Best Cities for Jobs

Adam McCann, Financial WriterJan 5, 2021

Adam McCann, Financial Writer
Jan 5, 2021

With 2020 behind us, it’s time to think about fresh starts, whether that means small changes or a complete life overhaul. For many people, finding a new or better job will be a top resolution.

The jobs market took a huge hit in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. At one point, the unemployment rate reached a staggering 14.7%, but it has been steadily recovering. According to the most recent jobs report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national unemployment rate is 6.7%, which still leaves plenty of Americans looking for jobs.

College graduates from the class of 2021 shouldn’t expect to see a boost in hiring compared to the class of 2020, but they also won’t experience much of a decrease either, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers. NACE characterizes the outlook for college students as “more positive than expected,” given the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ultimately, your luck of finding work depends largely on location. To help you with the job hunt, WalletHub compared more than 180 U.S. cities across 32 key indicators of job-market strength. They range from job opportunities to employment growth to monthly average starting salary.

Table of Contents

Main Findings

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Best Places to Find a Job

Overall Rank	City	Total Score	‘Job Market’	‘Socio-economics’
1	South Burlington, VT	66.53	3	2
2	Columbia, MD	64.01	6	7
3	Virginia Beach, VA	63.64	8	5
4	Salt Lake City, UT	63.57	1	41
5	Boise, ID	62.55	4	29
6	Scottsdale, AZ	62.15	2	52
7	Chesapeake, VA	62.07	9	22
8	Seattle, WA	62.04	14	8
9	Colorado Springs, CO	60.73	7	53
10	Plano, TX	60.71	17	14
11	Portland, ME	60.63	40	3
12	Madison, WI	60.49	19	16
13	Chandler, AZ	60.42	5	65
14	Nashua, NH	60.25	22	20
15	San Francisco, CA	60.14	38	6
16	Cheyenne, WY	59.48	21	28
17	Huntsville, AL	59.24	10	82
18	Tacoma, WA	59.09	29	23
19	Charleston, SC	59.03	20	42
20	Overland Park, KS	58.91	26	30
21	Lincoln, NE	58.79	31	24
22	Manchester, NH	58.70	27	32
23	Austin, TX	58.61	41	18
24	West Valley City, UT	58.55	16	59
25	Juneau, AK	58.32	48	13
26	Des Moines, IA	58.31	15	68
27	Omaha, NE	58.29	18	61
28	Lewiston, ME	58.25	45	17
29	Pittsburgh, PA	58.23	49	11
30	Knoxville, TN	58.21	11	102
31	Columbia, SC	58.16	12	101
32	Tempe, AZ	58.08	24	60
33	Gilbert, AZ	57.97	13	92
34	Raleigh, NC	57.83	56	12
35	San Jose, CA	57.83	42	27
36	Vancouver, WA	57.74	43	25
37	San Diego, CA	57.64	55	15
38	Pearl City, HI	57.55	76	10
39	Newport News, VA	57.48	36	45
40	Fremont, CA	57.19	60	19
41	Durham, NC	57.19	35	48
42	Cedar Rapids, IA	57.17	25	72
43	St. Louis, MO	56.78	23	107
44	Tucson, AZ	56.55	28	87
45	Richmond, VA	56.11	65	33
46	Sacramento, CA	56.09	61	35
47	Fargo, ND	55.90	47	54
48	Sioux Falls, SD	55.66	37	88
49	Atlanta, GA	55.66	68	40
50	Portland, OR	55.62	95	9
51	St. Petersburg, FL	55.60	51	58
52	Peoria, AZ	55.59	33	114
53	Orlando, FL	55.47	62	49
54	Washington, DC	55.40	64	50
55	Denver, CO	55.35	50	67
56	Glendale, AZ	55.11	30	123
57	Mesa, AZ	55.01	32	121
58	Rancho Cucamonga, CA	54.95	54	74
59	Spokane, WA	54.80	59	70
60	Norfolk, VA	54.71	70	55
61	Kansas City, MO	54.64	78	44
62	Tampa, FL	54.55	83	39
63	Oceanside, CA	54.51	73	57
64	Burlington, VT	54.42	133	1
65	Santa Rosa, CA	54.41	85	38
66	Jacksonville, FL	54.40	52	100
67	Chattanooga, TN	54.26	34	152
68	Nampa, ID	54.17	53	111
69	Grand Prairie, TX	54.07	63	98
70	Nashville, TN	54.03	44	127
71	Charlotte, NC	53.78	74	79
72	Cincinnati, OH	53.64	87	47
73	Bismarck, ND	53.48	75	83
74	Phoenix, AZ	53.48	58	118
75	Aurora, CO	53.26	46	141
76	Amarillo, TX	53.18	39	161
77	Irving, TX	53.13	69	108
78	Jersey City, NJ	52.99	57	135
79	Salem, OR	52.93	104	31
80	Reno, NV	52.93	81	78
81	Louisville, KY	52.83	66	125
82	Tallahassee, FL	52.81	84	76
83	Warwick, RI	52.78	91	63
84	Minneapolis, MN	52.61	99	46
85	Billings, MT	52.58	82	93
86	Rochester, NY	52.49	109	34
87	Port St. Lucie, FL	52.40	80	105
88	Garland, TX	52.37	71	124
89	Irvine, CA	52.09	120	21
90	Huntington Beach, CA	52.05	115	26
91	Lexington-Fayette, KY	52.04	96	64
92	Aurora, IL	51.97	88	96
93	Grand Rapids, MI	51.83	100	62
94	Little Rock, AR	51.82	67	156
95	Springfield, MO	51.52	72	151
96	Wichita, KS	51.41	79	139
97	Houston, TX	51.41	94	99
98	Riverside, CA	51.32	86	128
99	Oklahoma City, OK	51.15	107	71
100	Fort Worth, TX	51.05	103	81
101	Cape Coral, FL	51.04	101	89
102	Greensboro, NC	51.01	108	77
103	Casper, WY	51.01	105	80
104	Arlington, TX	50.47	93	133
105	Ontario, CA	50.42	92	140
106	St. Paul, MN	50.35	112	84
107	Fontana, CA	50.33	98	119
108	Chula Vista, CA	50.30	118	56
109	Tulsa, OK	50.20	97	122
110	San Antonio, TX	50.17	111	97
111	Winston-Salem, NC	50.06	106	116
112	Dallas, TX	50.06	102	115
113	Birmingham, AL	50.00	77	171
114	Rapid City, SD	49.93	113	90
115	Wilmington, DE	49.79	114	95
116	Baltimore, MD	49.73	89	157
117	Missoula, MT	49.69	134	36
118	Boston, MA	48.89	110	142
119	Oxnard, CA	48.58	138	51
120	Columbus, OH	48.38	142	43
121	Lubbock, TX	48.37	90	166
122	Bakersfield, CA	48.09	117	131
123	Anchorage, AK	47.92	126	104
124	Charleston, WV	47.75	128	112
125	Buffalo, NY	47.72	136	86
126	Dover, DE	47.65	127	113
127	Santa Ana, CA	46.94	146	73
128	Garden Grove, CA	46.92	162	37
129	Modesto, CA	46.76	125	145
130	Yonkers, NY	46.74	129	146
131	Pembroke Pines, FL	46.62	132	136
132	Fort Smith, AR	46.51	116	169
133	Jackson, MS	46.51	119	167
134	Albuquerque, NM	46.46	141	106
135	Oakland, CA	46.40	150	85
136	Fort Wayne, IN	46.38	122	154
137	Honolulu, HI	46.32	181	4
138	Anaheim, CA	46.32	157	66
139	Mobile, AL	46.10	124	163
140	Corpus Christi, TX	46.09	121	160
141	Indianapolis, IN	45.83	123	174
142	Fayetteville, NC	45.53	165	69
143	Moreno Valley, CA	45.52	139	148
144	Augusta, GA	45.43	131	176
145	Fort Lauderdale, FL	45.33	147	134
146	Worcester, MA	45.26	149	120
147	Chicago, IL	45.15	148	129
148	Milwaukee, WI	45.01	151	132
149	Newark, NJ	44.95	130	173
150	Huntington, WV	44.94	164	91
151	El Paso, TX	44.66	145	150
152	Philadelphia, PA	44.60	140	162
153	Columbus, GA	44.55	152	143
154	Akron, OH	44.48	163	110
155	Baton Rouge, LA	44.33	144	158
156	Fresno, CA	44.29	158	130
157	Memphis, TN	44.15	137	178
158	Montgomery, AL	44.09	135	172
159	Henderson, NV	43.83	170	75
160	New York, NY	43.70	159	144
161	Providence, RI	43.62	156	155
162	Las Vegas, NV	43.59	167	94
163	Toledo, OH	43.27	153	165
164	New Orleans, LA	43.07	154	168
165	Laredo, TX	42.97	143	175
166	Long Beach, CA	42.94	166	138
167	Santa Clarita, CA	42.84	175	103
168	Stockton, CA	42.77	160	159
169	Los Angeles, CA	42.62	169	117
170	Miami, FL	42.20	155	177
171	Glendale, CA	42.17	177	109
172	San Bernardino, CA	42.00	161	170
173	New Haven, CT	41.48	174	149
174	Cleveland, OH	40.77	179	126
175	Bridgeport, CT	40.60	173	164
176	Gulfport, MS	40.52	180	137
177	Las Cruces, NM	40.15	178	153
178	North Las Vegas, NV	39.85	182	147
179	Brownsville, TX	39.47	176	179
180	Detroit, MI	38.94	172	180
181	Shreveport, LA	38.55	171	181
182	Hialeah, FL	38.18	168	182

Note: With the exception of “Total Score,” all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of that city, where a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that metric category.
artwork 2021 best worst cities to find a job

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Ask the Experts

The job-hunting process can still be scary, especially during the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic. To ease the burden on job seekers, we asked a panel of experts to share their thoughts on the following key questions:

What is your prediction for the job market in 2021? Do you think the unemployment rate will come close to the pre-pandemic 3.5%?
What impact will the future Biden administration’s policies have on job growth?
Which fields are expected to grow the most in the coming years?
Recent evidence suggests fewer people are moving across state lines in search for work. Why do you think this is, and what can be done to increase geographic mobility?
What are the most common mistakes job seekers make when seeking employment?
What types of programs have proven effective in helping unemployed individuals find work?
Should unemployed people be required to do something in order to earn their unemployment benefits? If so, what?

Ask the Experts

: Oded Shenkar
Ford Motor Company Chair in Global Business Management; Professor of Management and Human Resources at Fisher College of Business, The Ohio State University
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: Wayne A. Hochwarter
Melvin T. Stith Professor of Business Administration, Department of Management – Florida State University
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: Don Kjelleren
Director, '68 Center for Career Exploration – Williams College
Read More

: Ryan L. Klinger
Ph.D. – Associate Professor of Management, Department of Management, Strome College of Business – Old Dominion University
Read More

: Linda Fisher Thornton
Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Richmond School of Professional and Continuing Studies
Read More

: Darren Brooks
Ph.D. – Assistant Department Chair, Department of Management; Executive Director, Center for Human Resource Management – Florida State University, College of Business
Read More

Methodology

In order to determine the best job markets in the U.S., WalletHub compared 182 cities — including the 150 most populated U.S. cities, plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state — across two key dimensions, “Job Market” and “Socio-economics.” We assigned a heavier weight to the former, considering the fact that factors in that category most heavily influence a job seeker’s decision in terms of relocation for employment.

We then evaluated the two dimensions using 32 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions for job seekers. Data for metrics marked with an asterisk (*) were available at state level only.

Finally, we determined each city’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample. In determining our sample, we considered only the city proper in each case, excluding cities in the surrounding metro area.

Job Market – Total Points: 80

Job Opportunities: Double Weight (~6.81 Points)
Note: This metric was calculated as follows: Number of Job Openings per Number of Population in Labor Force Minus Unemployment Rate.
Employment Growth: Double Weight (~6.81 Points)
Note: This metric measures the rate of annual job growth adjusted by the working-age population growth.
Monthly Average Starting Salary: Full Weight (~3.40 Points)
Unemployment Rate: Double Weight (~6.81 Points)
Underemployment Rate: Full Weight (~3.40 Points)
Industry Variety: Full Weight (~3.40 Points)
Employment Outlook: Double Weight (~6.81 Points)
Note: This metric is based on the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.
Automation Risk: Full Weight (~3.40 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of jobs at risk for automation.
Job Security: Full Weight (~3.40 Points)
Note: This metric was calculated as follows: (Number of Employees in 2019 – Number of Employees in 2018) / Number of Employees in 2018.
Job Satisfaction: Full Weight (~3.40 Points)
Share of Engaged Workers*: Full Weight (~3.40 Points)
Note: This metric is based on Gallup’s “State of the American Workplace” report. Gallup defines engaged employees as those who are involved in, enthusiastic about and committed to their work and workplace.
Retirement Access & Participation: Full Weight (~3.40 Points)
Note: This metric considers only employer-based retirement plans.
Access to Employee Benefits: Full Weight (~3.40 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of employees with private health insurance.
Presence of Work-Share Programs*: Half Weight (~1.70 Points)
Note: This binary metric measures the presence or absence of state programs that allow employers to temporarily reduce work hours of employees instead of laying them off during economic downturns.
State’s Statute on Hiring Based on Salary History*: Half Weight (~1.70 Points)
Note: This metric measures the presence or absence of salary history bans in a state.
Full-Time Employment: Full Weight (~3.40 Points)
Note: This metric measures the number of part-time employees for every 100 full-time employees.
4+ Star Job Opportunities per Total People in Labor Force: Full Weight (~3.40 Points)
Note: This metric measures the number of job opportunities at 4+ star rated companies on Glasssdoor.com per the total people in the labor force.
Apprentice-Trainee Jobs as Share of Total Jobs Posted on Glassdoor.com: Half Weight (~1.70 Points)
Note: Apprentice-trainee jobs refers to on-the-job training.
Share of Workers in Poverty: Double Weight (~6.81 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of employed residents whose incomes are below the poverty line.
Disability-Friendliness of Employers: Full Weight (~3.40 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of persons with disabilities who are employed.

Socio-economics – Total Points: 20

Median Annual Income: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)
Note: This metric was adjusted for the cost of living.
Average Work & Commute Time: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)
Note: This metric measures the average length of a workday and the average commute time.
Transit Accessibility of Workplace: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)
Note: This metric measures the number of jobs accessible by a 30-minute transit ride per total civilian workforce.
Transit Score: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)
Note: Transit Score is a patented measure of how well a location is served by public transit.
Housing Affordability: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)
Note: This metric was calculated as follows: Housing Costs (accounts for both rental and sale prices) / Median Annual Household Income.
Annual Transportation Costs: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)
Average COVID-19 Cases per Capita: Double Weight (~2.86 Points)
Average COVID-19 Deaths per Capita: Double Weight (~2.86 Points)
Safety: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)
Note: This metric measures the crime rate.
Family-Friendliness: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Best & Worst Places to Raise a Family” ranking.
Dating-Friendliness: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Best & Worst Cities for Singles” ranking.
Recreation-Friendliness: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Best & Worst Cities for Recreation” ranking.

Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development, Council for Community and Economic Research, Indeed, Center for Neighborhood Technology, The Pew Charitable Trusts, National Conference of State Legislatures, Glassdoor, ManpowerGroup, Chmura Economics & Analytics, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Gallup-Sharecare, Industry Dive, Walk Score, The New York Times and WalletHub research.

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