Moving to a new place is not an easy decision to make, and choosing a location that can offer a stimulating and nurturing environment is probably a top priority for most of us. If you’re looking to narrow down your destination options and strive to find a place with a good mix of job opportunities and urban amenities, the cities that attracted 2021’s best employers should be a good starting point. Here’s a roundup of the top 10 cities that yielded the best employers in the nation, as ranked by Glassdoor, and some of the perks associated with living there, such as self storage as many employees reconfigured thdeir workspace and needed more room in their homes.
1. Boston, Mass. — Bain & Company
Boston is home to Bain & Company, the management consulting firm that took the cake for the best company in 2021, according to Glassdoor’s ranking. Beantown is a cosmopolitan city that may be renowned for baked beans, Fenway Park and The Boston Marathon, but there’s so much more to this city once you start scratching the surface.
Boston ranked first in the US for quality of life in 2017 in a Deutsche Bank top 26 Major Cities with the Highest Quality of Life survey. Additionally, living with roommates in Boston saves you the highest share of your income of all big cities. Boston has been consistently voted among the top top 10 fittest cities, with a large number of parks and playgrounds. Additionally, Boston’s stellar school system and healthcare access make Boston a desirable place to live in.
Here’s a rundown of some common expenses in Boston:
- Average house value with a mortgage in Boston — $534,200
- Monthly average rent in Boston — $3,139 (9% lower year-over-year)
- 10×10 self storage unit in Boston — $182/month
- Monthly utilities – $174
- Gasoline (1 gallon) – $2.42
- A dozen eggs – $2.52
- Milk (1 gallon) – $3.51
- A three-course restaurant meal for two – $80
2. Santa Clara, Calif. — NVIDIA
Santa Clara is where is tech company NVIDIA, the second best-rated company by Glassdoor, is headquartered. Located at the heart of Silicon Valley, Santa Clara also plays host to several other tech companies, including Intel. When you come here, you can take your time visiting the Intel Museum, the Triton Museum of Art and the Harris-Lass historical house.
The San Francisco 49ers, one of the NFL’s best-rated football teams, call Levi’s Stadium their current home. Besides the football-related events, the stadium also offers guests access to the impressive 49ers museum, where you can find out more about the 49ers’ impressive story. If you work in tech and love a good football game, that California sunshine might just be ready for you!
Here’s what living in Santa Clara will cost you:
- Average house value with a mortgage in Santa Clara — $1,037,700
- Monthly average rent in Santa Clara — $2,626 (10% lower y-o-y)
- 10×10 self storage unit in Santa Clara — $159/month
- Monthly utilities – $178
- Gasoline (1 gallon) – $3.42
- A dozen eggs – $4.25
- Milk (1 gallon) – $4.62
- A three-course restaurant meal for two – $72.50
3. Irvine, Calif. — In-N-Out Burger
The Irvine-based In-N-Out Burger has not only garnered a solid base of customers in the past few years but also stood out as one of the best companies to work for, according to Glassdoor. What about the city that the company is headquartered in? As it turns out, Irvine is a special city, not only for its tech companies but also because the FBI named it the safest city in the US for 15 years in a row now. That in itself makes it a family-friendly city, especially with its numerous bike trails and rows of houses that make for well-manicured streets.
Irvine has a little bit of everything for everyone. Did you know that Irvine is responsible for famous videogames such as StarCraft, Warcraft or Diablo. If you’re interested in the outdoors, Irvine has a lot in store for you. The Mountains to Sea Trail is calling all hikers and outdoors enthusiasts. Laguna and Newport Beaches are only 20 minutes away if you miss the ocean breeze. In a city that seems to have it all, you can have your cake and eat it too in Irvine.
Here’s how much living in Irvine will cost you:
- Average house value with a mortgage in Irvine — $841,700
- Monthly average rent in Irvine — $2,384 (4% decrease y-o-y)
- 10×10 self storage unit in Irvine — $149/month
- Monthly utilities – $144
- Gasoline (1 gallon) – $3.60
- A dozen eggs – $3.08
- Milk (1 gallon) – $3.67
- A three-course restaurant meal for two – $75
4. Cambridge, Mass. — HubSpot
Cambridge might be famous as the location for Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), but it’s also where HubSpot is headquartered. The company landed in the fourth spot on Glassdoor’s top for best employers, and we can’t help but wonder what the city has in store for HubSpot’s employees and its other dwellers. As it turns out, Cambridge is part of the Boston metro area, and it’s a mere three miles away from downtown Boston. With a rich history, Kendall Square (home to MIT) and Harvard Square promises ample opportunities for dining, entertainment and cultural attractions.
Sports play a big role in the identity of Boston, and by extension, that of Cambridge. The Red Sox are a Major League Baseball team that plays at the Fenway Park. If you’re a basketball fan, you’re in luck: Come root for the Boston Celtics, a part of the National Basketball Association, famous for their sports performance.
Here’s a rundown of living expenses in Cambridge:
- Average house value with a mortgage in Cambridge — $761,400
- Monthly average rent in Cambridge — $2,967 (7% lower y-o-y)
- 10×10 self storage unit in Cambridge — $146/month
- Monthly utilities – $160
- Gasoline (1 gallon) – $2.48
- A dozen eggs – $3.11
- Milk (1 gallon) – $3.54
- A three-course restaurant meal for two – $70
If you’re visiting Boston, stop by Cambridge to visit its iconic spots and have a taste of their clam chowder and Boston cream pie if you have a sweet tooth.
5. New York City, N.Y. — McKinsey & Company
New York City’s McKinsey & Company also rated high on Glassdoor’s top 10 best employers. But besides a great company, what do employees get to enjoy in New York City, where McKinsey & Company is headquartered? NYC is probably one of the most famous cities in the world for its glamorous Broadway shows, economic activity and its many other iconic spots from the Statue of Liberty to Wall Street or the Brooklyn Bridge. Usually, NYC teems with ample opportunities for entertainment, artistic and cultural events, but the past year has seen much of that activity put on hold. However, you can still shop until you drop on the iconic 5th Avenue. NYC is home to an eclectic mixture of cuisines for every palate, pizza and bagels put the Big Apple on the gastronomic map of the US. Come to New York to get a schmear!
Here are some come common expenses in NYC:
- Average house value with a mortgage in New York City — $627,500
- Monthly average rent in Manhattan, NY— $3,670; Queens — $2,411; Brooklyn — $2,596; Bronx — $1,658;
- 10×10 self storage unit in New York City —$245/month
- Monthly utilities – $167
- Gasoline (1 gallon) – $2.64
- A dozen eggs – $3.24
- Milk (1 gallon) – $4.61
- A three-course restaurant meal for two – $100
6. Mountain View, Calif. — Google
Mountain View caught our eye as it’s where Google — another company making it on the top of the best employers list — has its headquarters. The city is not only home to Google and a lot of other tech companies such as Alphabet, Mozilla Foundation and Samsung (just to name a few), but it’s the birthplace of Silicon Valley. It was the Shockley Semiconductor Laboratory founded by William Shockley in 1956, where it all begun. While the lab didn’t stand the test of time, it was the first step in the path of world-altering inventions. Mountain View is named for the beautiful view of the Santa Cruz Mountains and offers a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, with warm and dry summers.
If you’re considering making Mountain View your home, here are some costs associated with living here:
- Average house value with a mortgage in Mountain View — $942,550
- Monthly average rent in Mountain View — $2,795 (down 16% y-o-y)
- 10×10 self storage unit in Mountain View — $204/month
- Monthly utilities – $167
- Gasoline (1 gallon) – $2.64
- A dozen eggs – $3.24
- Milk (1 gallon) – $4.61
- A three-course restaurant meal for two – $100
7. Atlanta – Delta Air Lines
As another company that gained the praise of its employees, Delta Air Lines was featured on Glassdoor’s list of best employers. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, a city that promises much to its residents. What is Atlanta famous for? Firstly, Atlanta is home to the Hartsfield-Jackson International airport, the world’s busiest airport, so perhaps it’s no coincidence that an air flying company choose the city as their hub. Close 90 million people travel through this airport on a daily basis.
The famous red bottle soda started out at Dixie Coca-Cola Bottling Company Plant in Atlanta, only to become one of American’s favorite beverages. Civil and human rights activist Martin Luther King and various Civil War battles also made Atlanta famous. The city has undeniable Southern roots reflected in its cuisine too: try traditional fried green tomatoes followed by a Georgia peach cobbler next time you stop at Mary Mac’s, a restaurant’s that been in business since 1945.
Here’s how much of living in Atlanta will cost you:
- Average house value with a mortgage in Atlanta— $317,800
- Monthly average rent in Atlanta — $1,519 (2% higher y-o-y)
- 10×10 self storage unit in Atlanta — $132/month
- Monthly utilities – $167
- Gasoline (1 gallon) – $2.2
- A dozen eggs – $2.21
- Milk (1 gallon) – $3.10
- A three-course restaurant meal for two – $50
8. Seattle, Wash. — Lululemon
The athletic clothing company Lululemon is also on the best employer list issued by Glassdoor and is headquartered in Sumner, close to Seattle. While some employees might live in Sumner, others might be residing in Seattle. Let’s take a look at what makes Emerald City an attractive city. The city attracted several Fortune 500 companies from Amazon to Costco and Starbucks — grab a cup of joe when you arrive as there is no shortage of coffee shops here! Other low-profile companies like Paccar also bring a lot of business and newcomers to the city.
Seattle might be famous for its rainy days, but, in fact, it gets less rain than its southern neighbor, Portland. You can still enjoy sunny springs and summers when you can explore the surroundings outdoors. Mt Rainier is not only a sight to behold, but a great place to go for a hike!
Here’s a list of some common expenses in Seattle:
- Average house value with a mortgage in Seattle — $666,200
- Monthly average rent in Seattle — $1,928 (11% lower y-o-y)
- 10×10 self storage unit in Seattle — $193/month
- Monthly utilities – $203
- Gasoline (1 gallon) – $3.10
- A dozen eggs – $2.91
- Milk (1 gallon) – $3.52
- A three-course restaurant meal for two – $80
9. Redmond, Wash. — Microsoft
Microsoft also made it in the 10 best employers, as ranked by Glassdoor. The famous company is headquartered in Redmond, a stone throw’s away from Seattle. The city became known for its association with Microsoft and Nintendo of America. However, other large companies also reside here: Genie Industries, Physio-Control (part of Stryker) WildTangent and Data I/O, just to name a few.
Redmond is recognizable for its “Bicycle Capital of Northwest” title, which derives from its annual Redmond Bicycle Derby — a race around Lake Sammamish accompanied by all sorts of day-long events. When you come here, you can visit the Microsoft Visitor Center or you can take a walk along the Sammamish River Trail to get a taste of the local outdoors.
Here are some costs associated with living in Redmond:
- Average house value with a mortgage in — $728,000
- Monthly average rent in Redmond — $ $2,052 (2% lower y-o-y)
- 10×10 self storage unit in Redmond — $144
- Monthly utilities – $116
- Gasoline (1 gallon) – $2.89
- A dozen eggs – $2.55
- Milk (1 gallon) – $2.94
- A three-course restaurant meal for two – $60
10. San Antonio — HEB
The grocery company HEB concludes the top 10 best companies to work for, compiled by Glassdoor. HEB originated in Texas and is currently headquartered in San Antonio. What does the city offer its HEB employees and to other prospective newcomers? Behind New York and Los Angeles, San Antonio is the 7th most populated city in the country and the second most populated in Texas after Houston. San Antonio has plenty of attractions from the River Walk to the historic Alamo site and Six Flags Fiesta Texas and is one of America’s most visited cities.
San Antonio is sought after by tourists for its attractions, with the Alamo’s historical site making up the top tourist spot, earning San Antonio the “Alamo City” nickname. The River Walk is a walking and bike path that constitutes the second-most visited attraction of the city that spreads over 13 miles. The city also boasts one of the largest marine life parks in the world (Seaworld) and several amusement parks, including Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Splashtown. San Antonio is a dynamic city that has something in store for everyone!
Here’s a breakdown of some common living costs in San Antonio:
- Average house value with a mortgage in San Antonio — $163,100
- Monthly average rent in San Antonio — $1,055 (1% y-o-y increase)
- 10×10 self storage unit in San Antonio — $99
- Monthly utilities – $161
- Gasoline (1 gallon) – $1.92
- A dozen eggs – $1.98
- Milk (1 gallon) – $3.03
- A three-course restaurant meal for two – $60
Data sources: Point2Homes, Rentcafe, Numbeo, and Yardi Matrix
Moving is an important decision and it’s often related to our job choices. Remember to consider what lifestyle opportunities come with the city that your job is located in to make sure you make the most of your new life.
