15 Cities With the Best Job Markets in 2025 — and How Much It Costs To Live There

insta_photos / iStock.com

Commitment to Our Readers

GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.

20 Years
Helping You Live Richer

Reviewed
by Experts

Trusted by
Millions of Readers

Although the U.S. regularly reports nationwide job statistics, the truth is that job markets, much like housing markets, are very regional in nature. Whether or not there are jobs being created in downtown Manhattan might have little-to-no bearing on the hiring status in Phoenix, for example.

It’s also important to consider the job market in a particular city in relation to the cost of living there. Whereas a job with a $100,000 salary could give you a high standard of living in Biloxi, Mississippi, it might not get you to first base on the Upper East Side of New York City. All of these factors should be considered when evaluating job markets in various cities. 

With all of that in mind, here’s a look at the 15 cities with the best job markets in 2025, according to SmartAsset. Factors considered in the evaluation were unemployment, income, income growth, housing affordability, health insurance benefits, commute time and remote work. The cost-of-living for these cities relative to the national average is included, courtesy of BestPlaces. 

Bend, Oregon

• Unemployment rate: 3.16%
• Median earnings for workers: $51,382
• 3-year income growth: 44.2%
• Percent working remotely: 26.9%
• Average cost of living: 27% higher than the national average

Richmond, Virginia

• Unemployment rate: 3.8%
• Median earnings for workers: $73,138
• 3-year income growth: 49.5%
• Percent working remotely: 15.8%
• Average cost of living: 4.8% lower than the national average

Seattle, Washington

• Unemployment rate: 4.17%
• Median earnings for workers: $46,443
• 3-year income growth: 36%
• Percent working remotely: 26.9%
• Average cost of living: 58.1% higher than the national average

Bellevue, Washington

• Unemployment rate: 4.29%
• Median earnings for workers: $76,228
• 3-year income growth: 32.4%
• Percent working remotely: 24.6%
• Average cost of living: 58.1% higher than the national average

Carmel, Indiana

• Unemployment rate: 2.27%
• Median earnings for workers: $101,038
• 3-year income growth: 21.5%
• Percent working remotely: 27.8%
• Average cost of living: 6% higher than the national average

Santa Clara, California

• Unemployment rate: 4.24%
• Median earnings for workers: $90,384
• 3-year income growth: 41%
• Percent working remotely: 16.5%
• Average cost of living: 131% higher than the national average

Cary, North Carolina

• Unemployment rate: 3.5%
• Median earnings for workers: $47,203
• 3-year income growth: 23.1%
• Percent working remotely: 28%
• Average cost of living: 5.8% higher than the national average

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

• Unemployment rate: 2.36%
• Median earnings for workers: $56,858
• 3-year income growth: 29.9%
• Percent working remotely: 9.26%
• Average cost of living: 9.3% lower than the national average

Westminster, Colorado

• Unemployment rate: 1.69%
• Median earnings for workers: $70,711
• 3-year income growth: 37.7%
• Percent working remotely: 19.4%
• Average cost of living: 21.3% higher than the national average

Sunnyvale, California

• Unemployment rate: 3.5%
• Median earnings for workers: $111,905
• 3-year income growth: 31.1%
• Percent working remotely: 15.3%
• Average cost of living: 131% higher than the national average

Austin, Texas

• Unemployment rate: 3.95%
• Median earnings for workers: $36,585
• 3-year income growth: 34.97%
• Percent working remotely: 26.54%
• Average cost of living: 29.1% higher than the national average

Wichita Falls, Texas

• Unemployment rate: 2.51%
• Median earnings for workers: $68,390
• 3-year income growth: 39.65%
• Percent working remotely: 7.58%
• Average cost of living: 23% lower than the national average

Scottsdale, Arizona

• Unemployment rate: 2.97%
• Median earnings for workers: $57,183
• 3-year income growth: 28.4%
• Percent working remotely: 26.5%
• Average cost of living: 13% higher than the national average

St. Louis, Missouri

• Unemployment rate: 4.69%
• Median earnings for workers: $59,986
• 3-year income growth: 34.5%
• Percent working remotely: 13.3%
• Average cost of living: 15.9% lower than the national average

Nashville, Tennessee

• Unemployment rate: 3.13%
• Median earnings for workers: $50,304
• 3-year income growth: 38.4%
• Percent working remotely: 17.8%
• Average cost of living: 4.7% higher than the national average

The Bottom Line

Job prospects in the above 15 cities look pretty good right now, according to SmartAsset. Just be aware that if you’re looking to relocate for a job, you’ll have to factor in the cost of living in your new city to make a fair comparison.

Simply moving from Bellevue to Nashville could result in a huge jump in your quality of life if you earn the same salary, for example. But if you’re planning to transfer from Cary to Santa Clara, you’d better look for a job that pays twice what you’re earning now if you want to keep a comparable lifestyle.

Share This Article: