Working in tech no longer means having to live in one of a handful of increasingly unaffordable cities, like New York City, Seattle, Chicago, and San Francisco. Instead, as jobs involving artificial intelligence and product security, among other areas, continue to grow, cities that weren't previously considered tech hubs now offer opportunities for both tech-related employment and affordable living. Here are a few examples, compiled using data from job market reports and cities, as well as input from tech recruiters and hiring managers.
Bentonville, Arkansas
Perhaps best known for being Walmart's home city, Bentonville has been on the rise as a tech center for the last seven or eight years, according to Eóin O'Toole, a tech recruiter and managing partner at Riviera Partners. In addition to the big-box store giant, O'Toole says that there's a "surging ecosystem both directly and indirectly related to Walmart," as well as other major employers, like JB Hunt and Tyson Foods. Not only do these companies have their own tech staff, but their industries are in the midst of technical transformation, which O'Toole says makes them "prized client[s] for many leading-edge technology startups."
Along the same lines, Bentonville has also been attracting other tech businesses and talent. "With the support of a very forward-looking local Northwest Arkansas council, you see the emergence of tech companies in fields like drones—think last-mile delivery—EVs, leading supply chain and consumer packaged goods logistics technology companies, and fintech, to name a few," says O'Toole. Plus, housing in Bentonville is 20% cheaper than the U.S. average.
Dallas, Texas
Tech recruiters and job reports frequently list Dallas and/or Austin in their picks for best emerging tech cities, but often included the caveat that Dallas has a lower cost of living. According to Kristen Fowler, an expert in recruiting trends within the tech industry, and the vice president and practice lead at Clarke Caniff Strategic Search, both cities have become tech hubs in the last 10 years, especially since the start of the pandemic. "Given that Dallas is home to several major retailers—like Chewy, Neiman Marcus, and 7-11—as well as large tech companies like AT&T and Texas Instruments, and banking organizations like Capital One, talent is plentiful.," she explains.
Detroit, Michigan
According to Richard Heaton, a hiring manager of Cartisian Technical Recruitment, Detroit's tech sector began its current period of growth in 2010, picked up steam around 2014, and shows no signs of slowing down. During this time, General Motors "has been putting major capital into tech and innovation," Heaton says, while Quicken Loans—one of the largest online mortgage lenders in the U.S.—continues to be one of the city's top employers, he adds. Additionally, Ford's Michigan Central "innovation district"—which the company describes as "a hub in Detroit dedicated to advancing new tech, ideas, and programs"—is slated to open later this year. Throw in the city's rapidly growing startup scene, and consistently being named as one of the cheapest cities in the country to buy a house, and it's not hard to see why Detroit is attracting top tech talent.
Tampa, Florida
With a mix of well-established tech employers and dynamic startups, Tampa has been increasingly recognized for its burgeoning tech scene—particularly since 2018, says Allan McNabb, vice president of Image Building Media, an internet marketing company based in the Florida city. "Key players like Jabil and Tech Data, along with a surge in fintech and cybersecurity firms, have created a diverse tech landscape," he says. According to a 2023 report on tech talent by CBRE, a firm specializing in in commercial real estate services and investments, between 2016 and 2021, Tampa saw a 35% increase in residents in their 20s with a college degree: The highest of any city in North America.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Since the late 2000s, Pittsburgh has been quietly transforming into a tech powerhouse, says Kraig Kleeman, founder and CEO of The New Workforce. Google, Uber, Apple, IBM, and Facebook have offices in the Steel City, and being the home of Carnegie Mellon University means there's always a steady stream of new tech talent coming to the area. "Pittsburgh's focus on artificial intelligence and robotics has made it a tech innovation hub," says Kleeman. Interestingly, according to the report from CBRE, Pittsburgh is the most racially and ethnically diverse market for women with a tech degree in the United States—though one of the least-diverse for men.
Atlanta, Georgia
Home to companies including Delta, Home Depot, Workday, BlackRock, Nordstrom, and Carvana, Atlanta has emerged as one of the largest markets for tech jobs in the country. But beyond the big names, the city also has a vibrant startup scene—particularly across the healthcare and logistics tech industries, says Maria Opre, a cybersecurity expert and senior analyst at EarthWeb. "Through strategic collaborations between companies like Microsoft and Georgia Tech, Atlanta fosters partnerships and skills development," says Opre. "While housing remains affordable compared to bigger hubs, salaries are competitive for a city of its size. There's also Atlanta Tech Village, a collaborative mentorship and working space for tech innovation, which Kleeman says has made an impact in the city by "nurturing startups and providing a platform for entrepreneurs to thrive."
According to a recent report from LinkedIn, there's been significant growth in tech jobs at non-tech companies: A trend set to continue as artificial intelligence and automation become increasingly common across industries. The bottom line is that you don't have to drop a large chunk of your salary on rent or a mortgage payment in order to live somewhere with a thriving tech scene. And if you already live in an established tech hub like San Francisco, but might want to broaden your job search, don't be afraid to do so.