Best Cities for Business Analysts

Business Analysts are currently in demand across America. If you are looking for a job in business analysis but aren’t sure which city has the best professional options, this article will explore the top five cities for Business Analysts in 2023, as well as what makes them good places to relocate.

What Makes a City Good for Business Analysts?

Pursuing a career in business analytics is an excellent option in 2023. Business Analyst positions are considered among the best jobs for recent college graduates. If you are considering moving to a new city to start a career in business analytics or already work in this field and are looking for new professional opportunities, many factors can inform this decision, such as job opportunities, salary ranges, professional community, and tech options. The following are just a few factors to consider when deciding which city is suitable for you:

Job Opportunities

Because more data is being created than ever before, and because both small and large organizations rely on this data to make crucial decisions, a career as a Business Analyst is currently very popular in America. The job market for Business Analysts is expected to expand by nearly 15% between 2016 and 2026. While there are currently business analyst jobs available in every state, an important consideration when moving to a new city is how easy it will be to find a Business Analyst position.

Currently, the five states with the highest number of Business Analyst positions are:

1. California: 102,580
2. Virginia: 48,070
3. Florida: 42,790
4. New York: 42,510
5. Illinois: 38,840

While the state’s size is a consideration in arriving at these numbers, so are other factors, such as quality of life or tech community. For example, in states such as Wyoming that currently have only 380 reported Business Analyst positions, finding employment in this field is likely more challenging than in a state with many tech hubs, such as New York or Texas.

High Salaries

While high salary rates are an important consideration when applying for jobs, it’s essential to also consider the cost of living in a city. For example, the average salary for Business Analysts living in California is approximately $96,000, and the average salary in Illinois is $91,000; the pay rate in Illinois for Business Analysts goes further toward paying for living expenses there than it does in California. This is why states like Virginia offer excellent prospects for aspiring Business Analysts, with a reasonable cost of living, high pay rates, and ample job openings.

Strong Business Analyst Community

A key consideration when deciding where to move for a career in business analytics is the location’s Business Analyst community. Cities with networking options and other activities for professional development in this field can lead to more (and better) job opportunities for Business Analysts. In addition, because some Business Analyst positions require learning new software, technology, or applications, cities such as Boston or New York with ample educational providers may be more appealing than cities with fewer educational resources. 

Tech Hub

Another important consideration when relocating for work is whether the city optimizes its technological resources. While it’s not necessary to move to a tech hub such as New York City or Dallas to be immersed in a thriving tech scene, there are many benefits of working in a tech-related field in a city with a good tech scene:

• You’ll have the necessary resources to succeed professionally.
• You will likely have diverse neighbors with different racial, educational, and religious backgrounds.
• You will have good internet speed and stable internet options at home and work.
• You’ll see a variety of start-ups, as well as Fortune 500 companies, post job openings.
• You’ll have access to many open positions with higher salary rates than elsewhere.

Top Cities for Business Analysts

Boston, Massachusetts

Business Analysts working in the Boston area make a yearly salary of about $146K. In addition to the city's competitive pay rates, there are many reasons Boston is a great place to live. The city has something for everyone. It offers over 50 museums, excellent public transportation, an array of green spaces, a diverse food scene, and some of the country’s most reputable higher educational institutions. Not only is Boston a central location for travel within the Northeastern U.S., but it’s a destination spot in itself.

Atlanta, Georgia

Another great city for aspiring Business Analysts is Atlanta. The average yearly salary of Business Analysts living in Atlanta is $123,000. One-quarter of Atlanta’s population is currently comprised of millennials. There are many benefits to moving to Atlanta, which is why it is attracting so many young people. The city provides a variety of small shops and businesses, a great culinary scene, and a reasonable cost of living compared to other metro areas. Atlanta also boasts socioeconomic diversity, mild winters, and one of the world’s largest airports. 

Houston, Texas

As of 2023, Houston is the number-one city in the U.S. to work as a Business Analyst. According to Indeed.com, Business Analysts in Houston make about $107,000 annually, with an additional $4,500 in bonuses. U.S. News and World Report voted Houston as the 58th best place to live in America. In addition to being a thriving tech hub, Houston’s median house price is lower than other comparable metro areas, which makes the cost of living there below the national average.

Washington, DC

Another great city to pursue a career in business analytics is Washington, D.C. Indeed estimates the average salary for a Business Analyst working in D.C. in 2023 to be $85,000, with an additional $4,000 in annual cash bonuses. Not only is Washington, D.C., a convenient East Coast hub, but those who live there experience history and culture all around, from museums to monuments. In addition, D.C. was recently voted the third-best city in America for millennials to move to, partly because of its ample job opportunities, free events and activities, and diverse food and entertainment options.

Chicago, IL

Chicago is another good city for Business Analysts to work and live in. Indeed.com places the average yearly salary for a Chicago-based Business Analyst to be $87,000, with $4,000 in cash bonuses. Chicago is the third-largest city in America but is considered easy to navigate. The L runs through much of Chicago, which makes it possible to move across the city for only $3. In addition to the city’s famous skyscrapers, Chicago is also home to 18.5 miles of lakefront trails and 600 parks, making it an excellent location for work/life balance. 

Get Started Learning Business Analytics by Enrolling in Hands-on Classes

If you are looking for additional study options in business analytics, over 140 live online classes in business analytics are currently listed by top educational providers around the US. These classes offer a great opportunity to study essential business concepts and skills like PowerPoint, Tableau, SQL, and Microsoft Power BI.

Noble’s Business Analyst Certificate is a great learning option for any aspiring Business Analyst. Relevant tools and skills such as data analysis, Excel, Tableau, and SQL are covered in this hands-on program. Those enrolled in this intensive course can elect to study online or in person in Manhattan. This class comes with the option of a free retake for learners who wish to revisit course material. 

In addition, if you’re looking for business analytics learning options close to home, you can also use Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool to search through more than 250 live online and in-person business analytics courses in topics like PowerPoint, SQL, and Excel for Business, among others.