The Best Cities for Tech Jobs
ITCareerFinder analyzes the latest data on tech salaries, employment, cost of living and quality of life to uncover the best cities for IT professionals to call home.
Many of the best computer jobs can now be done remotely, but plenty of tech roles still come with a commute. And even if you work from home, where you live shapes what you earn, what you spend and how much you enjoy life after hours. This study compares 74 U.S. metro areas with at least 10,000 computer and math jobs to find the best places to live in or relocate to as an IT professional.
To rank the best cities for tech jobs, we weighed what tech pros actually take home after local prices, how many tech jobs each metro offers and how concentrated they are, and quality of life, because after all, once the 9-to-5 is over you still have to live there.
Jump down to the bottom of the page for the ranking methodology and source list, or read on for this year's top 10 cities for IT professionals.
| Best Cities for Tech Jobs at a Glance | |||||||
| Rank | City | Avg. Salary † | Adj. Salary | Tech Jobs | IT Share | CoL Index | QoL Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $202,060 | $182,990 | 149,970 | 13.2% | 110.4 | 1st |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $167,450 | $144,840 | 156,010 | 6.6% | 115.6 | 4th |
| 3 | Durham, NC | $128,560 | $131,760 | 25,070 | 7.3% | 97.6 | T-11th |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $139,090 | $127,740 | 233,320 | 7.4% | 108.9 | 31st |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $151,750 | $136,550 | 194,970 | 9.3% | 111.1 | 36th |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $136,170 | $125,770 | 128,180 | 4.7% | 108.3 | 17th |
| 7 | Raleigh, NC | $113,790 | $115,930 | 43,780 | 5.9% | 98.2 | 7th |
| 8 | Charlotte, NC | $118,320 | $121,540 | 62,140 | 4.6% | 97.3 | T-11th |
| 9 | Austin, TX | $122,150 | $124,560 | 83,500 | 6.5% | 98.1 | 32nd |
| 10 | San Diego, CA | $134,020 | $119,780 | 58,190 | 3.8% | 111.9 | 5th |
Adj. salary is the average tech salary adjusted for local prices. CoL index is the metro's Regional Price Parity, where 100 is the national average. QoL rank is out of the 65 metros in our study with quality of life data (T = tie).
Best Cities for Technology Jobs and Workers
San Jose, CA
Best city for top tech pay.
San Jose, the largest city in Silicon Valley, tops our 2027 ranking by a wide margin. Tech professionals here earn an average of $202,060 a year, the highest of any metro in our study and 68 percent above the national average for computer and math occupations. Even after adjusting for prices about 10 percent above the national average, that pay still buys about $183,000 worth of goods and services, far ahead of any other city on this list. Tech roles also make up more than 13 percent of all jobs in the metro, the highest share of any metro we studied.
The catch is housing. Home prices in Silicon Valley are among the highest in the nation, so the premium pay goes further for renters and dual-income households than for first-time buyers. For those who can make it work, San Jose offers sunny weather most of the year, quick access to the Santa Cruz Mountains and the coast, a diverse food scene and the highest quality of life score in our study. Two nearby cities, Palo Alto and Cupertino, rank in the top 10 of U.S. News' Best Places to Live for Quality of Life.
Major tech employers in the San Jose area include Apple, Google, NVIDIA, Cisco, Adobe and Intel.
The largest tech careers in San Jose are software developer, which accounts for more than half of the metro's tech jobs, followed by computer systems analyst, software QA analyst and data scientist.
San Jose at a glance- Average Tech Salary: $202,060 †
- Cost-Adjusted Salary: $182,990
- Tech Jobs: 149,970
- Percentage of Workforce in IT: 13.2%
- Cost of Living: 110.4 (10.4% above avg.)
- Quality of Life Rank: 1st of 65
San Francisco, CA
Best city for AI and startup jobs.
San Francisco has become the center of the generative AI boom, and its tech job market reflects it. The metro, which includes Oakland, Fremont and the Peninsula, has more than 156,000 tech workers earning an average of $167,450, the second-highest pay in our study. It also has one of the largest concentrations of data scientists in the country, a sign of how much AI and analytics work is based here.
The trade-off is cost. San Francisco has the highest cost of living of any metro in our study, about 16 percent above the national average, which trims its cost-adjusted pay to $144,840. That's still second only to San Jose. The Bay Area also ranks fourth in our quality of life measure, helped by strong health outcomes, mild weather and easy access to parks, beaches and wine country.
Major tech employers in the San Francisco area include Salesforce, Meta, Uber, Airbnb and OpenAI, along with thousands of venture-backed startups.
The largest tech careers in San Francisco are software developer, computer systems analyst, computer support specialist and data scientist.
San Francisco at a glance- Average Tech Salary: $167,450 †
- Cost-Adjusted Salary: $144,840
- Tech Jobs: 156,010
- Percentage of Workforce in IT: 6.6%
- Cost of Living: 115.6 (15.6% above avg.)
- Quality of Life Rank: 4th of 65
Durham, NC
Best small metro for tech careers.
Durham is the smallest metro in our top 10, but it punches well above its weight. Tech pros here earn an average of $128,560, above the national average, while living costs run slightly below it. That combination gives Durham the fifth-highest cost-adjusted tech pay in our study. More than 7 percent of local jobs are in tech, a higher share than Boston or Austin.
Much of that activity centers on Research Triangle Park, one of the largest research parks in the country, along with Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Life in Durham means a celebrated food scene, a revitalized downtown, college sports and a mild climate, all at a price that still undercuts the big coastal hubs. The metro ranks 11th in our quality of life measure.
Major tech employers in the Durham area include IBM, Cisco, IQVIA and Duke University and Duke Health.
The largest tech careers in Durham are software developer, computer systems analyst, computer support specialist and data scientist.
Durham at a glance- Average Tech Salary: $128,560 †
- Cost-Adjusted Salary: $131,760
- Tech Jobs: 25,070
- Percentage of Workforce in IT: 7.3%
- Cost of Living: 97.6 (2.4% below avg.)
- Quality of Life Rank: 11th of 65 (tie)
Washington, DC
Best city for government and cybersecurity jobs.
The DMV (shorthand for the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia) has the second-largest tech workforce in the country, with more than 233,000 computer and math jobs, behind only New York. Much of that work supports the federal government, the military and the contractors that serve them. The region is a particular standout for security work: information security analyst is one of its four largest tech occupations, and positions that require a security clearance often pay a premium.
Government-related tech jobs tend to offer good benefits, generous training budgets and stability, though they can come with bureaucracy and slower advancement. The region's reliance on federal spending also cuts both ways, as the federal budget and contract cuts of 2025 showed. Outside of work, residents enjoy free world-class museums, an extensive public transit system and a young, diverse and ambitious population. Nearby Bethesda, Maryland, ranks fourth on U.S. News' 2026-2027 list of the best places to live for quality of life.
Major tech employers in the DC area include federal agencies and the military, Amazon's second headquarters in Arlington, Capital One, Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos and Lockheed Martin.
The largest tech careers in Washington DC are software developer, computer systems analyst, computer support specialist and IT security specialist.
Washington DC at a glance- Average Tech Salary: $139,090 †
- Cost-Adjusted Salary: $127,740
- Tech Jobs: 233,320
- Percentage of Workforce in IT: 7.4%
- Cost of Living: 108.9 (8.9% above avg.)
- Quality of Life Rank: 31st of 65
Seattle, WA
Best city for cloud computing careers.
Home to Microsoft and Amazon, the two biggest names in cloud computing, Seattle has more software developers than Silicon Valley, and more than any other metro in the country except New York. Tech jobs make up more than 9 percent of the local workforce, second only to San Jose, and IT salaries here average $151,750. Washington also has no state income tax, which isn't captured in our cost-adjusted figures but makes Seattle paychecks go further.
The region has been hit by big-tech layoffs in recent years, and living costs are about 11 percent above the national average. Seattle's quality of life ranking lands in the middle of the pack: it scores well on health measures but weaker on community factors. Still, the Emerald City offers year-round access to mountains and water, a strong food and music scene, and suburbs like Bellevue, which ranks 11th on U.S. News' quality of life list.
Major tech employers in the Seattle area include Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Meta, T-Mobile, Expedia and Zillow.
The largest tech careers in Seattle are software developer, computer systems analyst, help desk technician and web and digital interface designer.
Seattle at a glance- Average Tech Salary: $151,750 †
- Cost-Adjusted Salary: $136,550
- Tech Jobs: 194,970
- Percentage of Workforce in IT: 9.3%
- Cost of Living: 111.1 (11.1% above avg.)
- Quality of Life Rank: 36th of 65
Boston, MA
Best city for tech jobs in New England.
Boston is one of America's oldest and most storied cities, but Beantown isn't resting on its laurels when it comes to high-tech innovation. Anchored by MIT, Harvard and dozens of other colleges, the metro turns out a steady stream of engineers and scientists, and more than 128,000 people work in tech here at an average salary of $136,170. Key growth sectors include fintech, edtech, biotech and robotics, making Boston a top destination for aspiring robotics engineers, and the metro has one of the largest concentrations of data scientists on our list.
Advantages of living in Boston include history you can feel throughout the city, world-class hospitals and universities, a strong food scene, pro sports and a solid public transit system. Drawbacks include housing costs and long, snowy winters. Boston ranks 17th in our quality of life measure, and neighboring Brookline makes U.S. News' top 25 for quality of life.
Major tech employers in the Boston area include HubSpot, Akamai, Toast, Wayfair and Boston Dynamics, along with large offices for Google, Microsoft and Amazon.
The largest tech careers in Boston are software developer, computer systems analyst, computer support specialist and data scientist.
Boston at a glance- Average Tech Salary: $136,170 †
- Cost-Adjusted Salary: $125,770
- Tech Jobs: 128,180
- Percentage of Workforce in IT: 4.7%
- Cost of Living: 108.3 (8.3% above avg.)
- Quality of Life Rank: 17th of 65
Raleigh, NC
Best tech city for work-life balance.
Raleigh and neighboring Durham give North Carolina's Research Triangle two spots in our top 10. Raleigh's average tech salary of $113,790 is a bit below the national average, but living costs are below average too, and nearly 6 percent of local jobs are in tech. Where Raleigh really shines is quality of life: it ranks seventh among the 65 metros we scored, the best of any city on this list outside California.
Benefits of living in Raleigh include its parks and greenways, a young and well-educated population, and the amenities of a growing city with a friendly, small-town feel. It's also a strong base for startups and entrepreneurs, with a steady supply of talent from NC State and the Triangle's other universities.
Major tech employers in the Raleigh area include Red Hat, SAS, Lenovo and Epic Games.
The largest tech careers in Raleigh are software developer, computer support specialist, computer systems analyst and network administrator.
Raleigh at a glance- Average Tech Salary: $113,790 †
- Cost-Adjusted Salary: $115,930
- Tech Jobs: 43,780
- Percentage of Workforce in IT: 5.9%
- Cost of Living: 98.2 (1.8% below avg.)
- Quality of Life Rank: 7th of 65
Charlotte, NC
Best city for fintech jobs.
Charlotte is one of the nation's largest banking centers, and that makes it a hub for financial technology. Banks and financial firms employ armies of developers, data scientists and security pros to build and protect their digital platforms, and the metro now has more than 62,000 tech workers. Average pay of $118,320 is close to the national average, and because living costs are almost 3 percent below average, Charlotte's cost-adjusted pay beats the national figure.
The Queen City also ranks 11th in our quality of life measure. Residents enjoy a growing uptown, a busy airport hub with plenty of direct flights, pro football and basketball, and easy weekend trips to the mountains or the beach.
Major tech employers in the Charlotte area include Bank of America, Truist, Wells Fargo, Lowe's and Honeywell.
The largest tech careers in Charlotte are software developer, computer systems analyst, computer support specialist and data scientist.
Charlotte at a glance- Average Tech Salary: $118,320 †
- Cost-Adjusted Salary: $121,540
- Tech Jobs: 62,140
- Percentage of Workforce in IT: 4.6%
- Cost of Living: 97.3 (2.7% below avg.)
- Quality of Life Rank: 11th of 65 (tie)
Austin, TX
Most affordable major tech hub.
With the slogan "Keep Austin Weird," the Texas capital has a lot to offer IT professionals. Tech giants and startups alike have moved in for the favorable tax structure, business-friendly climate and young, diverse talent pool. Austin now has 83,500 tech workers who make up 6.5 percent of the local workforce, and its semiconductor, electric vehicle and hardware scene sets it apart from most software-heavy hubs. Average tech pay is $122,150, and with living costs slightly below the national average and no state income tax, Austin remains a great place to launch your IT career.
Austin's rapid growth has brought traffic and higher housing costs, and its quality of life scores land in the middle of our rankings. On the plus side, the city has a renowned live music scene, great barbecue, a thriving outdoor culture around Lady Bird Lake and the Hill Country, and relatively mild winters.
Major tech employers in the Austin area include Dell, Tesla, Apple, AMD and Samsung.
The largest tech careers in Austin are software developer, computer support specialist, computer systems analyst and network administrator.
Austin at a glance- Average Tech Salary: $122,150 †
- Cost-Adjusted Salary: $124,560
- Tech Jobs: 83,500
- Percentage of Workforce in IT: 6.5%
- Cost of Living: 98.1 (1.9% below avg.)
- Quality of Life Rank: 32nd of 65
San Diego, CA
Best tech city for outdoor lovers.
San Diego pairs a solid tech job market with one of the best lifestyles in the country. Its 58,000-plus tech workers earn an average of $134,020, well above the national average, in industries ranging from wireless and telecom to biotech, genomics and defense. The region is home to a large Navy presence, which supports a steady stream of defense and cybersecurity work.
Living costs run about 12 percent above the national average, but San Diego ranks fifth in our quality of life measure. Highlights include near-perfect weather, 70 miles of coastline, easy access to hiking, surfing and cycling, and a laid-back culture that still offers big-city amenities.
Major tech employers in the San Diego area include Qualcomm, Intuit, Illumina, Northrop Grumman and General Atomics.
The largest tech careers in San Diego are software developer, computer systems analyst, computer support specialist and data scientist.
San Diego at a glance- Average Tech Salary: $134,020 †
- Cost-Adjusted Salary: $119,780
- Tech Jobs: 58,190
- Percentage of Workforce in IT: 3.8%
- Cost of Living: 111.9 (11.9% above avg.)
- Quality of Life Rank: 5th of 65
Notable Mentions
New York (11th) has the country's largest IT job market, but tech makes up a smaller share of its huge economy, and high prices eat into pay. Boulder, Colorado (12th) and Huntsville, Alabama (18th), our top picks in past editions, remain great choices: both rank among the top five metros for tech job concentration, and Boulder's cost-adjusted pay trails only San Jose and San Francisco. Denver (13th) and Baltimore (14th) round out the next tier.
† Average tech salary is the mean annual wage for computer and mathematical occupations in each metro, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The national mean for these jobs is $120,080.
Methodology
We ranked all 74 U.S. metropolitan areas with at least 10,000 jobs in computer and mathematical occupations. Each metro was scored on four factors:
- Cost-adjusted tech salary (35%): The mean annual wage for computer and mathematical occupations, divided by the metro's Regional Price Parity to reflect local purchasing power.
- Tech job concentration (25%): Computer and mathematical jobs per 1,000 total jobs.
- Size of the tech job market (15%): Total computer and mathematical jobs.
- Quality of life (25%): The average of WalletHub's Emotional and Physical Well-Being and Community and Environment rankings for the large cities in each metro.
For each factor, metros were scored from 0 to 100 based on their rank among the 74 metros, and the weighted scores were added together for an overall score out of 100. The final ranking follows the scores directly. Sources:
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics by metro area (BLS)
- National employment and wages for computer and mathematical occupations (BLS)
- Regional Price Parities by metro area (Bureau of Economic Analysis)
- Happiest Cities in America (WalletHub)
- Best Places to Live for Quality of Life, 2026-2027 (U.S. News & World Report)
