Austin, the capital of Texas, has ranked first for two consecutive years, with Colorado Springs and Denver in Colorado taking second and third place respectively. New York City, known for its fast-paced, round-the-clock lifestyle, can be overwhelming for newcomers. Known as the "City that Never Sleeps," it ranked 96th in this survey, barely staying in the top 100.
Below is the detailed top ten ranking. However, for many international students and American immigrants, large cities offer more job opportunities, greater educational choices, and more convenient life, so people prefer to settle in big cities.
01 Austin, Texas
Average annual salary: $50,830;
Nearby renowned universities: University of Texas at Austin;
Austin, the capital of Texas, is not only a political center but also an educational hub, and a gathering place for "music, outdoor activities, and cultural events." Austin is known as the Live Music Capital of the World, with numerous music venues and local bands that entertain endless crowds. Many established venues regularly book and host major music performances.
In addition, Austin's technology sector is also well developed, once known as "Silicon Hill," with rapid growth in semiconductor and computer industries, attracting many tech talents to settle here each year.
02 Colorado Springs, Colorado
Average annual salary: $49,450;
Nearby renowned universities: University of Colorado, Colorado College, Colorado Technical University, United States Air Force Academy;
Colorado Springs may not stand out on the map as an economic or cultural center like the Denver metropolitan area. But in a quieter, gentler way, Colorado Springs offers a lot, including a low cost of living, low unemployment rate, and a variety of recreational and entertainment options.
The area is full of natural wonders, with skiing destinations like Aspen and Vail nearby, without the associated high living costs and heavy traffic.
03 Denver, Colorado
Average annual salary: $54,910;
Nearby renowned universities: University of Denver, Denver School of Nursing;
Like Austin, Denver's active job market and higher salaries are a draw. This city built during the gold rush has become one of the most central cities in the Mountain West. Denver International Airport, opened in April 1995, is one of the largest and most advanced airports in the world, and many transcontinental flights connect through Denver, so the airport is very, very large.
In Denver, the nation's largest beer festival and beer competition, the Great American Beer Festival, is held every year, making Denver the city with the largest beer production in the U.S. You can sample over 200 different Denver craft beers, and you can party with beer lovers from across the U.S. and neighboring countries, sipping refreshing beer while listening to traditional blues, country, and rock.
04 Des Moines, Iowa
Average annual salary: $49,420;
Nearby renowned universities: Vatterott College;
Des Moines is the largest city in Iowa. As a relatively developed agricultural city in the Midwest, it has a large area with a small population and low prices. Des Moines is also one of the safest cities in the U.S., with excellent education and living conditions, and has been named by Forbes as the best city for family life in America.
Des Moines is a city with a strong artistic atmosphere. The vibrant Historic East Village, located between the Iowa State Capitol and downtown skyscrapers, is lined with various shops, restaurants, bars, and residences. To the west is Valley Junction, known as the "Intersection of Fashion and History." This historic railroad district, founded in the 1890s, has now developed into an integrated arts and commercial district with over 150 specialty shops, art galleries, boutique stores, restaurants, and antique shops.
05 Fayetteville, Arkansas
Average annual salary: $44,980;
Nearby renowned universities: University of Arkansas;
Fayetteville is the third largest city in Arkansas, located in the center of Washington County. It is the birthplace of many Fortune 500 companies, such as Walmart and Tyson Foods.
Fayetteville is the cultural hub of Northwest Arkansas, home to the main campus of the University of Arkansas and a large performing arts center. A popular farmer's market draws large crowds to the beautiful town square, and countless ethnic restaurants and dizzying array of small shops give it a big-city feel.
The first Fayetteville Courthouse was built in 1829 on the central square, which hosts various events throughout the year, such as the Ozark Festival of Lights, where you can enjoy yourself to the fullest.
06 Portland, Oregon
Average annual salary: $53,960;
Nearby renowned universities: Portland State University, Reed College, University of Portland;
Oregonians are very friendly. This state has the most courteous drivers in the country—when a pedestrian steps onto the road, all cars stop to give way. When traffic lights break, there is no honking, no chaos; cars proceed in an orderly manner without any direction.
The city is filled with bars selling purely green, handcrafted beer—it has the most breweries in the world. It also has the most strip clubs in America (ahem...), and an array of food trucks that will dazzle you. Handcrafted jewelry, art galleries, and coffee shops are everywhere. Grab a cup of coffee and spend a day at Powell's Books, the largest bookstore in the world.
07 Huntsville, Alabama
Average annual salary: $52,960;
Nearby renowned universities: University of Alabama in Huntsville;
Huntsville is a city in northern Alabama, situated on the Tennessee River, 136 kilometers north of Birmingham. Established as a town in 1811 and incorporated as a city in 1844, it was burned down by Union forces during the Civil War in 1862, and gradually rebuilt into the Huntsville of today.
Huntsville is more widely known by its nickname—Rocket City (though this has nothing to do with the NBA's Rockets). After World War II, for global strategic purposes, the United States established the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1958. Today, Huntsville is a hub of high-tech military industry, hosting a cluster of space technology companies and the U.S. Army's Space and Missile Defense Command.
08 Washington, D.C.
Average annual salary: $68,000;
Nearby renowned universities: Georgetown University, Howard University, American University, George Washington University;
The nation's political epicenter, you have the opportunity to interact with numerous government agencies and non-profit organizations—a fertile ground for students in media, public relations, and public policy. Unlike the ambitious urban character of New York, Washington is more reserved and serious, yet no less charming. Though it lacks strong economic flair, the average annual salary is quite high, and the climate is relatively pleasant.
09 Minneapolis, Minnesota
Average annual salary: $55,010;
Nearby renowned universities: University of Minnesota;
Minneapolis is the largest city in Minnesota, straddling both banks of the Mississippi River and adjacent to the state capital, St. Paul. Together they are known as the "Twin Cities" and form the core of the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area. With about 3.8 million residents, it is the 14th largest metropolitan area in the U.S. In 2014, the city population was estimated at 407,207, making it the 46th largest city in the country and the largest in Minnesota.
Minneapolis is home to several Fortune 500 companies, such as Target Corporation and Skyway, providing ample job opportunities.
10 Seattle, Washington
Average annual salary: $61,170;
Nearby renowned universities: Seattle University, University of Washington;
If you've seen the classic film "Sleepless in Seattle," you may understand the beauty of this port city. This is where Starbucks and grunge music were born. If you're a rock fan, you can pay your respects to Kurt Cobain, that handsome and charismatic man. Seattle is home to 2,200 computer companies, including the renowned Microsoft, and the world's largest aircraft manufacturer, Boeing. With a mild climate and beautiful scenery, it is indeed a livable city.
Here is the list of the Top 100 cities:
11. Nashville, Tennessee
12. Grand Rapids, Michigan
13. Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina
14. San Antonio, Texas
15. Salt Lake City, Utah
16. Madison, Wisconsin
17. San Jose, California
18. Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas
19. Phoenix, Arizona
20. San Francisco, California
21. Lexington–Fayette, Kentucky
22. Charlotte, North Carolina
23. Boise, Idaho
24. Asheville, North Carolina
25. Boston, Massachusetts
26. Houston, Texas
27. Portland, Maine
28. Omaha, Nebraska
29. Melbourne, Florida
30. San Diego, California
31. Greenville, South Carolina
32. Lancaster, Pennsylvania
33. Reno, Nevada
34. Sarasota, Florida
35. Honolulu, Hawaii
36. Columbus, Ohio
37. Manchester, New Hampshire
38. Charleston, South Carolina
39. Albany, New York
40. Fort Wayne, Indiana
41. Fort Myers, Florida
42. Anchorage, Alaska
43. Winston–Salem, North Carolina
44. Jacksonville, Florida
45. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
46. Hartford, Connecticut
47. Atlanta, Georgia
48. Syracuse, New York
49. Cincinnati, Ohio
50. Lansing, Michigan
51. Rochester, New York
52. Buffalo, New York
53. Pensacola, Florida
54. Richmond, Virginia
55. Indianapolis, Indiana
56. Columbia, South Carolina
57. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
58. Kansas City, Missouri
59. Springfield, Massachusetts
60. Greensboro, North Carolina
61. Louisville, Kentucky
62. Worcester, Massachusetts
63. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
64. Knoxville, Tennessee
65. Little Rock, Arkansas
66. Springfield, Missouri
67. Tucson, Arizona
68. Santa Barbara, California
69. Spokane, Washington
70. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
71. Lakeland, Florida
72. Chattanooga, Tennessee
73. Reading, Pennsylvania
74. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
75. Tampa, Florida
76. Augusta, Georgia
77. Santa Rosa, California
78. Orlando, Florida
79. Port St. Lucie, Florida
80. Las Vegas, Nevada
81. Wichita, Kansas
82. Dayton, Ohio
83. Baltimore, Maryland
84. Tulsa, Oklahoma
85. York, Pennsylvania
86. Detroit, Michigan
87. Chicago, Illinois
88. New Haven, Connecticut
89. St. Louis, Missouri
90. Killeen, Texas
91. Providence, RI
92. Sacramento, California
93. Salem, Oregon
94. Daytona Beach, Florida
95. Birmingham, Arizona
96. New York City, NY
97. Allentown, Pennsylvania
98. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
99. Virginia Beach, Virginia
100. Baton Rouge, Louisiana
