Are you a tech professional in the United States? Considering moving to a tech city but not sure which one to choose? This article looks at five of the most popular tech cities in the US, in no particular order.
1. New York City
New York City has more Fortune 500 companies than any of the other cities listed. It is home to tech behemoths such as Ernst & Young and Citi, as well as over 6,000 start-ups.
In 2023, New York City seen a ‘tech talent boom’, making it the preferred city for tech professionals who were relocating, according to a report by SignalFire.
Surprisingly, most of these tech professionals came from San Francisco, a city that also has a high cost of living, similar to New York City. Tech professionals can’t resist the culture, entertainment, and lifestyle that the Big Apple offers.
2. Washington D.C.
Washington DC, the nation’s capital, is home to headquarters of many government companies, including the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice and the Department of Agriculture.
Washington DC is the perfect location for tech professionals, especially those looking for a government or cybersecurity job. In 2024, Forbes ranked the District number one for the best location for a career in tech. The city boasts a cheaper cost of living compared to other tech cities. Also, local tech companies are thriving (thanks to venture capital initiatives), which is also attracting larger companies to the area.
3. Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh was recently ranked among America’s best-performing cities, with high salaries and a booming tech industry, according to the Milken Institute.
The ‘City of Oaks’ is a great choice for tech professionals who are working remotely, ranking #2 nationwide. This data, analysed by DesignRush, took into consideration the percentage of people working remotely, broadband speed, and the cost of living.
Raleigh is also a great city for entrepreneurs, with access to the ‘Research Triangle’, a metropolitan area comprising of major research universities, tech, and biotech companies.
4. San Francisco, California
San Francisco is the highest ranked tech ecosystem in the US and is currently experiencing an AI boom.
This ‘AI boom’ is having a positive impact on the number of people moving to the city and the number of office-space rentals. This is a welcome resurgence for the city, which experienced a significant decrease in the number of tech professionals (to locations such as Austin) during the pandemic.
However, if you are considering moving to San Francisco, you need to take in consideration the high cost of living (one of the highest in the United States), even though salaries in this area are higher.
5. Austin, Texas
Austin, nicknamed ‘Silicon Hills’, is the fastest growing city for top tech talent, according to a report by SignalFire.
In recent years, the city has received an influx of individuals from Silicon Valley. These people choose to move to Austin to avail of the affordable taxes, no state income tax, and the lower cost of living.
Austin is also the go-to location to establish a tech start-up, with the help of grant, as well as assistance from the Austin Technology Incubator and Capital Factory.
Choosing which tech city you would like to relocate to depends on your situation and priorities. If you are looking for somewhere with a cheaper cost of living, Austin or Raleigh would be the obvious choices. Or, if you are looking for somewhere that offers a fantastic lifestyle and entertainment, New York City is the place to be.
Written by Michelle Corry