You're building your career, and you want a city with the maximum wind at your back, financially speaking. To identify metro areas that would particularly appeal to mid-level professionals, these criteria were given extra weight: the average growth in creative-class wages between 2000 and 2005, average commute time and housing affordability. Of course, you'll also want all the perks that come with a cool city. See our top five choices by clicking the navigation bar to the right:
For a full explanation of our criteria click here.
KANSAS CITY
BEST CITY FOR MID-LEVEL PROFESSIONALS
Population: 1,909,666
Cost-of-Living Index: 94 (100 being national average)
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 31.8%
Creative-Class Salary Growth (2000-2005): 19.5%
To suit your role as an up-and-comer, move to downtown Kansas City, where you can live in a loft with a stunning view, grab a drink at the Drum Room and agonize nightly over whether to go for the three-inch steak at the Plaza III or the barbeque at Bryant's.
For a full explanation of our criteria click here.
Sponsored Content
BOISE, IDAHO
BEST CITY FOR MID-LEVEL PROFESSIONALS
Population: 530,359
Cost-of-Living Index: 96 (100 being national average)
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 35.2%
Creative-Class Salary Growth (2000-2005): 15.6%
Located on a high desert plain in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Boise is a great location for outdoors enthusiasts. The local economy is diverse and includes strong agriculture, forestry and mining industries, as well as knowledge-based industries such as business and information services and high tech.
For a full explanation of our criteria click here.
Sponsored Content
PORTLAND, MAINE
BEST CITY FOR MID-LEVEL PROFESSIONALS
Population: 500,263
Cost-of-Living Index: 100 (100 being national average)
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 31.8%
Creative-Class Salary Growth (2000-2005): 40.3%
Its spectacular location, near both the sea and the mountains, is a big draw for mid-level professionals who love the outdoors. Residents love the high quality of life and great networking opportunities for professionals. With a strong arts scene, good restaurants and pleasant neighborhoods, it's easy to see why many professionals have left Boston and New York to relocate here.
For a full explanation of our criteria click here.
Sponsored Content
HUNTSVILLE, ALA.
BEST CITY FOR MID-LEVEL PROFESSIONALS
Population: 358,646
Cost-of-Living Index: 92 (100 being national average)
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 38.2%
Creative-Class Salary Growth (2000-2005): 17.8%
Huntsville might seem a slower-pace alternative to other creative-class cities, but job growth is brisk, cost of living is low and mid-level professionals are coming in droves. Technology, space and defense industries have a major presence here with the Army's Redstone Arsenal, NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and Cummings Research Park.
For a full explanation of our criteria click here.
Sponsored Content
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.
BEST CITY FOR MID-LEVEL PROFESSIONALS
Population: 324,076
Cost-of-Living Index: 96 (100 being national average)
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 27.8%
Creative-Class Salary Growth (2000-2005): 16.2%
The city is revitalizing its downtown, job growth is steady and the cost of living is as charming as the local Southern accents. Fayetteville is home to Ft. Bragg and Pope Air Force Base.
For a full explanation of our criteria click here.
Sponsored Content
-
Stock Market Today: Stocks End Higher in Whipsaw SessionThe main indexes were volatile Thursday with Nvidia earnings in focus.
-
Trump Picks Dr. Oz as Head of Medicare and MedicaidPresident-elect Donald Trump picked Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Here's what to know about the former TV host.
-
The Best Places to Retire in New Englandplaces to live Thinking about a move to New England for retirement? Here are the best places to land for quality of life, affordability and other criteria.
-
Best Cold Weather Places to Retireplaces to live Some like it hot; others not so much. Here are the 12 best places to retire if you can't stand the heat.
-
15 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Winterhome Now that fall is officially here, it's time to prepare your home for cold weather.
-
Hurricane Insurance Claims: 10 Things You Should KnowBecoming a Homeowner Hurricane damage? Know what’s covered, what isn’t and how to make the most of your policy if you need to file a claim.
-
5 Great Places to Buy a Vacation HomeWant a vacation home for remote work or a fun getaway? Here are locations with median prices under $400K.
-
10 Big U.S. Cities With the Cheapest Apartment Rentsplaces to live Apartment dwellers pay less than the national average in these cities with the cheapest rent.
-
The 10 Most Expensive Cities to Live in the U.S.Real estate From metro areas on both coasts to the middle of the Pacific Ocean, these are the most expensive cities to live in the U.S.
-
The 25 Cheapest Places to Live: U.S. Cities Editionplaces to live Have a look at the cheapest places to live in America for city dwellers. Is one of the cheapest places to live in the U.S. right for you?
