Best cities for a computer systems architect
The best cities for computer systems architects are Oakland, CA, Urban Honolulu, HI, and Fremont, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for computer systems architects vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for computer systems architects in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a computer systems architect or considering a move, this list of the best cities for computer systems architects to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for computer systems architects. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a computer systems architect. While the absolute best city for computer systems architects is Oakland, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for computer systems architects in 2024.
If you're looking for a computer systems architect job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for computer systems architects in 2025
1. Oakland, CA
Total computer systems architect jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $140,550 Lowest 10 percent warn: $78,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $250,000 Location quotient: 44.79 2. Urban Honolulu, HI
Total computer systems architect jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $222,733 Lowest 10 percent warn: $137,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $362,000 Location quotient: 39.88 3. Fremont, CA
Total computer systems architect jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $139,788 Lowest 10 percent warn: $78,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $249,000 Location quotient: 24.84 4. Long Beach, CA
Total computer systems architect jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $119,617 Lowest 10 percent warn: $66,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $214,000 Location quotient: 35.05 5. San Jose, CA
Total computer systems architect jobs: 20 Average annual salary: $139,503 Lowest 10 percent warn: $78,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $248,000 Location quotient: 20.15 6. Toledo, OH
Total computer systems architect jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $73,519 Lowest 10 percent warn: $47,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $113,000 Location quotient: 80.19 7. Lubbock, TX
Total computer systems architect jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $80,372 Lowest 10 percent warn: $48,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $133,000 Location quotient: 119.41 8. Los Angeles, CA
Total computer systems architect jobs: 28 Average annual salary: $120,583 Lowest 10 percent warn: $67,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $216,000 Location quotient: 23.30 9. Phoenix, AZ
Total computer systems architect jobs: 23 Average annual salary: $91,538 Lowest 10 percent warn: $52,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $160,000 Location quotient: 26.31 10. Lexington, KY
Total computer systems architect jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $73,878 Lowest 10 percent warn: $47,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $115,000 Location quotient: 68.80
Best cities for computer systems architects
- Oakland, CA
- Urban Honolulu, HI
- Fremont, CA
- Long Beach, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Toledo, OH
- Lubbock, TX
- Los Angeles, CA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Lexington, KY
- (6 computer systems architect jobs)
- (7 computer systems architect jobs)
- (7 computer systems architect jobs)
- (3 computer systems architect jobs)
- (20 computer systems architect jobs)
- (5 computer systems architect jobs)
- (5 computer systems architect jobs)
- (28 computer systems architect jobs)
- (23 computer systems architect jobs)
- (6 computer systems architect jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a computer systems architect
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland, CA | $140,550 | $78,000 | 420,005 | 6 |
| 2 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $222,733 | $137,000 | 351,792 | 7 |
| 3 | Fremont, CA | $139,788 | $78,000 | 233,136 | 7 |
| 4 | Long Beach, CA | $119,617 | $66,000 | 470,130 | 3 |
| 5 | San Jose, CA | $139,503 | $78,000 | 1,025,350 | 20 |
| 6 | Toledo, OH | $73,519 | $47,000 | 278,508 | 5 |
| 7 | Lubbock, TX | $80,372 | $48,000 | 252,506 | 5 |
| 8 | Los Angeles, CA | $120,583 | $67,000 | 3,976,322 | 28 |
| 9 | Phoenix, AZ | $91,538 | $52,000 | 1,615,017 | 23 |
| 10 | Lexington, KY | $73,878 | $47,000 | 318,449 | 6 |
| 11 | Irvine, CA | $118,259 | $65,000 | 266,122 | 8 |
| 12 | Chandler, AZ | $91,420 | $52,000 | 247,477 | 3 |
| 13 | San Francisco, CA | $141,278 | $79,000 | 870,887 | 18 |
| 14 | Cincinnati, OH | $72,913 | $46,000 | 298,800 | 11 |
| 15 | San Diego, CA | $116,364 | $64,000 | 1,406,630 | 13 |
| 16 | Portland, OR | $118,958 | $66,000 | 639,863 | 4 |
| 17 | Reno, NV | $115,803 | $65,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 18 | Virginia Beach, VA | $86,626 | $55,000 | 452,602 | 8 |
| 19 | Louisville, KY | $73,638 | $47,000 | 597,337 | 8 |
| 20 | Columbus, OH | $73,399 | $47,000 | 860,090 | 14 |
| 21 | Memphis, TN | $75,536 | $47,000 | 652,717 | 4 |
| 22 | Plano, TX | $76,583 | $47,000 | 286,057 | 16 |
| 23 | Stockton, CA | $137,221 | $77,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 24 | Seattle, WA | $120,547 | $68,000 | 704,352 | 9 |
| 25 | Houston, TX | $80,087 | $48,000 | 2,303,482 | 33 |
| 26 | Sacramento, CA | $137,125 | $76,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 27 | Anchorage, AK | $115,213 | $64,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 28 | Winston-Salem, NC | $73,026 | $46,000 | 242,203 | 3 |
| 29 | Indianapolis, IN | $70,268 | $45,000 | 855,164 | 46 |
| 30 | Irving, TX | $77,143 | $47,000 | 238,289 | 13 |
| 31 | Fresno, CA | $131,923 | $74,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 32 | Las Vegas, NV | $101,556 | $57,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 33 | North Las Vegas, NV | $101,066 | $56,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 34 | Bakersfield, CA | $125,683 | $70,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 35 | Henderson, NV | $100,423 | $56,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 36 | Fort Worth, TX | $77,606 | $47,000 | 854,113 | 4 |
| 37 | Philadelphia, PA | $76,435 | $49,000 | 1,567,872 | 11 |
| 38 | Anaheim, CA | $118,832 | $66,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 39 | Santa Ana, CA | $118,624 | $66,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 40 | Saint Louis, MO | $73,726 | $47,000 | 311,404 | 15 |
| 41 | San Antonio, TX | $82,575 | $49,000 | 1,492,510 | 5 |
| 42 | Nashville, TN | $75,288 | $47,000 | 660,388 | 3 |
| 43 | Charlotte, NC | $72,576 | $46,000 | 842,051 | 27 |
| 44 | Riverside, CA | $117,207 | $65,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 45 | Glendale, AZ | $91,774 | $52,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 46 | Chula Vista, CA | $116,311 | $64,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 47 | Gilbert, AZ | $91,232 | $52,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 48 | Dallas, TX | $77,161 | $47,000 | 1,317,929 | 13 |
| 49 | Tucson, AZ | $91,187 | $52,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 50 | Atlanta, GA | $72,082 | $45,000 | 472,522 | 73 |
Highest paying cities for computer systems architects
| Rank | City | Avg. computer systems architect salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $141,278 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $120,547 |
| 3 | Phoenix, AZ | $91,538 |
| 4 | Columbia, MD | $87,006 |
| 5 | Reston, VA | $86,787 |
| 6 | Houston, TX | $80,087 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | $77,752 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $76,659 |
| 9 | Philadelphia, PA | $76,435 |
| 10 | Minneapolis, MN | $75,486 |
| 11 | Edison, NJ | $74,811 |
| 12 | Nashua, NH | $74,609 |
| 13 | Stamford, CT | $74,594 |
| 14 | Saint Louis, MO | $73,726 |
| 15 | Miami, FL | $73,613 |
| 16 | Columbus, OH | $73,399 |
| 17 | Chicago, IL | $72,894 |
| 18 | Charlotte, NC | $72,576 |
| 19 | Alpharetta, GA | $72,082 |
| 20 | Columbus, IN | $70,306 |
Computer systems architect best cities FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common computer and mathematical questions.
Search for computer systems architect jobs
Updated January 8, 2025