25 Best Cities for Cybersecurity Professionals in 2026
Cybersecurity roles are among the fastest growing in tech, with demand concentrated around government contractors, financial institutions, and healthcare systems. We ranked metros on income potential, low unemployment, and safety, since many cyber roles require security clearances that favor stable, lower-crime environments.
Methodology
Scoring weights: median income (35%), unemployment rate (30%, inverted), violent crime rate (20%, inverted), rent-to-income ratio (15%, inverted).
Heber
Utah
Median Income
$134,986
Unemployment
2.5%
Violent Crime
232/100k
Median Rent
$2,434/mo
Laconia
New Hampshire
Median Income
$97,692
Unemployment
2.1%
Violent Crime
107/100k
Median Rent
$1,037/mo
Manchester-Nashua
New Hampshire
Median Income
$103,727
Unemployment
2.4%
Violent Crime
107/100k
Median Rent
$1,668/mo
Concord
New Hampshire
Median Income
$92,110
Unemployment
2.0%
Violent Crime
107/100k
Median Rent
$1,398/mo
Burlington-South Burlington
Vermont
Median Income
$95,497
Unemployment
1.6%
Violent Crime
210/100k
Median Rent
$1,604/mo
Lexington Park
Maryland
Median Income
$116,297
Unemployment
2.0%
Violent Crime
426/100k
Median Rent
$1,718/mo
Keene
New Hampshire
Median Income
$89,314
Unemployment
2.3%
Violent Crime
107/100k
Median Rent
$1,259/mo
Portland-South Portland
Maine
Median Income
$92,117
Unemployment
2.2%
Violent Crime
102/100k
Median Rent
$1,551/mo
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury
Connecticut
Median Income
$111,058
Unemployment
3.1%
Violent Crime
150/100k
Median Rent
$1,862/mo
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara
California
Median Income
$153,202
Unemployment
3.6%
Violent Crime
508/100k
Median Rent
$2,773/mo
Kapaa
Hawaii
Median Income
$103,564
Unemployment
2.6%
Violent Crime
187/100k
Median Rent
$1,816/mo
Lebanon-Claremont
New Hampshire
Median Income
$78,937
Unemployment
1.9%
Violent Crime
107/100k
Median Rent
$1,218/mo
Ogden
Utah
Median Income
$100,461
Unemployment
2.5%
Violent Crime
232/100k
Median Rent
$1,528/mo
Bismarck
North Dakota
Median Income
$83,440
Unemployment
2.0%
Violent Crime
267/100k
Median Rent
$951/mo
Provo-Orem-Lehi
Utah
Median Income
$100,791
Unemployment
2.7%
Violent Crime
232/100k
Median Rent
$1,556/mo
Urban Honolulu
Hawaii
Median Income
$103,131
Unemployment
2.6%
Violent Crime
187/100k
Median Rent
$2,033/mo
Torrington
Connecticut
Median Income
$91,020
Unemployment
3.0%
Violent Crime
150/100k
Median Rent
$1,141/mo
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington
Minnesota
Median Income
$95,102
Unemployment
2.6%
Violent Crime
261/100k
Median Rent
$1,427/mo
Charlottesville
Virginia
Median Income
$92,265
Unemployment
2.5%
Violent Crime
236/100k
Median Rent
$1,540/mo
Logan
Utah
Median Income
$85,111
Unemployment
2.4%
Violent Crime
232/100k
Median Rent
$1,253/mo
Appleton
Wisconsin
Median Income
$83,966
Unemployment
2.3%
Violent Crime
289/100k
Median Rent
$1,087/mo
Salt Lake City-Murray
Utah
Median Income
$94,409
Unemployment
2.7%
Violent Crime
232/100k
Median Rent
$1,639/mo
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford
Connecticut
Median Income
$92,176
Unemployment
3.2%
Violent Crime
150/100k
Median Rent
$1,397/mo
Sioux Falls
South Dakota
Median Income
$76,226
Unemployment
1.7%
Violent Crime
350/100k
Median Rent
$988/mo
Rochester
Minnesota
Median Income
$85,213
Unemployment
2.4%
Violent Crime
261/100k
Median Rent
$1,271/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
Which cities have the most cybersecurity jobs?
The Washington DC metro area leads by a wide margin due to federal agencies and contractors. Northern Virginia, Maryland, and the greater DC suburbs are the unofficial cybersecurity capital of the US.
Do cybersecurity professionals need a security clearance?
Many government and defense-contractor roles require clearances. Clearance-eligible roles are heavily concentrated in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia corridor, plus San Antonio, Colorado Springs, and Huntsville.
What certifications help cybersecurity professionals the most?
CISSP, CEH, CompTIA Security+, and CISM are the most widely recognized. Many employers in government-adjacent roles also value certifications specific to cleared environments.