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10 best cities for tech workers with short commutes
Discover 10 U.S. cities offering tech workers both career opportunities and a balanced lifestyle.
Tech workers often juggle long hours and demanding deadlines. A short and stress-free commute to a thriving tech hub can be a game changer for those seeking a work-life balance.
A survey conducted by Lyft and Harris Poll found that 25% of commuters value time the most when it comes to their daily commute.
Easy commutes not only enhance work-life balance by freeing up time for creativity, socializing and leisure, but they also offer environmental and financial benefits. Less driving time means lower fuel costs, less wear-and-tear on vehicles, and a reduced carbon footprint.
Here's a look at 10 cities in America that offer a blend of thriving tech scenes and easy commutes, based on the Lyft survey and insights from websites Indeed and TripleTen.
1. Milwaukee, Wis.
Average commute time: 21.7 minutes
Milwaukee offers one of the shortest average commute times among major cities included in the Lyft and Harris Poll survey. It also boasts a low monthly fuel cost of $25 or less. With a significant portion of downtown workers living within a 10-mile radius, the city offers a convenient commute, especially for those who live close to their jobs.
Additionally, the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub Consortium recently received $49 million in federal funding for its efforts in medical sciences. It was named one of 12 U.S. regional technology and innovation hubs due to its strong focus on biotech innovation and low fuel costs, making Milwaukee an attractive destination for tech workers.
2. Columbus, Ohio
Average commute time: 22 minutes
Columbus is a commuter's dream, with an average drive time of 22 minutes. The Lyft survey also found that the city's lower population density means parking costs are significantly lower than in major U.S. cities such as New York, where parking can cost more than $350 per month. This makes Columbus an attractive option for both drivers and public transportation users.
Besides being a commuter-friendly city, Columbus offers a high quality of life and is rapidly emerging as a global tech hub. The "Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2024" report by StartupBlink ranks Columbus 88th globally, with a thriving startup scene of 294 startups. The city also offers high-paying IT jobs in fields including software engineering, data science and cybersecurity.
3. Memphis, Tenn.
Average commute time: 22 minutes
Memphis, with the same average commute time as Columbus, offers the most affordable public commute for workers, with a monthly cost of around $25. The city also ranks sixth in the shortest metro commute time in the country and boasts a cost of living that is 10.6% below the national average, as estimated by Memphis Moves, an economic initiative by the Greater Memphis Chamber.
Memphis is also emerging as a significant tech hub, and its future looks promising. For instance, Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company, xAI, has chosen Memphis to house its first Gigafactory of Compute. This high-tech facility is expected to bring together thousands of processors to tackle massive computational challenges, solidifying Memphis' position as a major player and employer in the tech industry.
4. Fresno, Calif.
Average commute time: 22.9 minutes
With an average commute time of 22.9 minutes and an average speed of 26.2 mph during commuting hours, Fresno is a city that tech workers should consider if they're looking for a balanced lifestyle. The city offers a relatively short commute compared to other urban areas in the state of California. Additionally, its proximity to major cities such as San Francisco -- with easy access through various transportation options -- provides residents with broader job opportunities in the tech industry.
Like the other cities on the list, Fresno boasts a growing tech scene, with software developers being the most sought-after professionals. The area offers more than 500 job openings in this field, with an average salary of $142,145. However, according to Payscale, the cost of living in Fresno can be high compared to the national average.
5. Raleigh, N.C.
Average commute time: 24 minutes
Raleigh, located in the heart of the Research Triangle, is quickly becoming one of the East Coast's largest tech hubs. The city provides tech professionals with a balanced lifestyle, fueled by a strong foundation of universities and research institutions that drive continued growth and innovation in the tech sector. The region boasts a highly educated workforce, with top universities such as Duke, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University producing skilled graduates.
Many tech jobs are also conveniently located near residential neighborhoods, ensuring a short and pleasant commute. The city also offers various commuting options -- including public transportation and carpooling -- which can further enhance the ease of getting to work.
6. Austin, Texas
Average commute time: 24.5 minutes
Austin's booming tech scene -- often dubbed "Silicon Hills" -- attracts many startups and established organizations. According to a Cloudwards survey, Austin is a prime location for tech startups, boasting 5,775 tech companies and 16 tech giants. Major employers such as General Motors, IBM, Dell, Deloitte and Amazon offer competitive salaries, making Austin an attractive destination for tech professionals.
The city's commitment to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure further enables tech workers to enjoy short commutes while savoring a vibrant lifestyle filled with music, food and outdoor activities.
7. Las Vegas
Average commute time: 25.6 minutes
Aside from Columbus, Las Vegas was the only other city in the Lyft survey that did not experience slower travel during commuting hours, which was 6.3% faster. According to Lyft, Las Vegas also recorded one of the highest percentages of individuals carpooling to work.
Once known primarily for its glitz and glamour, Las Vegas is quickly emerging as a tech hub, and Silicon Valley leaders are also starting to take notice. With tech companies such as Zappos, Plan A Technologies and Switch leading the charge, tech job postings have surged in the past years in Vegas. It also offers relatively affordable housing compared to other major tech hubs, making it an attractive option for tech talent.
8. Boston
Average commute time: 27 minutes
According to the United States Census Bureau, only 3% of Americans walk to work. However, Boston stands out from the trend. The Lyft survey calculated that a significant 13% of Boston commuters choose to walk to their jobs, making it a city where walking to work is a common practice. This walkability contributes to easy commutes for many tech professionals. The city's extensive subway system -- the "T" -- connects workers to their jobs quickly, and its walkable neighborhoods make commuting a breeze for many tech professionals.
Home to prestigious institutions such as Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the metro area of Boston is a historic hub for education and innovation. It is also home to numerous tech startups and established firms. According to the mentioned 2024 report by Cloudwards, Boston ranks as the eighth-best city in the United States for tech professionals.
9. San Francisco
Average commute time: 30 minutes
San Francisco is home to tech giants such as Google, Apple and Meta, and it remains the undisputed tech capital of the world -- especially in AI tech. According to a report published by SignalFire, the San Francisco Bay Area -- home to Silicon Valley -- holds the largest share of all tech employees in the U.S., with 49% of all big tech engineers and 27% of startup engineers.
Despite its notorious traffic, the city's compact layout means many tech workers live close to work, especially in neighborhoods such as the SoMa and the Mission districts. Efficient public transportation, such as BART and Muni, and bike-friendly infrastructure also ease the commute for tech workers.
10. Chicago
Average commute time: 33-34 minutes
While Chicago's commute times can vary depending on factors such as specific neighborhoods, workplace location and choice of transport, Chicago offers an extensive network of trains and buses as well as a bike-friendly infrastructure. The Windy City also offers a popular bike-sharing program named Divvy, where a network of protected bike lanes facilitates safe cycling throughout the urban landscape. This eco-friendly alternative to driving or carpooling appeals to tech workers seeking a healthier and more efficient way to get to work.
Many Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in Chicago, and top universities produce skilled tech graduates, so the city offers ample job opportunities. Initiatives such as the Illinois Technology and Research Corridor further bolster the city's tech ecosystem. This combination of corporate strength, academic excellence and great public transportation options makes Chicago an attractive destination for tech professionals.
Kinza Yasar is a technical writer for WhatIs and has a background in computer networking.
