5 Amazing Cities for Software Developers Outside of Silicon Valley

Popular culture would have you believe that the majority of software developer jobs exist in Silicon Valley. Though companies like Apple, Adobe and Cisco are headquartered in the San Jose region, most developer positions can actually be found elsewhere. In fact, Quartz reported that a full 90 percent of developers work outside of Silicon Valley, and the majority of those professionals work for smaller organizations, not huge multi-national conglomerates.

The benefits of working outside Silicon Valley

Though San Jose and San Francisco are undoubtedly amazing cities with a lot to offer in terms of work, leisure and culture, high prices have made it difficult for many professionals to sustain a satisfactory work-life balance. After all, earning a six-figure salary is only a good thing if you're not spending most of it on rent and food. Considering that the average one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco costs $3,400 per month according to Rent Jungle, it's easy to see how fast that money could disappear.

Meanwhile, in Denver, where the demand for software developers is expected to grow by 31 percent over the next decade, a one-bedroom apartment costs $1,450/mo. Cost of living can make a big difference in your ability to save for your future goals and it should be considered when deciding where to work. Likewise, you may find that corporate cultures outside of the hyper-competitive Silicon Valley align more closely with your personal preferences.

We've collected data on some of the best cities for developers in 2019 and beyond. If you're considering moving for the next big opportunity, check out our infographic below: