Location is essential for traveling and finding an apartment. Still, many forget how important location is when you are looking for a job. Picking up your life and moving to a new city for a job can be intimidating. Which city you choose can be pivotal to your career growth and success. Of course, there are tech jobs everywhere, but some cities have significant advantages. And if you can land a job in one of these top tech cities, it could be life-changing for your career and your personal life.

Emerging Technology Hubs

Sure, the most prominent “Tech Hubs” are Silicon Valley, New York City, and Atlanta. It’s also easy to forget how expensive it is to live in these cities, challenging recent graduates with student loans or individuals with limited financial resources. And, your personal preference might be to live in a smaller city. Historically, the best cities for tech jobs may have been on the coasts, these days there are hundreds of cities emerging as Tech Hubs in the United States. 

The technology industry has been evolving rapidly for many years. But as we all start adjusting our lives to remote work/learning, tech workers’ demand is now higher than ever. Data from CompTIA Tech Town Index® has shown that between August 2019-July 2020, there were more than 3,000,000 IT job openings in the United States alone. 

Here are Some of the Up-and-Coming Cities for Tech Jobs Outside of Silicon Valley:

Indianapolis, IN

Indiana, in general, has outpaced its tech giant competition in recent years by paving the way for startup enterprises when they initiated the idea of only investing in Indiana-based startups. Venture capitalist Bob Compton says that Indianapolis has the four pillars that make it an “entrepreneurial success” – talent, technology, capital, and culture. 

This city’s benefit is having a small-town feel, making it less difficult to network and learn from other tech entrepreneurs and leaders. Indianapolis (Indy) has also been identified as more affordable than more significant tech hubs such as Boston and San Francisco. Indy is almost 95 percent less expensive than Boston and about 40 percent less expensive than San Francisco. In addition to affordable living, a better quality of life, and an abundance of tech jobs, but it is also one of the country’s best cities to work in for women in tech, according to Smart Asset

Large tech companies such as Raytheon and Cummins have their headquarters in Indy. But is also home to major tech startups such as Kenzie Academy, hc1, and Zylo. 

Dallas-Fort Worth, TX

According to CompTIA, recently nicknamed the “Silicon Valley of the West” in 2020, Dallas-Fort Worth has ranked #2 on the list of best tech cities in the United States. Both established technology companies and startup enterprises are infiltrating Dallas-FTW and transforming the city. 

Dallas has been blossoming as a tech hub in the last few years since it has many industry jobs available combined with a low unemployment rate. More than 60 percent of the population is under working age, making Dallas a pool of STEM professionals and an emerging city for young professionals. The lower cost of living, better weather, and robust job opportunities have landed Dallas in the top ten fastest-growing cities in the US in the last couple of years.

Some of the largest tech companies in the Dallas-Fort Worth area include AT&T, Texas Instruments, and Pinnacle Group. 

Hartford, CT

Connecticut has become one of the top innovation hubs for technology in the United States. As insurance becomes more digitized and migrates more towards the tech industry, Hartford has established itself as the “insurance-capital-of-the-world.” Companies in Hartford pride themselves on prioritizing a good quality of life and slowly building a business over time instead of shortcuts and fast money to become successful. 

Hartford is a great place to move if you want to live in New England without breaking the bank. Unfortunately, the cost of living in Connecticut is still high compared to other cities on this list. Still, it offers advantages that you cannot find anywhere else in the United States. As one of the original 13 colonies, Hartford is rich in American history and has multiple top-ranked museums. It is also an excellent location for those who like to experience all four seasons during the year.

ADNET Technologies, IT Direct LCC, and Stanley Black & Decker Inc. are just a few of the Hartford tech companies to take Marcum’s “Tech Top 40” List

Raleigh, NC

Raleigh has been suggested to be one of the best emerging tech cities on the East Coast. When a company considers moving locations or opening up other headquarters, choosing the wrong place can have a negative impact on the company, such as increasing the cost of doing business. 

“The Triangle,” which includes Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, has established its area as high-educated, culturally rich, accessible, and ideal for tech startups. This area has lower operational costs for businesses, a lower cost of living, and an abundance of in-demand tech talent. 

Altaro Software, Pendo, and ShareFile are just a few of the emerging tech companies establishing themselves in Raleigh. 

Denver, CO

Thanks to Denver’s thriving economy over the past few years, it has established itself as one of the best up-and-coming tech hubs. Between 2014 and 2017, the tech labor pool grew about 15 percent and has grown exponentially since then. 

Even though Denver and the surrounding areas have a higher living cost, tech professionals’ annual salaries are significantly higher than the national median average. This relatively remote city’s biggest attraction is the community culture and a wide variety of outdoor activities. 

Major companies like Netflix, Apple, and Facebook all have opened headquarters in the Denver area. Ibotta, Wix, and Quantum Metric Inc. are just some of the smaller emerging tech companies in Denver – and they are all currently hiring! 

Phoenix, AZ

The appeal of tech jobs is that they are often high-paying and offer job security many look for. According to the Arizona Technology Council, tech jobs have increased by more than 1 percent in Phoenix despite the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Phoenix has established itself as one of the most dynamic regions in the country and is a leader in tech innovation, making it one of the best cities for tech jobs in the US. 

Phoenix’s biggest draws are its weather, low cost of living, and growing population of young professionals. The average Phoenix age range is 30-35, making it prime Millennial territory. According to the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, operational costs are a little over 40 percent less than California’s operational expenses. With Arizona having significantly lower operational costs, this entices big tech companies to open up branches here, such as Apple, Amazon, and Intel. 

In addition to major tech companies like Motorola and General Dynamic, Phoenix is a hotspot for emerging startups.


Abigail Lindsey

Abigail Lindsey

Abigail Lindsey is a biochemical research technician who is currently working at the Cleveland Clinic Center for Therapeutics Discovery while pursuing a Master of Science (MS) in Biochemistry at Case Western Reserve University. She also has experience in the digital marketing and sales industry, as a photographer and graphic designer, sales representative, recruitment specialist, social media coordinator, and content writer.