Best cities for an athlete
The best cities for athletes are Philadelphia, PA, Pittsburgh, PA, and Henderson, NV, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for athletes vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for athletes in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as an athlete or considering a move, this list of the best cities for athletes to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for athletes. We also consider how easy it is to find work as an athlete. While the absolute best city for athletes is Philadelphia, PA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for athletes in 2024.
If you're looking for an athlete job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for athletes in 2026
1. Philadelphia, PA
Total athlete jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $66,760 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $146,000 Location quotient: 0.00 2. Pittsburgh, PA
Total athlete jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $61,261 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $127,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Henderson, NV
Total athlete jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $57,053 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $125,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. San Francisco, CA
Total athlete jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $69,019 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $157,000 Location quotient: 0.29 5. San Jose, CA
Total athlete jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $68,941 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $156,000 Location quotient: 0.41 6. Detroit, MI
Total athlete jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $59,461 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $119,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Anchorage, AK
Total athlete jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $93,213 Lowest 10 percent warn: $45,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $193,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Boston, MA
Total athlete jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $65,152 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $142,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Jersey City, NJ
Total athlete jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $73,559 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $162,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Austin, TX
Total athlete jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $55,440 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $114,000 Location quotient: 1.31
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Best cities for athletes
- Philadelphia, PA
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Henderson, NV
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Detroit, MI
- Anchorage, AK
- Boston, MA
- Jersey City, NJ
- Austin, TX
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Detailed list of the best cities for an athlete
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia, PA | $66,760 | $30,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 2 | Pittsburgh, PA | $61,261 | $29,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 3 | Henderson, NV | $57,053 | $26,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $69,019 | $30,000 | 870,887 | 1 |
| 5 | San Jose, CA | $68,941 | $30,000 | 1,025,350 | 1 |
| 6 | Detroit, MI | $59,461 | $29,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 7 | Anchorage, AK | $93,213 | $45,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 8 | Boston, MA | $65,152 | $29,000 | 673,184 | - |
| 9 | Jersey City, NJ | $73,559 | $33,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 10 | Austin, TX | $55,440 | $26,000 | 947,890 | 3 |
| 11 | Newark, NJ | $73,522 | $33,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 12 | Fremont, CA | $68,811 | $30,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 13 | El Paso, TX | $57,455 | $27,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 14 | Las Vegas, NV | $57,002 | $25,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 15 | North Las Vegas, NV | $56,729 | $25,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 16 | Oakland, CA | $68,794 | $30,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 17 | Laredo, TX | $56,217 | $27,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 18 | San Antonio, TX | $55,973 | $27,000 | 1,492,510 | - |
| 19 | Houston, TX | $54,827 | $26,000 | 2,303,482 | 6 |
| 20 | Glendale, AZ | $56,425 | $26,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 21 | Phoenix, AZ | $56,367 | $26,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 22 | Tucson, AZ | $56,342 | $26,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 23 | Corpus Christi, TX | $55,714 | $27,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 24 | Chandler, AZ | $56,331 | $26,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 25 | Gilbert, AZ | $56,289 | $26,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 26 | Los Angeles, CA | $66,857 | $30,000 | 3,976,322 | 6 |
| 27 | Irvine, CA | $66,233 | $30,000 | 266,122 | 4 |
| 28 | Bakersfield, CA | $67,560 | $30,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 29 | Mesa, AZ | $56,250 | $26,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 30 | Scottsdale, AZ | $56,223 | $26,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 31 | Cleveland, OH | $51,244 | $25,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 32 | Virginia Beach, VA | $59,843 | $28,000 | 452,602 | 2 |
| 33 | New York, NY | $63,400 | $28,000 | 8,537,673 | 12 |
| 34 | Brookhaven, NY | $63,683 | $28,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 35 | Islip, NY | $63,632 | $28,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 36 | Baltimore, MD | $64,478 | $29,000 | 614,664 | 2 |
| 37 | Oyster Bay, NY | $63,537 | $28,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 38 | Fresno, CA | $67,405 | $29,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 39 | Hempstead, NY | $63,502 | $28,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 40 | Long Beach, CA | $66,585 | $30,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 41 | Anaheim, CA | $66,411 | $30,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 42 | Stockton, CA | $67,175 | $29,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 43 | Santa Ana, CA | $66,338 | $30,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 44 | Durham, NC | $53,391 | $25,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 45 | Raleigh, NC | $53,365 | $25,000 | 458,880 | - |
| 46 | Riverside, CA | $66,033 | $30,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 47 | Buffalo, NY | $60,773 | $28,000 | 256,902 | 1 |
| 48 | San Diego, CA | $65,398 | $30,000 | 1,406,630 | - |
| 49 | Fort Worth, TX | $51,364 | $25,000 | 854,113 | 2 |
| 50 | Chula Vista, CA | $65,295 | $30,000 | 267,172 | - |
Highest paying cities for athletes
| Rank | City | Avg. athlete salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland, CA | $68,794 |
| 2 | New Haven, CT | $67,631 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $65,152 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $63,400 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $63,110 |
| 6 | Virginia Beach, VA | $59,843 |
| 7 | Mount Pleasant, MI | $58,584 |
| 8 | Fargo, ND | $57,633 |
| 9 | Las Vegas, NV | $57,002 |
| 10 | Surprise, AZ | $56,525 |
| 11 | Austin, TX | $55,440 |
| 12 | Greensboro, NC | $52,245 |
| 13 | Salt Lake City, UT | $50,082 |
| 14 | Ankeny, IA | $49,731 |
| 15 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $49,548 |
| 16 | Decatur, IL | $46,540 |
| 17 | Norman, OK | $44,852 |
| 18 | Murfreesboro, TN | $42,565 |
| 19 | Alpharetta, GA | $42,334 |
| 20 | Jackson, MS | $39,038 |
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Updated January 8, 2025