Key Facts
- ✓ WalletHub analyzed 182 US cities using 31 metrics.
- ✓ Scottsdale, Arizona, ranked number one due to low unemployment and high income.
- ✓ The study weighted the job market category more heavily than socioeconomics.
- ✓ Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has the most job opportunities of any city in the ranking.
Quick Summary
A new study has identified the top locations for employment opportunities in the United States. WalletHub released a ranking of the best cities for jobs in 2026, analyzing 182 US cities based on job market strength and socioeconomic factors. The analysis utilized 31 distinct metrics to determine the most favorable environments for job seekers.
The ranking is divided into two main categories: job market and socioeconomics. The job market category was weighted more heavily and included metrics such as job opportunities, unemployment rates, job satisfaction, and access to employee benefits. The socioeconomics category evaluated median annual incomes, average work and commute times, housing affordability, and safety. Data for the study was gathered from multiple sources, including the US Census Bureau and the US Department of Labor.
Methodology and Key Insights
The study examined a total of 182 US cities, comprising the 150 most populated cities in the country plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state. To score and rank each city, researchers evaluated 31 specific metrics. These metrics were grouped into two primary categories: job market and socioeconomics. The job market category was given a heavier weight in the final calculation.
Factors considered in the job market analysis included:
- Job opportunities per capita
- Unemployment rates
- Job satisfaction levels
- Access to employee benefits
The socioeconomics category focused on the living conditions and financial health of residents, looking at:
- Median annual incomes
- Average work and commute times
- Housing affordability
- Safety statistics
WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo emphasized the importance of looking beyond raw numbers. "It's important to look at more than just the number of jobs available or the unemployment rate when determining the best place to find employment," Lupo wrote. "Quality matters just as much as quantity, from the average salaries and benefits to job security and overall satisfaction."
"It's important to look at more than just the number of jobs available or the unemployment rate when determining the best place to find employment. Quality matters just as much as quantity, from the average salaries and benefits to job security and overall satisfaction."
— Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst
The Top 10 Cities for Employment
Out of the 182 cities analyzed, several locations stood out for their exceptional performance across the evaluated categories. Scottsdale, Arizona, ranked as the number one best city for jobs. It holds one of the lowest unemployment rates in the US, ranks 16th in paid internship opportunities, and has the 11th-lowest violent crime rate. Residents also enjoy a median household income of $101,000.
Columbia, Maryland, took the second spot. The city boasts the highest median household income in the US when adjusted for cost of living, at $129,000. Additionally, a two-bedroom apartment costs approximately 16% of the median household income, representing one of the most affordable rental markets in the country.
Portland, Maine, secured the third position. The city ranks 21st in job opportunities per capita and 12th in full-time job opportunities at highly rated companies. It also has the second-highest percentage of workers with access to an employer-based retirement plan and a low violent crime rate.
The remaining cities in the top five include:
- Scottsdale, Arizona
- Columbia, Maryland
- Portland, Maine
- South Burlington, Vermont (Ranked 8th in job market, 2nd in socioeconomics)
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Ranked 10th in job market, 3rd in socioeconomics)
Pittsburgh is notable for having the most job opportunities of any city in the US, driven by its healthcare, technology, and advanced manufacturing industries.
Notable Rankings 6-20
Several other cities demonstrated strong performance in specific areas, often showing a trade-off between a robust job market and socioeconomic factors. Washington, DC, ranked 8th overall. The nation's capital boasts the highest monthly average starting salary of any US city but also has the second-longest commute times.
Orlando, Florida, ranked 6th, is identified as having the third-most job opportunities in the United States. Conversely, Irving, Texas, ranked 18th, has one of the best job markets (5th overall) but ranks 137th in socioeconomic factors.
Other cities in the top 20 include Boston (19th), Austin (9th), Atlanta (12th), and Salt Lake City (13th). Bismarck, North Dakota, ranked 16th, holds the number one spot for socioeconomic factors due to having the fourth-most affordable housing among the cities examined.
The complete list of the top 20 cities includes:
- 20. Charleston, West Virginia
- 19. Boston, Massachusetts
- 18. Irving, Texas
- 17. Overland Park, Kansas
- 16. Bismarck, North Dakota
- 15. Lewiston, Maine
- 14. Chandler, Arizona
- 13. Salt Lake City, Utah
- 12. Atlanta, Georgia
- 11. Charleston, South Carolina
- 10. Huntsville, Alabama
- 9. Austin, Texas
- 8. Washington, DC
- 7. Plano, Texas
- 6. Orlando, Florida
- 5. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- 4. South Burlington, Vermont
- 3. Portland, Maine
- 2. Columbia, Maryland
- 1. Scottsdale, Arizona
