work in the U.S.
With a low unemployment rate of 2.5% and a job market that has increased by 4% over the past 12 months, Nashville has become popular with job seekers looking to relocate. Still, Nashville will always be a tourist hot spot, and for good reason. Legendary music venues such as the Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium have hosted countless unforgettable performances. Plus, the diversity of dining options is difficult to beat.
Beyond its sightseeing and attractions, it’s also quietly becoming a hub for major healthcare and technology companies, including HCA Healthcare and Bridgestone America. The well-regarded universities in the area add to Nashville’s educated workforce, fueled by Vanderbilt University and Belmont University graduates.
With an average cost of living slightly lower than the national average, Nashville may be popular with workers looking to leave high-cost-of-living cities. Between the quality of life drawing in young job seekers, the stream of qualified graduates and the growth of healthcare and technology companies, Nashville may also be a great place to find potential employees.
Jacksonville, Florida
With beautiful weather, 22 miles of beaches and a dining scene that is secretly one of the best in the country, it may surprise you that the cost of living in Jacksonville is 6% below the national average. Jacksonville has posted a year-over-year job growth rate of 4.1% and currently has an unemployment rate of 2.6%.
As one of the largest cities geographically, there is no shortage of things to do, such as visiting the Riverside Arts Market, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, or seeing the Jacksonville Jaguars play at TIAA Bank Field.
The sightseeing, weather and low cost of living bring job seekers to Jacksonville. With that combination, you may find happy remote workers as well as opportunities to base operations in the city.
Fort Worth, Texas
A true Texas town full of bull riding, cowboy hats and BBQ, Fort Worth has a claim to being one of the best cities to work in the Lonestar State.
With an average cost of living 5% lower than the national average, Fort Worth may provide a great bang for your buck. Fort Worth’s job market has grown 4.4% year-over-year, with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. The presence of educational institutions such as Texas Christian University and the University of North Texas Health Center has also played a role in the development of Fort Worth.
The well-established yet growing job market, the flow of recent graduates and the fair cost of living are primary reasons businesses and job seekers may choose Fort Worth.
Columbia, Maryland
The city of Columbia has slowly gained notoriety as a good place to work in the U.S. Columbia’s growing popularity with employees may be due to its low unemployment rate of 2.3% and unique history of culture and diversity. The healthcare, technology, and education sectors are some of the biggest job generators in Columbia, but the job market experienced a year-over-year increase of only 1.3%.
The community-oriented city offers a lifestyle that is ideal for those with families. Columbia is also located close to large cities like Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, further expanding potential job opportunities for residents.
Key factors that make the perfect city for job seekers
Many factors make a city a great place to find employees, such as quality of life, attractions or the weather. But there are a few factors you should pay extra attention to when seeking locations for your employee search.
Ample job opportunities
Although many job seekers are looking for remote work, it’s still important to consider the job availability in each city — it could be a factor that attracts job seekers. Looking at key metrics such as job growth, unemployment rate and job openings can be helpful when comparing different cities. These factors are also usually good indicators of the quality of life in a particular city.
High income potential
Another important factor to pay attention to is the potential for earning a high income. Usually, the higher the cost of living in a city, the higher the average income will be. Looking for candidates in high-cost-of-living areas may mean you have to offer higher salaries to attract the best employees.
Affordable cost of living
A city can have everything you want and need, but employees may require higher compensation if the cost of living is too high. Living in a city like New York and Los Angeles has many benefits, but the high living costs often turn people away.
Search for cities that provide value or quality of life that balances out the cost of living when compared to other cities. A city offering high incomes relative to the cost of living can entice employees to move or help you retain employees.
You can use job posting sites and tools to see how much employers offer candidates in a particular area and compare those figures to cost of living data.
Summary of The Miami Herald’s best cities to work in the U.S.
There are plenty of places in the U.S. where you can find quality talent, but some are better than others. What is important to keep in mind is how to evaluate different cities to find the type of employees that are best for your company. No city is perfect. You must decide what is most important to your business and what you are willing to sacrifice.
Understanding those criteria will help you narrow down the best cities to focus your recruiting efforts on. Once you’ve decided where you want to search, you may also find value in using the best job posting sites for employers. ZipRecruiter is a top choice because it’s a mobile-friendly marketplace that allows you to simultaneously send your job listings to more than 100 job posting sites.