The 5 Best Cities for Graphic Designers
The thing about the graphic designer is that every company needs one—but not necessarily in an office down the hall. After all, every company has a look and a feel and—more literally—a logo. But these are the sorts of things that evolve over years, not from 9 to 5. Advertising agencies, image-conscious corporations and digital media outlets–these are the kinds of firms that bring graphic designers on board full-time.
“Having worked in various cities as a designer, I find that it really just depends on the client you are working with more than the location you are working in,” said iPartnerMedia’s national creative director Karolyn Masters, who is based in British Columbia and serves many American clients. “More often than not these days, you end up working with clients not in the same city as you. That’s the beauty of technology these days.”
Telecommuting aside, graphic designers’ median salary, cost of living, and location quotient are highly dependent on where they work. These are the three important metrics that ValuePenguin used to determine what U.S. cities are the best places for these specialized professionals to call home (more on our methodology below).
The 197,540 designers employed in the United States in 2014 earned $50,670 on average, or an hourly wage of $24.36, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. After reviewing more data from 347 cities, we found that life as a designer varies in more than one way.
Of the 347 cities under consideration, these five earned our best score, comprising the factors of median salary, cost of living, and location quotient. Four of them are situated on a coastline and all five are—or are near—a major city. Life as a designer is different in each of them, but altogether, life is good.
San Francisco, California
For graphic designers, this is the city of extremes. The highest annual average salary ($77,940) and the highest cost of living–and it’s not even close. In fact, the San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City is approached only by its sister cities of the Silicon Valley in these categories; the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara triumvirate, home to some of the country’s most imposing companies and promising start-ups, ranked seventh overall (see below). But the more northern Bay Area is alone at the top, where there are also 3,030 jobs, plus countless freelance opportunities. A handful of the world’s best firms operate at least a satellite office in San Francisco. In the Bay Area, it’s also clear that employers, from small to the likes of Adobe, are hunting for versatile designers trained or experienced in the emerging fields of mobile products and user experience.
For graphic designers, this is the city of extremes. The highest annual average salary ($77,940) and the highest cost of living–and it’s not even close. In fact, the San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City is approached only by its sister cities of the Silicon Valley in these categories; the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara triumvirate, home to some of the country’s most imposing companies and promising start-ups, ranked seventh overall (see below). But the more northern Bay Area is alone at the top, where there are also 3,030 jobs, plus countless freelance opportunities. A handful of the world’s best firms operate at least a satellite office in San Francisco. In the Bay Area, it’s also clear that employers, from small to the likes of Adobe, are hunting for versatile designers trained or experienced in the emerging fields of mobile products and user experience.
New York City, New York
The center of design on the East Coast has 52 percent more graphic design jobs than the next most-concentrated city we studied, Los Angeles, which has 9,600 gigs. While not quite as expensive as northern California, it’s 68 percent more expensive to be New Yorker than to live in the average state. Of course, average isn’t a word that fits in the Big Apple. This is the city that is probably more often the subject of design than it is the source. As a result, New York is where many designers are either starting out or achieving senior status; media giants like Time Inc. and national retailers are seeking managers and directors while farming some of their design work out to entry-level newbies or in-house freelancers.
The center of design on the East Coast has 52 percent more graphic design jobs than the next most-concentrated city we studied, Los Angeles, which has 9,600 gigs. While not quite as expensive as northern California, it’s 68 percent more expensive to be New Yorker than to live in the average state. Of course, average isn’t a word that fits in the Big Apple. This is the city that is probably more often the subject of design than it is the source. As a result, New York is where many designers are either starting out or achieving senior status; media giants like Time Inc. and national retailers are seeking managers and directors while farming some of their design work out to entry-level newbies or in-house freelancers.
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Like the other four cities among our top five, Bridgeport registered a top-10 location quotient, a metric that points to the availability of employment. In this part of southwest Connecticut, whose data also covers the cities of Stamford and Norwalk, graphic designers earn an annual average salary of $69,750, or 58 percent higher than the average of the 347 cities we compared. Bridgeport also enjoys being with 25 miles of Yale University’s second-ranked program for aspiring designers.
Like the other four cities among our top five, Bridgeport registered a top-10 location quotient, a metric that points to the availability of employment. In this part of southwest Connecticut, whose data also covers the cities of Stamford and Norwalk, graphic designers earn an annual average salary of $69,750, or 58 percent higher than the average of the 347 cities we compared. Bridgeport also enjoys being with 25 miles of Yale University’s second-ranked program for aspiring designers.
Framingham, Massachusetts
With just 420 graphic design gigs, this Massachusetts city seems like it sneaked into the top five–and it did, thanks to the country’s fourth-highest annual average salary ($68,900). The Boston-Cambridge-Quincy area of the state checked in on our list at No. 20. Framingham, meanwhile, is home to both freelance designers and independent firms like Levine Design.
With just 420 graphic design gigs, this Massachusetts city seems like it sneaked into the top five–and it did, thanks to the country’s fourth-highest annual average salary ($68,900). The Boston-Cambridge-Quincy area of the state checked in on our list at No. 20. Framingham, meanwhile, is home to both freelance designers and independent firms like Levine Design.
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, whose data also comprises that of nearby Long Beach and Glendale, actually has the lowest annual average salary among these elite five, at $57,500. There are actually five California cities ranked within the top 15. Given the presence of Hollywood, many of L.A.’s design jobs are at companies like Watson Design Group, which have done award-winning work in designing for the movie industry.
5 Surprising Creative Cities for Graphic Designers\
5. Cincinnati, Ohio
Population: 297,517 Jobs: 350
Median Salary: $51,200 Cost of Living Index: 85
Great chili, flying pigs and the Cincinnati Reds. What more could you ask for? Cincinnati is home to a number of design firms that seem only to grow. With the revamping of Over the Rhine, start-ups galore are bringing young professionals back to this historic city. Here you’ll find Rockfish Digital, Hyperquake, Jack Rouse Associates and many more.
4. Trenton, New Jersey
Population: 84,913 Jobs: 350
Median Salary: $57,900 Cost of Living Index: 106
Trenton, NJ is full of unique design firms. Among others, EFK Group and Three Bears Communication stand out the most. EFK group works with the belief that “creativity is an agency’s most valuable asset because it’s the rarest.” Three Bears Communication approaches clients with a unique three-part creative process (hence the Goldilocks reference).
3. Bethesda, Maryland
Population: 61.907 Jobs: 1,010
Median Salary: $66,490 Cost of Living Index: 157
One square mile of downtown Bethesda is home to three of its most successful design firms. FCI Creative has been producing “award winning work…for over 30 years,” and Comella Design Group just celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2015. A little bit newer to the game is Streetsense. Founded in 2001 with the tagline “We are an uncommon collective,” it’s already worked with names like Starbucks and Chipotle.
2. Warren, Michigan
Population: 134,873 Jobs: 1,910
Median Salary: $56,090 Cost of Living Index: 95
A short drive north from Detroit, located east of Lake St. Clair is the city of Warren, Michigan, home to Designers + Partners, Compass Graphx and Design Source Media. On the weekends make sure to check out the farmers market located in the City Square.
1. Boulder, Colorado
Population: 103,166 Jobs: 630
Median Salary: $53,100 Cost of Living Index: 145
Beautiful mountains, blue skies and booming design firms—all things you can find in Boulder, CO. From the Flatirons to the beloved Pearl Street shopping scene, it’s easy to fall in love with this Rocky Mountain town. Firms to look for? SIDFACTOR, Oblique, Moxie Sozo and Studio Signorello. Clients of these firms include names like Vans, Bettye Muller, Nike and Naropa University.
- See more at: http://www.howdesign.com/design-career/creative-cities-for-graphic-designers/#sthash.qvcU8hiO.dpuf
Top 10 for 2014…
[http://www.tropicalmba.com/2014lifestyeldesigncities/]
- Berlin. Artsy and sprawling with great apartments, nightlife, and cafes. At least in the DC, Berlin is the place to be this summer. Berlin’s got some of the best of what Europe has on offer, and the rest of the continent is within easy reach. Co-working and digital bohemian culture abounds.
- Prague. Inexpensive, fairy-tale like architecture in the center, large format apartment buildings in the residential neighborhoods, great parks, easy public transport, and a growing scene. It’s summertime in Europe, who can argue? The only thing Prague is missing is palm trees.
- Chiang Mai. Still popping off despite the recent coup, Thailand has long been the quintessential “lifestyle” destination. Chiang Mai is nestled in the mountainous north of the country. It’s almost tailor made for the digital nomad, with great coffee shops, co-working spaces, and serviced apartments just a walk and a knock away. If I were 18 years old I’d go to Chiang Mai instead of going to college.
- Ho Chi Minh City. The economic heart of Vietnam, this up and coming city features cheap rent and 1000’s of cafes that are laptop worker friendly. It’s easy to live a good lifestyle on less than $1500 a month.
- New York City. Housing can be difficult to come by and expensive, but once you’ve got that sorted it’s a great value. Brooklyn is happening, food and entertainment are world class and a great value, and the fellow entrepreneurs you get to know just might return the investment you made in your apartment.
- Austin, TX. Quickly becoming the internet marketing capital of the US. Lots to do, great healthy food options, tons of recreation activities, reasonable rents, and plenty of space.
- Bangkok. Traffic sucks, but Bangkok is still a great value for the money. For nightlife and dining, it’s tough to beat anywhere. The Thong Lor area really seems to be taking off for young expats. After cooling off the past few years, BKK is seeing a resurgence in 2014.
- Medellin. A city with it all— nightlife, nature, friendly and passionate locals and expats from all around the globe. Medellin attracts perhaps a less transient crowd as it’s a little more difficult to get along without the local language.
- Barcelona. Livable, clean, great nightlife and food. Not much of an entrepreneurial scene (yet) but one of the best all around cities in Europe. With many fans coming through periodically, a scene is bound to coalesce.
- Ubud, Bali. It’s not just Eat, Pray, Lovers flocking to the island of the gods lately, with internet speeds improving rapidly, co-working spaces and cafes popping up like weeds, internet entrepreneurs are seeking to grow their businesses in and amongst natural beauty and world class services.
All of that however is what other people think... but what do I really want to do?
I love England so staying in a big city is likely.
Manchester and London are the most likely places for me, if I choose to not stay in Leeds. The cities are big enough that I would have things to do in my spare time, and also big enough that there is plenty of creativity going on to immerse myself in.
I would love to eventually move abroad to either the States or Europe.
United States
San Francisco - Beautiful city and great creative climate
Boston - Another beautiful city with rich history and an upcoming creative industry
New York - Super busy city and an amazing mix
Boulder - A city with a beautiful nature environment with great weather. The creative industry there is growing
Europe
Paris - Amazing city that I know quite well. I have found Parisians to be quite rude though
Copenhagen - A city introduced to me by Declan Bell - the architecture here looks beautiful, but I need to research it's creative scene more
Amsterdam - I have always disliked this city due to the stoner culture that surrounds it, but friends that have been have all praised it for it's creative industry and living quality.
Berlin - Arguably the creative capital of mainland Europe. I worry that the language barrier would be a problem though
Helsinki - A beautiful city that I would love to live in
