While California's Silicon Valley remains the headline-grabbing epicenter of an AI recruiting frenzy, mid-size—and far more affordable—markets scattered around the U.S. are quietly offering equally impressive hiring opportunities.
The global professional networking powerhouse LinkedIn released its second annual "Cities on the Rise" ranking on July 21, identifying 25 metros emerging as America's fastest-growing job hubs.
Based on LinkedIn data, the new report focuses on up-and-coming markets beyond traditional hiring juggernauts like New York City and San Francisco, showcasing cities that deliver a combination of career opportunities, affordability, and quality of life advantages. The report also incorporates home listing data from Realtor.com®.
"According to LinkedIn survey data, two-thirds of professionals say they work to live, not live to work, reflecting a broader shift in how people evaluate career decisions," Andrew Seaman, editor-at-large for Jobs and Careers Development at LinkedIn, tells Realtor.com®. "As a result, smaller and midsize metros with thriving economies, growing employers, and vibrant communities are becoming increasingly attractive places to build a career."
Fifteen cities from last year's ranking made a comeback in 2026, demonstrating that many of these metros are maintaining their momentum by continuing to attract a steady stream of professionals.
However, the top of the list underwent significant shifts. Newcomer Augusta, GA, clinched first place, followed by Richmond, VA, which climbed 11 spots from last year to claim silver, and Reno, NV, captured bronze after ranking 22nd in the inaugural report.
Also making its debut in the 2026 ranking, North Port, FL, came in fourth, while Harrisburg, PA, took fifth, having dropped two spots from last year.
Augusta and North Port are among 10 cities making their first appearance in the ranking, signaling that economic momentum is expanding its footprint, with new hiring opportunities emerging across a wide range of regions.
"From growing logistics and distribution centers in Louisville, Charleston, and Harrisburg, to a manufacturing resurgence in Reno and Indianapolis, we're also seeing AI data centers fuel growth in midsize metros like Augusta and Richmond," says Seaman.
Southern metros dominate ranking
The South claims the highest share of up-and-coming job centers in the 2026 rankings, with 11 cities, followed by the Midwest, with six, and the West and Northeast with four cities each.
"Each of these markets offers a resilient but also dynamic labor market," notes Realtor.com senior economist Joel Berner, referring to the top five metros on the list. "State governments anchor employment in Richmond and Harrisburg, Fort Eisenhower offers military employment for Augusta, and rapid population growth in Reno and North Port create many kinds of employment opportunities, as well as having outdoor lifestyle perks in those locations."
Comparing these mid-size markets to larger job hubs in their respective regions, Berner points out that Reno serves as a budget-friendly alternative to the Bay Area, Richmond offers professionals more bang for their buck than nearby Washington, DC, and Harrisburg boasts lower home prices than Philadelphia, which is still just a two hours' drive away.
"The combination of robust employment opportunities and low costs of living are drawing professionals to these smaller but growing markets," points out the economist.
Examining current housing market conditions across the top five metros highlighted by the LinkedIn report, Realtor.com data analysis shows that Augusta is the most affordable of the bunch, with the median price in June registering at $315,125, down 4.4% from a year ago.
Harrisburg follows closely with a median price of $350,000, while North Port settled at $485,000 last month.
Reno is a notable outlier among the group: The median price there surged 10% year over year to $685,575, while its inventory of for-sale properties plunged nearly 23%, suggesting that the Nevada city is in the throes of a major supply crunch.
"It may struggle to continue to absorb the increased demand for homes there without prices running up in a major way," warns Berner.
In contrast, prices in the other four metros are trending downward, offering welcome news to job seekers looking to relocate.
1. Augusta, GA
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Top industries hiring: Hospitals and healthcare, higher education, electric power generation
Top employers: Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, US Army, Augusta University
Flexible work availability: 26.5% remote, 3.5% hybrid
Median household income: $55,485
Average home listing price: $397,120
Anchored by the U.S. Army Cyber Command at Fort Eisenhower and the nation's largest government cybersecurity facility, Augusta is leveraging its defense roots to drive broader economic growth, especially across medical technology and data center development.
Beyond the workplace, the city is internationally renowned among golf enthusiasts as the host of the prestigious Masters Tournament and offers an affordable lifestyle with a bevy of parks and outdoor recreation amenities.
2. Richmond, VA
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Top industries hiring: Credit intermediation, hospitals and healthcare, higher education
Top employers: Capital One, Virginia Commonwealth University, VCU Health
Flexible work availability: 11.9% remote, 11.4% hybrid
Median household income: $64,585
Average home listing price: $556,540
Situated between Washington, DC, and the Southeast, Richmond has a robust local economy and represents a more affordable alternative to other East Coast metros. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the metro is attracting more new residents than any other place in Virginia.
With companies like Meta and Iron Mountain heavily investing in data center development, and four undersea fiber cables converging in the region, Richmond is rapidly cementing its status as a major tech infrastructure capital.
3. Reno, NV
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Top industries hiring: Hospitals and healthcare, technology and internet, real estate
Top employers: University of Nevada, Reno, Renown Health, Tesla
Flexible work availability: 24.4% remote, 5.5% hybrid
Median household income: $80,760
Average home listing price: $1,169,020
Nicknamed the "Biggest Little City," Reno has emerged as a hub of innovation centered around manufacturing, data centers, and logistics.
"Reno offers high-wage opportunities in growing sectors like lithium batteries, AI infrastructure, and manufacturing—paired with Nevada's no-income-tax advantage—without the crushing costs of coastal cities," Mike Wood, real estate agent and owner of The Mike Wood Team at Re/Max Professionals, tells Realtor.com.
While California remains the primary source of transplants for both work and retirement, accounting for a large share of buyer interest, Wood says the metro is seeing meaningful inflows from other states as well.
"Professionals from Texas, Washington, and beyond are discovering Reno as a true national destination for career growth and affordability," he says, stressing that although median asking prices sit in the mid-$600,000 range, the market remains far more budget-friendly than the major cities the newcomers are leaving behind
Beyond its favorable business climate marked by strong career prospects, which is what workers seek, Reno offers what Wood is calling an "unbeatable lifestyle," complete with open-range off-roading, hiking trails in the Sierra Mountains, multiple rivers for boating and fishing, hot air balloon races, symphony performances, and art showcases.
"It's a place where people can buy a real home with shorter commutes and truly build both wealth and a balanced life," adds the agent.
4. North Port, FL
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Top industries hiring: Real estate, hospitals and healthcare, technology and internet
Top employers: Sarasota Memorial Healthcare System, Sarasota County Schools, Sarasota County Government
Flexible work availability: 2.2% remote, 5.7% hybrid
Median household income: $84,050
Average home listing price: $964,025
North Port has seen a steady influx of Midwestern transplants, remote workers, and retired sun worshippers since the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, with momentum showing no signs of slowing.
For those looking for career opportunities, a $507 million hospital campus has been creating new well-paying jobs in the healthcare sector, while the Wellen Park planned community continues to expand the local housing supply.
Outside work, residents enjoy Gulf Coast beaches, a vibrant arts scene, and year-round outdoor living.
5. Harrisburg, PA
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Top industries hiring: Hospitals and healthcare, higher education, insurance
Top employers: WellSpan Health, UPMC, Penn State Health
Flexible work availability: 3.1% remote, 11.2% hybrid
Median household income: $48,100
Average home listing price: $400,585
Pennsylvania's state capital, Harrisburg stands out for having a low cost of living compared to many other Northeast destinations. Its strategic location offers workers easy access to larger regional hubs, including Baltimore, Philadelphia, and DC.
While the core of Harrisburg's economy remains employment in government, logistics, and healthcare, the city has been attracting fresh investment, highlighted by WebX’s $10.7 million commitment to expand its operations in the area.
Full List of LinkedIn's 25 'Cities on The Rise' of 2026:
Augusta, GA
Richmond, VA
Reno, NV
North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL
Harrisburg, PA
Snejana Farberov is a reporter at Realtor.com covering the U.S. housing market and the latest domestic real estate trends. She has worked as a general assignment journalist in New York City and Long Island for 16 years, writing for New York Post, Daily Mail, and News 12. Snejana earned bachelor's degrees in journalism and Italian from St. John's University, followed by a master’s degree from Columbia University School of Journalism.
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