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Best Cities for Jobs in 2024

Despite projections of a recession and rising inflation, the job market remained strong in 2023. In 2024, job markets are predicted to stabilize, effectually lowering inflation rates and chances of a recession. If you’re considering moving for your career in 2024, check out these best 15 cities for jobs!

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Austin, TX

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  • Population: 965,872
  • Home Price: $358,600 median purchase price; $1,346 median monthly rent
  • Unemployment Rate: 3.0%
  • 2023 Job Growth: 2.8%

With key industries including technology, finance, manufacturing, and marketing, Austin‘s job market is booming, making it one of the top cities for young professionals! As one of the best cities for employment, The Lone Star State added 75,000 new jobs within a 12-month period. This increase in jobs is partially due to companies relocating from Silicon Valley to Texas—including Oracle, Tesla, Meta, Amazon, and Apple Inc. Major tech companies like Google, Dell, and IBM also have a significant presence in the Silicon Hills area. Those working in the health sector can find jobs through ATX organizations like St. David’s HealthCare, Luminex, and Ascension Seton. Education professionals can pursue careers in the Austin Independent School District or at the University of Texas at Austin. Looking for employment opportunities outside of these fields? Keller Williams Realty and Whole Foods Market are some of the biggest employers in Austin!

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Boise, ID

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  • Population: 228,057
  • Home Price: $282,900 median purchase price; $1,009 median monthly rent
  • Unemployment Rate: 3.1%
  • 2023 Job Growth: 4.2%

As one of the best places to live in the Pacific Northwest, Boise has been experiencing a population boom, making it one of the fastest-growing cities in America. With an expanding tech industry, Boise is one of the top cities for jobs in 2024. It’s no wonder why Idaho’s capital city is one of top places to move to! Large employers in Boise include the likes of Fortune 500 company Micron Technology and supermarket chains WinCo Foods and Albertsons. Boise’s abundance of tech companies and entrepreneurial startups like Zennify, Vynyl, and Tackle.io help attract an educated workforce. Plus, young professionals wanting to live near the mountains will find Boise offers plenty of outdoor recreation, as well as educational opportunities at Boise State University or various trade and technical schools.

Boston, MA

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  • Population: 689,326
  • Home Price: $581,200 median purchase price; $1,685 median monthly rent
  • Unemployment Rate: 2.7%
  • 2023 Job Growth: 2.4%

If you’re looking for a new job with a great company, consider moving to Boston! Seven Massachusetts-based businesses are ranked in the top best companies to work for this year—with Bain & Company, a global consulting company headquartered in Boston, ranked as the top company to work for in 2024! The largest employers in Boston are made up of healthcare, higher education industries, finance, and insurance companies like Fidelity Investments and Liberty Mutual Insurance. There are lots of options for careers in education and research thanks to nearby colleges and universities like Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston University, and more.

Columbia, MD

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  • Population: 105,412
  • Home Price: $385,900 median purchase price; $1,733 median monthly rent
  • Unemployment Rate: 1.8%
  • 2023 Job Growth: 1.8%

Columbia is one of the best cities to live in Maryland and has been amongst the best cities for jobs, with residents earning a significantly higher income per capita than the national average. Located between Washington, DC and Baltimore, Columbia offers opportunities in healthcare, education, and more with its over-50 nonprofit organizations and 2,500 companies. Major employers of Columbia residents include healthcare organizations like Maxim Healthcare Services, MedStar Health, and Howard County General Hospital, a branch of the Johns Hopkins Medical System. You can also find job opportunities with top employers in Columbia like W. R. Grace & Co and Rohde & Schwarz. The Columbia Association is another prominent employer, ideal for those interested in maintaining community amenities like swimming pools, parks, and clubs.

Dallas, TX

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  • Population: 1,338,846
  • Home Price: $208,700 median purchase price; $1,111 median monthly rent
  • Unemployment Rate: 3.3%
  • 2023 Job Growth: 3.3%

Dallas is one of the best places to work in America thanks to its low cost of living, low income taxes, and budding job opportunities. The Dallas-Fort Worth metro is one of the top 50 metropolitan areas, and it houses thousands of large technology companies like GDT, Texas Instruments, Pinnacle Group, Omnitracs, and more. With a central location and two major airports—Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Fort Worth Alliance—Dallas is also a major transportation hub. Dallas young professionals looking to work in gas, energy, or technology have a chance to work for several Fortune 500 companies that are headquartered in Dallas, including AT&T, HF Sinclair, and Energy Transfer.

Huntsville, AL

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  • Population: 199,845
  • Home Price: $184,500 median purchase price; $868 median monthly rent
  • Unemployment Rate: 2.1%
  • 2023 Job Growth: 3.4%

Huntsville, AL, is one of the best mid-sized cities, known for its great job market and for being one of the most affordable places to live. Out of the 150 most populated metros in the U.S., Huntsville’s job market is one of the best—in 2021, Huntsville led the U.S. in economic growth. Then, this blooming Alabama city was rated as the best place to live in the U.S. for two years running! There are lots of opportunities for defense and aeronautical engineering jobs, as Rocket City is home to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and U.S. Army Redstone Arsenal, two of the city’s largest employers. And one of the most popular industries in Huntsville is healthcare, with Huntsville Hospital and Crestwood Medical Group being some of the largest employers!

Nashua, NH

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  • Population: 89,052
  • Home Price: $279,800 median purchase price; $1,309 median monthly rent
  • Unemployment Rate: 2.7%
  • 2023 Job Growth: 2.4%

Not only is New Hampshire one of the top states to find a job in the U.S.—with over 38,000 job openings at the end of 2023—but Nashua is also a great city to find a high-paying job without taking a hit to quality of life. Nashua’s major industries include education, manufacturing, and healthcare. Southern New Hampshire Medical Center and St. Joseph Hospital are the second and third largest employers in the city, with another major draw to the area being BAE Systems, an aerospace company that has opportunities in defense and security. With the lack of state sales or income tax helping make this an affordable place to live, New Hampshire’s Gate City could be the city you choose to advance your career!

Orlando, FL

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  • Population: 284,817
  • Home Price: $262,500 median purchase price; $1,253 median monthly rent
  • Unemployment Rate: 3.0%
  • 2023 Job Growth: 1.9%

Orlando may be known for beautiful tropical weather, but this city also has a lot to offer to relocating young professionals and anyone looking to grow their career. Most prominently, the City of Light’s robust hospitality and tourism industry brings in millions of visitors a year—which not only keeps local professionals employed, but also boosts Orlando’s economy. Plus, residents are able to save more of their hard-earned money thanks to having no state income tax and a low sales tax, making the cost of living in Orlando more affordable. While tourism-centric companies like Universal Studios, Walt Disney World, and Sea World are well-known Orlando employers, residents can find work within industries other than entertainment and theme parks, Orlando offers jobs in other industries, as well. The city’s home to Orlando International Airport—one of the largest airports in the U.S.—and is served by more than 30 airlines hiring those pursuing careers in aviation. There are also plenty of opportunities to work in aerospace and defense at companies like Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin—or residents can commute for jobs at the Kennedy Space Center, SpaceX, or Blue Origin. Those looking for manufacturing jobs can check for openings at General Electric and Tupperware. Healthcare professionals can find employment at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Orlando Health, and AdventHealth, Orlando’s second largest employer.

Plano, TX

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  • Population: 288,870
  • Home Price: $341,800 median purchase price; $1,447 median monthly rent
  • Unemployment Rate: 3.3%
  • 2023 Job Growth: 3.4%

Want to move to a growing city without feeling crowded? Check out Plano, TX! Located just north of Dallas and Fort Worth, this Texas city has grown along with the rest of the DFW metro without sacrificing its small-town feel. People wanting to get away from expensive big cities can stretch their dollar even further in Plano thanks to an increase in salaries and no state income tax. While affordability is a big reason why people live in Plano, it’s also great for jobs! With four Fortune 500 companiesBread Financial, Keurig Dr Pepper, JC Penny, and L3Harris Technologies—calling Plano home, the city is expecting employment to increase by 44.6% over the next ten years. Relocations from employers like DZS Inc. and Tipalti highlight a trend of businesses looking to move to this area as an opportunity to expand their operations.

Portland, ME

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  • Population: 66,706
  • Home Price: $302,700 median purchase price; $1,204 median monthly rent
  • Unemployment Rate: 2.8%
  • 2023 Job Growth: 2.5%

Portland, Maine is a great option for people who are looking for jobs in one of the best places to live on the East Coast. The Portland MSA has the strongest market in the state and above-average rates of growth. But more tangibly, between just 2015 and 2020, Portland saw a 27% growth in their tech industries, compared to the approximate 8.9% growth around the country. Not to mention—Portland’s East Coast location provides a thriving harbor industry, which has broken commercial fishing records and is ideal for those looking to get into fishing or aquaculture. Forest City residents can also find employment with major regional employers, such as animal health company Covetrus, Unum Insurance, or L.L. Bean—which is headquartered in nearby Freeport. If you’re in tech, consider technology companies in Portland like Peapod Digital Labs, Novo Nordisk, or Emburse.

Raleigh, NC

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  • Population: 469,698
  • Home Price: $266,900 median purchase price; $1,175 median monthly rent
  • Unemployment Rate: 3.0%
  • 2023 Job Growth: 3.8%

As one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., Raleigh is expecting to see a lot of job growth over the next ten years. Education, manufacturing, and trade are major local industries—but the City of Oaks is also an emerging tech epicenter, as Apple and Google joined Red Hat and CentOS in building Raleigh campuses. Nearby North Carolina State University, Duke University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill aren’t just big employers for the residents of Raleigh—their graduates also feed into a developing tech market that’s expected to be one of the East Coast’s biggest tech hubs by 2025. Research Triangle Park provides opportunities in a variety of industries like biomanufacturing and agricultural biotechnology at world-class companies like AgBiome, KBI Biopharma, and Clean-Volt. Residents can also find jobs with businesses like TotalEnergies, one of the largest oil companies in the world, Fortune 500 company Advance Auto Parts, or start-ups like Pendo and PrecisionHawk.

Salt Lake City, UT

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  • Population: 200,133
  • Home Price: $346,100 median purchase price; $1,050 median monthly rent
  • Unemployment Rate: 2.6%
  • 2023 Job Growth: 2.0%

Projected to grow by 2.2 million residents by 2060, the Crossroads of the West is one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S.—which means the job market is booming. Salt Lake City is also one of the best cities for remote work, with several major industries in the area providing remote and hybrid opportunities. Top industries in SLC include software, healthcare, and finance at companies like Zions Bank, Intermountain Healthcare, and EPAM Systems. For those interested in retail, jobs with Associated Food Stores or Alsco could be the ideal choice for you. And if you’re looking for tech jobs in Salt Lake City, the “Silicon Slopes” offer opportunities with BambooHR, Artemis Health, BOOM Interactive, and more.

San Francisco, CA

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  • Population: 874,784
  • Home Price: $1,152,300 median purchase price; $2,010 median monthly rent
  • Unemployment Rate: 4.0%
  • 2023 Job Growth: 1.1%

As one of the highest paying cities with an abundance of SF startup opportunities for recent graduates and young professionals, San Francisco should be on your list to consider moving for jobs. With over 11,000 startups in Silicon Valley and tech giants like Salesforce, Visa, and Lyft headquartered in the Bay Area, the Golden City is a haven for IT, software innovation, and ecommerce. The city’s greentech companies—including Grove Collaborative, Aurora Solar, and Redaptive—make the city even more attractive to those looking for employers promoting alternative and renewable energy. As part of the Biotech Bay, this major Pacific Northwest city is also a major contributor to the Northern California Life Science industry, with nearby schools like the University of San Francisco, UC San Francisco, UC Berkeley, and Stanford University facilitating biotech programs that stand above others around the world.

Scottsdale, AZ

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  • Population: 254,995
  • Home Price: $493,200 median purchase price; $1,452 median monthly rent
  • Unemployment Rate: 3.5%
  • 2023 Job Growth: 1.9%

Scottsdale has been one of the best cities for jobs for years, and 2024 is no exception. This Phoenix suburb boasts great weather year-round, allowing for tourism to act as the city’s main economic driver. However, aviation is a growing industry, with the Scottsdale Airport bringing nearly $3 billion annually to the economy. Plus, Scottsdale’s job growth rate is expected to go beyond the national average over the next ten years, thanks in part to the presence of tech companies like YellowBird, Emerge, and SmartRent. While tech is a significant sector, Scottsdale has more recently seen an increase in demand for healthcare professionals. In fact, the industry is rapidly growing in Arizona with no sign of slowing down, with Scottsdale’s largest employers including HonorHealth and Magellan Health. Yet another reason why Scottsdale is one of the top places for jobs this year is the Talent Accelerator Initiative—a partnership between local employers and college systems like Arizona State University and Scottsdale Community College that hires applicants willing to relocate for work in 2024.

Seattle, WA

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  • Population: 741,251
  • Home Price: $713,600 median purchase price; $1,702 median monthly rent
  • Unemployment Rate: 4.0%
  • 2023 Job Growth: 2.0%

Seattle is one of the best cities to start a career—especially for young professionals looking for a new job in 2024! This Pacific Northwest city continues to lead the U.S. in tech jobs, with top companies including Amazon, Tableau, Highspot, and Esper. Even without its renowned tech scene, the Seattle area is home to several Fortune 500 companies like Starbucks, Nordstrom, and Weyerhaeuser offering diverse employment opportunities. If you work in healthcare, Advanced Health Institute, Providence, and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center employ thousands in Emerald City. Seattle also has diverse job opportunities in industries like manufacturing and even the real estate market, with companies like Zillow and CBRE.

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Population and housing prices from AreaVibes. Unemployment and job growth statistics from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.