14 Best Cities For Jobs: The Milken Institute

Job seekers take heed, the best cities to find work may be in Texas. The Milken Institute, a nonpartisan economic think tank, released its annual Best Performing Cities Index earlier this week, and the Lone Star state dominated the rankings. Cities in the index were ranked based on how well they create and foster jobs, and the data used in the assessment reflected both long- and short-term measurements of employment, wage/salary, and technological growth.

Texas, it turns out, accounted for four of the top five cities in the report. The study's authors suggested that the Texas metropolitan areas ranked so well due to their resources and technology sector, in addition to the "state's favorable business climate and its ability to attract jobs and corporations away from higher-cost states":

Regional economic factors also strongly influenced the rankings this year, with the oil and gas sector, technology and alternative energy providing stability among metros in Texas, North Carolina, Washington and Louisiana, which also benefited from low dependence on housing/construction. Austin in particular has been helped by its strong tech industry. It is the first metro to ever be ranked number one twice on the index, the last time being in 2000.

For many of the cities, performing well this year was a matter of sidestepping the worst pitfalls of the recession in order to maintain the status quo. From the report:

"'Best performing' sometimes means retaining what you have," said Ross DeVol, director of Regional Economics and lead author of the report. "In a period of recession, the index highlights metros that have adapted to weather the storm. As we move forward in a recovery that still lacks jobs, metros will be further tested in their ability to sustain themselves."

The rankings, however, aren't necessarily definitive. Does your city appear on the list? Which city would you rather live -- and work -- in? Check out our photos and vote below:

#14 El Paso, TX

The El Paso, Texas metropolitan area, population 742,062, ranked fourteenth in the 2009 study. The area's job growth/decline between March 2008 and March 2009 was -.78%.

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Comments

[Levonsky]

"The Milken Institute, a nonpartisan economic think tank,"

Why do I doubt the veracity of this statement?

[RoveRoveRoveYourBoat]

...a squed PR piece which doesn't account for rattlesnakes
or two-legged ultra-right-wing slithering reptiles.

[NoMoreBail2]

There wont be any positive change for middle and lower class form the Obammi administration. Expect more of the same BS that was 2002-2007. More bonuses for wall street, surging stock market, booming economy, widening wealth gap, surging gas, surging food, unfordable education & health care & surging oil prices, continuation of Iraq/Afghanistan wars, and high unemployment.

hat tip to; http://financeopinionss.blogspot.com

[InofTouch]

Texas Haters all around...d­o a good job and have the rest of the states angry about there situations

[derrickhoyle]

Cali haters too.

[NoMoreBail2]

We, the American people, dug ourselves into this hold for which there is no escape.a

good articles; http://financeopinionss.blogspot.com

[josephebacon]

It's from the Mr. Junk Bond's think tank, so I'm not surprised at all those Republican areas on the list. Frankly, I'd rather stay where I am in Los Angeles than live in such an insane asylum as Texas.

[InofTouch]

Well it nice to see someone go down with California ship...hop­e you have your lifevest

[belyeu]

Jose, There are very few places as crazy as Los Angeles. There is nothing sane about Hollywood, east, or central LA, in fact it's a s**t hole.

[The Fanatic]

You yankees sure do have your drawers bunched up over that list. Makes me love Texas even more that we have the power to get you all so worked up.

[zombie fairy]

You really think it's a coincidence that GW Bush hails from Texas, and now in the aftermath of his presidency, it's the only state in the country that's thriving? That's what my yankee knickers are in a bunch about.

[InofTouch]

well then a elect a northern president.­...that way your state benfits and the other 49 don't

[The Fanatic]

Texas was booming way before W. Learn your history. Texas has always thrived and always will.

[ccpostman]

All are right to work states except for Washington State.

Hope you like flipping burgers for less than the minimum wage!

[lullu]

I lived in Houston for 14 years and while there are worse places to live it must be one of the ugliest cities in the nation. Wall to wall concrete and full of rabid republicans. The summer heat is disgusting. It does have the highest standard of living vs cost but at the end of the day quality of life is what counts.

[The Fanatic]

You stupidly picked Houston. In typical yankee style, no research , just jumping in with both feet, then a judgement that ALL of Texas sucks.

Have you ever looked at a map of Texas? Guess what. It's big.

[ccpostman]

Nothing a few hurricanes can't fix.

Just another reason NOT to live there! It is a total humid sweatbox in the summer.

[texastrixie]

Austin/Round Rock is one of the most liberal pockets in Texas, so that's good. But, know someone who has been out of a job in this area for over 8 months, and he has a degree. Don't come down here without a little cash - there is almost no safety net here, and I think there are all kinds of rules to keep the taxpayers from supporting people who haven't lived here for at least 3?/6? months or something. We do have jobs, but it may not be as many as you think. I think the fact we have ANY jobs is the only reason we are considered to be a top place to find employment.

Basics: Not a welfare state, so don't expect help. Right to work state, so they can fire you just because they don't like what you wore to work that day. Don't expect your vote to count for anything, unless its Austin. The Republican majority wins almost everything. Weather is hot as blue blazes (so hot we have cutesy names for it), and while its raining now, no guarantee that it will rain at all next summer.

Good luck.

[InofTouch]

Metro city well be county blue but it well be a whole red

[jeffrey678]

My cousins moved to Houston, TX in 1980. The economy is good but it's the redneck capital of the world. Roaches, fire ants are everywhere. When they visit NY they are relieved to allow their kids to go outside and enjoy the parks and fresh air .

[belyeu]

Jeff, Seems there is something your cousin is not telling you. NY in infested with vermin.

http://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/20/nyregion/metro-news-briefs-new-york-vermin-problems-noted-in-many-supermarkets.html

The air quality is considered to be among the worst in the country.

http://www.nysun.com/new-york/air-quality-in-new-york-dangerous/75615/

BTW, I have some very good and potentially profitable swamp land that you and your cousin may be interested in at a very low price.

[NoMoreBail2]

No more bailouts for too big to fail. NO more stupid tax cuts and other gimmicks. Need more jobs, affordable education & heath care.

good articles; http://financeopinionss.blogspot.com

[gutenmorgen]

Judging from the list Texas is the best state to live in today. Tomorrow? Who can tell?

[minnehot]

It's a Red State list - no surprise - low taxes, minimal regulation, pro-business government = jobs.

GOP 10'

[chronic]

pro-business and anti worker

gNOPE 10

[Jibba-Jabba]

Thank god they finally separated Raleigh and Durham on a list of metro areas... it's about time.

Go Bulls!!!

[chronic]

As we move forward that separation is more difficult to define.

[angelwax]

Woopie!! let's all move to texas and push all the texans out. What a useless article----

[InofTouch]

useless enough to read

[The Fanatic]

Woopie! How about don't and say you did.