Finding the right job isn’t just about your qualifications; it’s also about where you live.
A recent analysis by financial data company SmartAsset ranked 348 cities across the U.S. based on the desirability of their job markets. This study utilized data from the 2023 U.S. Census Bureau to evaluate various factors like unemployment rates, median income, wage growth, remote working options, and more.
Bend, Oregon, topped the list, largely due to its low unemployment rate of 3.1% and significant wage growth—median income jumped 44% from 2020 to 2023. The city also supports a good work-life balance, with an average commute time of just 16 minutes.
Richmond, Virginia, came in second, showing the highest revenue growth, with average earnings increasing by about 50% over the same three years.
The analysis also highlighted healthcare options, revealing that Santa Clara, California, has the best job market for healthcare coverage.
If minimizing your commute is essential, Wichita Falls, Texas, might be the place for you, with an average commute of only 14 minutes.
Here are the top ten cities with the best job markets:
10. Sunnyvale, California
- Unemployment rate: 3.45%
- Median income: $111,905
- Three-year revenue growth: 31.12%
- Remote work percentage: 15.33%
9. Westminster, Colorado
- Unemployment rate: 1.69%
- Median income: $70,711
- Three-year revenue growth: 37.73%
- Remote work percentage: 19.35%
8. Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- Unemployment rate: 2.36%
- Median income: $56,858
- Three-year revenue growth: 29.89%
- Remote work percentage: 9.26%
7. Cary, North Carolina
- Unemployment rate: 3.50%
- Median income: $47,203
- Three-year revenue growth: 23.13%
- Remote work percentage: 27.96%
6. Santa Clara, California
- Unemployment rate: 4.24%
- Median income: $90,384
- Three-year revenue growth: 40.97%
- Remote work percentage: 16.51%
5. Carmel, Indiana
- Unemployment rate: 2.27%
- Median income: $101,038
- Three-year revenue growth: 21.49%
- Remote work percentage: 27.75%
4. Bellevue, Washington
- Unemployment rate: 4.29%
- Median income: $76,228
- Three-year revenue growth: 32.43%
- Remote work percentage: 24.59%
3. Seattle, Washington
- Unemployment rate: 4.17%
- Median income: $46,443
- Three-year revenue growth: 35.99%
- Remote work percentage: 26.87%
2. Richmond, Virginia
- Unemployment rate: 3.80%
- Median income: $73,138
- Three-year revenue growth: 49.47%
- Remote work percentage: 15.81%
1. Bend, Oregon
- Unemployment rate: 3.16%
- Median income: $51,382
- Three-year revenue growth: 44.22%
- Remote work percentage: 26.89%
