Best cities for a computer programmer
The best cities for computer programmers are Pittsburgh, PA, Cincinnati, OH, and Charlotte, NC, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for computer programmers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for computer programmers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a computer programmer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for computer programmers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for computer programmers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a computer programmer. While the absolute best city for computer programmers is Pittsburgh, PA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for computer programmers in 2024.
If you're looking for a computer programmer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for computer programmers in 2025
1. Pittsburgh, PA
Total computer programmer jobs: 220 Average annual salary: $72,496 Lowest 10 percent warn: $56,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $92,000 Location quotient: 583.11 2. Cincinnati, OH
Total computer programmer jobs: 204 Average annual salary: $68,486 Lowest 10 percent warn: $53,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $87,000 Location quotient: 1014.13 3. Charlotte, NC
Total computer programmer jobs: 35 Average annual salary: $73,193 Lowest 10 percent warn: $56,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $94,000 Location quotient: 472.77 4. Durham, NC
Total computer programmer jobs: 138 Average annual salary: $73,618 Lowest 10 percent warn: $57,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $94,000 Location quotient: 432.13 5. Atlanta, GA
Total computer programmer jobs: 79 Average annual salary: $72,220 Lowest 10 percent warn: $55,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $93,000 Location quotient: 708.40 6. Columbus, OH
Total computer programmer jobs: 54 Average annual salary: $68,710 Lowest 10 percent warn: $53,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $87,000 Location quotient: 534.33 7. Philadelphia, PA
Total computer programmer jobs: 237 Average annual salary: $72,855 Lowest 10 percent warn: $57,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $92,000 Location quotient: 370.79 8. Louisville, KY
Total computer programmer jobs: 176 Average annual salary: $70,281 Lowest 10 percent warn: $54,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $90,000 Location quotient: 437.82 9. Irving, TX
Total computer programmer jobs: 87 Average annual salary: $69,060 Lowest 10 percent warn: $52,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $91,000 Location quotient: 964.72 10. Milwaukee, WI
Total computer programmer jobs: 227 Average annual salary: $68,065 Lowest 10 percent warn: $52,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $87,000 Location quotient: 437.00
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Best cities for computer programmers
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Cincinnati, OH
- Charlotte, NC
- Durham, NC
- Atlanta, GA
- Columbus, OH
- Philadelphia, PA
- Louisville, KY
- Irving, TX
- Milwaukee, WI
- (220 computer programmer jobs)
- (204 computer programmer jobs)
- (35 computer programmer jobs)
- (138 computer programmer jobs)
- (79 computer programmer jobs)
- (54 computer programmer jobs)
- (237 computer programmer jobs)
- (176 computer programmer jobs)
- (87 computer programmer jobs)
- (227 computer programmer jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a computer programmer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pittsburgh, PA | $72,496 | $56,000 | 303,625 | 220 |
| 2 | Cincinnati, OH | $68,486 | $53,000 | 298,800 | 204 |
| 3 | Charlotte, NC | $73,193 | $56,000 | 842,051 | 35 |
| 4 | Durham, NC | $73,618 | $57,000 | 263,016 | 138 |
| 5 | Atlanta, GA | $72,220 | $55,000 | 472,522 | 79 |
| 6 | Columbus, OH | $68,710 | $53,000 | 860,090 | 54 |
| 7 | Philadelphia, PA | $72,855 | $57,000 | 1,567,872 | 237 |
| 8 | Louisville, KY | $70,281 | $54,000 | 597,337 | 176 |
| 9 | Irving, TX | $69,060 | $52,000 | 238,289 | 87 |
| 10 | Milwaukee, WI | $68,065 | $52,000 | 595,047 | 227 |
| 11 | Plano, TX | $69,018 | $52,000 | 286,057 | 158 |
| 12 | Minneapolis, MN | $71,936 | $55,000 | 413,651 | 7 |
| 13 | Detroit, MI | $67,784 | $52,000 | 672,795 | 78 |
| 14 | Dallas, TX | $69,053 | $52,000 | 1,317,929 | 196 |
| 15 | San Antonio, TX | $69,039 | $52,000 | 1,492,510 | 80 |
| 16 | Cleveland, OH | $68,793 | $53,000 | 385,809 | 17 |
| 17 | Saint Paul, MN | $71,952 | $55,000 | 302,398 | 241 |
| 18 | Chicago, IL | $74,119 | $57,000 | 2,704,958 | 244 |
| 19 | Fort Worth, TX | $69,104 | $52,000 | 854,113 | 87 |
| 20 | Madison, WI | $67,975 | $52,000 | 252,551 | 251 |
| 21 | Winston-Salem, NC | $73,477 | $57,000 | 242,203 | 62 |
| 22 | Toledo, OH | $68,665 | $53,000 | 278,508 | 65 |
| 23 | Greensboro, NC | $73,524 | $57,000 | 287,027 | 95 |
| 24 | Chandler, AZ | $71,434 | $55,000 | 247,477 | 195 |
| 25 | Austin, TX | $69,081 | $52,000 | 947,890 | 61 |
| 26 | Saint Louis, MO | $68,402 | $52,000 | 311,404 | 180 |
| 27 | Nashville, TN | $68,218 | $52,000 | 660,388 | 238 |
| 28 | Memphis, TN | $67,742 | $52,000 | 652,717 | 216 |
| 29 | Fremont, CA | $83,519 | $63,000 | 233,136 | 249 |
| 30 | Raleigh, NC | $73,609 | $57,000 | 458,880 | 9 |
| 31 | Lexington, KY | $70,400 | $54,000 | 318,449 | 72 |
| 32 | Houston, TX | $68,620 | $51,000 | 2,303,482 | 12 |
| 33 | Phoenix, AZ | $71,440 | $55,000 | 1,615,017 | 108 |
| 34 | Tulsa, OK | $69,323 | $52,000 | 403,090 | 92 |
| 35 | Glendale, AZ | $71,460 | $55,000 | 245,895 | 36 |
| 36 | Oklahoma City, OK | $69,264 | $52,000 | 638,367 | 164 |
| 37 | Indianapolis, IN | $69,785 | $54,000 | 855,164 | 172 |
| 38 | Portland, OR | $78,208 | $58,000 | 639,863 | 88 |
| 39 | Santa Ana, CA | $75,723 | $58,000 | 334,217 | 106 |
| 40 | Fort Wayne, IN | $69,974 | $54,000 | 264,488 | 51 |
| 41 | Scottsdale, AZ | $71,385 | $54,000 | 246,645 | 138 |
| 42 | Sacramento, CA | $83,594 | $63,000 | 495,234 | 220 |
| 43 | Wichita, KS | $66,772 | $50,000 | 389,902 | 140 |
| 44 | Jersey City, NJ | $66,398 | $52,000 | 264,152 | 115 |
| 45 | San Jose, CA | $83,277 | $63,000 | 1,025,350 | 115 |
| 46 | Omaha, NE | $66,125 | $50,000 | 446,970 | 179 |
| 47 | Las Vegas, NV | $69,038 | $52,000 | 632,912 | 175 |
| 48 | Arlington, TX | $69,086 | $52,000 | 392,772 | 42 |
| 49 | Seattle, WA | $90,287 | $67,000 | 704,352 | 50 |
| 50 | Reno, NV | $73,546 | $55,000 | 245,255 | 24 |
Highest paying cities for computer programmers
| Rank | City | Avg. computer programmer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richmond, CA | $84,011 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $77,532 |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | $74,119 |
| 4 | Stamford, CT | $73,826 |
| 5 | Jacksonville, NC | $73,542 |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA | $72,855 |
| 7 | Alpharetta, GA | $72,301 |
| 8 | Boston, MA | $72,273 |
| 9 | New York, NY | $72,054 |
| 10 | Bloomington, MN | $71,957 |
| 11 | McLean, VA | $71,728 |
| 12 | Phoenix, AZ | $71,440 |
| 13 | Columbus, MS | $70,178 |
| 14 | Columbus, IN | $69,768 |
| 15 | Austin, TX | $69,081 |
| 16 | Columbus, OH | $68,710 |
| 17 | Newark, DE | $68,580 |
| 18 | Saint Louis, MO | $68,402 |
| 19 | Warren, MI | $67,775 |
| 20 | Edison, NJ | $66,414 |
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Updated January 8, 2025