25 Best Cities for Doctors in 2026
Physicians have more flexibility than most to choose where they live, yet many cluster in major metros near top hospitals and academic medical centers. We ranked cities on income, job stability, and safety, while factoring in affordability since physician loan burdens make cost of living relevant even at high income levels.
Methodology
Scoring weights: median income (40%), unemployment rate (25%, inverted), violent crime rate (20%, inverted), rent-to-income ratio (15%, inverted).
Heber
Utah
Median Income
$134,986
Physicians/100k
224
Unemployment
2.5%
Violent Crime
232/100k
Laconia
New Hampshire
Median Income
$97,692
Physicians/100k
323
Unemployment
2.1%
Violent Crime
107/100k
Manchester-Nashua
New Hampshire
Median Income
$103,727
Physicians/100k
323
Unemployment
2.4%
Violent Crime
107/100k
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara
California
Median Income
$153,202
Physicians/100k
285
Unemployment
3.6%
Violent Crime
508/100k
Lexington Park
Maryland
Median Income
$116,297
Physicians/100k
393
Unemployment
2.0%
Violent Crime
426/100k
Concord
New Hampshire
Median Income
$92,110
Physicians/100k
323
Unemployment
2.0%
Violent Crime
107/100k
Burlington-South Burlington
Vermont
Median Income
$95,497
Physicians/100k
386
Unemployment
1.6%
Violent Crime
210/100k
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury
Connecticut
Median Income
$111,058
Physicians/100k
364
Unemployment
3.1%
Violent Crime
150/100k
Keene
New Hampshire
Median Income
$89,314
Physicians/100k
323
Unemployment
2.3%
Violent Crime
107/100k
Portland-South Portland
Maine
Median Income
$92,117
Physicians/100k
331
Unemployment
2.2%
Violent Crime
102/100k
Kapaa
Hawaii
Median Income
$103,564
Physicians/100k
321
Unemployment
2.6%
Violent Crime
187/100k
Ogden
Utah
Median Income
$100,461
Physicians/100k
224
Unemployment
2.5%
Violent Crime
232/100k
Provo-Orem-Lehi
Utah
Median Income
$100,791
Physicians/100k
224
Unemployment
2.7%
Violent Crime
232/100k
Urban Honolulu
Hawaii
Median Income
$103,131
Physicians/100k
321
Unemployment
2.6%
Violent Crime
187/100k
Lebanon-Claremont
New Hampshire
Median Income
$78,937
Physicians/100k
323
Unemployment
1.9%
Violent Crime
107/100k
Torrington
Connecticut
Median Income
$91,020
Physicians/100k
364
Unemployment
3.0%
Violent Crime
150/100k
Bismarck
North Dakota
Median Income
$83,440
Physicians/100k
219
Unemployment
2.0%
Violent Crime
267/100k
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington
Minnesota
Median Income
$95,102
Physicians/100k
318
Unemployment
2.6%
Violent Crime
261/100k
Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Massachusetts
Median Income
$110,697
Physicians/100k
466
Unemployment
3.2%
Violent Crime
314/100k
Charlottesville
Virginia
Median Income
$92,265
Physicians/100k
304
Unemployment
2.5%
Violent Crime
236/100k
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford
Connecticut
Median Income
$92,176
Physicians/100k
364
Unemployment
3.2%
Violent Crime
150/100k
Salt Lake City-Murray
Utah
Median Income
$94,409
Physicians/100k
224
Unemployment
2.7%
Violent Crime
232/100k
Logan
Utah
Median Income
$85,111
Physicians/100k
224
Unemployment
2.4%
Violent Crime
232/100k
Putnam
Connecticut
Median Income
$88,806
Physicians/100k
364
Unemployment
3.3%
Violent Crime
150/100k
Appleton
Wisconsin
Median Income
$83,966
Physicians/100k
298
Unemployment
2.3%
Violent Crime
289/100k
Frequently Asked Questions
Which specialties have the best geographic flexibility?
Hospitalists, emergency medicine physicians, and primary care doctors have the most geographic flexibility. Subspecialties like neurosurgery or interventional cardiology require large medical centers, limiting options to major metros.
How does physician density affect practice opportunities?
Lower physician-to-population ratios can mean less competition and stronger demand, especially in primary care. Rural and suburban markets often offer stronger practice economics than oversaturated urban medical centers.
Does state income tax significantly affect physician take-home pay?
Significantly. A physician earning $400k faces a difference of $30,000 or more annually in states with no income tax versus high-tax states. Texas, Florida, and Nevada are popular for this reason.