Best Cities in the United States: Job Opportunities and Cost of Living

The cities of the United States will enchant you. They offer the best job opportunities and places to live with your family. Check out their customs, crime rates, and the best places to work.

Living the “American dream” is a lifelong aspiration for many people. Of course, the lifestyle of what is still the world’s most powerful country is portrayed in films, series, books, and documentaries, and this is part of our collective imagination. However, today we’ll provide more information for those who want to learn more about cities in the United States.

United States: a gigantic and continental country

When discussing cities in the United States, it’s important to remember that we’re talking about a gigantic, continental country. Therefore, determining the best and worst cities takes into account various factors. However, below are the best cities in the United States in terms of job opportunities and cost of living.

The list was compiled by the MoneyGeek website, which analyzed 75 of the largest cities in the United States. The intention was to find the best and worst cities for job seekers in the US. See the list of the top 15 below:

1. North Port, Florida
2. Austin, Texas
3. Jacksonville, Florida
4. Orlando, Florida
5. Dallas, Texas
6. Nashville, Tennessee
7. Atlanta, Georgia
8. Raleigh, North Carolina
9. Tampa, Florida
10. Seattle, Washington
11. Boise, Idaho
12. Phoenix, Arizona
13. Denver, Colorado
14. Salt Lake City, Utah
15. Portland, Oregon

Customs and curiosities about the United States

It’s not easy to summarize the customs and curiosities of such a large and diverse country. However, it’s interesting to note that Americans think big when it comes to cars, for example. While in other countries practicality is key and cars are compact, those living in the United States generally opt for large and luxurious vehicles.

And it’s the same with food, as Americans like very large portions. However, people tend to eat on the go and are always in a hurry. It’s quite common to see Americans walking around with mugs of coffee, drinks, or food packaged in takeout containers.

Another interesting American custom is their love of sports. They play and watch a lot of American football, baseball, and basketball, and perhaps this is where the idea of ​​prospering through competition comes from. People are always competing in the United States and nurture the idea that prosperity only comes with hard work and sacrifice.

Cities in the United States: ideal for foreigners

There are millions of foreigners living in cities across the United States, but of course some are better than others. More international cities generally welcome foreigners more readily, and the International Citizens website conducted a very interesting survey. Check out the ideal US cities for foreigners below:

1. Austin, Texas;
2. Santa Barbara, California;
3. Colorado Springs, Colorado;
4. Fayetteville, Arkansas;
5. Lancaster, Pennsylvania;
6. Portland, Oregon;
7. Huntsville, Alabama;
8. Grand Rapids, Michigan;
9. Sarasota, Florida;
10. Rochester, New York.

Best cities in the United States to work in

Larger cities generally offer more job opportunities in the United States, but it’s essential to research your field of work, the most productive sectors, and the industries each city has.

Therefore, in addition to choosing a city to live in in the United States, it’s important that you have advanced or fluent English, experience, and training in your field.

Therefore, many multinational companies hire foreigners, but having a good resume is essential to gain a competitive edge.

Here are the 10 best cities to work in the United States:

San Diego, California

San Diego, California, is one of the best cities to work in the United States. According to a study by Keyless, San Diego ranked first for the best work-life balance.

Therefore, among the best companies to work for in the city are: SAP, Nokia, Intuit, NASA, University of California at San Diego, VI, Sharp Memorial Hospital, Facebook, NVIDIA, and Omni Hotels.

New York, New York

Despite the high cost of living, New York remains one of the best cities to work in the United States. It is the largest city in the country and the largest financial center in the United States.

With 8.3 million inhabitants, New York offers job opportunities but also significant competition with professionals from around the world.

The list of top companies to work for in New York includes JP Morgan, EY, PwC, Citi, Amazon, Bank of America, KPMG, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Google, and Apple.

San Jose, California

Undoubtedly, the city of San Jose in California is also on the list of the best cities to work in the United States. As such, it boasts one of the best base salaries per year, at US$105,000.

Among the best professions to work in San Jose are product manager, systems engineer, and clinical nurse.

However, the best companies to work for in San Jose are the multinational corporations Apple, Google, Cisco Systems, Infosys, Deloitte, Intel Corporation, and IBM.

Portland, Oregon

Portland is the largest city in the state of Oregon in the United States. Furthermore, it’s known for its quality of life, with many parks and bike paths. As such, the city boasts numerous coffee shops and breweries and is off the beaten path for newcomers to the country, potentially offering a great opportunity to live in the United States.

San Francisco, California

San Francisco is one of the top cities to work in the United States. Therefore, you can look for jobs at companies like Airbnb, Deloitte, Oracle, Infosys, Wells Fargo, Accenture, Amazon, Google, Salesforce, and IBM.

There are undoubtedly many opportunities in the information technology field. Therefore, look for companies that sponsor work visas to the United States (visa sponsor).

Minneapolis, Minnesota

The city of Minneapolis is on the list of the best cities to work in the United States. The state of Minnesota has a very friendly and open population.

In addition, there are good options for companies to work for, such as Target, Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Deloitte, Best Buy, Wells Fargo, Accenture, Wipro, and Cognizant Technology Solutions.

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston is a favorite city for most immigrants living in the United States. Located near New York City, Boston is a very safe city with many job opportunities in the United States.

Therefore, the average annual salary is US$66,969 per year. Among the professions in high demand in Boston are: Data Analyst, Associate Consultant, and Administrative Assistant.

Washington, DC

Washington is the capital of the United States and one of the cities with the most job opportunities in the country. With many international organizations based in the city, the main professions to work in Washington include: doctors and surgeons, psychiatrists, airline pilots, dentists, and nurse anesthetists.

Seattle, Washington

Seattle is the largest city in Washington state. With approximately 800,000 inhabitants, it is home to major companies including Starbucks, Amazon, Boeing, Nordstrom, Adobe, and T-Mobile.

Chicago, Illinois

With over 2.7 million inhabitants, Chicago is a major American city. Located in the state of Illinois, it is one of the largest cities in the United States.

Companies to work for in Chicago include Workday, Salesforce, Marriott International, United Airlines, CDW, PwC, Discover, Accenture, and others.

US cities with the best cost of living

According to the Business Insider website, the cities in the United States with the best cost of living are:

10. Akron, Ohio

Population: 197,375

Average rent: $795

Average house price: $83,500

Percentage of people who rent a house: 50%

Percentage of people who own their own home: 50%

9. Beaumont, Texas

Population: 117,321

Average rent: $868

Average house price: $123,700

Percentage of people who rent a house: 45%

Percentage of people who own their own home: 55%

8. Buffalo, New York

Population: 255,805

Average rent: $801

Average house price: $101,000

Percentage of people who rent out their home: 58%

Percentage of people who own their own home: 42%

7. Evansville, Indiana

Population: 118,414

Average rent: $797

Average house price: $98,600

Percentage of people who rent a house: 45%

Percentage of people who own their own home: 55%

6. Toledo, Ohio

Population: 275,116

Average rent: $737

Average house price: $83,600

Percentage of people who rent a house: 49%

Percentage of people who own their own home: 51%

5. Dayton, Ohio

Population: 140,444

Average rent: $724

Average house price: $69,400

Percentage of people who rent a house: 53%

Percentage of people who own their own home: 47%

4. South Bend, Indiana

Population: 102,686

Average rent: $814

Average house price: $88,600

Percentage of people who rent out their home: 42%

Percentage of people who own their own home: 58%

3. Brownsville, Texas

Population: 182,230

Average rent: $754

Average house price: $92,400

Percentage of people who rent out their home: 40%

Percentage of people who own their own home: 60%

2. Wichita Falls, Texas

Population: 104,657

Average rent: $828

Average house price: $104,800

Percentage of people who rent a house: 43%

Percentage of people who own their own home: 57%

1. Fort Wayne, Indiana

Population: 268,378

Average rent: $777

Average house price: $121,600

Percentage of people who rent a house: 37%

Percentage of people who own their own home: 63%

Cities in the United States with low crime rates

According to the website Bankrate, the safest cities in the United States are the following:

1. Zionsville, IN

Population: 31,702

Average family income: $137,265

Average house price: $600,000

Crimes per 1,000 inhabitants: 2.5

2. Boston, MA

Population: 654,776

Average family income: $76,298

Average house price: $789,000

Crimes per 1,000 inhabitants: 2.93

3. Naples, Florida

Population: 21,750

Average family income: $118,141

Average house price: $699,000

Crimes per 1,000 inhabitants: 3.28

4. Glen Cove, NY

Population: 28,131

Average family income: $79,131

Average house price: $729,000

Crimes per 1,000 inhabitants: 8.38

5. Santa Clarita, CA

Population: 224,593

Average family income: $100,932

Average house price: $769,900

Crimes per 1,000 inhabitants: 9.9

6. Lake in the Hills, IL

Population: 28,945

Average family income: $96,470

Average house price: $289,500

Crimes per 1,000 inhabitants: 10.8

7. Glens Falls, NY

Population: 14,722

Average family income: $55,496

Average house price: $229,000

Crimes per 1,000 inhabitants: 15.49

8. Ridgefield, CT

Population: 25,011

Average family income: $152,630

Average house price: $872,000

Crimes per 1,000 inhabitants: 16.8

9. Midland, MI

Population: 83,445

Average family income: $64,078

Average house price: $223,500

Crimes per 1,000 inhabitants: 18

10. Port St. Lucie, Florida

Population: 217,523

Average family income: $62,380

Average house price: $420,000

Crimes per 1,000 inhabitants: 19

Cities in the United States with the best universities.

The top cities in the United States with the best universities are world-renowned. The cities listed were researched by the Yocket portal; see which ones they are:

• Boston: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University;
• Chicago: University of Chicago and Northwestern University;
• San Francisco: Stanford and University of California;
• Los Angeles: Caltech and UCLA;
• New York: Columbia University and New York University;
• Atlanta: Georgia Tech, Emory and Clark Atlanta;
• Washington DC: Georgetown, UMD-College Park, George Washington and Howard;
• San Diego: UC San Diego.

Documents needed to live in the USA

To visit, live, or work in the United States, you need to apply for a visa. Check the required documents:

Passport

Having a passport is essential to apply for a US visa. Furthermore, the document must be valid for more than 6 months, and you must apply for the passport on your country’s passport portal or in some other countries through scheduling of appointment.

Tips for foreigners in the USA

Now that you’ve made it this far, let’s give you some tips for foreigners in the United States:

Learn English

Knowing English is essential for living in the United States. Of course, initially you don’t need to be 100% fluent, but to advance your career and have better job opportunities, speaking English is fundamental. Therefore, if you dream of moving to the United States, start learning English as soon as possible.

Respect the rules of the country.

Police and law enforcement in the United States tend to be strict. Therefore, it’s important to know that you must always respect the rules and laws of the country so that everything goes smoothly. Remember: the police in the United States don’t tolerate disrespect and strictly enforce the laws of the country.

Plan your finances.

The cost of living is generally high in the United States. Even more so now with the context of inflation and economic instability, a well-thought-out financial plan is necessary. Do the math, and research extensively about what cities in the United States are like and how much it costs to live where you intend to go.

Remember to create a Plan A, B, and C. This will help you achieve your dream of living abroad and, who knows, with luck, adapt to the “American dream” and the lifestyle of those who live in the United States. Having good financial reserves is essential for your move!

Main advantages of working in the USA

Due to a number of factors, many people dream of living and working in the United States, and there are several advantages to working in this North American country.

With high-quality education, some of the best and largest universities in the world are located in the United States, such as Harvard University and  Stanford University .

Cities in the United States offer many opportunities, and in most of them, you can walk the streets in peace or go for a walk with your family without fear of robbery or theft.

The federal minimum wage in the United States is $7.25 per hour worked; however, each state has its own laws. In California, the rate is $15.50 per hour, and in Washington, it is $15.74 per hour worked.

Cities in the United States: Job Opportunities

Areas that hire the most

If you are looking for a job opportunity in the United States, the country offers vacancies in various fields; however, professionals in the areas of Information Technology, Healthcare, and Engineering have the most opportunities, based on the number of vacancies available, according to Glassdoor.

• Software Engineer – more than 64,000 job openings last year;
• Project Manager – more than 42,000 job openings last year;
• Program Manager – more than 26,000 job openings last year;
• Sales Manager – more than 24,000 job openings last year;
• Consultant – more than 17,000 job openings last year;
• Doctor – more than 15,000 vacancies last year;
• Systems Engineer – more than 15,000 job openings last year;
• Business Architect – more than 14,000 job openings;
• Real estate agent – ​​more than 12,000 job openings last year.

Salaries in the United States

According to Glassdoor‘s 2025 report, the highest annual salaries were for professionals who:

• Psychiatrist – US$ 282,385.00;
• Dentist – US$ 157,307.00;
• CLG Physician – US$ 155,400.00;
• Enterprise Architect – US$ 144,997.00;
• Database Architect – US$ 140,000.00
• Strategy Manager – US$ 140,000.00

labor system

The U.S. labor system, the FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act), was implemented by President Roosevelt in 1938. Over the years, it has undergone updates, but it remains a fundamental reference point for the United States labor system. Each state has autonomy over its laws, and the judiciary.

In the United States, the standard workweek is 40 hours, or 8 hours per day, with the possibility of overtime pay at 150% of the hourly rate, regardless of whether it is a Sunday.

Vacation time in the United States is not the same as elsewhere, where after working 12 months, employees are entitled to 30 days of paid vacation. Americans generally need to request vacation time from their companies, and it is usually unpaid, although each company has its own vacation policy.

In the United States, the minimum wage is calculated hourly, and what prevails over state laws is always the federal minimum wage, which is $7.25 per hour. This value cannot be changed by the states, as it is the minimum wage defined for the entire country. However, most states have higher minimum wages.

Termination and notice period are also different, as current law in the United States does not provide for severance pay, notice period, or other indemnities. Since there is no notice period, workers collect their belongings immediately after termination.

If an employee presents a medical certificate due to illness, they will only receive payment for the day worked if this is stipulated in the contract or if the state has a specific law for this. There is no paid maternity leave in the country, and the stipulated period is 12 weeks. However, there may be differences from one state to another.

There is no mandatory 13th-month salary in the United States; however, many companies offer a bonus to employees as a form of compensation.

The best agencies to work for in the USA

If you dream of working in cities across the United States and living the American dream, using specialized agencies can be one way to achieve your ideal job.

Some recruitment agencies specialize in hiring in more specific areas, so let’s take a look at some job search agencies in the United States:

Robert Half is an agency specializing in administrative, legal, technological, financial and accounting, marketing, and customer support areas.

Aerotek is an agency focused on the areas of aviation, construction, logistics, manufacturing, and maintenance.

Staff América operates in the areas of: medicine, health, customer service, and finance.

Manpower helps you find jobs in HR, engineering, aerospace, the public sector, logistics, and telecommunications  .

All the agencies mentioned have a long history in the market, such as Robert Half and Manpower, which have been around for 70 years. Staff America and Aerotek have been around for 20 and 30 years, respectively.

Tips on how to get an exchange program to the United States.

Studying abroad in the United States can be an excellent way to get to know the place and the culture, as well as to specialize, whether in a new language (English) or in specialized courses. Therefore, some tips are important before packing your bags and choosing one of the cities in the United States.

Objective

You need to have a very well-defined objective regarding the reason for your exchange program. Is it to improve your English? Or to take a course at a renowned university and specialize? With this clearly defined, you can begin the research process.

Research

Before going on an exchange program, do a lot of research and look for the best exchange agency options, the lowest costs, the best length of stay, the most comfortable accommodation options, etc. The important thing is to have as much information as possible before making the decision to live abroad.

City

The choice of city where you will stay is also very important, as costs can vary from one city to another and, depending on your goal, you can choose between a more bustling city or a quieter one, such as in the countryside, for example.

Seen

To participate in an exchange program in the United States, you will need a student visa. The F1 visa, for example, is for those who intend to take academic courses at universities or learn English.

Accommodation

Finding the best type of accommodation for you is also a crucial step when finalizing your exchange program. The experience of staying with a host family and living with native speakers is very interesting for several reasons: practicing the language, learning about the culture, and making friends with local people are just a few of them.

Another housing option is renting a property to live alone, or sharing with roommates, to minimize costs. Both options have advantages and disadvantages, so check which one makes the most sense for you.

US cities with the most exchange students

Many people seek to study abroad in cities across the United States because they have an excellent education system, are home to renowned universities, and offer excellent places to learn English. Not to mention the cultural enrichment and experience gained through an exchange program.

Cities in the United States offer excellent infrastructure for international students. They provide students with opportunities to experience American culture, interact with students from around the world, and facilitate English language learning.

New York

It is a megalopolis located in the state of New York, situated on the north coast of the east coast of the United States. It is a world reference point for Western culture and is one of the largest and most vibrant cities in the world, home to Columbia University and New York University.

Boston

Boston is a city in the United States that is very popular. It is a port city located on the northern part of the east coast of the United States. Boston is the capital of the state of Massachusetts and is full of events, attractions, monuments, and festivals. It has high temperatures in the summer and very low temperatures in the winter, and is next to the city of Cambridge (USA), which is home to two of the most important universities in the world (Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)).

Saint Francis

Located near Silicon Valley, home to the world’s largest technology companies such as Google and Facebook, San Francisco attracts exchange students with its highly reputable universities, such as Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley.

How much does it cost to live in the United States?

A person’s cost of living will always be linked to their lifestyle and priorities. However, let’s look at an average cost for the main expenses in different cities, according to the Numbeo website. Check it out:

New York

Rent

• Apartment in the city center (1 bedroom) – US$ 3,759.96;
• Apartment outside the city center (1 bedroom) – US$ 2,339.27;
• Apartment in the city center (3 bedrooms) – US$ 7,037.47;
• Apartment outside the main building (3 bedrooms) – US$ 4,128.45.

Food

• Meal at an inexpensive restaurant – US$ 25.00.
• Meal for two (three courses) – US$ 100.00.

Transport

• One-way ticket (local transport) – US$ 2.75;
• Monthly pass (regular price) – US$ 129.00.

Boston  

Rent

• Apartment in the city center (1 bedroom) – US$ 2,738.24;
• Apartment outside the city center (1 bedroom) – US$ 1,996.96;
• Apartment in the city center (3 bedrooms) – US$ 5,029.84;
• Apartment outside the main building (3 bedrooms) – US$ 3,343.10.

Food

• Meal at an inexpensive restaurant – US$ 20.00;
• Meal for two (three courses) – US$ 95.00.

Transport

• One-way ticket (local transport) – US$ 2.40;
• Monthly pass (regular price) – US$ 90.00.

Saint Francis    

Rent 

• Apartment in the city center (1 bedroom) – US$ 3,276.26;
• Apartment outside the city center (1 bedroom) – US$ 2,566.10;
• Apartment in the city center (3 bedrooms) – US$ 5,685.38;
• Apartment outside the main building (3 bedrooms) – US$ 4,404.50.

Food

• Meal at an inexpensive restaurant – US$ 25.00;
• Meal for two (three courses) – US$ 100.00.

Transport

• One-way ticket (local transport) – US$ 2.85;
• Monthly pass (regular price) – US$ 88.50.

Healthcare in the USA

While the American healthcare system is one of the best in the world, both for its use of increasingly advanced technologies and the qualifications of its professionals, it is expensive, and not everyone has health insurance.

The purchasing power of the American population is generally higher than that of many countries, and health insurance plan costs can vary from state to state. Therefore, it’s important to know which state you intend to move to and research healthcare costs.

Housing in the USA

Choosing where to live in a US city requires attention to many factors, such as climate, workplace, cost of living, and quality of life. You might opt ​​to live closer to work, but this may require a higher investment, especially if the area is centrally located. Another factor is your preference for a more bustling city or a quieter one (it all depends on your lifestyle and your goals for this new phase).

Food in the USA

It’s a mistake to think that Americans live only on fast food. American cuisine is very rich and receives influences from Asian, European, and Latin American immigrants. However, as a daily meal, Americans value a good breakfast, with coffee, scrambled eggs, fried bacon, pancakes, sausages, cereals, juices, waffles, French toast, and bagels.

For lunch and dinner, they typically eat mashed potatoes, green beans, carrots, corn, red meat, fried chicken, sandwiches, apple pie, and brownies.

Frequently asked questions about cities in the United States.

Get your questions answered about cities in the United States:

What is the best city to live in the United States?

This is a question only you can answer, as you will need to understand the reasons why you are moving to one city or another, and the main criteria to consider are: safety, education, health, job opportunities, cost of living, and quality of life.

What is the sunniest city in the United States?

Phoenix, the capital of Arizona, is the U.S. city with the most sunny days a year of any city in the world, according to a report by the World Meteorological Organization.

What are the 20 largest cities in the USA?

The United States has over 330 million inhabitants, and the 20 largest cities are the most densely populated. The ranking follows:

1. New York (New York)
2. Los Angeles (California)
3. Chicago (Illinois)
4. Houston (Texas)
5. Phoenix (Arizona)
6. Philadelphia (Pennsylvania)
7. San Antonio (Texas)
8. San Diego (California)
9. Dallas (Texas)
10. San Jose (California)
11. Jacksonville (Florida)
12. Austin (Texas)
13. Fort Worth (Texas)
14. Columbus (Ohio)
15. Indianapolis (Indiana)
16. Charlotte (North Carolina)
17. San Francisco (California)
18. Seattle (Washington)
19. Denver (Colorado)
20. Washington DC