Here are the Best Cities to Find a Job in 2018

These 25 cities not only have a ton of available jobs, but they’re also filled with some of the most satisfied and happily balanced workers in the United States.

Location, Location, Location

When it comes to finding a great job – just like finding a great home – it’s all about location, location, location.

And these 25 locations are full of incredible opportunities. We used to live in a world where you were more or less stuck with whatever you might see available around you. You’d have to simply hope that your own personal skill sets were in demand with your particular community’s needs. There was a sense of hopelessness and helplessness if what you trained for wasn’t in demand where you lived. But now, thanks to the ever-shrinking world and the deluge of information we have about opportunities available all over the country, you have a better chance of finding rewarding work in places where you can also have an excellent lifestyle.

This list is obviously helpful for new graduates who may be in the market for finding fruitful long-term careers. But it’s also really useful for anyone who might feel stuck in an overwhelming situation. If it seems like you can’t find work or that the work you do have doesn’t afford you the lifestyle you want, this information could be life-changing.

A recent survey from Glassdoor.com studied the 50 most populated city areas in the United States. They analyzed many factors including the number of job openings, the median base salary, and the median home value. Using those numbers, they then used a five-point scale (with 1 indicating the worst city for a job and 5 indicating the best) to determine lifestyle balance and overall job satisfaction. They did so by weighing the cost of living against the average income and available job opportunities. By looking at this bigger picture, they were able to find which cities offered the most opportunity and the most seeming balance between the need to work and the ability to have a life outside of it. They then used those numbers to determine these current 25 top cities to find work and live happily.

To help paint a better sense of the overall lifestyle picture, we’ve also added two important numbers. We’ve found the estimated monthly mortgage payments and what percentage they are compared to the median base salary. These mortgage payments are calculated based on the assumption of a 20% down payment on a 20-year mortgage with a 4% interest rate.

Additionally, we’ve included the estimated population based on the latest projected government census numbers along with what major industries are traditionally available in the area as provided by City-Data.com (unless otherwise noted by available information from a city’s Chamber of Commerce). Of course, these industries are only what the city has been known for in the past. And, as indicated by the listed in demand jobs thanks to Glassdoor.com, often don’t reflect the newest growing industries in a location.

Educating yourself can improve your life immensely on so many levels. The information on this list can help you find opportunities for a new life. And it can also help you get a better sense of how your own lifestyle compares to that of other cities across the country.

San Jose, CA

Estimated Population: 1,025,350

Major Industries: Tech

Job Openings: 61,038

Median Base Salary: $112,000

Median Home Value: $965,500

Estimated Monthly Mortgage Payments: 4,678

Mortgage Payments as a Percentage of Median Salary: 50%

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.5

Job Satisfaction Rating: 3.5

In Demand Jobs: Solutions Architect, HR Manager, Data Scientist

San Francisco, CA

Estimated Population: 870,887

Major industries: Tech, Finance, Tourism

Job Openings: 121,597

Median Base Salary: $88,000

Median Home Value: $806,600

Estimated Monthly Mortgage Payments: $3,907

Mortgage Payments as a Percentage of Median Salary: 53%

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.5

Job Satisfaction Rating: 3.5

In Demand Jobs: Data Scientist, Engagement Manager, Junior Graphic Designer

Seattle, WA

Estimated Population: 704,352

Major industries: Tech, Aerospace, Healthcare

Job Openings: 103,124

Median Base Salary: $85,000

Median Home Value: $382,700

Estimated Monthly Mortgage Payments: $1,852

Mortgage Payments as a Percentage of Median Salary: 26%

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.3

Job Satisfaction Rating: 3.4

In Demand Jobs: UI-UX Designer, Data Scientist, Engagement Manager

Boston, MA

Estimated Population: 673,184

Major industries: Finance, Research and Development, Education

Job Openings: 121,498 Median Base Salary: $67,500

Median Home Value: $387,400

Estimated Monthly Mortgage Payments: $1,876

Mortgage Payments as a Percentage of Median Salary: 34%

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.4

Job Satisfaction Rating: 3.4

In Demand Jobs: Nurse Practitioner, Applications Developer, Sales Development Representative

Washington, DC

Estimated Population: 681,170

Major industries: Government, Tourism, Research and Development

Job Openings: 163,520 Median Base Salary: $70,000

Median Home Value: $364,100

Estimated Monthly Mortgage Payments: $1,765

Mortgage Payments as a Percentage of Median Salary: 30%

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.3

Job Satisfaction Rating: 3.4

In Demand Jobs: Director of Development, Business Office Manager, Data Scientist

Austin, TX

Estimated Population: 947,890

Major industries: Manufacturing, Tech, Life Science, Energy

Job Openings: 45,186 Median Base Salary: $61,000

Median Home Value: $247,500

Estimated Monthly Mortgage Payments: $1,197

Mortgage Payments as a Percentage of Median Salary: 24%

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.3

Job Satisfaction Rating: 3.4

In Demand Jobs: Creative Director, Finance Manager, Solutions Architect

Salt Lake City, UT

Estimated Population: 193,744

Major industries: Computer Tech, Health Care

Job Openings: 23,013

Median Base Salary: $58,700

Median Home Value: $234,400

Estimated Monthly Mortgage Payments: $1,134

Mortgage Payments as a Percentage of Median Salary: 23%

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.4

Job Satisfaction Rating: 3.4

In Demand Jobs: Technical Support Engineer, Outside Sales Representative, Marketing Coordinator

Raleigh-Durham, NC

Estimated Population: 721,896

Major industries: Tech, Equipment Manufacturing, Distribution

Job Openings: 34,660

Median Base Salary: $62,000

Median Home Value: $209,400

Estimated Monthly Mortgage Payments: $1,013

Mortgage Payments as a Percentage of Median Salary: 20%

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.3

Job Satisfaction Rating: 3.3

In Demand Jobs: Registered Nurse, Research Associate, Software Engineer

Minneapolis-St.Paul, MN

Estimated Population: 716,049

Major industries: Manufacturing, Food Processing, Graphic Arts

Job Openings: 65,141

Median Base Salary: $65,000

Median Home Value: $219,400

Estimated Monthly Mortgage Payments: $1,062

Mortgage Payments as a Percentage of Median Salary: 20%

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.3

Job Satisfaction Rating: 3.3

In Demand Jobs: Web Designer, Sales Manager, Business Development Manager

Oklahoma City, OK

Estimated Population: 638,367 Major industries: Aviation, Biotech, Energy, Transportation

Job Openings: 20,576 Median Base Salary: $50,000

Median Home Value: $132,500

Estimated Monthly Mortgage Payments: $640

Mortgage Payments as a Percentage of Median Salary: 15%

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.2

Job Satisfaction Rating: 3.3

In Demand Jobs: Delivery Driver, Accountant, Account Executive

St Louis, MO

Population: 350,000

Major industries: Car Manufacturing, Biotech, Agriculture

Job Openings: 49,450

Median Base Salary: $56,896

Median Home Value: $141,900

Estimated Monthly Mortgage Payments: $688

Mortgage Payments as a Percentage of Median Salary: 15%

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.2

Job Satisfaction Rating: 3.3

In Demand Jobs: Software Developer, Office Manager, Attorney

Detroit, MI

Estimated Population: 672,795

Major industries: Auto Manufacturing, Energy Technology

Job Openings: 59,494

Median Base Salary: $61,500

Median Home Value: $123,100

Estimated Monthly Mortgage Payments: $596

Mortgage Payments as a Percentage of Median Salary: 12%

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.2

Job Satisfaction Rating: 3.2

In Demand Jobs: Financial Advisor, Teller, Registered Nurse

Kansas City, MO

Estimated Population: 481,420

Major industries: Transportation, Warehousing, Manufacturing, Distribution

Job Openings: 43,182

Median Base Salary: $58,000

Median Home Value: $147,500

Estimated Monthly Mortgage Payments: $717

Mortgage Payments as a Percentage of Median Salary: 15%

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.2

Job Satisfaction Rating: 3.2

In Demand Jobs: Buyer, Business Development Manager, Pharmacist

Columbus, OH

Estimated Population: 860,090

Major industries: Services, Trade, Manufacturing, Government

Job Openings: 36,873

Median Base Salary: $57,000

Median Home Value: $154,600

Estimated Monthly Mortgage Payments: $751

Mortgage Payments as a Percentage of Median Salary:16%

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.2

Job Satisfaction Rating: 3.3

In Demand Jobs: Regional Sales Manager, Senior Financial Analyst, Process Engineer

Cleveland, OH

Estimated Population: 385,809

Major industries: Transportation, Health, Banking, Finance

Job Openings: 35,130

Median Base Salary: $55,000

Median Home Value: $125,000

Estimated Monthly Mortgage Payments: $606

Mortgage Payments as a Percentage of Median Salary: 13%

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.2

Job Satisfaction Rating:3.2

In Demand Jobs: Medical Technologist, Marketing Manager, Software Developer

Indianapolis, IN

Estimated Population: 855,164

Major industries: Retail, Amateur Sports, Insurance

Job Openings: 38,934

Median Base Salary: $56,000

Median Home Value: $130,200

Estimated Monthly Mortgage Payments: $630

Mortgage Payments as a Percentage of Median Salary: 14%

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.1

Job Satisfaction Rating: 3.2

In Demand Jobs: Account Executive, Pharmacist, Retail Store Manager

Baltimore, MD

Estimated Population: 614,664

Major industries: Healthcare, Education

Job Openings: 67,209

Median Base Salary: $58,000

Median Home Value: $244,800

Estimated Monthly Mortgage Payments: $1,188

Mortgage Payments as a Percentage of Median Salary: 25%

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.2

Job Satisfaction Rating: 3.3

In Demand Jobs: Customer Service Specialist, Electrical Engineer, Restaurant Manager

St Louis, MO

Major industries: Car Manufacturing, Biotech, Agriculture

Job Openings: 49,450

Median Base Salary: $56,896

Median Home Value: $141,900

Estimated Monthly Mortgage Payments: $688

Mortgage Payments as a Percentage of Median Salary: 15%

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.2

Job Satisfaction Rating: 3.3

In Demand Jobs: Software Developer, Office Manager, Attorney

Pittsburgh, PA

Estimated Population: 303,625

Major industries: Health, Education, Social Services

Job Openings: 50,127

Median Base Salary: $56,896

Median Home Value: $126,700

Estimated Monthly Mortgage Payments: $616

Mortgage Payments as a Percentage of Median Salary: 13%

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.1

Job Satisfaction Rating: 3.2

In Demand Jobs: Mechanical Engineer, Nurse Practitioner, Product Manager

San Antonio, TX

Estimated Population: 1,492,510

Major industries: Healthcare, Bioscience, Aerospace, New Energy, IT

Job Openings:34,895

Median Base Salary: $55,000

Median Home Value: $150,200

Estimated Monthly Mortgage Payments: $727

Mortgage Payments as a Percentage of Median Salary: 16%

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.1

Job Satisfaction Rating: 3.3

In Demand Jobs: Sales Manager, Human Resources Coordinator, Network Engineer

San Diego, CA

Estimated Population: 1,406,630

Major industries: Manufacturing, Industry, International Trade

Job Openings: 45,424

Median Base Salary: $71,323

Median Home Value: $506,100

Estimated Monthly Mortgage Payments: $2,453

Mortgage Payments as a Percentage of Median Salary: 41%

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.3

Job Satisfaction Rating: 3.4

In Demand Jobs: Marketing Assistant, Senior Research Associate, Senior Data Scientist

Chicago, IL

Estimated Population: 2,704,958

Major industries: Manufacturing, Printing and Publishing, Finance, Food Processing

Job Openings: 170,192

Median Base Salary: $63,000

Median Home Value: $193,800

Estimated Monthly Mortgage Payments: $940

Mortgage Payments as a Percentage of Median Salary: 18%

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.2

Job Satisfaction Rating: 3.2

In Demand Jobs: Creative Director, Data Scientist, UI-UX Designer

Cincinnati, OH

Estimated Population: 298,800

Major industries: Manufacturing, Consumer and Brand Development, Trade

Job Openings: 36,624

Median Base Salary: $57,179

Median Home Value: $143,400

Estimated Monthly Mortgage Payments: $693

Mortgage Payments as a Percentage of Median Salary: 15%

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.1

Job Satisfaction Rating: 3.2

In Demand Jobs: Phlebotomist, Graphic Designer, Business Development Manager

Atlanta, GA

Estimated Population: 472,522

Major industries: Trade, Manufacturing

Job Openings: 94,925

Median Base Salary: $60,000

Median Home Value: $163,000

Estimated Monthly Mortgage Payments: $790

Mortgage Payments as a Percentage of Median Salary: 16%

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.1

Job Satisfaction Rating: 3.3

In Demand Jobs: Engagement Manager, Internal Auditor, Network Administration

Hartford, CT

Population: 123,243

Major industries: Manufacturing, Healthcare, Retail

Job Openings: 24,590

Median Base Salary: $68,000

Median Home Value: $215,800

Estimated Monthly Mortgage Payments: $1,047

Mortgage Payments as a Percentage of Median Salary: 18%

Work-Life Balance Rating: NA

Job Satisfaction Rating: 3.2

In Demand Jobs: Paralegal, Manufacturing Engineer, Business Analyst