A recent study by Rocket Moving analyzed the 50 largest U.S. cities to determine which are the most suitable for workers looking to start fresh. The analysis identifies the top ten cities based on eight factors: job growth rate, personal income, cost of living index, average price of houses, rent per month, safety index, air quality index and the number of open job positions.
These factors were chosen to provide a comprehensive view of each city’s economic health, financial stability, affordability, safety and overall quality of life. The scores were scaled from 0 to 100 for easier interpretation, with the final ranking reflecting a city’s overall suitability based on job opportunities, income potential, living costs, safety, environmental quality and housing affordability. Here are the top ten cities if you’re looking for a fresh start:
- Austin, Texas, tops the list. Austin has the highest composite score of 99.43, driven by its impressive job growth rate of 4.6% and the most open job positions at 13.8 million, according to the report. “With an annual personal income of over $2 million, Austin offers the highest earning potential among the top cities. Despite having a slightly above-average cost of living index at 93.0, Austin balances this with affordable housing prices and a strong safety index of 58.75, making it an ideal location for those seeking both financial and lifestyle stability.”
- Orlando, Florida, takes the second spot. Orlando has a composite score of 96.86, the report finds. “The city stands out with numerous job opportunities, totaling 9.7 million—the second highest after Austin. Although Orlando's cost of living index is on the higher side at 102.3, the city compensates with moderate housing costs and a personal income level of $1.59 million, making it a strong competitor for those looking to start fresh in a vibrant city with a growing job market.”
- Reno, Nevada, comes in third. Reno has a composite score of 92.57. The study found that it has the highest job growth rate among the top ten cities at 5.1%. “Reno also offers a balanced air quality index of 42.1 and a relatively low cost of living index of 101.3. Despite its moderate personal income of $216,888, Reno's affordable rent at $1,571 and strong job market make it an attractive option for newcomers.”
- Sacramento, California, ranks fourth. With a composite score of 89.42, the analysis finds that Sacramento has the highest personal income at $3.2 million and the highest cost of living index at 134.5 among the top cities. “Sacramento has the most open job positions at 17.9 million, emphasizing its strong job market despite the higher costs. However, the city’s average housing price of $806,674, the highest on the list, may be a barrier for those looking for more affordable living options.”
- Overland Park, Kansas, secures the fifth position. With a composite score of 88.00, Overland Park offers the lowest cost of living index at 87.7 and the most affordable average home price at $232,507, according to the study. “With a solid safety index of 75.27, the highest among the top ten, and a reasonable job growth rate of 2.9%, Overland Park is ideal for those prioritizing safety and affordability.”
- Albany, New York, follows closely at the sixth position. With a composite score of 85.97, Albany stands out with a strong number of job opportunities, matching Orlando with 9.7 million open positions, the report says. “Albany’s average housing price of $452,823 and rent of $1,408 make it one of the more affordable East Coast cities in the top rankings. However, a higher cost of living index at 125.1 slightly reduces its overall appeal.”