10 U.S. Cities Where Tech Workers Make Good Money and Don't Pay Sky-High Rent Think beyond the coasts.

By Lydia Belanger

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Eduardo Arraes | Getty Images
Downtown Chicago

The rent is too damn high in San Francisco and New York, but all of the good tech jobs aren't confined to these two metropolitan hubs.

Although you might make a bit less as a developer, IT specialist or Project manager working outside of Silicon Valley (or Alley, or Beach), you'll be better off financially in the long run when you take monthly living expenses in those densely populated areas into account.

Related: Which Country to Move to If You're Young and Want to Be Your Own Boss

In a new report, career site Comparably highlights 10 U.S. cities, along with the average total compensation of residents working in various popular tech roles. By analyzing more than 8,600 anonymous salary records, Comparably has constructed a list of 10 under-the-radar cities where tech workers can make a decent living without breaking the bank on rent.

Read on for the average annual compensation of developers, sales reps and more at the national level and local level for 10 U.S. cities, compared to housing costs. The source of the median rent figures listed is ApartmentList.com.

National average

Junior developer: $75,321
Developer: $106,571
Senior developer: $135,558
IT manager: $112,478
Project manager: $105,043
Sales rep: $109,890

1-bedroom: $940 per month
2-bedroom: $1,160 per month

1. Atlanta

Junior developer: $68,330
Developer: $86,214
Senior developer: $112,573
IT manager: $120,695
Project manager: $102,390
Sales rep: $113,576

1-bedroom: $1,010 per month
2-bedroom: $1,160 per month

2. Baltimore

Junior developer: $70,925
Developer: $96,290
Senior developer: $124,201
IT manager: $115,927
Project manager: $104,853
Sales rep: $126,255

1-bedroom: $940 per month
2-bedroom: $1,180 per month

3. Boulder, Co.

Junior developer: $69,013
Developer: $90,688
Senior developer: $123,027
IT manager: $105,123
Project manager: $102,168
Sales rep: $107,925

1-bedroom: $1,140 per month
2-bedroom: $1,400 per month

4. Chicago

Junior developer: $71,404
Developer: $89,366
Senior developer: $120,018
IT manager: $117,726
Project manager: $108,383
Sales rep: $110,806

1-bedroom: $1,070 per month
2-bedroom: $1,260 per month

Related: 10 Popular Jobs in Tech That Don't Require Tech Skills

5. Dallas

Junior developer: $70,664
Developer: $84,525
Senior developer: $113,278
IT manager: $121,326
Project manager: $106,848
Sales rep: $112,605

1-bedroom: $880 per month
2-bedroom: $1,100 per month

6. Denver

Junior developer: $68,748
Developer: $90,761
Senior developer: $122,929
IT manager: $103,927
Project manager: $102,013
Sales rep: $108,979

1-bedroom: $1,040 per month
2-bedroom: $1,310 per month

7. Minneapolis

Junior developer: $66,481
Developer: $85,078
Senior developer: $112,261
IT manager: $118,573
Project manager: $107,196
Sales rep: $115,512

1-bedroom: $900 per month
2-bedroom: $1,140 per month

8. Phoenix

Junior developer: $72,108
Developer: $85,216
Senior developer: $116,027
IT manager: $96,781
Project manager: $88,894
Sales rep: $96,157

1-bedroom: $820 per month
2-bedroom: $1,030 per month

9. Portland, Ore.

Junior developer: $68,608
Developer: $87,328
Senior developer: $118,002
IT manager: $117,856
Project manager: $98,737
Sales rep: $92,437

1-bedroom: $1,130 per month
2-bedroom: $1,330 per month

10. Washington, D.C.

Junior developer: $71,186
Developer: $96,087
Senior developer: $125,370
IT manager: $118,886
Project manager: $105,319
Sales rep: $131,598

1-bedroom: $1,310 per month
2-bedroom: $1,510 per month

Related video: You Don't Need to Be in Silicon Valley to Grow Your Business

Lydia Belanger is a former associate editor at Entrepreneur. Follow her on Twitter: @LydiaBelanger.

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