Midsize cities are stealing the spotlight as job markets heat up, professional networks expand, and newcomers fuel growth. These cities aren’t the typical large urban centers, but vibrant hubs with growing professional communities and strong momentum.
LinkedIn released a new survey that focused on metros with fewer than 2.5 million LinkedIn members, measuring year-over-year growth in hiring and job postings. This list highlights places where opportunity is on the rise and local job markets are thriving. These emerging metros are becoming key players in the nation’s evolving labor landscape.
1. Grand Rapids, MI
- June median list price: $424,950
- Median household income: $82,065
Grand Rapids took first place in the job survey, attracting a crowd of tech-savvy professionals. The city has developed a booming tech scene for young people entering the workforce who are coming for the jobs and staying due to Grand Rapids’ lively downtown and proximity to Lake Michigan.
The city is currently hiring in manufacturing, health care, and professional services. Some top companies pushing the hiring boom are Corewell Health, Grand Valley State University, and Meijer.
(Realtor.com)
2. Boise, ID
- June median list price: $625,000
- Median household income: $86,463
Boise’s booming tech industry, which is led by Micron’s expansion of semiconductor manufacturing, has brought many young professionals to the city. With its headquarters in Boise, the billion-dollar company is pushing for more jobs to attract top talent.
Idaho offers a stunning array of natural beauty with regional mountain trails, foothills, and rivers.
3. Harrisburg, PA
- June median list price: $355,000
- Median household income: $77,355
Harrisburg is known for its historical significance, particularly related to the Civil War and industrial development, but it also offers an affordable cost of living with significant investments in small businesses and health care.
Top hiring industries include health care and manufacturing, with employers like WellSpan Health, UPMC, and Penn State Health on the hunt for working professionals.
“Housing demand picks up with migration and job growth as more households move in and look for housing,” says Hannah Jones, senior economic research analyst at Realtor.com®. “If home supply can’t keep up with newfound demand, as is the case in many of these markets, buyers face more competition and home prices climb.”
(Realtor.com)
4. Albany, NY
- June median list price: $449,850
- Median household income: $85,955
Universities in Albany have been investing roughly one billion dollars in the local economy, which has boosted the city’s growing hub for tech jobs and semiconductor research, according to the survey. Albany, which is considered a college town, is home to several notable institutions, including the State University of New York and the College of Saint Rose.
5. Milwaukee, WI
- June median list price: $409,950
- Median household income: $74,222
The city brings in billions of dollars through its tourism industry, contributing to a booming housing market and a rise in tech jobs. Companies like Northwestern Mutual, Advocate Aurora Health, and Medical College of Wisconsin are recruiting professionals to join their workforce.
Nicknamed the “Brew City,” Milwaukee is famous for its rich brewing history and some of the world’s largest music festivals, including Summerfest.
(Realtor.com)
6. Portland, ME
- June median list price: $675,000
- Median household income: $91,640
For those interested in working for a startup, Portland might be the place to go. With an expanding network of startups fueling the coastal city, the top industries hiring are health care and manufacturing.
Portland is known for its vibrant food scene, particularly its fresh seafood and lobster rolls, its historic Old Port district, and its working waterfront.
7. Myrtle Beach, SC
- June median list price: $328,950
- Median household income: $63,686
With a rising retiree population, Myrtle Beach is seeing growing investment in its local health care and an increased effort to turn this coastal city into a year-round destination. For those looking to balance their work life with outdoor fun, Myrtle Beach is hiring working professionals in health care and manufacturing.
(Realtor.com)
8. Hartford, CT
- June median list price: $463,900
- Median household income: $94,838
Hartford, known as the “Insurance Capital of the World,” has served as a major center for the insurance industry. The city is one of the oldest in the country. Hartford is also recognized for its literary connections as the home of Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe.
Connecticut’s capital city is ranked eighth on the list of cities leading the job market, with new businesses attracting professionals.
“Metros in the Midwest and Northeast, such as Hartford, CT, and many Wisconsin metros, have risen to the top of the list of the country’s hottest markets over the last few years, signaling strong demand for homes in these areas,” says Jones.
9. Nashville, TN
- June median list price: $548,450
- Median household income: $85,166
Nashville is also experiencing a boom in tech and health care. Oracle, a computer tech company, decided to set up headquarters in the city—bringing 8,500 jobs with it. This is drawing in working professionals from around the world.
Called “The Music City” for its contributions to country, blues, rock, and Americana, Nashville also has a diverse culinary scene, ranging from traditional Southern comfort food to upscale dining experiences and the famous Nashville Hot Chicken.
(Realtor.com)
10. Omaha, NE
- June median list price: $400,000
- Median household income: $85,685
Omaha is hiring individuals in the finance and insurance industries to help small businesses in the city thrive. It’s a major hub for the insurance and finance industries, boasting several Fortune 500 company headquarters. With this jobs growth, the city is seeing a rise in local entrepreneurs. The top companies hiring are Nebraska Medical Center and Mutual of Omaha.
11. Kansas City, KS/MO
- June median list price: $409,475
- Median household income: $80,127
The Kansas City metro encompasses two states: Kansas and Missouri—each boasting a “Kansas City.” (It’s less than 10 minutes from KC to KC.)
Kansas City’s economic growth goes beyond its nearly $1 billion NFL impact from the Chiefs, with a rising tech workforce and affordable housing attracting new residents. The metro is seeing strong job gains in professional services, health care, and manufacturing. Major employers like Oracle and the University of Kansas are helping drive this momentum.
12. Wilmington, NC
- June median list price: $499,900
- Median household income: $76,406
This stretch of the Carolina coast is booming, fueled by major port investments and efforts to lure big business. Companies like GE are pouring millions into local facilities, signaling long-term confidence in the region. The area is hiring heavily in professional services, health care, and manufacturing, with major employers including UNC-Wilmington and New Hanover Regional Medical Center.
Wilmington‘s downtown area boasts a well-preserved historic district with numerous antebellum buildings, brick-lined streets, and charming architecture.
13. Richmond, VA
- June median list price: $455,226
- Median household income: $87,394
Job seekers from around the world are flocking to Virginia’s capital, driving economic growth and adding pressure to an already competitive housing market. A booming health-tech scene and major manufacturers like Lego are helping fuel Richmond’s expanding workforce.
Top employers include Capital One, Virginia Commonwealth University, and VCU Health, with strong demand across professional services, health care, and finance.
(Realtor.com)
14. Indianapolis, IN
- June median list price: $338,450
- Median household income: $79,724
Billions in construction projects are transforming downtown Indianapolis, sparking an economic ripple. The city is seeing record tourism and major investments from pharmaceutical giants and logistics firms. Top employers include Eli Lilly, IU Health, and Cummins.
Indianapolis is widely known for its racing scene, particularly the Indianapolis 500—called the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” It’s also recognized for its vibrant sports culture, including the Indianapolis Colts (NFL) and Indiana Pacers (NBA).
15. Colorado Springs, CO
- June median list price: $515,000
- Median household income: $87,756
This city is rapidly emerging as a hub for aerospace and defense, attracting global companies and fueling steady economic growth. Top employers such as the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and UCHealth are helping power demand in government, manufacturing, and professional services.
Colorado Springs is widely known as “Olympic City USA”—home of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center.
(Realtor.com)
16. Sacramento, CA
- June median list price: $632,463
- Median household income: $93,641
From semiconductor plants to new medical centers, billions of dollars are flowing into Sacramento, fueling major growth and transformation. Known for its gold rush history, vibrant arts scene, and farm-to-fork culinary movement, the “City of Trees” is also the state capital—making it a hub for both culture and government.
17. Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson, SC
- June median list price: $393,250
- Median household income: $68,443
This Southeast metro has become a powerhouse industrial hub, driven by major investments from companies like Isuzu and Michelin. A $55 million inland port expansion is helping local businesses reach global markets, while infrastructure upgrades keep pace with rapid growth.
18. Austin, TX
- June median list price: $524,950
- Median household income: $102,412
Austin’s rise as a major tech and innovation hub shows no signs of slowing, fueled by corporate relocations (including the headquarters of Realtor.com), a datacenter boom, and continued investment from tech giants like Apple and Dell.
Nicknamed “Silicon Hills,” the city boasts a thriving startup scene. Billions in infrastructure projects are underway to support this momentum, as hiring surges in tech, professional services, and manufacturing.
“Bringing more jobs, especially more high-paying jobs, to an area can lead to significant gains in quality of life,” says Jones. “This influx in demand can create the need for more housing, and it is crucial for supply to scale with demand to keep housing affordable.”
(Realtor.com)
19. Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- June median list price: $462,473-$495,000
- Median household income: $98,138
Biotech expansions, innovation districts, and soaring residential developments are transforming North Carolina’s Research Triangle into a global magnet for high-tech talent.
Anchored by world-class institutions like Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill, and NC State, the region thrives on cutting-edge research, education, and innovation. With job growth surging in professional services, manufacturing, and health care, the Triangle continues to draw professionals from around the world.
(Realtor.com)
20. Portland, OR
- June median list price: $615,000
- Median household income: $94,748
A “new” Portland is taking shape, powered by local entrepreneurs and a renewed sense of optimism as downtown foot traffic bounces back. Famous for its vibrant culture, craft breweries and distilleries, and food scene, the city is reclaiming its reputation for livability.
Top employers such as Intel, Nike, and Oregon Health & Science University are leading the charge.
21. Fayetteville, AR
- June median list price: $455,000
- Median household income: $76,682
A thriving tech scene centered around the Arkansas Research and Technology Park—which generates $346 million in economic impact—is driving Fayetteville’s growth and attracting top talent.
The city benefits from its proximity to Walmart’s headquarters and a strong talent pipeline from the University of Arkansas. Fayetteville combines economic opportunity with a passionate local culture, where football, especially Razorbacks games, plays a central role in community life.
22. Reno, NV
- June median list price: $624,850
- Median household income: $84,653
Northern Nevada’s rapid rise as a strategic business hub is powered by major tech expansions from giants like Apple and Google, along with its prime location as a logistical crossroads for coast-to-coast shipping.
With no state income tax, the metro is attracting the talent needed to keep its momentum strong.
(Realtor.com)
23. San Antonio, TX
- June median list price: $340,275
- Median household income: $73,281
Once known primarily as home to the Alamo, this Texas metro is rapidly reinventing itself as a growing tech and manufacturing hub, attracting Gen Z job seekers and out-of-state talent. With top employers like USAA, the U.S. Air Force, and H-E-B, the city is hiring heavily in professional services, healthcare, and government administration.
24. Fort Wayne, IN
- June median list price: $324,925
- Median household income: $71,093
A surge of new investments in data centers and tech infrastructure, along with affordable housing and a lower cost of living, is drawing professionals to Fort Wayne—Indiana’s second-largest city.
Situated at the meeting point of three rivers, this historic transportation and commerce hub has major employers such as Parkview Health, Purdue University-Fort Wayne, and Sweetwater.
25. Pensacola, FL
- June median list price: $370,001
- Median household income: $72,161
The COVID-19 pandemic ignited fresh energy in Pensacola’s housing market, and the city is riding that wave to become a vibrant Gulf Coast hub. Job seekers, homebuyers, and high-tech manufacturers are flocking here, drawn by the blend of economic opportunity and a laid-back lifestyle just steps from the beach.
With major employers like Navy Federal Credit Union, the U.S. Navy, and the University of West Florida, hiring is booming in health care, professional services, and government administration.