Best Cities for IT Jobs in USA

You probably think of Silicon Valley, San Francisco, and Seattle when you think of tech jobs. While those are excellent places to work in technology, the cost of living is exorbitant, as is the competition for information technology (IT) jobs.

If you’re looking for a change of scenery or a new career but want to be sure you’ll have a good job, keep reading for our list of the top 11 cities for IT professionals! You might be surprised by the cities that made the cut.

How Did We Select the Best Cities for IT Jobs?

We looked at the availability of IT jobs, the median base salary of IT specialists, and the cost of living in the city when compiling this list. We sought a good balance of opportunities, livable wages, and a low cost of living. The salary figures are from Glassdoor, and the cost of living figures are from Nerdwallet.

Best Cities in the United States for IT Jobs

Whether you want to relocate to the southeast, New England, or even the west, there is a city that will fit your lifestyle and IT career!

Hunstville, Alabama

You probably don’t think of Alabama when you think of IT, but you should! It is home to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, the University of Alabama Huntsville, and Cummings Research Park, one of the country’s largest research parks. Wages for IT professionals in Huntsville are slightly lower than the national average, but the cost of living is much lower than in other parts of the country.

1. IT specialists earn an average base salary of $53,263 per year.
2. The average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $948.
3. The median price of a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home is $236,628.

Jacksonville, Florida

There are a few Florida cities where you could find a great IT job, but none are as affordable to live in as Jacksonville. Jacksonville, which is home to major corporations such as Fidelity Financial and Blue Cross Blue Shield, as well as numerous tech startups, sees an increase in tech and IT jobs year after year.

1. IT specialists earn an average base salary of $55,002 per year.
2. The average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,256.
3. The median price of a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house is $250,957.

Salt Lake City (Utah)

Salt Lake City is frequently overlooked for tech jobs, but it’s a wonderful family-friendly city in which to begin or advance your IT career. It’s no surprise that the city has seen a steady increase in IT jobs: Salt Lake City is home to a number of major corporations with ever-increasing demands for IT professionals. The cost of living in Salt Lake City is slightly higher than in other metro areas, but it is nowhere near major tech hubs like Seattle and San Francisco.

1. IT specialists earn an average base salary of $58,801 per year.
2. Rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the United States is $1,155 on average.
3. The median price of a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home is $381,241.

Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville, known as “Music City” for its deep country music roots, is a rising southern city. Nashville has one of the fastest-growing economies in the United States, and several Fortune 500 companies, including Dell, Nissan, and Bridgestone, have offices there. Needless to say, this southern boomtown has a plethora of IT opportunities!

1. IT specialists earn an average base salary of $63,423 per year.
2. Monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,044 on average.
3. The median price of a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home is $332,780.

Cincinnati (Ohio)

Cincinnati is located on the Ohio/Kentucky border and is home to several Fortune 500 companies, including General Electric, Kroger, and Procter & Gamble. It’s a family-friendly town with a low cost of living. The demand for IT jobs in Cincinnati does not appear to be slowing down anytime soon!

1. IT specialists earn an average base salary of $58,855 per year.
2. The average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $978.
3. The median price of a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house is $290,786.

Dublin, OH

Another fantastic opportunity for IT professionals in Ohio! Columbus is a bustling metropolis with a diverse economy. You could work as an IT specialist for The Ohio State University or for large corporations such as Nationwide or JP Morgan Chase. Columbus has a low cost of living and slightly higher wages for IT workers than comparable cities, making it a great place to call home.

1. IT specialists earn an average base salary of $62,328 per year.
2. The average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,016.
3. The median price of a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home is $252,900.

Raleigh, North Carolina

Raleigh is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, thanks in large part to a high concentration of technology companies and startups. It is home to North Carolina State University, a research university, as well as major technology companies such as Red Hat and IBM. Raleigh is home to Research Triangle Park, Duke University, and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, all of which contribute to the city’s status as one of the best cities for IT jobs.

1. IT specialists earn an average base salary of $59,815 per year.
2. The average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,155.
3. The median price of a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home is $269,562.

Indianapolis, Indiana

Indianapolis, best known for the Indianapolis 500, is an excellent place to pursue a career in information technology. Indianapolis is home to major healthcare, biotech, and transportation companies, resulting in a steady demand for IT professionals. The cost of living and wages are comparable to those found in other cities across the country.

1. IT specialists earn an average base salary of $58,566 per year.
2. The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,084 per month.
3. The median price of a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house is $252,385 dollars.

Providence, Rhode Island

Another deviance from the “avoid the coasts” rule! Providence is a small but mighty city when compared to the other cities on our list. Because it is home to Brown University and Johnson & Wales University, as well as several hospitals and major corporations, IT professionals are in high demand.

1. IT specialists earn an average base salary of $57,808 per year.
2. The average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,893.
3. The median price of a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home is $467,360.

Cedar Rapids, IA Cedar Rapids, Iowa’s capital and one of the state’s largest economic hubs, is a great, quiet place to settle down and begin or continue your IT career. While agriculture remains a significant part of the Cedar Rapids economy, companies such as Collins Aerospace, Toyota, Transamerica Corporation, and General Mills have offices in the city.

1. IT specialists earn an average base salary of $53,272 per year.
2. The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $754 per month.
3. The median price of a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home is $335,179.

Austin, Texas

Austin is a thriving city known for its tech scene, so it comes as no surprise that it is one of the best cities for IT jobs! Apple, Cisco, PayPal, Samsung, and Google are among the technology companies with offices in Austin. IT jobs are also available at the University of Texas at Austin and a number of biotech and healthcare companies.

1. IT specialists earn an average base salary of $57,768 per year.
2. The average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,411.
3. $320,629 is the median price for a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home.