Austin Ranked Top City for Job Seekers

Amongst the many reasons people move, jobs, family, and housing are statistically some of the more common driving factors. But where are people moving to? For people relocating for a new job, the number one answer is Austin.

A recent report by Realtor.com analyzed LinkedIn data over 12 months to see where people were moving for work, and the data showed that Austin is the top city for job seekers. Between 2020 and 2021, Austin saw a 33% increase in people relocating to the city for jobs according to the report.

Hiring in Austin has also increased 25% between November 2020 and November 2021, according to a LinkedIn Workforce Report. In that time, most of the people moving to Austin from out of state came from California and New York, which shows that many workers are leaving the most expensive cities in favor of comparably more affordable areas. In addition, The Wall Street Journal ranked Austin as the number two job market in the U.S.

Why people are moving to Austin

There are endless reasons people want to live in Austin, and these motivations were supercharged by the pandemic and the ensuing job market shakeup. As many jobs began to allow remote work, people began to realize that they could keep their jobs and move, in Austin’s case, to somewhere warm and vibrant. People also quit and moved in 2021 to find new work.

CBS News reported that more than 20 million people quit their jobs in the last six months of 2021, and LinkedIn's chief economist Karin Kimbrough told CBS News that more Americans are resigning than ever before. This has been dubbed by many as “The Great Resignation”.

The pandemic made people consider what was the most important to them, and for many, a better work-life balance was at the top of the list. This led to people leaving their positions and moving for a job, and the main place that people are moving to for work is Austin. Austin offers a great balance because of the opportunities to unwind without having to travel far. Just clocked out for the day? Hit up one of the many nearby hike and bike trails, explore new culinary creations, or enjoy some live music.

There are also a variety of financial benefits to working in Austin, like the fact that there is no state income tax. And for those looking to move and start their own business, WalletHub ranked Texas as the best state to do that.

Austin tech jobs

The city is quickly becoming a hub for top tech companies, with Google, Amazon, Canva, Facebook, Dell, Apple, Oracle, and more all having a presence in Austin. Though it may seem like tech in town is a new development, Austin gained the nickname ‘Silicon Hills’ in the ‘80s when companies like Samsung, IBM, and National Instruments set up shop.

These Austin tech jobs draw people from across the country looking to work for one of these large businesses. Another LinkedIn data report analyzed specifically tech migration data, and Austin topped that list, too. The city gained 217 tech workers for every 10,000 existing tech workers.

The big names in tech are also making big money moves here. Google plans to invest $50 billion dollars in office space and data centers across Texas, and they plan on opening a fourth office in Austin in 2023, KVUE reported.

When the Austin Tesla factory was announced, they pledged to fuel Austin job growth. They’ve since created more than 5,000 new jobs in 2021, according to KVUE. On top of that, the Austin American-Statesman reported that CEO and founder Elon Musk plans to hire 10,000 more employees in 2022.

Job seekers searching for work at Tesla have an even better chance now that Musk plans to move the company headquarters from California to Austin. For those in the Pflugerville area, Musk’s tunneling and infrastructure company (The Boring Company) has leased and is renovating a space there, according to the Austin American-Statesman.

Relocating to Austin 

Looking forward a bit more, according to The Austin Business Journal, the Austin Chamber of Commerce expects Austin to add 291,797 jobs by 2027. So if you’re thinking about moving for a job that offers career growth, put the Lone Star State on your list of options.

Aside from job opportunities, Austin is a popular place to call home amongst nature lovers, music enthusiasts, and foodies. If you’re planning on making the move, request a free relocation guide today.