More and more, people are migrating to cities. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, 70 percent of the world’s population will live in one by 2050. It’s a compelling reason cities for cities to concentrate on acquiring better mobile technology and optimized infrastructure. In short, cities need to get smarter.
(Photo Credit: Micah Sheldon/Flickr)
Recently Fast Company compiled a list of North Amercia’s 10 smartest cities, defining a “smart city” as one that “has a broad, integrated approach to improving the efficiency of city operations, the quality of life for its citizens, and growing the local economy.” Here are the top five, with data from PayScale’s Research Center about each city’s median salary and most popular jobs in the metro area.
1. Seattle
From the economy to the local government, Seattle is making sustainability a priority with support for organizations like Climate Solutions and Sustainable Seattle. Seattle’s most popular job is a Software Engineer, and the city’s median salary is $71,672.
2. Boston
When it comes to North America, Boston offers the most patents per capita and venture capital per capita — two enticing tidbits for any entrepreneur. Boston’s most popular job is also Software Engineer, and the city’s median salary is $71,546.
3. San Francisco
Entrepreneurial ecosystems and sustainable urban development are thriving businesses in San Francisco, a very promising sign for the city. Like Seattle and Boston, San Francisco’s most popular job is also Software Engineer, and the city’s median salary is $81,551 – notably higher than other cities due San Francisco’s high cost of living.
4. Washington D.C.
Walking, biking, and public transit make Washington D.C. an ideal city for mobility — a key component to improving quality of life. The most popular job in Washington D.C. is an executive assistant, which comes with an average salary of $54,293.
5. New York
Adopting electric vehicles and embracing green regeneration are some of the sustainable measures that have landed New York atop the best in sustainability. Like Washington D.C., the most popular job in New York City is an Executive Assistant, with an average salary of $58,694.
Tell Us What You Think
Is your city one of the smartest in North America? We want to hear from you! Leave a comment or join the discussion on Twitter.
I have to disagree with your point of view upon Seattle’s educational system Raul. I too live in king county (Redmond to be exact) and I have experienced first hand what the school systems have to offer. throughout my life I have been going to public schools within The Lake Washington School District and in my freshmen year of high school, My family moved to Montana for a few months. The difference within curriculum was laughable “no offence to anyone… Read more »
I live in Seattle, we have the dumbest mayor and local government you could possibly imagine. Yes there is a high percentage of college grads in the metro area, mostly thanks to the midwestern states minting engineers from the best schools in the country. Dont try to raise kids here, the local schools are pathetic. The math teachers dont know math, science teachers dont know science, you got the idea. You will need to homeschool to give your kids the… Read more »
Why are the last two average salaries instead of median salaries?
I can’t say those are the smartest cities, but they might be some of the more educated ones — the ones with more people who have had the good fortune & privilege of higher education. There are lots of poor, less-educated people out there who are still quite smart – they simply are smart in different ways. Some are self-educated, some learned in the wise ways of life, etc. One fellow down in Texas, prayed & trusted God, and then… Read more »
North America? Seems like it’s solely the United States of America.