Columbia, Maryland is a planned community of 10 villages located approximately an hour’s commute from Washington, DC. Dennis Tangney Jr./Getty Images
Young workers are applying to cities outside of traditional tech hubs, according to a new report.
They are looking for lower costs of living and a wider range of industries in which they can use their skills.
From Columbia, Maryland to El Paso, Texas, here are 10 U.S. cities that are attracting new talent.
Forget Silicon Valley, Austin, or even Miami. Young workers are looking for technology jobs in small cities across the country.
According to Handshake’s January report, Columbia, Maryland, followed by Boise, Idaho, and Fairfax, Virginia, topped the list of popular locations among college students and recent technology majors. It is a job and internship platform used by millions of college students every year.We tracked job applications from students with technical degrees such as computer science and statistics.
Handshake has identified the U.S. cities with the highest growth in job applications between 2021 and 2023, based on the number of full-time job applications submitted on its platform.
The surge in job applications to cities outside the country’s traditional tech hubs comes as tech giants have slowed hiring or slashed headcount in recent years. The Handshake report found that the number of applications for tech jobs has fallen significantly over the past year in California, Washington and New York, where companies such as Amazon, Meta and Google are headquartered. It’s no surprise, then, that Handshake found that applications to traditional internet and software companies also fell by more than 30% between 2021 and 2023.
The waning interest in Big Tech has created many new opportunities. According to Handshake, retailers and consumer goods companies are focusing on hiring young tech talent, and the number of applications submitted by high-tech companies for government jobs doubled between 2021 and 2023.
Christine Cruzvergara, Handshake’s chief education strategy officer, said the cities on the list are “more affordable, have a less stressful commute, and offer many of the benefits that people enjoy in large coastal cities.” The elements are starting to fall into place,” he told Business Insider via email. She says, “As more and more Gen Z workers prove that location and specific industries don’t define ‘tech jobs,’ interest in moving to these smaller cities will increase.” We expect it to increase.”
And it’s not just recent college graduates. Tech workers of all ages are drawn to mid-sized cities for lower costs of living and more relaxed lifestyles.
According to Handshake, the following 10 cities saw the biggest year-over-year increase in job applications on the site:
10. Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland attracts young workers because of its relatively low cost of living. Yuanshuai Xi/Getty Images
Number of job applications increased compared to the previous year:44%
population: 361,607 people, according to 2022 data from the U.S. Census.
Cleveland’s low cost of living is attracting a growing population of Gen Z and Millennial workers. The city’s major industries include healthcare (the city’s largest employer is the Cleveland Clinic), as well as manufacturing and retail.
9. Orlando, Florida
Job applications in Orlando, and across Florida, have increased over the past year. Deng Songquan/Shutterstock
Number of job applications increased compared to the previous year: 48%
population: 316,081 people, according to 2022 data from the U.S. Census.
Several major technology companies have offices in Orlando, including Oracle and Verizon, helping to attract new technology talent to Orlando. And with thousands of college students within commuting distance to downtown, it’s no wonder young workers are looking to continue their careers in Orlando. Overall, both Orlando and Florida saw an increase in job applications from 2022 to 2023, according to the Handshake report.
8. Richmond, Virginia
Richmond has opportunities for recent graduates in a wide range of industries, from finance to biotechnology to transportation. Ferrant Wright/Getty Images
Number of job applications increased compared to the previous year: 51%
population: 229,395, according to U.S. Census 2022 data.
Richmond has long been known for its rich history, museums, and historic buildings, but it’s also known as a hot spot for young workers. In addition to being home to major consulting firms such as Deloitte and financial institutions such as Capital One, the city is also a center for biotechnology, transportation, and manufacturing.
7. Madison, Wisconsin
Home to companies like Epic and institutions like the University of Wisconsin, Madison offers many opportunities for technology majors looking to break into new industries. Walter Bibikow/Getty Images
Number of job applications increased compared to the previous year:60%
population: 272,903According to 2022 data from the U.S. Census.
Young workers are turning to Madison for affordable housing and a college town atmosphere. Major local employers include healthcare software company Epic Systems, doll manufacturing company American Girl, and the University of Wisconsin.
6. El Paso, Texas
According to Handshake, Texas saw an overall decline in job applications from 2022 to 2023, but job interest in El Paso soared. John Colletti/Getty Images
Number of job applications increased compared to the previous year: 65%
population: 677,456 people, according to U.S. Census 2022 data
According to Handshake, applications for jobs in El Paso have increased over the past year, despite an overall decline in applications for jobs in Texas. The border city is also expected to be one of the hottest housing markets in 2024 as young workers move in for affordable housing costs.
5. St. Paul, Minnesota
The Twin Cities are home to major employers, including major companies in the healthcare field. Walter Bibikow/Getty Images
Number of job applications increased compared to the previous year: 79%
population: 303,176According to 2022 data from the U.S. Census.
St. Paul is the perfect place for anyone who loves snowy winters, lakes, and laid-back energy. And the Twin Cities, between St. Paul and nearby Minneapolis, is home to major companies like Target and major health care companies like UnitedHealth Group and Mayo Clinic.
4. Las Vegas, Nevada
With retail and tourism opportunities (plus a vibrant nightlife), Las Vegas is of interest to technical college graduates. Getty Images
Number of job applications increased compared to the previous year: 80%
population: 656,274According to 2022 data from the U.S. Census.
Las Vegas is not only known for its vibrant nightlife, but it is also one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Young workers are flocking to cities for affordable housing, job opportunities, and income tax exemptions.
3. Fairfax, Virginia
Fairfax is a relatively short distance from the capital, but has a low cost of living. Robert Knopes/Getty Images
Number of job applications increased compared to the previous year:103%
population: 24,835According to 2022 data from the U.S. Census.
For such peopleIf you work in Washington, DC, but want the convenience of a suburb, Fairfax is a good option. The city is just a short commute from Washington, DC, and housing costs are more affordable than in the nation’s capital. Major employers in the county include Amazon, government consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton, mortgage lender Freddie Mac, and Capital One.
2. Boise, Idaho
The flood of job applications is fueled by the presence of big-name companies like Micron, Intuit, and Equifax. Anna Gorin/Getty Images
Number of job applications increased compared to the previous year:116%
population: 236,634According to 2022 data from the U.S. Census.
Boise is a growing technology hub. In the past few years, two local companies have been acquired by Equifax and Intuit.Chipmaker Micron is also building a $15 billion manufacturing facility in Boise, aiming to open in 2025. That makes it an attractive location for young tech workers, who tend to choose jobs in hardware, semiconductors and manufacturing over traditional internet and software companies. handshake.
1. Columbia, Maryland
Columbia, Maryland is a planned community of 10 villages located approximately an hour’s commute from Washington, DC. Dennis Tangney Jr./Getty Images
Number of job applications increased compared to the previous year:190%
population: 104,681According to 2020 data from the U.S. Census.
Columbia is a master-planned community within commuting distance of Washington, DC and Baltimore. According to Handshake, popular employers among the tech giants include Americas-based electronics company Rohde & Schwarz, insurance company AFLAC, and government agencies such as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
