25 Best Cities for Social Workers in 2026
Social workers are among the most underpaid professionals relative to their educational requirements and the demands of their work. The best cities are those where public sector wages are competitive, housing is genuinely affordable, and the community infrastructure supports the work. We weighted affordability highest.
Methodology
Scoring weights: rent-to-income ratio (45%, inverted), cost-of-living index (20%, inverted), unemployment rate (20%, inverted), violent crime rate (15%, inverted).
Laconia
New Hampshire
Median Income
$97,692
Median Rent
$1,037/mo
Rent/Income
13%
COL Index
-
Bismarck
North Dakota
Median Income
$83,440
Median Rent
$951/mo
Rent/Income
14%
COL Index
-
Manitowoc
Wisconsin
Median Income
$68,297
Median Rent
$752/mo
Rent/Income
13%
COL Index
-
Watertown-Fort Atkinson
Wisconsin
Median Income
$82,864
Median Rent
$953/mo
Rent/Income
14%
COL Index
-
Keene
New Hampshire
Median Income
$89,314
Median Rent
$1,259/mo
Rent/Income
17%
COL Index
-
Grand Forks
North Dakota
Median Income
$71,529
Median Rent
$908/mo
Rent/Income
15%
COL Index
-
Sheboygan
Wisconsin
Median Income
$72,902
Median Rent
$895/mo
Rent/Income
15%
COL Index
-
Sioux Falls
South Dakota
Median Income
$76,226
Median Rent
$988/mo
Rent/Income
16%
COL Index
-
Concord
New Hampshire
Median Income
$92,110
Median Rent
$1,398/mo
Rent/Income
18%
COL Index
-
Fargo
North Dakota
Median Income
$72,889
Median Rent
$989/mo
Rent/Income
16%
COL Index
-
Grand Island
Nebraska
Median Income
$70,919
Median Rent
$947/mo
Rent/Income
16%
COL Index
-
Torrington
Connecticut
Median Income
$91,020
Median Rent
$1,141/mo
Rent/Income
15%
COL Index
-
Lebanon-Claremont
New Hampshire
Median Income
$78,937
Median Rent
$1,218/mo
Rent/Income
19%
COL Index
-
Decatur
Alabama
Median Income
$72,956
Median Rent
$854/mo
Rent/Income
14%
COL Index
-
Albertville
Alabama
Median Income
$60,298
Median Rent
$724/mo
Rent/Income
14%
COL Index
-
Appleton
Wisconsin
Median Income
$83,966
Median Rent
$1,087/mo
Rent/Income
16%
COL Index
-
Minot
North Dakota
Median Income
$72,073
Median Rent
$985/mo
Rent/Income
16%
COL Index
-
Wisconsin Rapids-Marshfield
Wisconsin
Median Income
$66,461
Median Rent
$766/mo
Rent/Income
14%
COL Index
-
Tupelo
Mississippi
Median Income
$62,004
Median Rent
$811/mo
Rent/Income
16%
COL Index
-
Lincoln
Nebraska
Median Income
$71,163
Median Rent
$1,018/mo
Rent/Income
17%
COL Index
-
Faribault-Northfield
Minnesota
Median Income
$81,455
Median Rent
$1,028/mo
Rent/Income
15%
COL Index
-
Dubuque
Iowa
Median Income
$71,940
Median Rent
$868/mo
Rent/Income
14%
COL Index
-
Beaver Dam
Wisconsin
Median Income
$72,736
Median Rent
$968/mo
Rent/Income
16%
COL Index
-
Ames
Iowa
Median Income
$72,007
Median Rent
$981/mo
Rent/Income
16%
COL Index
-
Wausau
Wisconsin
Median Income
$74,141
Median Rent
$977/mo
Rent/Income
16%
COL Index
-
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an MSW significantly increase social worker pay?
Yes. Licensed clinical social workers (LCSW) with an MSW earn significantly more than bachelor-level social workers, especially in private practice, healthcare, and mental health settings.
Are there loan forgiveness programs for social workers?
Yes. PSLF forgives federal student loans for social workers employed full-time by government or qualifying nonprofits after 10 years of payments. Many states also offer specific social worker forgiveness programs.
Which settings pay social workers the most?
Healthcare settings (hospitals, outpatient mental health) and private clinical practice pay the most. Government and school-based social work pays less but often offers stronger benefits and loan forgiveness eligibility.