Industry Insights

Tech workers and companies are on the move. For most of the digital age, locations like the Bay Area have been a hub for the best tech professionals and companies in the United States—even the world. However, in recent years, people have been leaving the places they’ve called home for greener, less expensive pastures. As proud San Francisco residents, we looked into why they are leaving and where they are going. This is what we found:

Is there a problem?

In a recent study, 75 percent of tech workers said they would be interested in relocating for work, with 82 percent citing the cost of living as a reason to leave their more tech-centered districts. 

California has experienced a mass exodus as the housing market continues to break the banks of residents. Over one million more people left the state between 2006 and 2016 and there is no sign of slowing down. While the Bay Area and Silicon Valley remain the tech epicenter in the United States, the possible willingness of workers to move allows companies to relocate to smaller, more affordable cities. San Francisco remains popular for young workers, but the cost of living is far too high. Only 12 percent of people living in the area can afford a median-priced home and many young people have resorted to creative ways of multi-family living. 

However, outside of California, people are less migratory. Over the last decade, the number of people relocating for work has decreased substantially. In 2018, only 10 percent of people moved for work, a drastic decrease from 22 percent in 2000. Tight housing markets around the country, an incredibly low unemployment rate, increases in remote work and companies’ lack of ability to finance relocation packages have slowed the movement of people. 

Where are they going and why?

Even though Silicon Valley has been the go-to destination for tech since the 1990s, other cities have grown as secondary technological hubs, attracting workers from Silicon Valley with the distinct appeal of lower costs of living. Cities like Denver, Ann Arbor, Austin and Raleigh have seen influxes of people moving in recent years and are hiring more tech workers than ever before. These destinations are especially popular for younger, millennial professionals who still prefer city centers but want low living costs. 

Cities that are becoming more popular to workers offer similar amenities—nightlife, regional restaurants, unique entertainment and plenty of activity. 

Method Recruiting is proud to call San Francisco home, but we are expanding to serve more than the Bay Area. With our recruiters in burgeoning markets like Denver and New York City, we offer our services to a variety of regions. Wherever you are hiring, Method Recruiting can help you find digital marketing professionals who can help your business achieve more. Connect with Method Recruiting today to see what our hiring solutions can do for your business.