Tech Workers Want A Lower Cost Of Living, And They’re Moving To Find It

According to a new survey from the Technology Councils of North America (TECNA), tech workers are seeking refuge from the high costs of Silicon Valley in cheaper states. 

Although states like New York and California still led the pack in tech workers, other regions of the country have emerged as hot markets for these professionals. 

This has mainly been driven by the 421% increase in remote jobs seen in the tech industry. 

“We just saw explosive growth in the industry over the last several years, and the pandemic put it on hyperdrive in terms of the need for tech workers,” said Jennifer Young, CEO of TECNA. 

The survey showed that the states that saw the highest rate of tech job growth included:   

1. Tennessee (7.6%) 
2. Idaho (7.5%) 
3. Washington (6.6%) 
4. Utah (5.3%) 
5. North Carolina (4.9%) 
6. Mississippi (4.7%) 
7. Arizona (4.5%) 
8. Arkansas (4.4%) 
9. Texas (4.3%) 
10. Kentucky (4.3%)

The cities that saw the highest rate of growth were:  

1. ​​Houston (8.9%) 
2. Orlando (8.3%) 
3. New York (8.1%)  
4. Charlotte (8.0%)  
5. Los Angeles (7.9%) 

Low cost of living, a better quality of life, and major tech companies expanding their reach to these regions have made moving that much more enticing. 

“These are areas that have a great quality of life and are attracting people who have the ability to work remotely now,” said Michael Church, CFO of data visualization company eImpact, which collaborated with TECNA on the survey. “They are very attractive places for young families.”  

Despite some companies eager to bring their workers back into the office, employees are increasingly willing to leave these jobs for positions that provide flexibility. It’s no longer a nice-to-have amenity — it’s a top priority.