5 Underrated Cities Software Engineers Should Consider in 2024

Are you a software engineer based in the U.S, or looking to relocate to launch your new career as a Software Engineer? The chance to move to a new city to chase your tech career goals can be both thrilling and daunting. With the growing demand of highly skilled tech professionals, you may be able to find a job in most major cities around the U.S, landing an attractive Software Developer role in less tech-oriented cities.

Whether you're drawn to the fast-paced energy, or small-town vibes, there are many cities around the United States where software engineers can thrive professionally. At AMIT, we remain committed to guiding future programmers in the right direction to accommodate their unique needs, and to push them closer to making their tech goals a reality. Therefore, in this comprehensive guide, we will uncover what makes these destinations stand out as new and attractive tech hubs for software engineers.

1. Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina has been on the rise with tech-industry developments, and the capital city, Raleigh, is in store for a bright technological landscape. Raleigh has been emerging as a vibrant tech hub, and each year the city is attracting more and more highly trained software engineers to the growing tech workforce. New tech startups are creating more career prospects for software engineers and freshers, allowing more recent graduates to secure junior software engineering positions and networking opportunities.

In addition to the emergence of new tech startups, more established tech giants such as Apple which announced back in 2021 that it would open a new campus in Raleigh, are creating promising opportunities for software engineers seeking their next tech job in the industry. With the cost-of-living being 4% below the national average, in combination with a growing tech ecosystem, software engineers can expect to easily relocate to the city and thrive professionally and socially.

1. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In recent years, Philadelphia has been establishing itself as another growing tech hub characterized by technological and federal innovation. The metropolitan city has already been attracting many tech professionals and aspiring software engineers. In a report published by CompTIA, Pennsylvania’s tech growth was measured on a national scale, ranking 9th for net tech employment back in 2021.

The city of Philadelphia specifically, notably ranked 12th, proving its emerging tech innovation. With the development of the 2018 Comcast Technology Center, proximity to other metropolitan cities like Manhattan, D.C, and Baltimore, and rich higher education community gives Philly enormous access to resources that continue to make it a major player in the tech industry.

1. Hillsboro, Oregon

Oregon is another state with a promising future tech landscape, and the metropolitan city of Hillsboro has perks that are encouraging more industry influencers to settle there. The city has a high concentration of high-tech companies, mainly those focused on software and information technology.

Located outside of Portland, software engineers looking to relocate there may have access to a wider clientele. Recognized for its low poverty rate, and relatively low population of people spending 30% or more of their income on housing, software engineers can expect to earn an attractive salary, while paying affordable rent.

1. Phoenix, Arizona

The states of the Southwest are also turning into an emerging tech industry hub. The desert town of Phoenix has been experiencing major technological and company innovation throughout recent years. According to Shannon Shelby, the economic development program manager of Phoenix, the number of tech companies in the state have grown by over 300%.

In the past, companies such as Intel and Motorola have seen tremendous growth in their Arizona-based business due to pro-business policies. Also, major companies such as Uber and Orb Health have recently opened offices in Phoenix. The city’s major appeal is the lower cost of doing business and living, as well as the presence of many colleges and universities. These factors have greatly contributed to increasing tech market access to a well-trained and educated workforce and attracting new industry talent to the city.

1. Salt Lake City, Utah

Last on the list, we have Salt Lake City, which has also had new developments in tis tech sector in recent years. The capital city of Utah has experienced a growth in the tech job industry reaching 22.9% in 2021 and 2022. These numbers have exceeded the U.S. high-tech job growth of 10.1% from 2020 and 2021.

These results also moved the city’s ranking up from #11 to #4 among the Tech 30 Markets. This increase in rankings reflects the city’s continued growth in tech innovation and has also been attracting more industry talent. The city itself is positioned to become a hub for future tech demand.

Conclusion

The country’s most recognizable cities such as Austin and San Franscico dominate the headlines when inquiring about ideal places for software engineering jobs. However, the hidden gems of these less recognizable tech hubs not only provide fertile ground for career growth but also foster a sense of community and belonging that professionals typically do not find in larger tech hubs.

In summary, the exploration of these five overlooked cities provides many opportunities awaiting tech professionals seeking both professional advancement and a fulfilling lifestyle. Software engineers looking to relocate to one of these cities will discover that each location offers its own unique blend of career prospects and cultural richness. Affordability is also a major perk that junior developers may find appealing while earning entry-level compensation.

In conclusion, the lesser-known cities showcased here present compelling alternatives that deserve the attention of software engineers seeking to secure a balanced and rewarding life. By embracing the opportunities found in these underrated cities, software engineers can create their own paths, while experiencing the benefits of a vibrant, affordable, and welcoming community. As the tech industry continues to expand beyond traditional epicenters, the five cities highlighted in this article currently stand as shining examples of the unforeseen potential awaiting software engineers willing to venture beyond the conventional path.