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2 New England cities rank among the best places to find a job in 2026, WalletHub says
One city stood out for its "high-quality nature of jobs."
After a turbulent year marked by inflation, tariffs, slower job growth, a federal shutdown and mass layoffs, local job seekers heading into 2026 may find better prospects outside of Boston.
A new report from WalletHub ranked Portland, Maine (No. 3) and South Burlington, Vermont (No. 4) among the top U.S. cities to find a job in 2026.
WallHub said of Portland:
The third-best city for jobs is Portland, which stands out because of the number of available jobs and the quality of its companies. Portland has the 21st-most job opportunities per capita, along with the 12th-most full-time job opportunities per capita at companies rated 4.5+ stars on Glassdoor.
The high-quality nature of jobs in Portland is evident by the fact that workers have the third-highest level of engagement in the nation. In addition, jobs in Portland give good benefits. For example, the city has the second-highest percentage of workers with access to an employer-based retirement plan.
If looking for love is a priority on top of finding a job, you’ll also be happy to know that Portland is the 38th-best city for singles. It’s also a convenient and safe city to live in, with the 17th-highest number of jobs within a 30-minute commute and the 23rd-lowest violent crime rate in the country.
The personal finance website analyzed 182 U.S. cities to determine the best places to find a job in 2026, comparing local job markets across 31 key metrics. The factors ranged from unemployment rates to average monthly starting salaries, offering a broad picture of both opportunity and quality of life.
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Scottsdale, Arizona ranked No. 1 overall, followed by Columbia, Maryland at No. 2. Other top cities included Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (No. 5) and Orlando, Florida (No. 6). Boston, Massachusetts ranked No. 19.
Source: WalletHub
Boston lags despite strong state economy
Despite Boston’s placement for finding a job, a June 2025 WalletHub report ranked Massachusetts as the best state economy. The city earned a total score of 60.10 out of 80, ranking 20th for job market strength, and 48th in socio-economic conditions.
In the Best Cities for Jobs (2026) report, WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo emphasized that job seekers should consider more than just employment numbers when evaluating potential destinations.
“It’s important to look at more than just the number of jobs available or the unemployment rate when determining the best place to find employment,” Lupo said. “Quality matters just as much as quantity, from the average salaries and benefits to job security and overall satisfaction.”
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Check out the full ranking of best cities for jobs in 2026.
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