Washington Is One Of The Most Tech-Forward Cities In America: New Study
A new study by TRG Datacenters analyzed 49 of the largest U.S. cities by population to identify the most tech-forward ones, defined as those with a tech culture deeply integrated into daily life. Factors considered included the percentage of the remote workforce, the number of WiFi hotspots, the estimated number of households with computing devices, job availability rates in the tech sector, and the estimated number of annual tech events. These metrics were used to develop a scoring system that ranks the cities based on their tech adoption and infrastructure. The data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, WiFi Map, and other relevant sources, providing a comprehensive overview of each city’s tech integration.
San Francisco tops the list with a score of 66, standing out with the highest job availability rate at 11%. The city has the second-largest number of annual tech events, totaling 1,100. With 32.5% of its workforce working remotely, San Francisco shows a strong integration of flexible work arrangements into its tech culture.
New York secures the second spot with a score of 61, primarily driven by its impressive 12,038 WiFi hotspots—the highest number among all cities analyzed. Despite this, New York has the lowest job availability rate at just 1.5%, suggesting that while the town is highly connected, it may not offer as many tech job opportunities relative to its size.
Washington, D.C., comes in third with a score of 53, featuring the second-highest percentage of remote workers at 33.8%, just below Seattle. Its job availability rate of 10.2% is among the highest, but with only 500 annual tech events, it falls behind cities like San Francisco and New York in tech community engagement.
Seattle ranks fourth with a score of 43, leading in the percentage of remote workers at 36%, the highest among all cities, showcasing a strong adoption of remote work practices. Despite a moderate job availability rate of 7.4%, Seattle maintains a vibrant tech scene with 1,345 WiFi hotspots and an estimated 300 annual tech events, contributing to its status as a tech-forward city.
Los Angeles ties for fifth place with Austin, each scoring 40. Los Angeles stands out with 10,496 WiFi hotspots, second only to New York. It also hosts 670 annual tech events, more than Austin, but its job availability rate is relatively low at 2.4%, suggesting potential for growth in tech employment compared to cities like San Francisco.
Austin shares the fifth spot with Los Angeles, also scoring 40. It excels with 30.7% of its workforce working remotely and the highest number of households with computing devices at 449,489, highlighting its tech-forward residential environment. With 1,664 WiFi hotspots, Austin is well-connected, and its job availability rate of 6.5% further supports its growing reputation as a tech hub.
Boston is ranked sixth with a score of 39, notable for a strong job availability rate of 8.8%. Boston has 1,035 WiFi hotspots and 500 annual tech events, supporting its established tech community. With 20.9% of its workforce working remotely, Boston successfully integrates tech into daily life.
Atlanta takes the seventh position with a score of 38, standing out with a solid remote workforce percentage of 29.8% and a respectable job availability rate of 8.1%. The city hosts 250 annual tech events and has 1,020 WiFi hotspots, reflecting a growing tech presence and connectivity.
San Jose ranks eighth with a score of 35, driven by a high job availability rate of 9.3%. The city has 1,278 WiFi hotspots and 322,768 households with computing devices, supporting its reputation as a tech-friendly city. However, with only 200 annual tech events, San Jose may have a quieter tech community compared to its peers.
Minneapolis rounds out the list with a score of 33, featuring 24.4% of its workforce working remotely and a job availability rate of 8.2%. Despite having the lowest number of WiFi hotspots on the list at 544, Minneapolis maintains a solid tech presence with 200 annual tech events, indicating a well-rounded but smaller-scale tech ecosystem compared to other leading cities.
A spokesperson from TRG Datacenters commented: “As tech continues to permeate everyday life, cities that foster robust remote work environments, abundant WiFi access, and vibrant tech communities are redefining urban living. This shift not only transforms how we work and connect but also shapes the future of city planning and development. The ability to balance high-speed connectivity with opportunities for professional growth and community engagement is becoming a defining feature of modern, forward-thinking urban centers. The most tech-forward cities are those that seamlessly weave technology into the fabric of daily life, making it as essential as any other infrastructure.”
