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These Are The 10 Best Cities For Finance Analysts

By Chris Kolmar
Dec. 5, 2016
Last Modified and Fact Checked on:

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Top 10 Cities for Finance Analysts in 2026

As you navigate your career as a finance analyst, understanding the best locations for job opportunities and salary potential is crucial. In the ever-evolving finance sector, factors such as regional demand, cost of living, and remote work opportunities play significant roles in shaping career paths. This article highlights the top cities in the United States for finance analysts, taking into account their compensation and job availability in 2026.

To aid in your career decisions, we at Zippia analyzed data to identify the cities that offer the best prospects for finance analysts. Our findings reveal the locations where competitive salaries align with a favorable cost of living and abundant job opportunities.

Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we compiled a list of cities that excel in providing opportunities for finance analysts. Here are the top ten cities where finance analysts can thrive:

  1. San Francisco, CA
  2. San Jose, CA
  3. Oakland, CA
  4. New York, NY
  5. Houston, TX
  6. Dallas, TX
  7. San Rafael, CA
  8. Austin, TX
  9. Detroit, MI
  10. Charlotte, NC

In summary, San Francisco remains the premier destination for finance analysts, offering the highest salaries and job availability.

Conversely, if you are considering where to avoid, Monroe, LA, ranks as the least favorable city for finance analysts.

Continue reading to understand the methodology behind our research and explore more details about the top cities.

How We Determined the Best Cities for Finance Analysts




At Zippia, we engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds seeking employment. Our research identifies two primary factors that job seekers prioritize:

  • Job availability
  • Competitive salary

To pinpoint the best cities for finance analysts, we evaluated job availability and salary data sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment Statistics. Our criteria included:

  • Location quotient: a metric that indicates the prevalence of finance analyst positions in a city.
  • Average annual salary.
  • Average entry-level salary.

To ensure fair comparisons across cities, we adjusted salary figures relative to the state’s cost of living. This analysis encompassed 253 metropolitan areas, with each primary metro area designated as a ‘city’ for our study. For instance, the “Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA NECTA Division” was simplified to Boston.

We ranked each city across these criteria from 1 to 253, with 1 representing the best performance. The overall job score, averaged across all criteria, determined the top city for finance analysts in the U.S.

Now, let’s delve into what makes each city outstanding for finance analysts.

1. San Francisco, CA

Total Jobs: 7,110
Average Annual Salary: $137,810
Average Entry Level Salary: $65,510
Location Quotient: 3.58

2. San Jose, CA

Total Jobs: 4,010
Average Annual Salary: $116,700
Average Entry Level Salary: $68,970
Location Quotient: 2.04

3. Oakland, CA

Total Jobs: 3,270
Average Annual Salary: $107,920
Average Entry Level Salary: $63,870
Location Quotient: 1.6

4. New York, NY

Total Jobs: 41,350
Average Annual Salary: $124,580
Average Entry Level Salary: $61,130
Location Quotient: 3.28

5. Houston, TX

Total Jobs: 6,680
Average Annual Salary: $101,980
Average Entry Level Salary: $51,800
Location Quotient: 1.17

6. Dallas, TX

Total Jobs: 7,280
Average Annual Salary: $96,180
Average Entry Level Salary: $50,710
Location Quotient: 1.61

7. San Rafael, CA

Total Jobs: 350
Average Annual Salary: $103,960
Average Entry Level Salary: $63,030
Location Quotient: 1.61

8. Austin, TX

Total Jobs: 3,040
Average Annual Salary: $95,350
Average Entry Level Salary: $49,150
Location Quotient: 1.68

9. Detroit, MI

Total Jobs: 1,920
Average Annual Salary: $87,900
Average Entry Level Salary: $53,430
Location Quotient: 1.36

10. Charlotte, NC

Total Jobs: 4,220
Average Annual Salary: $92,130
Average Entry Level Salary: $49,420
Location Quotient: 1.95

Summary of the Best Cities for Finance Analysts

If you’re starting your career as a finance analyst, these cities should be on your radar. They offer competitive salaries, high job availability, and opportunities for career growth.

On the other hand, if you’re interested in less favorable locations for finance analysts, consider the following:

  1. Monroe, LA
  2. Lakeland, FL
  3. Eau Claire, WI

Detailed List of the Best Cities for Finance Analysts

Rank State Average Salary Entry Level Salary # Of People
1 San Francisco, CA $137,810 $65,510 7,110
2 San Jose, CA $116,700 $68,970 4,010
3 Oakland, CA $107,920 $63,870 3,270
4 New York, NY $124,580 $61,130 41,350
5 Houston, TX $101,980 $51,800 6,680
6 Dallas, TX $96,180 $50,710 7,280
7 San Rafael, CA $103,960 $63,030 350
8 Austin, TX $95,350 $49,150 3,040
9 Detroit, MI $87,900 $53,430 1,920
10 Charlotte, NC $92,130 $49,420 4,220
11 Huntsville, AL $98,250 $54,920 260
12 Cleveland, OH $83,660 $49,660 1,880
13 Newark, NJ $102,530 $57,980 2,710
14 Anchorage, AK $99,220 $59,280 280
15 Chattanooga, TN $87,850 $51,030 290
16 Portland, OR $92,850 $53,120 2,140
17 Boston, MA $110,040 $55,960 11,280
18 Sioux Falls, SD $79,370 $44,350 400
19 San Antonio, TX $89,660 $46,580 1,990
20 Minneapolis, MN $87,370 $51,740 5,480
21 Durham, NC $79,780 $50,070 1,000
22 Seattle, WA $87,880 $52,050 2,930
23 Raleigh, NC $88,210 $52,580 810
24 Montgomery County, PA $86,670 $47,760 3,340
25 Winston, NC $82,440 $50,630 530
26 Kansas City, MO $80,480 $45,290 1,980
27 Flint, MI $90,390 $58,310 130
28 Philadelphia, PA $90,680 $46,720 2,470
29 Bridgeport, CT $113,310 $52,820 3,070
30 St. Louis, MO $92,510 $43,600 2,320
31 Anaheim, CA $97,660 $54,920 3,560
32 San Luis Obispo, CA $124,830 $71,480 80
33 Naples, FL $119,640 $54,490 120
34 Atlanta, GA $80,530 $46,400 5,630
35 Kingsport, TN $87,130 $48,690 110
36 Milwaukee, WI $82,060 $49,590 2,340
37 Midland, MI $82,700 $52,110 40
38 Nashville, TN $75,940 $46,450 1,660
39 Denver, CO $107,430 $47,530 3,190
40 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY $80,180 $43,360 660
41 Los Angeles, CA $93,010 $56,630 7,550
42 Monroe, MI $88,700 $68,750 30
43 Niles, MI $72,830 $51,070 140
44 Chicago, IL $94,840 $46,370 10,230
45 Cedar Rapids, IA $73,460 $50,800 270
46 Allentown, PA $88,620 $52,140 330
47 Richmond, VA $92,360 $51,770 1,020
48 Columbus, OH $73,600 $42,930 3,190
49 Charlottesville, VA $111,700 $49,510 160
50 Bismarck, ND $82,620 $50,410 70
51 Santa Fe, NM $79,510 $47,170 90
52 Muncie, IN $81,430 $52,600 40
53 Wilmington, DE $85,870 $47,830 3,180
54 Silver Spring, MD $96,300 $51,920 1,850
55 Elkhart, IN $78,700 $49,460 120
56 Tulsa, OK $78,570 $45,020 540
57 West Palm Beach, FL $88,850 $49,620 790
58 Omaha, NE $73,760 $44,950 1,340
59 Lansing, MI $70,090 $51,470 390
60 Framingham, MA $90,070 $55,800 500
61 Salt Lake City, UT $79,850 $43,190 1,320
62 Akron, OH $72,300 $47,420 340
63 Rochester, MN $76,820 $51,100 220
64 Boise City, ID $76,800 $48,690 240
65 Iowa City, IA $72,540 $52,470 110
66 Weirton, WV $71,720 $46,510 40
67 Birmingham, AL $92,580 $37,830 840
68 Burlington, VT $106,140 $45,520 140
69 Madison, WI $78,550 $47,470 770
70 Winchester, VA $96,690 $54,220 40
71 Peabody, MA $107,540 $57,790 80
72 Baltimore, MD $97,160 $50,140 3,440
73 Warren, MI $76,410 $45,630 1,950
74 Montgomery, AL $94,040 $49,350 50
75 Vallejo, CA $94,000 $57,080 120
76 Lincoln, NE $73,490 $46,670 210
77 Fayetteville, AR $82,780 $45,740 120
78 Wilmington, NC $84,340 $54,110 70
79 Hartford, CT $88,850 $53,850 1,810
80 Fargo, ND $68,110 $49,950 160
81 Albuquerque, NM $79,490 $46,270 390
82 Eugene, OR $94,140 $50,330 120
83 Pittsburgh, PA $76,260 $45,130 2,450
84 San Diego, CA $94,790 $49,880 2,530
85 Rockford, IL $105,720 $47,900 130
86 Spartanburg, SC $73,500 $51,330 90
87 Salinas, CA $97,640 $61,980 90
88 Wichita, KS $74,670 $52,120 230
89 Salem, OR $109,280 $53,310 40
90 Memphis, TN $76,510 $42,600 800
91 Peoria, IL $88,760 $48,550 170
92 Indianapolis, IN $70,970 $45,240 1,140
93 Greenville, SC $71,130 $47,450 350
94 Dayton, OH $71,730 $43,550 390
95 Santa Cruz, CA $96,030 $53,010 90
96 State College, PA $80,720 $52,700 40
97 Providence, RI $74,880 $49,250 1,500
98 Sacramento, CA $86,330 $52,870 1,300
99 Evansville, IN $77,850 $46,780 90
100 Beaumont, TX $92,150 $46,260 80
Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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