Looking to move, but want to make sure you’re not left high and dry for a job? These are some of the best places to live as a tech worker looking for great employment opportunities with the potential for growth.
Research Triangle, NC
Consisting of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, this area of North Carolina earned its nickname for its dense concentration of research universities and related activities. Forbes named Raleigh the “second best city for tech job creation” in April 2015.
Estimated population (2018): 469,298 (Raleigh), 2,238,315 (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill combined statistical area)
Annual average tech salary: $91,686 (Raleigh)
Average monthly rental rate: $1,262 (Raleigh)
Top tech companies that operate there: Cisco Systems, Red Hat, Inc., Citrix, IBM
Top tech job sectors:
Infrastructure ArchitectDesign EngineerSQL DeveloperJava DeveloperTooling Engineer
San Jose/Sunnyvale/Santa Clara, CA area
Also known as “Silicon Valley,” it doesn’t come as much of a surprise that the tech sector is hot here. Silicon Valley is a loosely defined geographic reason, so stats may vary.
Estimated population (2018): 1,030,119 (San Jose)
Annual average tech salary: $205,650 (San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara metro area)
Average monthly rental rate: $3,064 (San Jose)
Top tech companies that operate there: Apple, Adobe, eBay
Top tech job sectors:
Infrastructure ArchitectSoftware EngineerJava Developer
Austin, TX
Austin is home to many bigger, more established companies, but it also has a thriving startup scene, so you have options for where you’ll best fit in.
Estimated population (2018): 2,168,316 (Austin-Round Rock metro area)
Annual average tech salary: $90,420 (Austin-Round Rock metro area)
Average monthly rental rate: $1,556
Top tech companies that operate there: Dell, IBM, Intel
Top tech job sectors:
Java DeveloperNetwork AdministratorTechnical WriterDevelopment AnalystSoftware Engineer
Portland, OR
A kind of Silicon Valley of the northwest, the suburbs west of Portland are sometimes referred to as the “Silicon Forest.”
Estimated population (2018): 653,115 (Portland), 2,478,810 (Portland metro area)
Annual average tech salary: $89,190
Average monthly rental rate: $1,653
Top tech companies that operate there: Intel, Zapproved, Vernier Software & Technology
Top tech job sectors:
IT Service ManageriOS DeveloperProgrammer AnalystSenior QA Analyst
Provo, UT
Here, you’ll be working alongside a fair share of BYU grads. There are plenty of startups and independent entities, but Google has a branch there as well.
Estimated population (2018): 116,702
Average annual tech salary: $81,740
Average monthly rental rate: $1,161
Top tech companies that operate there: Google, Google Fiber, Qualtrics
Top tech job sectors:
Technical SupportPython DeveloperSoftware Engineer
Fort Collins, CO
This Colorado city combines small-town charm with great tech employment opportunities.
Estimated population (2018): 167,830
Average annual tech salary: $85,990
Average monthly rental rate: $1,359
Top tech companies that operate there: Intel, Hewlett-Packard, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Top tech job sectors:
Software QAApplication Software DeveloperTest Engineer
Indianapolis, IN
This Midwest city is home to Fortune 500 companies and some specifically tech-oriented businesses.
Estimated population (2018): 867,125
Average annual tech salary: $75,100
Average monthly rent rate: $1,006
Top tech companies that operate there: One Click Ventures, Phoenix Data
Top tech job sectors:
Java DeveloperInfrastructure ArchitectNet Developer
Boise, ID
Boise ranks well for affordability and quality of life, and it’s home to startups and industry giants alike.
Estimated population (2018): 228,790
Average annual tech salary: $71,917
Average monthly rental rate: $1,175
Top tech companies that operate there: Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard
Top tech job sectors:
Software EngineerApplication EngineerMobile Software DeveloperFirmware Engineer
Nashville, TN
This is a big city for healthcare and biotechnology (and country music, but you already knew that).
Estimated population (2018): 1,932,099 (Nashville metro area)
Average annual tech salary: $79,190 (Nashville metro area)
Average monthly rental rate: $1,458
Top tech companies that operate there: Infoworks, Zycron
Top tech job sectors:
IT ManagerInformation Security EngineeriOS DeveloperSenior Programmer Analyst
Manchester, NH
With Boston and Portland reasonably close and numerous tech giants within the city itself, Manchester is a great choice for those who want lots of options.
Estimated population (2018): 112,525
Average annual tech salary: $85,050
Average monthly rental rate: $1,338
Top tech companies that operate there: Dell, Hewlett-Packard
Top tech job sectors:
Java DeveloperSystems ArchitectSenior IT Project ManagerUI Software Engineer
The Bottom Line
Tech jobs are pretty much everywhere these days—but there’s also competition everywhere. Although you’ll still have to work for it, any of these cities will offer you a great opportunity to establish yourself in the career of your dreams.
Looking to move, but want to make sure you’re not left high and dry for a job? These are some of the best places to live as a tech worker looking for great employment opportunities with the potential for growth.
Research Triangle, NC
Consisting of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, this area of North Carolina earned its nickname for its dense concentration of research universities and related activities. Forbes named Raleigh the “second best city for tech job creation” in April 2015.
Estimated population (2018): 469,298 (Raleigh), 2,238,315 (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill combined statistical area)
Annual average tech salary: $91,686 (Raleigh)
Average monthly rental rate: $1,262 (Raleigh)
Top tech companies that operate there: Cisco Systems, Red Hat, Inc., Citrix, IBM
Top tech job sectors:
Infrastructure ArchitectDesign EngineerSQL DeveloperJava DeveloperTooling Engineer
San Jose/Sunnyvale/Santa Clara, CA area
Also known as “Silicon Valley,” it doesn’t come as much of a surprise that the tech sector is hot here. Silicon Valley is a loosely defined geographic reason, so stats may vary.
Estimated population (2018): 1,030,119 (San Jose)
Annual average tech salary: $205,650 (San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara metro area)
Average monthly rental rate: $3,064 (San Jose)
Top tech companies that operate there: Apple, Adobe, eBay
Top tech job sectors:
Infrastructure ArchitectSoftware EngineerJava Developer
Austin, TX
Austin is home to many bigger, more established companies, but it also has a thriving startup scene, so you have options for where you’ll best fit in.
Estimated population (2018): 2,168,316 (Austin-Round Rock metro area)
Annual average tech salary: $90,420 (Austin-Round Rock metro area)
Average monthly rental rate: $1,556
Top tech companies that operate there: Dell, IBM, Intel
Top tech job sectors:
Java DeveloperNetwork AdministratorTechnical WriterDevelopment AnalystSoftware Engineer
Portland, OR
A kind of Silicon Valley of the northwest, the suburbs west of Portland are sometimes referred to as the “Silicon Forest.”
Estimated population (2018): 653,115 (Portland), 2,478,810 (Portland metro area)
Annual average tech salary: $89,190
Average monthly rental rate: $1,653
Top tech companies that operate there: Intel, Zapproved, Vernier Software & Technology
Top tech job sectors:
IT Service ManageriOS DeveloperProgrammer AnalystSenior QA Analyst
Provo, UT
Here, you’ll be working alongside a fair share of BYU grads. There are plenty of startups and independent entities, but Google has a branch there as well.
Estimated population (2018): 116,702
Average annual tech salary: $81,740
Average monthly rental rate: $1,161
Top tech companies that operate there: Google, Google Fiber, Qualtrics
Top tech job sectors:
Technical SupportPython DeveloperSoftware Engineer
Fort Collins, CO
This Colorado city combines small-town charm with great tech employment opportunities.
Estimated population (2018): 167,830
Average annual tech salary: $85,990
Average monthly rental rate: $1,359
Top tech companies that operate there: Intel, Hewlett-Packard, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Top tech job sectors:
Software QAApplication Software DeveloperTest Engineer
Indianapolis, IN
This Midwest city is home to Fortune 500 companies and some specifically tech-oriented businesses.
Estimated population (2018): 867,125
Average annual tech salary: $75,100
Average monthly rent rate: $1,006
Top tech companies that operate there: One Click Ventures, Phoenix Data
Top tech job sectors:
Java DeveloperInfrastructure ArchitectNet Developer
Boise, ID
Boise ranks well for affordability and quality of life, and it’s home to startups and industry giants alike.
Estimated population (2018): 228,790
Average annual tech salary: $71,917
Average monthly rental rate: $1,175
Top tech companies that operate there: Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard
Top tech job sectors:
Software EngineerApplication EngineerMobile Software DeveloperFirmware Engineer
Nashville, TN
This is a big city for healthcare and biotechnology (and country music, but you already knew that).
Estimated population (2018): 1,932,099 (Nashville metro area)
Average annual tech salary: $79,190 (Nashville metro area)
Average monthly rental rate: $1,458
Top tech companies that operate there: Infoworks, Zycron
Top tech job sectors:
IT ManagerInformation Security EngineeriOS DeveloperSenior Programmer Analyst
Manchester, NH
With Boston and Portland reasonably close and numerous tech giants within the city itself, Manchester is a great choice for those who want lots of options.
Estimated population (2018): 112,525
Average annual tech salary: $85,050
Average monthly rental rate: $1,338
Top tech companies that operate there: Dell, Hewlett-Packard
Top tech job sectors:
Java DeveloperSystems ArchitectSenior IT Project ManagerUI Software Engineer
The Bottom Line
Tech jobs are pretty much everywhere these days—but there’s also competition everywhere. Although you’ll still have to work for it, any of these cities will offer you a great opportunity to establish yourself in the career of your dreams.
Looking to move, but want to make sure you’re not left high and dry for a job? These are some of the best places to live as a tech worker looking for great employment opportunities with the potential for growth.
Research Triangle, NC
Consisting of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, this area of North Carolina earned its nickname for its dense concentration of research universities and related activities. Forbes named Raleigh the “second best city for tech job creation” in April 2015.
Estimated population (2018): 469,298 (Raleigh), 2,238,315 (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill combined statistical area)
Annual average tech salary: $91,686 (Raleigh)
Average monthly rental rate: $1,262 (Raleigh)
Top tech companies that operate there: Cisco Systems, Red Hat, Inc., Citrix, IBM
Top tech job sectors:
Infrastructure ArchitectDesign EngineerSQL DeveloperJava DeveloperTooling Engineer
San Jose/Sunnyvale/Santa Clara, CA area
Also known as “Silicon Valley,” it doesn’t come as much of a surprise that the tech sector is hot here. Silicon Valley is a loosely defined geographic reason, so stats may vary.
Estimated population (2018): 1,030,119 (San Jose)
Annual average tech salary: $205,650 (San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara metro area)
Average monthly rental rate: $3,064 (San Jose)
Top tech companies that operate there: Apple, Adobe, eBay
Top tech job sectors:
Infrastructure ArchitectSoftware EngineerJava Developer
Austin, TX
Austin is home to many bigger, more established companies, but it also has a thriving startup scene, so you have options for where you’ll best fit in.
Estimated population (2018): 2,168,316 (Austin-Round Rock metro area)
Annual average tech salary: $90,420 (Austin-Round Rock metro area)
Average monthly rental rate: $1,556
Top tech companies that operate there: Dell, IBM, Intel
Top tech job sectors:
Java DeveloperNetwork AdministratorTechnical WriterDevelopment AnalystSoftware Engineer
Portland, OR
A kind of Silicon Valley of the northwest, the suburbs west of Portland are sometimes referred to as the “Silicon Forest.”
Estimated population (2018): 653,115 (Portland), 2,478,810 (Portland metro area)
Annual average tech salary: $89,190
Average monthly rental rate: $1,653
Top tech companies that operate there: Intel, Zapproved, Vernier Software & Technology
Top tech job sectors:
IT Service ManageriOS DeveloperProgrammer AnalystSenior QA Analyst
Provo, UT
Here, you’ll be working alongside a fair share of BYU grads. There are plenty of startups and independent entities, but Google has a branch there as well.
Estimated population (2018): 116,702
Average annual tech salary: $81,740
Average monthly rental rate: $1,161
Top tech companies that operate there: Google, Google Fiber, Qualtrics
Top tech job sectors:
Technical SupportPython DeveloperSoftware Engineer
Fort Collins, CO
This Colorado city combines small-town charm with great tech employment opportunities.
Estimated population (2018): 167,830
Average annual tech salary: $85,990
Average monthly rental rate: $1,359
Top tech companies that operate there: Intel, Hewlett-Packard, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Top tech job sectors:
Software QAApplication Software DeveloperTest Engineer
Indianapolis, IN
This Midwest city is home to Fortune 500 companies and some specifically tech-oriented businesses.
Estimated population (2018): 867,125
Average annual tech salary: $75,100
Average monthly rent rate: $1,006
Top tech companies that operate there: One Click Ventures, Phoenix Data
Top tech job sectors:
Java DeveloperInfrastructure ArchitectNet Developer
Boise, ID
Boise ranks well for affordability and quality of life, and it’s home to startups and industry giants alike.
Estimated population (2018): 228,790
Average annual tech salary: $71,917
Average monthly rental rate: $1,175
Top tech companies that operate there: Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard
Top tech job sectors:
Software EngineerApplication EngineerMobile Software DeveloperFirmware Engineer
Nashville, TN
This is a big city for healthcare and biotechnology (and country music, but you already knew that).
Estimated population (2018): 1,932,099 (Nashville metro area)
Average annual tech salary: $79,190 (Nashville metro area)
Average monthly rental rate: $1,458
Top tech companies that operate there: Infoworks, Zycron
Top tech job sectors:
IT ManagerInformation Security EngineeriOS DeveloperSenior Programmer Analyst
Manchester, NH
With Boston and Portland reasonably close and numerous tech giants within the city itself, Manchester is a great choice for those who want lots of options.
Estimated population (2018): 112,525
Average annual tech salary: $85,050
Average monthly rental rate: $1,338
Top tech companies that operate there: Dell, Hewlett-Packard
Top tech job sectors:
Java DeveloperSystems ArchitectSenior IT Project ManagerUI Software Engineer
The Bottom Line
Tech jobs are pretty much everywhere these days—but there’s also competition everywhere. Although you’ll still have to work for it, any of these cities will offer you a great opportunity to establish yourself in the career of your dreams.
Looking to move, but want to make sure you’re not left high and dry for a job? These are some of the best places to live as a tech worker looking for great employment opportunities with the potential for growth.
Research Triangle, NC
Consisting of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, this area of North Carolina earned its nickname for its dense concentration of research universities and related activities. Forbes named Raleigh the “second best city for tech job creation” in April 2015.
Estimated population (2018): 469,298 (Raleigh), 2,238,315 (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill combined statistical area)
Annual average tech salary: $91,686 (Raleigh)
Average monthly rental rate: $1,262 (Raleigh)
Top tech companies that operate there: Cisco Systems, Red Hat, Inc., Citrix, IBM
Top tech job sectors:
- Infrastructure ArchitectDesign EngineerSQL DeveloperJava DeveloperTooling Engineer
San Jose/Sunnyvale/Santa Clara, CA area
Also known as “Silicon Valley,” it doesn’t come as much of a surprise that the tech sector is hot here. Silicon Valley is a loosely defined geographic reason, so stats may vary.
Estimated population (2018): 1,030,119 (San Jose)
Annual average tech salary: $205,650 (San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara metro area)
Average monthly rental rate: $3,064 (San Jose)
Top tech companies that operate there: Apple, Adobe, eBay
- Infrastructure ArchitectSoftware EngineerJava Developer
Austin, TX
Austin is home to many bigger, more established companies, but it also has a thriving startup scene, so you have options for where you’ll best fit in.
Estimated population (2018): 2,168,316 (Austin-Round Rock metro area)
Annual average tech salary: $90,420 (Austin-Round Rock metro area)
Average monthly rental rate: $1,556
Top tech companies that operate there: Dell, IBM, Intel
- Java DeveloperNetwork AdministratorTechnical WriterDevelopment AnalystSoftware Engineer
Portland, OR
A kind of Silicon Valley of the northwest, the suburbs west of Portland are sometimes referred to as the “Silicon Forest.”
Estimated population (2018): 653,115 (Portland), 2,478,810 (Portland metro area)
Annual average tech salary: $89,190
Average monthly rental rate: $1,653
Top tech companies that operate there: Intel, Zapproved, Vernier Software & Technology
- IT Service ManageriOS DeveloperProgrammer AnalystSenior QA Analyst
Provo, UT
Here, you’ll be working alongside a fair share of BYU grads. There are plenty of startups and independent entities, but Google has a branch there as well.
Estimated population (2018): 116,702
Average annual tech salary: $81,740
Average monthly rental rate: $1,161
Top tech companies that operate there: Google, Google Fiber, Qualtrics
- Technical SupportPython DeveloperSoftware Engineer
Fort Collins, CO
This Colorado city combines small-town charm with great tech employment opportunities.
Estimated population (2018): 167,830
Average annual tech salary: $85,990
Average monthly rental rate: $1,359
Top tech companies that operate there: Intel, Hewlett-Packard, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
- Software QAApplication Software DeveloperTest Engineer
Indianapolis, IN
This Midwest city is home to Fortune 500 companies and some specifically tech-oriented businesses.
Estimated population (2018): 867,125
Average annual tech salary: $75,100
Average monthly rent rate: $1,006
Top tech companies that operate there: One Click Ventures, Phoenix Data
- Java DeveloperInfrastructure ArchitectNet Developer
Boise, ID
Boise ranks well for affordability and quality of life, and it’s home to startups and industry giants alike.
Estimated population (2018): 228,790
Average annual tech salary: $71,917
Average monthly rental rate: $1,175
Top tech companies that operate there: Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard
- Software EngineerApplication EngineerMobile Software DeveloperFirmware Engineer
Nashville, TN
This is a big city for healthcare and biotechnology (and country music, but you already knew that).
Estimated population (2018): 1,932,099 (Nashville metro area)
Average annual tech salary: $79,190 (Nashville metro area)
Average monthly rental rate: $1,458
Top tech companies that operate there: Infoworks, Zycron
- IT ManagerInformation Security EngineeriOS DeveloperSenior Programmer Analyst
Manchester, NH
With Boston and Portland reasonably close and numerous tech giants within the city itself, Manchester is a great choice for those who want lots of options.
Estimated population (2018): 112,525
Average annual tech salary: $85,050
Average monthly rental rate: $1,338
Top tech companies that operate there: Dell, Hewlett-Packard
- Java DeveloperSystems ArchitectSenior IT Project ManagerUI Software Engineer
The Bottom Line
Tech jobs are pretty much everywhere these days—but there’s also competition everywhere. Although you’ll still have to work for it, any of these cities will offer you a great opportunity to establish yourself in the career of your dreams.
