What are the best cities for tech jobs? That’s a complex question, and it depends on several factors. For many technologists, it’s not just a question of the overall number of jobs available; they also want a reasonable cost of living, a solid job market for the foreseeable future, and the potential for a high salary.

CompTIA has a list of the top 20 cities for tech jobs, broken down by job postings, expected growth in tech jobs over the next five years, median tech salary, and whether the local cost of living is higher than the national average. The organization relied on data from Emsi Burning Glass (which collects and analyzes millions of job postings from across the country) as well as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Here’s the full breakdown:

Metro areas like Austin, San Jose, San Francisco, and New York City regularly appear on lists of “best tech cities,” often for clear-cut reasons: Despite a high cost of living, they all offer ample job opportunities and high salaries. In addition to those major tech hubs, CompTIA’s list also features some unexpected (and interesting) cities, such as Charlotte, Huntsville, Colorado Springs, and Hartford.

Within many of those cities, the cost of living is notably lower than the national average. Combine that with solid salaries and expected growth, and you have the very definition of up-and-coming tech hubs. For the leaders of these cities (both elected officials and tech-company executives), maintaining that momentum for the long term will hinge on several factors, including whether there are enough amenities, housing, and schools to attract and retain technologists. 

On a broader level, lists like this one demonstrate (yet again) that you don’t need to live in Silicon Valley, Seattle, or New York City to find a fulfilling tech job, or even a great tech community; all across the country, opportunities are springing up in cities large and small.