In this article, we will talk about the 20 most technologically advanced cities in the US. You can also take a look at the 25 Most Influential Cities in the World.
The United States is a leader in technological advancement, with trends such as Augmented Reality (AR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Blockchain gaining popularity. The tech industry is a cornerstone of the U.S. economy.
The tech industry is the second-largest industry in the U.S., with 56% of its market comprised of hardware, software, and services. As of 2019, the U.S. was home to 557,000 tech firms and 13,400 startups, which has driven the net tech employment rate to 7.9% of the total American workforce. The industry is projected to grow by 5% in 2024.
The growth of the tech industry is leading to many benefits for the workforce. In 2023, the median annual salary for a tech employee was $104,000, significantly higher than the median of $48,060 for other jobs. The demand for computer and information technology jobs is expected to rise significantly over the next decade.
From 2022 to 2032, an estimated 377,500 positions in this field will become available each year. The roles experiencing the fastest growth include information security analysts, with a projected 32% increase, software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers, anticipated to grow by 25%, and computer and information research scientists, expected to see a 23% rise.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts a 3% increase in employment across all occupations in the U.S. from 2022 to 2032. However, the computer and information technology sector is predicted to grow at a much faster rate of 14%. Within this sector, information security analysts are projected to have 16,800 job openings annually over the next decade, while software developers and related roles are expected to record 153,900 annual job openings.
According to PwC’s 2023 global workforce survey, tech employees also report greater job satisfaction compared to workers in other fields. While 56% of the overall respondents expressed satisfaction with their jobs, the figure rose to 64% among those working in the tech industry.
The United States is home to some of the major tech giants such as Amazon, Apple, Google, and Meta, with a combined worth of over $4 trillion. In the first quarter of 2024, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) reported an earnings per share (EPS) of $1.53, higher than the estimates of $1.51. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has managed to beat the EPS estimates in the consecutive last 4 quarters.
Here’s what RiverPark Advisors said about Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) in its Q1 2024 investor letter:
“Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL): Apple shares were a top detractor in the quarter. The company’s stock was pressured by negative news items including a government antitrust case, an Apple Watch patent dispute, and slowing China iPhone sales. Ultimately the company’s fiscal 1Q24 earnings report delivered a slightly better than expected quarter, but with guidance that disappointed investors. 1Q24 revenue and gross margin were better than feared, buoyed by stronger than expected worldwide iPhone sales which grew 6% despite a slight decline in China iPhone sales. Services revenue in the quarter was as expected and signaled the third quarter in a row of accelerating growth. Gross margins were also stronger than expected at 45.9%, the highest level in more than a decade. Guidance of $90 billion of revenue for 2Q24 was light however, due to weaker than expected iPhone sales in the current period and year-over-year declines in other hardware products facing difficult year-over year comps.
Although near-term trends are a bit muted, Apple is carrying lean inventory into an iPhone refresh cycle later this year. With an installed base of 2.2 billion active devices and significant growth of the company’s recurring revenue Services segment, we believe that Apple remains one of the most innovative, best positioned, and most profitable companies in the mobile technology industry.”
A businesswoman in the modern cityscape of an IT metropolis, symbolizing the company’s pioneering spirit in the world of information technology.
Our Methodology
To shortlist the 20 most technologically advanced cities in the US, we began by identifying cities with a population greater than 500,000. Then, we evaluated cities based on various metrics such as their technology infrastructure, including broadband access and smart city initiatives. Cities were assessed for the presence of innovation hubs, research institutions, and incubators/accelerators to gauge the innovation ecosystem. Furthermore, we also looked at the presence of tech companies, IT job openings, and tech events and conferences across cities.
For the purpose of ranking, we opted for a consensus-based approach. We assigned a score to each city based on the number of times it appeared across our credible sources, including CBRE, Business Insider, Digi International, and WeAreDevelopers. In the case of cities having the same score, tiebreaking was done on the basis of which city was outranking the other in our sources. The most technologically advanced cities in the US have been ranked in ascending order of their scores.
20 Most Technologically Advanced Cities in the US
20. Seattle, WA
Score: 2
Seattle ranked among the top three cities for tech job growth in 2022. The city is home to around 290,000 tech workers, and according to a CBRE report, the number of young tech employees in Seattle grew by 15.2% from February 2022 to February 2023. The tech industry contributes about 30% to the city’s economy, with major companies like Amazon headquartered there. Seattle is also expanding in sectors such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and tech education to further drive economic growth.
19. San Jose, CA
Score: 2
San Jose is the largest city in Silicon Valley and serves as its capital. As of December 2020, the area recorded 117 venture capital-backed IPOs valued at $253 billion. The city hosts around 6,600 tech firms and landmarks like the NASA Ames Research Center. Today, San Jose is the headquarters of Adobe Inc., PayPal Holdings, Inc., and Zoom Video Communications, Inc. The city has been influential in developing self-driving cars and electric buses.
18. San Antonio, TX
Score: 2
Based on estimates from the US Census Bureau, over the next two decades, approximately 1.1 million additional residents are projected to move to San Antonio, Texas. To accommodate this influx, San Antonio is actively adopting new technologies and improving its infrastructure. The city has implemented several initiatives, such as Smart Streetlight Technology, which has equipped 45 streetlights with sensors. These sensors enable remote control and monitoring of various factors including air quality, temperature, ambient noise levels, parking availability, and flood conditions.
17. Atlanta, GA
Score: 2
Atlanta, GA has been named as one of the world’s elite tech towns by Forbes Magazine as it is a very fast-growing tech hub. As of May 2021, 18 tech setups in the city achieved unicorn status. Some startups like Flock Safety and Greenlight received this status in less than 10 years. Atlanta also has strong IT and computer science programs. Georgia Institute of Technology launched the Startup Launch program in 2023, helping around 100 startups get off the ground. Midtown Atlanta hosts about 150 startups, and Atlanta Tech Village in Buckhead is the city’s fourth-largest tech incubator.
16. Arlington, TX
Score: 2
Arlington, TX ranks 16th on our list of the most technologically advanced cities in the US. The city has a strong focus on technology, supported by high-quality education programs and major employers with more than 10,000 workers. Recently, the city council approved agreements to bring three new headquarters to Arlington, creating 3,355 jobs and improving technological development in the area.
15. Philadelphia, PA
Score: 2
Philadelphia, PA has grown into a strong tech economy with 9,328 tech firms and nearly 99,000 tech industry jobs by 2023. This reflects a 28% and 4% increase, respectively, since August 2018. The city’s tech startup scene is valued at $69.12 billion and hosts 28,820 software developers. Key tech companies like dbt Labs, valued at $4.2 billion, also play significant roles in the city’s tech sector and economy.
14. Los Angeles, CA
Score: 2
Los Angeles, CA is rapidly advancing in technology. The city quickly adopted 5G cellular networks and fiber-connected cell sites to increase internet speeds within just a year of its introduction in the USA. Los Angeles also initiated the Blokable modular homes campaign, using 3D printers to build homes and address homelessness. Moreover, the city is investing in solar energy and modernizing its infrastructure. In the Westside region of the Los Angeles metropolitan area lies Silicon Beach, home to globally recognized companies. The area has 4,000 startups and employs 140,000 tech workers.
13. Tampa, FL
Score: 2
Tampa, FL is known for its thriving small tech companies. One example is EventPower, which uses cloud software to customize conferences for clients. Tampa Bay also has offices of major companies like MetLife, JPMorgan Chase, and Citadel, which add to the city’s economy.
12. San Diego, CA
Score: 3
San Diego, CA houses over 3,100 software establishments and tech companies that have shaped the world. The most notable is Qualcomm which creates semiconductors, software, and wireless technology services. Another company that is located here is Brain Corp. They assemble robotic items with the help of AI-powered innovations. The company’s ready-to-use software can be implemented into new and existing robots and modified as per request.
11. Frisco, TX
Score: 3
Frisco, TX is attracting a growing number of tech companies, with established brands like McAfee and Boingo already established there. In 2024, venture capital investment in Frisco reached $3.3 billion, with companies drawn to the city for its skilled workforce, safety, and central location. Frisco is also home to 165 fintech companies and 517 smaller tech firms, reflecting its diversity and commitment to technological innovation.
10. Chicago, Illinois
Score: 3
Information technology is a booming industry in Chicago, Illinois, currently the fastest-growing sector in the city. To support its growth, Chicago established a hub known as 1871, a private community of technology leaders, founders, and supporters. 1871 collaborates with 8 universities and hosts numerous events each year. Chicago is also home to 35 Fortune 500 headquarters and hosts offices of companies like Avant and Strata Decision Technology. Strata Decision Technology specializes in cloud-based financial analytics and performance platforms tailored for healthcare providers.
9. Pittsburgh, PA
Score: 3
Many companies like Duolingo, Jazz, and GeekWire HQ2 are headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA. Another company, Excelitas Technologies is planning to relocate its headquarters to Pittsburgh, contributing further to the city’s technological advancements. Moreover, the University of Pittsburgh is planning to construct a 68-foot biomanufacturing facility at Hazelwood Green. This facility will support cell and gene therapy advancements, contributing significantly to the area’s high-tech development.
8. Boston, MA
Score: 3
Boston, MA is home to many tech companies such as Datadog. Harvard Medical School, located in the city, is known for cutting-edge research. The city ranks eighth on our list of the most technologically advanced cities in the US.
7. Raleigh, NC
Score: 3
Raleigh, NC is the second fastest-growing metropolitan area in America. The Research Triangle Park (RTP) is at the center of the Raleigh-Durham region and contributes to the city’s growth. RTP is home to companies like GlaxoSmithKline and IBM and the agricultural biotech industry of this region is worth $86 billion per year. Big companies like Apple, Egnyte, and Microsoft are planning on either relocating their headquarters or opening satellite offices in Raleigh.
6. Austin, TX
Score: 3
Austin, TX is nicknamed the Silicon Hills because of its technological advancements. Over the years, around 5,500 tech companies including Meta, Samsung, and Google have set foot in Austin. The city’s prime focus is on mobile app developments and the Austin Mobile App Development Grant provides financial backing to early-stage mobile app startups. This encouragement inspired the birth of the Bumble app which now has a 100 million+ users’ community across six continents.
5. Jersey City, NJ
Score: 3
Jersey City, NJ is home to startups like BlueVine and Sigmoid, as well as established giants like IPC Systems and Princeton Information. The state is actively investing up to $20 million in the Jersey City science and tech hub, aiming to support numerous entrepreneurs and stimulate economic growth in the area. Jersey City is among the top 5 most technologically advanced cities in the US.