Key Details:
- LinkedIn News just released its 2025 list of the top 25 U.S. Cities on the Rise for jobs and talent, with Grand Rapids, Boise, and Harrisburg leading the pack.
- Paired with Realtor.com housing data, this report highlights mid-sized metros where hiring is booming, incomes are rising, and professionals are on the move.
If you’re still thinking job opportunity means moving to a major metro, it’s time to update your map.
According to LinkedIn’s new Cities on the Rise 2025 report, mid-sized metros are leading the way when it comes to hiring momentum, professional migration, and overall career opportunity.
With many of these areas offering a lower cost of living and a strong sense of community, professionals across the country are packing their bags.
The report ranks 25 metros with fewer than 2.5 million LinkedIn members, using data on job growth, talent inflow, and hiring trends. We’ve paired those insights with median list prices and incomes from Realtor.com to give real estate professionals a fuller picture of where growth is happening, and why it matters.
Let’s start with the top 10 cities leading the pack.
Top 10 U.S. Cities on the Rise (2025)
- Grand Rapids, MI
- Boise, ID
- Harrisburg, PA
- Albany, NY
- Milwaukee, WI
- Portland, ME
- Myrtle Beach, SC
- Hartford, CT
- Nashville, TN
- Omaha, NE
Details on All 25 Metros
1. Grand Rapids, MI
- Median list price: $424,950
- Median household income: $82,065
Grand Rapids tops LinkedIn’s list thanks to a booming job market and a fast-growing downtown. Its industrial identity is evolving, with a rising tech and insurance sector drawing in young professionals.
2. Boise, ID
- Median list price: $625,000
- Median household income: $86,463
Boise’s job market is thriving, driven by Micron’s expansion in semiconductor manufacturing. The city’s natural beauty and outdoor lifestyle are helping attract top tech and professional talent.
3. Harrisburg, PA
- Median list price: $355,000
- Median household income: $77,355
Affordable housing and strong job growth in healthcare and small business are making Harrisburg a destination for both retirees and working professionals. Increased tourism is also adding energy to the local economy.
4. Albany, NY
- Median list price: $449,850
- Median household income: $85,955
A billion-dollar boost from university investment is fueling Albany’s rise as a hub for tech and semiconductor research. A steady stream of talent from local colleges supports growth across healthcare and professional services.
5. Milwaukee, WI
- Median list price: $409,950
- Median household income: $74,222
Tourism is a major economic engine in Milwaukee, and a growing housing market combined with new tech jobs is turning the city into a magnet for professionals seeking both opportunity and affordability.
6. Portland, ME
- Median list price: $675,000
- Median household income: $91,640
An expanding startup ecosystem and a growing healthcare sector are drawing professionals to Portland. Its food scene, walkability, and coastal lifestyle only add to the appeal.
7. Myrtle Beach, SC
- Median list price: $328,950
- Median household income: $63,686
Myrtle Beach is building beyond its tourist identity. With a rising retiree population and growth in healthcare and manufacturing, it’s becoming a more stable year-round economy.
8. Hartford, CT
- Median list price: $463,900
- Median household income: $94,838
Hartford’s economy is getting a boost from new and expanding businesses. Known for its insurance roots, the city is now seeing new energy in manufacturing, healthcare, and finance.
9. Nashville, TN
- Median list price: $548,450
- Median household income: $85,166
Oracle’s relocation to Nashville brought 8,500 jobs and global visibility. The city continues to boom in healthcare and tech, making it a top landing spot for relocating professionals.
10. Omaha, NE
- Median list price: $400,000
- Median household income: $85,685
Omaha’s strength in finance, insurance, and healthcare is driving job growth and new business creation. A stable housing market and affordability make it attractive for workers and entrepreneurs alike.
11. Kansas City, MO/KS
- Median list price: $409,475
- Median household income: $80,127
While the NFL franchise draws headlines, Kansas City’s real growth is in its rising tech workforce and strong hiring across healthcare and manufacturing.
12. Wilmington, NC
- Median list price: $499,900
- Median household income: $76,406
Port investment and major corporate expansions are powering Wilmington’s job market. Local hiring is strongest in professional services, healthcare, and manufacturing.
13. Richmond, VA
- Median list price: $455,226
- Median household income: $87,394
A booming health-tech sector and a competitive housing market are fueling growth in Richmond. Top employers like Capital One and VCU are leading the way.
14. Indianapolis, IN
- Median list price: $338,450
- Median household income: $79,724
Billions in downtown development and strong tourism are energizing Indy’s economy. Growth in logistics and pharmaceutical manufacturing is driving local hiring.
15. Colorado Springs, CO
- Median list price: $515,000
- Median household income: $87,756
Colorado Springs is emerging as a national hub for aerospace and defense. Major investments from global firms are pushing job growth in tech and government.
16. Sacramento, CA
- Median list price: $632,463
- Median household income: $93,641
California’s capital is benefiting from major investments in healthcare and semiconductor manufacturing. Infrastructure upgrades like a $1.3B airport expansion are positioning the city for its next phase of growth.
17. Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson, SC
- Median list price: $393,250
- Median household income: $68,443
With a $55M inland port expansion and continued industrial investment, this Southeast metro is building a strong foundation for global trade and logistics.
18. Austin, TX
- Median list price: $524,950
- Median household income: $102,412
Austin’s tech and startup dominance continues to attract talent from across the country. Ongoing infrastructure development is keeping pace with its explosive population growth.
19. Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Median list price: $462,473–$495,000
- Median household income: $98,138
The Research Triangle’s biotech sector and world-class universities are fueling a wave of residential and job growth. It’s one of the most dynamic metros for STEM talent.
20. Portland, OR
- Median list price: $615,000
- Median household income: $94,748
A renewed entrepreneurial spirit and rebound in downtown activity are helping Portland reclaim its reputation for innovation and livability.
21. Fayetteville, AR
- Median list price: $455,000
- Median household income: $76,682
Anchored by the Arkansas Research and Technology Park and proximity to Walmart’s HQ, Fayetteville is becoming a magnet for tech and logistics professionals.
22. Reno, NV
- Median list price: $624,850
- Median household income: $84,653
Tech expansions by Apple and Google and Reno’s status as a key logistics hub are driving growth. No state income tax is a major draw for both talent and capital.
23. San Antonio, TX
- Median list price: $340,275
- Median household income: $73,281
San Antonio is reinventing itself as a tech and manufacturing center, with Gen Z professionals and out-of-state talent pouring into the city.
24. Fort Wayne, IN
- Median list price: $324,925
- Median household income: $71,093
With new data center investments and a low cost of living, Fort Wayne is seeing steady inbound migration and rising job opportunities.
25. Pensacola, FL
- Median list price: $370,001
- Median household income: $72,161
Once overlooked, Pensacola is now gaining steam as a Gulf Coast hub for both remote workers and high-tech manufacturers.
Takeaways for Real Estate Agents
- Migration follows momentum. As job markets heat up in these metros, so does housing demand. Agents in these areas should be ready for more out-of-town buyers.
- Affordability remains key. Most of the top 25 cities have median home prices well below the national average, which makes them even more appealing to young professionals and downsizing boomers.
- These aren’t flash-in-the-pan markets. Many of the metros on this list are experiencing sustained growth driven by infrastructure investments and long-term employer commitments.
Whether you’re helping clients relocate to one of these rising metros or leveraging this data to promote your local market, the Cities on the Rise list is a timely reminder that big opportunity doesn’t always mean a big city.
