Find a Job You Really Want In
In today’s fast-paced world, the definition of success varies greatly among individuals, but a significant aspect of it often relates to career achievements. High salaries, low unemployment rates, and robust educational attainment are all vital indicators of a city’s success.
This leads us to explore: Which cities in each state are the most successful? Our aim is to provide insight into the best locales for achieving success in your professional journey.
Before diving into the specifics, let’s take a look at the top 10 most successful cities across the United States:
- Glencoe, Illinois
- Floris, Virginia
- Ladue, Missouri
- Bellaire, Texas
- Chevy Chase, Maryland
- Palos Verdes Estates, California
- Mountain Brook, Alabama
- Paradise Valley, Arizona
- The Village of Indian Hill, Ohio
- Lawrence, New York
Each of these cities not only sounds appealing but also offers a strong foundation for success.
How We Determined Success
To identify the most successful cities, we analyzed data from the latest American Community Survey, focusing on three key metrics:
- Median income
- Unemployment rate
- Education attainment (percentage of residents over age 25 with a bachelor’s degree)
We ranked each city on a scale from 1 to the total number of cities in that state, averaging the three metrics to create an index. A lower score indicates higher success.
1. Glencoe, IL
- Median income: $185,320
- Unemployment rate: 1.5%
- Education rate: 86.7%
- Located less than an hour from Chicago, Glencoe stands as the most successful city in America.
With an impressive median income exceeding $185,000 and a remarkably low unemployment rate of 1.5%, Glencoe offers a blend of affluence and proximity to urban amenities.
2. Floris, VA
- Median income: $196,544
- Unemployment rate: 1.4%
- Education rate: 79.5%
- Floris, a suburb of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, boasts a median income nearing $200,000 and an unemployment rate of just 1.4%.
This city offers a mix of suburban tranquility and access to the vibrant job market of the nation’s capital.
3. Ladue, MO
- Median income: $186,371
- Unemployment rate: 2%
- Education rate: 82.8%
- Just a short drive from St. Louis, Ladue showcases a highly educated population with nearly 83% of adults over 25 holding a bachelor’s degree.
The city provides ample opportunity for commuting to St. Louis, one of the Midwest’s primary economic centers.
4. Bellaire, TX
- Median income: $187,805
- Unemployment rate: 2.1%
- Education rate: 78.8%
- Situated near Houston, Bellaire offers spacious homes and a suburban lifestyle.
With a median income above $187,000 and an unemployment rate of 2.1%, it’s a favorable place for families seeking both comfort and career opportunities.
5. Chevy Chase, MD
- Median income: $162,351
- Unemployment rate: 2.2%
- Education rate: 84.3%
- This affluent suburb of Washington, D.C. provides a peaceful environment for its residents, with nearly 85% holding at least a bachelor’s degree.
Chevy Chase offers a convenient commute to D.C. while maintaining a serene suburban atmosphere.
6. Palos Verdes Estates, CA
- Median income: $200,766
- Unemployment rate: 2%
- Education rate: 72.5%
- With a median income surpassing $200,000, Palos Verdes Estates is a highly desirable area located on a scenic peninsula in California.
The community enjoys a low unemployment rate of 2%, making it a fantastic place to live and work.
7. Mountain Brook, AL
- Median income: $129,777
- Unemployment rate: 1.9%
- Education rate: 85.1%
- As an upscale suburb of Birmingham, Mountain Brook features a highly educated workforce and a low unemployment rate of 1.9%.
The area is characterized by its beautiful landscapes and spacious homes.
8. Paradise Valley, AZ
- Median income: $173,487
- Unemployment rate: 2.4%
- Education rate: 72.5%
- Known for its luxury and affluence, Paradise Valley boasts a median income over $170,000 and offers a high quality of life among golf courses and upscale shopping.
9. The Village of Indian Hill, OH
- Median income: $205,221
- Unemployment rate: 3%
- Education rate: 88.1%
- As the top-ranked city in terms of both median income and education, The Village of Indian Hill offers an enviable standard of living just outside Cincinnati.
Residents here enjoy a median household income of $205,221, which significantly enhances their quality of life.
10. Lawrence, NY
- Median income: $140,221
- Unemployment rate: 2.3%
- Education rate: 76.2%
- With an unemployment rate of 2.3%, Lawrence is a promising area for job seekers, blending scenic beauty with proximity to Long Island.
This town offers its residents a peaceful lifestyle while remaining connected to the bustling New York metropolitan area.
In conclusion, these cities represent the pinnacle of success across the United States, each offering unique opportunities and lifestyles. To discover which city is the most successful in your state, refer to the table below.
Author
McLeod Brown is a former writer and researcher for the Zippia Career Advice blog. His work at Zippia focused on understanding the relationship between colleges, debt, and jobs. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a BA in Business Administrator, he is now pursuing a masters of science in analytics from the Institute of Advanced Analytics.
