15 Best US Cities for Job Seekers in 2022

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Last Updated: 12/19/2022
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There are many factors that go into making a city the “best” for job seekers. Some things are intangible, like museums, beaches or a community’s vibe. But many of a city’s qualities are easier to measure and analyze.

MoneyGeek took a look at a number of factors — including job and wage growth and housing affordability — to find the best and worst cities for job growth in the U.S. If you’re unemployed or looking for a job and thinking of moving to a new state — perhaps in search of a more affordable mortgage or lower cost of living — you’ll want to take a look at our list of the 15 best U.S. cities for job seekers in 2022.


  • 15. Portland, Oregon
    Overall Score: 59.1
    Portland, Oregon

    • 59.8Overall Growth (Jobs & Wages)
    • 37.2Job Competition (Lower is Better)
    • 30.1Housing Affordability

  • 14. Salt Lake City, Utah
    Overall Score: 59.3
    Salt Lake City, Utah

    • 53.1Overall Growth (Jobs & Wages)
    • 11.5Job Competition (Lower is Better)
    • 54.7Housing Affordability

  • 13. Denver, Colorado
    Overall Score: 64.0
    Denver, Colorado

    • 60.3Overall Growth (Jobs & Wages)
    • 31.0Job Competition (Lower is Better)
    • 35.8Housing Affordability

  • 12. Phoenix, Arizona
    Overall Score: 66.3
    Phoenix, Arizona

    • 55.2Overall Growth (Jobs & Wages)
    • 22.8Job Competition (Lower is Better)
    • 48.7Housing Affordability

  • 11. Boise, Idaho
    Overall Score: 66.5
    Boise, Idaho

    • 65.0Overall Growth (Jobs & Wages)
    • 16.3Job Competition (Lower is Better)
    • 54.4Housing Affordability

  • 10. Seattle, Washington
    Overall Score: 67.8
    Seattle, Washington

    • 61.6Overall Growth (Jobs & Wages)
    • 21.0Job Competition (Lower is Better)
    • 28.5Housing Affordability

  • 9. Tampa, Florida
    Overall Score: 72.0
    Tampa, Florida

    • 64.3Overall Growth (Jobs & Wages)
    • 14.4Job Competition (Lower is Better)
    • 37.4Housing Affordability

  • 8. Raleigh, North Carolina
    Overall Score: 72.5
    Raleigh, North Carolina

    • 68.0Overall Growth (Jobs & Wages)
    • 25.6Job Competition (Lower is Better)
    • 56.6Housing Affordability

  • 7. Atlanta, Georgia
    Overall Score: 72.5
    Atlanta, Georgia

    • 57.8Overall Growth (Jobs & Wages)
    • 17.5Job Competition (Lower is Better)
    • 51.1Housing Affordability

  • 6. Nashville, Tennessee
    Overall Score: 78.1
    Nashville, Tennessee

    • 69.6Overall Growth (Jobs & Wages)
    • 19.0Job Competition (Lower is Better)
    • 55.0Housing Affordability

  • 5. Dallas, Texas
    Overall Score: 79.5
    Dallas, Texas

    • 65.7Overall Growth (Jobs & Wages)
    • 31.2Job Competition (Lower is Better)
    • 51.7Housing Affordability

  • 4. Orlando, Florida
    Overall Score: 84.5
    Orlando, Florida

    • 80.1Overall Growth (Jobs & Wages)
    • 21.4Job Competition (Lower is Better)
    • 32.6Housing Affordability

  • 3. Jacksonville, Florida
    Overall Score: 86.7
    Jacksonville, Florida

    • 77.4Overall Growth (Jobs & Wages)
    • 13.9Job Competition (Lower is Better)
    • 62.3Housing Affordability

  • 2. Austin, Texas
    Overall Score: 94.7
    Austin, Texas

    • 86.7Overall Growth (Jobs & Wages)
    • 19.1Job Competition (Lower is Better)
    • 45.7Housing Affordability

  • 1. North Port, Florida
    Overall Score: 99.0
    North Port, Florida

    • 99.0Overall Growth (Jobs & Wages)
    • 11.2Job Competition (Lower is Better)
    • 38.9Housing Affordability

About Geoff Williams


Geoff Williams headshot

Geoff Williams has been a personal finance journalist since around the time of the Great Recession of 2008. He's been writing professionally since the 1990s about a variety of topics, including personal finance, credit cards and loans.

Williams is also the author of several books, including "Washed Away: How the Great Flood of 1913, America's Most Widespread Natural Disaster, Terrorized a Nation and Changed It Forever" and "C.C. Pyle's Amazing Foot Race: The True Story of the 1928 Coast-to-Coast Run Across America."

Born in Columbus, Williams now lives in Loveland, Ohio, with his two teenage daughters.