13 Best Cities for Jobs: The Milken Institute

Would you move to Fort-Hood, Texas if it meant finally finding a job? The Milken Institute released its annual Best Performing Cities 2010 report this week. Texas once again clinches six of the top spots based on how well the cities create, promote and sustain jobs.

The study credits Texan cities' rankings to the state's business friendly climate and vibrant tech industry. "The Great Recession has taken a toll on many cities," said Ross DeVol, executive director of economic research at the Milken Institute and lead author on the report, in a statement. "But those that are sustaining their job markets are doing so through a good mix of high-tech industries, favorable business climates and diversified service-sector industries. These are definite lessons for how American metros can be prepared to survive economic turmoil."

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.

Considering the current economic client, many of the cities are still facing hard times. But some are responding better than others. How does your city rank on the list? If it meant a good job, could you pack up and move to any of the cities on the list? Check out our photos and vote below:

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#13 Brownsville-Harlingen, TX

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The Brownsville-Harlingen, TX area, population 396,371, jumped from the 70th spot in 2009 to thirteenth in the 2010 study. The area's job growth between April 2009 - April 2010 was 0.64 %

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The Brownsville-Harlingen, TX area, population 396,371, jumped from the 70th spot in 2009 to thirteenth in the 2010 study. The area's job growth between April 2009 - April 2010 was 0.64 %

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IHateTheGOP said on 16 Saturday 2010 am31 10:56 am: Yea, I'm gonna move to Alabama to get a job. Problem is, you wouldn't be able to leave your house without wanting to commit suicide.

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[In spiritu et veritate]

06:58 PM on 11/09/2010

I think not... Gov Perry at the helm... Take a look at the deficit:(

[MyrtleJune]

04:25 PM on 11/08/2010

BUT who would want to live in any of those places? Except Austin perhaps but still it is in Texas and who knows when they will leave the union. Still..... come ON let's start making things again and create some REAL jobs. America is FAILING badly. Let me be clear on why that is...... republicans.

[Angelo Diamantidis]

01:32 PM on 11/07/2010

OK, one more time, for the economically ill-informed. Recessions and depressions happen because demand for goods and services dries up, because of built-in contradictions in the capitalist model (otherwise known as business cycles). Unemployment is up, unsold inventories are up, demand is way down. Everyone is holding on to their dollars as if there is no tomorrow. At that point, it is the duty of responsible government to stimulate the economy by financing projects/programs that will in turn stimulate demand (with a multiplier effect), that will once again get the private sector back on its feet and moving forward. A classic example was the US govt spending massive amounts of borrowed money to fight World War II. Unfortunately, war is the ultimate consumer of goods and services. You CANNOT beat a recession/depression by lowering taxes and shrinking government - just ask Herbert Hoover!!!! By definition, in a recession/depression, the private sector is flat on its back and cannot get back on its own feet without govt assistance. Obama's stimulus didn't work nearly as well as it could have because, thanks to Republicans and Blue Dog Democrats, the stimulus was only 1/8 the size that it needed to be to get the economy rolling again. People, wake up - you cannot make chicken salad out of chicken feathers!!!!

[Angelo Diamantidis]

01:15 PM on 11/07/2010

"The rate of job decline in bla-bla-bla was minus bla-bla-bla"???? What kind of tortured English is this? Never mind about moving to some capitalist haven where I might find a job - where can I move to where people speak the kind of English other people can still understand? As usual, George Orwell had it exactly right. When language becomes debased - and God, is it ever - what hope can there be for ANY of us?

[pennamike]

05:25 PM on 10/18/2010

That is Brownsville Pa in this picture not Brownsville Texas . Lets do our reserch.

[Jacob77030]

08:50 PM on 10/28/2010

Yes. No hills in Brownsville Texas.

[kal s]

04:02 PM on 10/18/2010

I've lived in Lafayette, Louisiana all my life. I've traveled the United States and many countries of the world and choose to make Lafayette my home. I must say that it is a pearl.

This is not the first “Best Of” list Lafayette has been named to. Lafayette is frequently mentioned as one of the best places to live, work, play, study and eat in the U. S. Lafayette is not a backwater dump. Quite the opposite. Lafayette mixes the amenities of urban life of a much larger city, including a major research university, art, museums, music, modern retail and medical centers, with a small town atmosphere. The people here are unique, friendly, and independent. We have a history of racial, social and religious tolerance.

The city is very progressive, and has the only real net increase in population in the last 10 years in the state. Our unemployment is consistently one of the lowest in the nation. The economy of Lafayette is diverse, despite the stereotype that it's oil-driven. Innovative businesses locate here: high tech and software companies, jewelry manufacturers, a fledgling movie industry, and several national research centers. We funded and built our own fiber optic system to connect every home and business. We are a unique melting pot of cultures, drawing tourism dollars second only to New Orleans.

Lafayette has seen tremendous growth in the last ten years and the next ten years looks just as promising. It deserves to be on this list.

[MyrtleJune]

04:26 PM on 11/08/2010

What is the major industry/employer there? I'm reconsidering. Progressive you say? I'm surprised by that. Please tell more :-)

[Hollister68]

07:21 AM on 11/09/2010

The medical field is a huge employer. Oil and gas is still here, though after the bust in the 80's the city has tried to diversify. Entertainment is a growing sector. They are shooting more movies around here. LITE hired or is hiring about 100 graphic artists to convert movies into 3-D. The University of Louisiana in Lafayette is a major research facility. It tends to get overshadowed by LSU, though. Restaurants and tourism is a large industry here. Check out the wiki page. You can also check out City-Data. The Lafayette promoters really come out in force on that site! And it is a progressive town for the south. I have lived in 4 others and can vouch for that.

[Foxy Pachyderm]

12:53 AM on 10/18/2010

Red States = Jobs

Blue States = Welfare

[ChangeNow]

06:59 AM on 10/18/2010

Best economy with most job growth = Blue state. Massachusetts.

[Brian Rowe]

09:33 PM on 10/17/2010

ya, these places are in the middle of nowhere

[bannorhill]

09:08 AM on 10/18/2010

DC is in the middle of nowhere....you may have a point.

[mrh85]

02:04 PM on 10/18/2010

Austin? Houston? DC?

[winstonian22]

08:34 PM on 10/17/2010

I think this thing is skewed. Probably 50 percent of MORE of the jobs in Killeen are all at Fort Hood. I dont think the military pay scale is comparable to the pitfalls of the private sector. The military doesnt go out of business, bottom line.

[notime4boredom]

07:46 PM on 10/17/2010

It's remarkable that so many readers would find it so distasteful to live in a state where they may have different opinions, values, backgrounds, etc. from their neighbors that they would be unwilling to take a job there. How do you people define intolerance?

[GorgyPorgy]

06:00 PM on 10/17/2010

Imagine that, 90% are red states. Democrats are not producing jobs.

[JavaManiac]

05:50 PM on 10/17/2010

No wonder they have jobs.

Who would want to live George Bush Country or Teabaggerland

The only ones worth considering would be Alexandria, VA and the one near Seattle.

[winstonian22]

08:35 PM on 10/17/2010

Youve obviously never been to Austin, otherwise you wouldnt post such ignorance. Austin is one of the more liberal cities in America.

[Foxy Pachyderm]

12:44 AM on 10/18/2010

Awww someone's bitter that their Dear Leader's stimulus package didn't create any jobs. You want a job? Move somewhere where socialism isn't considered cool.

[12Purple]

05:01 PM on 11/08/2010

Trickle down didn't work either. Read and understand history. BTW - I am assuming that you are educated and did well in the comprehension department.

[gevan]

03:33 PM on 10/17/2010

Edinburg-McAllen-Mission has a Woolworth? What decade do they live in there?

[Katzencats]

10:06 PM on 10/17/2010

I noticed that, too. They couldn't find a more recent picture for the slide show???

[Cat9]

03:04 PM on 10/17/2010

Notice that by a huge majority, these are all cities in RED states!

[ZDuck]

04:07 PM on 10/17/2010

And places no one wants to live in.

[Informed]

07:11 PM on 10/17/2010

Does it really need repeating? W nearly brought the US, and the rest of the world, to its knees just about two years ago. Since then the Dems have been attempting a economic revival. Exactly how blind are you Republicans anyway?

[winstonian22]

08:31 PM on 10/17/2010

The Democratic congress did that, stooge. Before they took over there were 52 straight months of job growth in the United States.

[LaBrayne35]

02:19 PM on 10/17/2010

So half the cities are in Texas...the economy is good there thanks to Republicans in charge. And it will look good in time for the rest of the country after we BOOT the tax and spend Democrats out of office in 2 weeks.

[moose and squirrel]

04:19 PM on 10/17/2010

you have a budget shortfall. didnt you governor tell you?

[Informed]

07:12 PM on 10/17/2010

Again, a near DEPRESSION under Republican leadership. Please switch the channel.

[Foxy Pachyderm]

12:45 AM on 10/18/2010

Actually, Congress was under Democrat leadership in 2007, and has been ever since. I guess you aren't as "informed" as you claim to be.