With hybrid and on-site work arrangements becoming more common, many cybersecurity professionals no longer have the freedom to work from anywhere. Instead, they must carefully choose a location not only for their next specific job but for long-term career growth.
While major hubs like San Francisco naturally come to mind — and perform well based on the metrics we evaluated — there are many lesser-known cities that may be just as promising, if not more. These emerging destinations can offer easier access to job opportunities, more sustainable career paths, higher pay, and a lower cost of living.
Here’s a look at the top cities for cybersecurity professionals, plus guidance on choosing the right location for your career.
Key factors to consider
To help you choose the best city for your cybersecurity career, we examined three key factors to consider: career outlook, cost of living, and access to venture capital.
Career outlook
Cities where job opportunities are plentiful not only make career advancement more attainable but also provide valuable — yet often overlooked — benefits such as mentorship, professional networking, and knowledge-sharing.
And while competitive wages are important, it’s equally essential to consider the overall trajectory of compensation. A steady salary increase typically signals a strong and growing demand for cybersecurity talent, whereas stagnant or declining wages may suggest a saturated job market.
We turned to Upwind’s Cybersecurity Job Index to identify the most promising locations. This index analyzed forty-four cities — each with at least 500 cybersecurity job postings — using two key indicators: job growth, reflected in year-over-year (YoY) change in employment; and wage growth, reflected in YoY change in salaries. The result is a reliable benchmark for evaluating where cybersecurity professionals can most easily succeed.
Cost of living
A high salary can quickly be diminished in a high-cost-of-living (HCOL) area. For many IT pros, relocating from an HCOL region to a low-cost-of-living (LCOL) area essentially leverages geographic arbitrage to maximize the value of their income.
This strategy gained traction during the pandemic when widespread remote work enabled employees to leave expensive urban centers for more affordable locales. Cybersecurity professionals are well-positioned to continue this trend even as return-to-office mandates grow more common. Thanks to sustained demand for their expertise, cyber pros can still secure high-paying roles while living in LCOL areas.
To identify promising locations, we consulted Cost of Living rankings from US News & World Report, which are derived from regional price parity data published by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. While these rankings are calculated at the state level — and prices can vary between cities within the same state — they still offer a valuable benchmark for estimating the cost of living in any given city.
Venture capital
A city’s venture capital ecosystem can be a meaningful indicator of sustainable growth. Sometimes a spike in job growth or wages in a specific location can be attributed to a short-term event, such as a major company opening a regional office. In contrast, a strong VC ecosystem signals a steady flow of funding into tech firms — nearly all of which rely on cybersecurity. As a result, states with robust VC activity tend to offer more opportunities and sustainable job growth for cybersecurity pros.
This analysis draws from US News & World Report’s Venture Capital rankings, which assess the total amount of VC investment in each state — sourced from PitchBook-NVCA Venture Monitor data — relative to every $1,000 of the state’s nominal gross domestic product, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Calculated at the state level, these rankings don’t capture city-specific nuances, but they do serve as a strong signal of a state’s overall startup vitality and its capacity to generate demand for cybersecurity talent across its major cities.
Top 12 US cities for job and salary growth in 2025
Indianapolis
Raleigh, N.C.
Cleveland
Kansas City, Mo.
San Francisco
Columbus, Ohio
Pittsburgh
Omaha, Neb.
Cincinnati
Seattle
Boston
Birmingham, Ala.
1. Indianapolis
Best known for the Indy 500 and its deep basketball roots, Indianapolis is quietly becoming a cybersecurity hub. It earned a perfect 10 on Upwind’s Cybersecurity Job Index, with the highest YoY wage increase among all cities tracked, at 17.2%. While its average salary of $106,870 is in the bottom quartile, its regional price parity score of 93.7 boosts that number to a real value of $114,046. Coupled with Indiana’s 18th lowest cost of living, cybersecurity professionals will find their income goes further here. Indianapolis also had the sixth-highest YoY job growth, at 31.8%, to 870 jobs, underscoring rising demand.
Major employers such as Salesforce — which recently reinstated a three-day in-office requirement — along with Infosys, Genesys, Angi, and Formstack have established significant operations in Indianapolis. Rolls-Royce and FedEx also maintain major manufacturing hubs in the city, positioning it as an attractive destination for professionals focused on supply chain and operational technology (OT) cybersecurity.
Indianapolis has a strong local talent pipeline led by Purdue University and Indiana University, both of which offer specialized programs in cybersecurity and related disciplines. Notably, Indiana is one of the few states with a centralized cybersecurity strategy — demonstrating recognition of the field’s importance and fostering public-private collaboration around infrastructure protection.
2. Raleigh, N.C.
Raleigh earned an impressive 9.5 on Upwind’s Cybersecurity Job Index. The city saw a 59% YoY increase in employment, reaching 1,590 cybersecurity jobs. Wages also rose by 8.4%, bringing the average salary to $129,000 — just below the adjusted real wages in higher-cost cities like Seattle and San Francisco. With North Carolina ranked 24th in cost of living, Raleigh offers a strong balance of opportunity and affordability.
What sets Raleigh apart is its place in the Research Triangle, alongside Durham and Chapel Hill — home to North Carolina State University, Duke University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This academic and innovation hub has fueled one of the fastest-growing economies in the country and attracted top-tier tech companies such as Red Hat, Pendo, and Bandwidth. Apple has also chosen Raleigh for a future campus — further validating the region’s tech momentum — even though the project has faced delays.
Raleigh’s position within the Research Triangle makes it especially appealing to cyber pros interested in working at the forefront of applied innovation in cutting-edge R&D centers, high-growth startups, or collaborative university-industry initiatives.
3. Cleveland
Cleveland posted the highest YoY growth in cybersecurity employment among all cities on Upwind’s Cybersecurity Job Index. The city had 1,120 roles, growing from just 700 jobs the previous year — a 60% increase. This surge, combined with a 6.2% increase in YoY wages to an average of $110,050, earned Cleveland a score of 9.0.
Employers hiring for cybersecurity roles in Cleveland include Sherwin-Williams, KeyBank, Eaton, and Cleveland Clinic — the latter offering opportunities for professionals interested in health IT and medical device security. Ohio ranks 16th nationally for cost of living, so your salary can support a high-quality lifestyle. Once hired, cyber pros can build a strong career within Cleveland’s growing, opportunity-rich talent market — or easily explore roles in nearby Columbus or Cincinnati, which also rank on this list.
4. Kansas City, Mo.
Kansas City scored an 8.0 on the Cybersecurity Job Index, reflecting a well-balanced job market. The city experienced a 14% YoY increase in cybersecurity employment, reaching 1,870 jobs. Wages also rose by 13.7% YoY to an average of $107,020 — a salary that you can save more from because Missouri ranks 15th in cost of living.
Kansas City offers a wide range of opportunities for cybersecurity professionals. Key employers include Torch.AI, Commerce Bank, and UMB Financial, along with Cyderes and Fishtech Group, which may appeal to professionals interested in managed security services. The city also benefits from its proximity to St. Louis, which ranks 11th on the Cybersecurity Job Index with a score of 6.4, thanks to 11.5% wage growth but also a -1.7% job market contraction, dropping to 1,750 roles.
Missouri’s strong venture capital ecosystem, which ranks 14th nationally, should support long-term growth in cybersecurity in Kansas City and St. Louis.
5. San Francisco
San Francisco ranks highly on the Cybersecurity Job Index with a score of 7.8. The city saw a 12.8% YoY wage increase, bringing the average salary to $157,660 — an impressive figure that comes with an important caveat: San Francisco is among the few cities where real wages are adjusted downward due to its high cost of living. With a regional price parity of 117.9, adjusted salary drops to $133,729.
All told, the city remains a global tech capital, offering cybersecurity pros access to industry leaders, including Dropbox, Salesforce, Asana, Stripe, Square, Uber, Airbnb, and Pinterest. For many, there’s significant brand value in launching a cybersecurity career at one of these iconic firms — or at rising players such as Pony.ai, an autonomous vehicle company that IPOed in November 2024. That kind of experience can open doors to future roles elsewhere.
Still, with a 15.3% YoY increase in cybersecurity employment — ranking just 14th overall — San Francisco may no longer offer a “Gold Rush” in job volume. However, there is excellent opportunity for entrepreneurial professionals: California ranks second in venture capital, positioning San Francisco as a prime launchpad for cybersecurity startups. Companies like Cloudflare, Okta, Splunk, Lookout, and Sift trace their roots to the City by the Bay.
6. Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the second in Ohio’s cybersecurity triumvirate — alongside Cleveland and Cincinnati — and stands out as a strong option. With a Cybersecurity Job Index score of 7.7, the city saw a 34.3% YoY increase in cybersecurity employment, the fourth-highest among top-ranked cities, bringing the total to 1,450 jobs. It also led Ohio’s metros in wage growth, with a 7.4% increase, raising the average cybersecurity salary to $118,970. That figure outpaces Cleveland ($110,050) and Cincinnati ($111,750), bringing you the most bang for your buck in a state ranked 16th in cost of living. This salary advantage positions Columbus as a top-tier destination for Ohioans looking to advance their cybersecurity careers.
As the state capital, Columbus offers distinct access to government and public-sector cybersecurity roles, including initiatives like Smart Columbus, which focuses on modernizing urban mobility and digital infrastructure. While Ohio ranks just 30th nationally in venture capital, Columbus leads the state in innovation. The presence of The Ohio State University, along with a growing roster of high-growth tech and fintech firms — such as Beam, Root Insurance, and Huntington Bancshares — makes Columbus a dynamic environment for cybersecurity professionals seeking long-term growth.
7. Pittsburgh
The Steel City is steadily reinventing itself as a cybersecurity hub, scoring a 7.3 on the Cybersecurity Job Index, supported by a strong 22.5% YoY increase in employment to 980 jobs. Wages also grew by 9% to an average of $110,220. But with Pennsylvania ranking 27th in cost of living, that salary growth is relatively moderate in real terms.
Pittsburgh offers cybersecurity opportunities across many industries, with major employers such as BNY Mellon, Deloitte, Howmet Aerospace, and Ethical Intruder. What sets the city apart is its status as the unofficial robotics capital of the world — a distinction fueled by a growing tech ecosystem and a venture capital environment ranked 21st nationally. At the heart of this innovation is Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), home to CyLab, a leading institute focused on security and privacy research. CMU is also a key research partner to the US Department of Defense through its CERT Division, housed within the Software Engineering Institute (SEI). Further strengthening its industry ties, CMU partnered with Nvidia in 2024 to launch a joint research center dedicated to robotics, autonomy, and artificial intelligence.
For cybersecurity pros interested in securing emerging technologies — especially as generative AI moves into physical systems like robots and autonomous devices — Pittsburgh may be a strategic place to build your career.
8. Omaha, Neb.
Omaha is often portrayed in American pop culture as a quintessential flyover city. But in the world of finance, it’s anything but remote: Omaha is the hometown of legendary investor Warren Buffett and the site of the annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting, held each May.
Cybersecurity professionals may find their own reasons to look toward Omaha. The city scored a 6.7 on the Cybersecurity Job Index, though that rating is tempered by a modest 5.8% YoY employment growth to 550 jobs. Where Omaha shines is in wage growth. Average cyber salaries rose 10.6% YoY to $108,040. With Nebraska ranking 10th in cost of living, that salary provides a significantly stronger quality of life than in cities with higher wages but HCOL.
While Omaha ranks 37th in venture capital, it still boasts strong employment opportunities with top firms such as Mutual of Omaha, Union Pacific Railroad, SecureSky, and CIWRX. It is also home to the Cyber Security Forum Initiative (CSFI) — a respected nonprofit with over 200,000 members focused on cyber warfare and national security. For professionals affiliated with CSFI, being local means direct access to in-person workshops, networking opportunities, and specialized training unavailable to remote members.
9. Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati earned a Cybersecurity Job Index score of 6.6, with YoY employment growing 34.1% to 1,220 jobs and YoY wages rising 3.2% to $111,750 — both lagging behind its in-state peers, Cleveland and Columbus.
However, Cincinnati’s advantage may lie in its geographic location. Unlike professionals in cities such as Salt Lake City (ranked 44th), who might face the daunting prospect of relocating across the country to pursue better opportunities in a market like Boston (ranked 12th), cybersecurity talent in Cincinnati benefits from proximity to two even stronger hubs just a few hours’ drive away.
This accessibility allows professionals to begin their careers in Cincinnati — at companies like Procter & Gamble, which is headquartered there — and later transition to more senior roles in Columbus or Cleveland, all without the disruption of a major cultural or geographic shift. For Ohioans, this trio of cities forms a robust, interconnected ecosystem for cybersecurity careers, offering the opportunity to grow professionally while remaining rooted in the Buckeye State.
10. Seattle
Many top tech companies have headquarters or major offices in and around Seattle, including Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, Meta (Facebook), and Google. With such a dense concentration of industry heavyweights, Seattle is a natural contender for anyone looking to build a cybersecurity career. The city ranks 7th in venture capital and earned a 6.5 on the Cybersecurity Job Index.
Seattle saw a 13.3% YoY increase in cybersecurity wages, bringing the average salary to $154,600. However, like San Francisco, Seattle is one of the few cities where real wages are adjusted downward. With a regional price parity of 113.68, the adjusted real wage drops to $136,001 — a critical consideration given that Washington ranks 48th in cost of living.
Combined, San Francisco (4,520 cybersecurity jobs) and Seattle (3,910) accounted for nearly 47% of all cybersecurity roles across the top 10 cities. Yet, despite its size, Seattle was the only city in the top 10 to post a negative YoY change in employment at -8.6%. This downturn may signal that Seattle is one of the primary markets losing jobs to emerging, lower-cost tech hubs. Cybersecurity professionals based there may face greater competition in a contracting market. Still, the long-term advantage of having Microsoft, Amazon, or other tech giants on your resume is a powerful incentive to weather the short-term headwinds.
Bonus: Boston
For some cybersecurity professionals, a well-paying job is just a stepping stone. Their goal may instead be to launch their own cybersecurity startup — especially as emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, and IoT create new attack surfaces and corresponding business opportunities. Many of today’s industry giants — CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, Darktrace, Wiz, Abnormal Security, and Snyk — were once ambitious upstarts founded by domain experts who saw gaps in the market.
Others aim to join a rising tech company early, securing a cybersecurity role at a high-growth startup with the potential for a significant financial upside. For example, one survey found that 76% of Nvidia employees were millionaires thanks mainly to their stock options — a powerful example of what early-stage equity can deliver.
Boston offers a compelling blend of opportunity and access for professionals with this mindset. Ranked first in venture capital, Massachusetts is a national hotspot for startup activity and scaleup momentum. Boston ranks 12th on the Cybersecurity Job Index with a score of 6.3 and saw a 14.6% YoY increase in employment to 3,920 jobs and a 6.9% YoY wage rise to a $132,810 average. As not just a college town but arguably the best one, Boston offers founder-inclined cyber pros access to a deep talent pool from Harvard, MIT, Boston College, Boston University, Northeastern, and many more.
The tradeoff is the cost of living. Massachusetts ranks 47th, making it one of the most expensive states to live in. But for those betting on the next big thing, the potential returns — professionally and financially — could far outweigh the cost of eggs. Cyber pros who aren’t drawn to living in Boston but are seeking a similar opportunity profile may want to consider New York City as an alternative.
Bonus: Birmingham, Ala.
Once nicknamed the “Magic City” for its explosive growth in the late 1800s, Alabama may be earning that title again — this time for its rising profile in cybersecurity. Ranked 17th on the Cybersecurity Job Index with a score of 5.9, Birmingham has experienced modest YoY growth in employment of 9.1% to 600 jobs and in wages of 6.5% to $106,010.
What makes Birmingham compelling is its exceptionally low cost of living. Alabama ranks third nationally, behind only Arkansas and Mississippi — two states with no cities featured on Upwind’s list. For professionals pursuing a high-salary, low-cost-of-living strategy — such as those interested in financial independence, retire early (FIRE) — Birmingham presents a rare opportunity to stretch income without sacrificing career prospects.
The city is also home to several notable tech companies, including Shipt, McLeod Software, Atlas RFID Solutions, EBSCO Industries, and Fleetio, which recently secured a $450 million Series D. This significant influx of capital into a Birmingham-headquartered company suggests growing venture capital confidence in the local tech ecosystem — even as Alabama currently ranks only 25th in venture capital. High-profile deals like this may help draw more investor attention to the city and, in turn, spur the creation of new cybersecurity job opportunities.
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