Silicon Tally: Here Are Eight Emerging Tech Hubs in the U.S.

Featured article by Andre Smith, Internet Marketing and E-Commerce specialist

Major American tech hubs such as Silicon Valley and Boston have produced lots of innovation, growth and revenue since the 20th century; however, living conditions in these metropolitan areas have also been affected by this high rate of economic development.

More American workers are becoming attuned to the realities of the 2017 job market, which is sharply favoring the tech sector in terms of salary, availability of open positions and job security. Unfortunately, tech workers in traditional tech hubs such as Silicon Valley and Boston are finding out that even their higher salaries are not enough to cover essential living expenses such as housing.

According to real estate information website ABODO, which provides vital economic information about the rental markets across the United States, the median salary in Silicon Valley is still very enticing, at least until housing costs are worked into the equation. Wage data from 2015 puts Silicon Valley at the top of the annual salary food chain with $128,850; however, a median rental payment cost of $73,608 per year makes it less enticing. When adding other living expenses and the fact that commuters spend up to 134 hours behind the steering wheel each year, Silicon Valley starts losing its sheen.

The Shifting Axis of Technology

There was a time when San Jose was considered to be the city at the heart of Silicon Valley; over the last few years, this distinction has started to shift towards San Francisco and the Bay Area. A similar situation can be appreciated in the East Coast, where Boston has lost its status as the center of digital publishing; the New York Metropolitan Area currently holds that honor.

Technology shifts are prompted by a combination of events. Seattle, for example, is a premier tech hub due to the strong influences of companies such as Amazon and Microsoft. In the case of emerging tech hubs, these are cities where local universities are excelling in terms of research and development; this stirs interest among the venture capital investment community looking to fund up-and-coming startups.

In the case of Austin, local universities have maximized their relationships with Texas health systems; these partnerships have resulted in biotech and medical startups that are eager to advanced their products and services in a community that is known for affordability and quality of life.

Here’s a brief rundown of eight emerging cities where tech workers are more likely to get a job as well as a chance to live in a place that is both comfortable and affordable:

Dallas

Whereas Austin is mostly known for its startups dedicated to health sciences, Dallas is picking up the slack in other fields such as cloud computing and software development. This metropolis offers low cost of living and a vibrant way of life.

Pittsburgh

This industrial city was selected by Uber to conduct tests of its autonomous taxi service, and the transportation company explained that the tech-friendly profile of Pittsburgh residents was a major motivation behind this decision.

Minneapolis

This city is home to retail giants such as Best Buy and Target. Naturally, the tech startup scene in Minneapolis is centered on shopping apps.

Chicago

The Windy City is known for lifestyle startups such as GrubHub and Groupon. A few venture capital firms have satellite offices in Chicago, and the job market is always active.

Denver

Fitness and outdoor apps are the specialty of many successful startups in the Mile High City, a place known for its high quality of life.

Atlanta

This major connection to the Heart of the South is carving a name for itself in terms of marketing and online payment services.

Phoenix

The home of web hosting giant GoDaddy could be at the top of this list; unfortunately, traffic conditions are similar to Silicon Valley.

Portland

This is where Seattle tech firms visit when they need to hire super smart workers. The quality of life and affordability makes Portland an ideal tech hub.

Andre Smith is an Internet, Marketing and E-Commerce specialist with several years of experience in the industry. He has watched as the world of online business has grown and adapted to new technologies, and he has made it his mission to help keep businesses informed and up to date.