Restaurant Worker City Rankings 2026
All 55 metros, every score, every source.
| Estimated Reading Time: a long time
FULL SCORES AND SOURCES
Best Cities for Restaurant Workers 2026
FRONT OF HOUSENOW BOARDING
1 LAS VEGAS 73.01
2 ORLANDO 67.27
3 TAMPA BAY 65.89
4 PHOENIX 65.69
5 CINCINNATI 65.41
BACK OF HOUSENOW BOARDING
1 LAS VEGAS 72.98
2 SEATTLE 69.52
3 PORTLAND 65.86
4 PHOENIX 65.33
5 BUFFALO 65.05
Florida FOH scores reflect the September 30, 2026 wage update. Tap any section below for the full rankings and receipts.
About These Rankings
We ranked roughly 55 U.S. metro areas separately for Front of House and Back of House workers.
The central question was:
THE BIG QUESTION
Can an F&B’r build a decent life here with one primary restaurant/bar job?
That means we looked beyond which cities have the most famous restaurants or the biggest tourism industries.
The rankings consider earning opportunity, housing and other living costs, safety, access to restaurant jobs, weather, things to do, and some factors that matter specifically to people working hospitality hours, including late night grocery access and legal recreational cannabis.
FOH and BOH were scored separately because the economics of those jobs are different. The Top 5 on each side are written up in the main article.
This page contains the complete rankings, methodology, scoring notes and sources behind the feature. Read the main article.
JUMP TO
MethodologyFOH RankingsBOH RankingsHow FOH Earnings Were ScoredHow BOH Earnings Were ScoredCost of LivingSafetyJob AccessWeatherThings To DoHospitality Worker LifestyleCity Notes
ALL 55 CITIES, A TO Z ▼
AshevilleAtlantaAtlantic CityAustinBaltimoreBaton RougeBirminghamBostonBuffaloCharleston, SCCharlotteChicagoCincinnatiClevelandColumbus, OHDallas Fort WorthDenverDetroitGulfport BiloxiHonoluluHoustonIndianapolisJacksonville, FLKansas CityLas VegasLittle RockLos AngelesMemphisMiamiMilwaukeeMinneapolis St. PaulMyrtle BeachNashvilleNew OrleansNew York CityOrlandoPhiladelphiaPhoenixPittsburghPortland, MainePortland, OregonRaleighRenoSacramentoSalt Lake CitySan AntonioSan DiegoSan Francisco OaklandSan JoseSavannahSeattleSt. LouisTampa BayVirginia Beach NorfolkWashington, DC
How We Ranked The Cities
The purpose of this ranking was to answer one question: can an F&B worker build a decent life here on one normal primary restaurant job?
We evaluated roughly 55 U.S. metro areas and created separate scores for Front of House and Back of House workers.
Both roles use the same 100 point framework:
Earning opportunity40
Cost of living27
Safety10
Job access9
Weather5
Hospitality worker lifestyle5
Things to do4
TOTAL100
FOH and BOH use the same major categories, but the way earnings and job access are measured changes depending on the role.
That is important because what makes a city attractive for a bartender or server is not always what makes it attractive for a cook or sous chef.
Earning Opportunity: 40 Points
FOH Earnings
FOH earning opportunity is divided into four areas.
Venue and Earning Depth: 15 Points
We did not try to invent an average amount of tips for every city.
There is no honest way to say that the “average server” in an entire metro makes a specific amount in tips when earnings can vary dramatically from one restaurant, shift or section to another.
Instead, we looked at the conditions that create stronger earning opportunities. Those include:
- Higher check full service restaurants
- Fine dining
- Steakhouses
- Luxury hotels and resorts
- Casinos where relevant
- High end bars and nightlife
- Tourism
- Convention business
- Restaurant volume
- Hospitality specialization
These factors are used as a proxy for earning opportunity.
They do not mean every server or bartender has access to the highest paying restaurant or the best shifts.
Shift Consistency and Market Continuity: 10 Points
A city where restaurant business remains relatively steady throughout the year is more useful to a worker than one where income disappears for several months. We considered market level evidence including:
- Tourism patterns
- Food service employment
- Hotel demand
- Convention activity
- Seasonality
This measures the overall market, not an individual worker’s guaranteed schedule.
Employer Paid Tipped Cash Wage: 10 Points
The amount an employer is legally required to pay a tipped worker before tips matters.
Cities in states requiring a meaningful cash wage received more credit than cities where employers can still legally pay extremely low tipped wages.
Jurisdictions with tipped cash wages below $5 per hour received a substantial penalty.
The employer paid cash wage should not be confused with total FOH earnings. Tips remain an important part of FOH earning potential.
State Income Tax Impact: 5 Points
State income taxes affect how much of a worker’s earnings actually remain in their pocket.
States without an individual state income tax receive an advantage in this category. This does not mean workers in those states pay no taxes.
BOH Earnings
BOH earning opportunity is also worth 40 points but uses a different set of inputs.
Typical Cook Wages: 15 Points
We used Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics metro data as the standardized starting point.
Restaurant cook wages give us a comparable baseline across markets.
These are market medians. They are not entry level wages, and they are not the maximum an experienced cook can earn.
Lead, Sous and Chef Advancement: 10 Points
We also looked at whether a market gives BOH workers somewhere to go after the basic line cook level. That includes:
- Lead cook positions
- Kitchen supervisors
- Sous chefs
- Chef management positions
- Fine dining
- Hotel kitchens
- Resort kitchens
- Casino kitchens
- Corporate dining
Current job postings and employer career pages were used to confirm that stronger paying positions actually existed in the market.
One job posting does not represent an entire metro, but it helps verify that a real advancement ladder exists.
Full Time Continuity, Benefits and Union Access: 10 Points
BOH earnings were evaluated around a normal full time schedule of approximately 40 hours per week.
Cities did not receive extra points because cooks might be able to survive by working 50 or 60 hours.
Overtime earns no points in this model.
Where available, we considered:
- Full time job availability
- Food service employment continuity
- Benefits
- Union opportunities
- Large hotel, casino and institutional employers
Market level employment stability does not guarantee that any individual cook will receive 40 hours every week or 52 paid weeks every year.
State Income Tax Impact: 5 Points
BOH uses the same general state tax approach as FOH.
Cost of Living: 27 Points
Rent and Utilities: 17 Points
Housing receives the largest portion of the cost score because it is usually the largest expense workers face. The primary standardized housing inputs include:
- HUD FY2027 one bedroom Fair Market Rent
- August 2026 Zillow Observed Rent Index
These measure different things. HUD Fair Market Rent provides a standardized one bedroom benchmark. Zillow ZORI measures asking rents across a broader mix of rental units. They should not be treated as interchangeable.
Neither number guarantees what a specific worker will pay for an apartment. Actual cost can change substantially based on:
- Neighborhood
- Roommates
- Commute
- Pet fees
- Deposits
- Rent controlled or subsidized housing
- Availability
- Lease timing
The goal is to compare relative housing pressure across markets.
Groceries and Essentials: 6 Points
We used comparable metro level price measures for goods and basic services to estimate the relative cost of everyday necessities. This is intended as a market comparison rather than a personal monthly grocery budget.
Transportation: 4 Points
Transportation is one of the more difficult categories to standardize for restaurant workers. We considered overall transportation practicality, including the fact that many restaurant shifts begin or end outside traditional commuting hours. The model does not fully calculate every city’s:
- Auto insurance
- Parking
- Gas use
- Exact commute
- Individual transit routes
- Late night transit schedule
Transportation scores should therefore be read as comparative rather than precise worker budgets.
Safety: 10 Points
Safety is divided into three components:
- Homicide and serious firearm violence: 6 points
- Other serious violent crime: 3 points
- Property crime: 1 point
We primarily used available 2025 FBI metro level data where comparable coverage existed.
In markets where clean metro data was not available, limited city level proxies or midpoint treatment were sometimes necessary. That limitation matters.
Crime risk can vary enormously between neighborhoods within the same metro. Restaurant workers may also travel at unusually late hours, which means commute route and neighborhood can matter more than a metro wide number suggests.
Job Access: 9 Points
Job access is role specific. FOH and BOH do not use identical occupation groups.
FOH considers jobs such as servers, bartenders and other relevant service positions. BOH considers jobs such as restaurant cooks, prep cooks, dish, lead cooks, sous chefs and chef related roles.
We used standardized employment counts and restaurant industry specialization to estimate how deep each labor market is.
A large number of restaurant jobs does not mean there are currently that many openings. Employment counts represent market depth, not guaranteed vacancies or hiring probability.
Weather: 5 Points
Weather is based primarily on NOAA 1991 to 2020 climate normals. We considered factors including extreme heat, humidity, prolonged cold, snow, rain and generally comfortable months.
Weather is highly subjective. Some people love heat. Some people love winter. Others would happily give up a few ranking points never to shovel snow again.
For that reason, weather represents only five points out of 100.
Things To Do: 4 Points
The things to do category considers metro level access to performing arts, museums, entertainment, recreation and cultural activity. Standardized employment and establishment data were used as proxies where possible.
This category has limitations. It does not perfectly capture beaches, hiking, free parks, neighborhood culture, individual venue quality or informal entertainment. It is intended to give a broad comparison of how much there is to do outside of work.
Hospitality Worker Lifestyle: 5 Points
This category was created specifically because restaurant workers do not necessarily live a normal nine to five schedule.
Recreational Cannabis: 2 Points
Legal adult use recreational cannabis receives up to two points. Medical only cannabis programs do not receive the same score as legal recreational access.
Late Night Grocery Access: 2 Points
One of the practical questions we asked was: can somebody getting out of work late actually buy groceries? General scoring:
- 2 points: multiple practical late night supermarket options
- 1 point: limited or inconvenient options
- 0 points: effectively no practical late night grocery access
Convenience stores are not automatically treated as supermarkets. Some metros did not have complete enough evidence for a hard score and retained midpoint treatment.
Other Late Night Practical Access: 1 Point
We also considered other practical late night options such as pharmacies and everyday essentials. Some cities again required midpoint treatment where comparable information was incomplete.
Overall Score
Each metro receives an FOH score out of 100 and a BOH score out of 100. Where an overall score appears:
Overall Score = (FOH Score + BOH Score) ÷ 2
The FOH and BOH rankings themselves remain separate.
Complete FOH Rankings
| RANK | METRO | FOH SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Las Vegas | 73.01 |
| #2 | Orlando | 67.27 |
| #3 | Tampa Bay | 65.89 |
| #4 | Phoenix | 65.69 |
| #5 | Cincinnati | 65.41 |
| #6 | Dallas Fort Worth | 64.40 |
| #7 | Houston | 63.21 |
| #8 | San Antonio | 62.99 |
| #9 | Seattle | 62.60 |
| #10 | New Orleans | 62.31 |
| #11 | Chicago | 61.03 |
| #12 | Jacksonville, FL | 60.98 |
| #13 | Los Angeles | 60.61 |
| #14 | Austin | 60.52 |
| #15 | Detroit | 60.42 |
| #16 | Atlanta | 60.18 |
| #17 | Minneapolis St. Paul | 60.03 (tie) |
| #17 | Cleveland | 60.03 (tie) |
| #19 | Columbus, OH | 59.62 |
| #20 | Buffalo | 59.54 |
| #21 | St. Louis | 59.31 |
| #22 | Portland, Oregon | 59.09 |
| #23 | San Diego | 58.96 |
| #24 | Denver | 58.52 |
| #25 | Miami | 58.05 |
| #26 | Pittsburgh | 57.89 |
| #27 | San Francisco Oakland | 57.68 |
| #28 | Philadelphia | 57.43 |
| #29 | Sacramento | 56.72 |
| #30 | Nashville | 56.67 |
| #31 | Washington, DC | 55.76 |
| #32 | Reno | 55.21 |
| #33 | Indianapolis | 54.96 |
| #34 | Kansas City | 54.82 |
| #35 | Gulfport Biloxi | 54.14 |
| #36 | Charlotte | 54.03 |
| #37 | Raleigh | 53.83 |
| #38 | New York City | 53.61 |
| #39 | Baton Rouge | 51.30 |
| #40 | Boston | 50.47 |
| #41 | Myrtle Beach | 50.34 |
| #42 | Virginia Beach Norfolk | 50.28 |
| #43 | San Jose | 49.51 |
| #44 | Honolulu | 49.41 |
| #45 | Salt Lake City | 49.36 |
| #46 | Memphis | 49.31 |
| #47 | Asheville | 48.91 |
| #48 | Charleston, SC | 48.83 |
| #49 | Savannah | 48.57 |
| #50 | Milwaukee | 48.31 |
| #51 | Atlantic City | 47.16 |
| #52 | Baltimore | 46.26 |
| #53 | Portland, Maine | 45.59 |
| #54 | Little Rock | 45.39 |
| #55 | Birmingham | 45.33 |
Florida FOH scores for Orlando, Tampa Bay, Miami and Jacksonville reflect the September 30, 2026 wage increase. See the Florida scoring update below.
Complete BOH Rankings
| RANK | METRO | BOH SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Las Vegas | 72.98 |
| #2 | Seattle | 69.52 |
| #3 | Portland, Oregon | 65.86 |
| #4 | Phoenix | 65.33 |
| #5 | Buffalo | 65.05 |
| #6 | San Francisco Oakland | 64.46 |
| #7 | Denver | 63.80 |
| #8 | Minneapolis St. Paul | 63.50 |
| #9 | San Diego | 63.39 |
| #10 | Boston | 63.36 |
| #11 | Los Angeles | 63.29 |
| #12 | Nashville | 63.05 |
| #13 | Orlando | 62.34 |
| #14 | San Jose | 61.87 |
| #15 | Cincinnati | 61.55 |
| #16 | Philadelphia | 61.38 |
| #17 | Sacramento | 61.11 |
| #18 | Austin | 61.05 |
| #19 | New York City | 61.04 |
| #20 | Honolulu | 60.53 |
| #21 | Dallas Fort Worth | 60.42 |
| #22 | Washington, DC | 60.19 |
| #23 | Cleveland | 59.56 |
| #24 | Tampa Bay | 59.49 |
| #25 | St. Louis | 59.02 |
| #26 | Atlanta | 58.67 |
| #27 | Atlantic City | 58.44 |
| #28 | Detroit | 58.06 |
| #29 | Pittsburgh | 57.83 |
| #30 | Chicago | 57.57 |
| #31 | Raleigh | 57.12 |
| #32 | Columbus, OH | 57.01 |
| #33 | Charlotte | 56.79 |
| #34 | Reno | 56.56 |
| #35 | Portland, Maine | 56.34 |
| #36 | San Antonio | 54.64 |
| #37 | Charleston, SC | 54.47 |
| #38 | Kansas City | 54.45 |
| #39 | Salt Lake City | 54.42 |
| #40 | Jacksonville, FL | 54.11 |
| #41 | Indianapolis | 53.22 |
| #42 | Houston | 52.99 |
| #43 | Milwaukee | 52.58 |
| #44 | New Orleans | 52.54 |
| #45 | Asheville | 51.12 |
| #46 | Memphis | 50.66 |
| #47 | Miami | 49.63 |
| #48 | Myrtle Beach | 49.40 |
| #49 | Savannah | 49.09 |
| #50 | Baton Rouge | 48.22 |
| #51 | Gulfport Biloxi | 48.07 |
| #52 | Baltimore | 47.66 |
| #53 | Virginia Beach Norfolk | 46.86 |
| #54 | Birmingham | 45.97 |
| #55 | Little Rock | 41.47 |
Florida Scoring Update
The published rankings reflect Florida’s scheduled wage increase effective September 30, 2026.
Florida’s regular minimum wage becomes $15 per hour, while the maximum tip credit remains $3.02, making the employer paid tipped cash wage $11.98 per hour.
Because the source workbook was completed several days before the effective date, Orlando and Tampa Bay each receive approximately 0.52 additional FOH point under the existing scoring formula.
This is a date driven wage update. No methodology, category weight or scoring rule was changed.
Don’t Overthink A Fraction Of A Point
Some of these cities finished extremely close together.
A ranking difference of a few tenths of a point should not be interpreted as proof that one city is universally better than another.
For example, Buffalo’s BOH score finished only about 0.59 point ahead of San Francisco Oakland. Likewise, several FOH cities near the Top 5 were separated by relatively small margins.
Your own situation can easily change the order. A different apartment, job offer, commute, climate preference or lifestyle priority could make the #7 city a much better choice for you than the #3 city.
The rankings are meant to be directional, not mathematically absolute.
Read the Top 5 writeups in the main article →
What A Ranking Like This Cannot Measure Perfectly
No citywide model can describe every restaurant worker’s real life. The rankings cannot fully account for:
- The specific restaurant where someone gets hired
- Individual experience
- Actual tip income
- Section quality
- Shift quality
- Tip outs
- Hours scheduled
- Paid time off
- Benefits
- Union membership
- Commute
- Neighborhood
- Rent controlled housing
- Subsidized housing
- Roommates
- Pet costs
- Family expenses
- Personal weather preferences
- Individual lifestyle priorities
FOH venue depth measures opportunity. It does not mean every server or bartender can immediately get hired at the city’s most lucrative restaurant.
BOH employment stability measures the market. It does not guarantee a specific cook receives 40 paid hours every week.
Likewise, late night grocery access, safety and some lifestyle inputs required proxy or midpoint treatment in markets where perfectly comparable local data was unavailable.
That is why extremely close scores should be treated as approximate comparisons rather than absolute truths. For the story behind each Top 5 pick, read the main article.
Why Your Own Situation Matters
A server making $200,000 a year while paying roughly $1,100 for a rent stabilized apartment in Queens is living in a completely different New York City from a worker earning $70,000 while paying $2,800 in market rent.
The same thing can happen in any city. An experienced server with a great steakhouse job, a cheap apartment and a ten minute commute may have an excellent life in a city that ranks relatively low overall.
Another worker may move to a Top 5 market and struggle because their rent is high or they land at the wrong restaurant.
The ranking compares markets. It cannot rank your individual life.
City Scorecards
Tap any city to open its scorecard. The Top 5 cities for FOH and BOH, plus the ones that just missed, are covered in depth in the main article.
All 55 metros, A to Z. Each scorecard shows the category scores, with the detailed subcomponents one more tap away. Florida FOH scores reflect the September 30, 2026 wage update.
Asheville Tap to open ▼
FOH
48.91
#47 of 55
BOH
51.12
#45 of 55
OVERALL
50.02
No recreational weed
Late night groceries: limited or unconfirmed
State income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 15.84 | 18.05 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 17.92 | 17.92 |
| Safety /10 shared | 8.31 | 8.31 |
| Job access /9 | 2.04 | 2.04 |
| Weather /5 shared | 3.30 | 3.30 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 1.50 | 1.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 6.05 /15
- Stable shifts: 6.67 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 0.00 /10
- State income tax: 3.12 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 3.98 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 4.58 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 6.33 /10
- State income tax: 3.16 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 11.23 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 4.69 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 5.20 /6
- Other serious violence: 2.44 /3
- Property crime: 0.67 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 0.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
Strongest categories
- Safety: 8.31 of 10
- Cost of living: 17.92 of 27
Weakest categories
- Things to do: 0.00 of 4
- Job access: 2.04 of 9 (FOH and BOH average)
Sources: see the full sources list.
Atlanta Tap to open ▼
FOH
60.18
#16 of 55
BOH
58.67
#26 of 55
OVERALL
59.43
No recreational weedLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 22.43 | 20.83 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 16.57 | 16.57 |
| Safety /10 shared | 5.43 | 5.43 |
| Job access /9 | 6.81 | 6.90 |
| Weather /5 shared | 3.60 | 3.60 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 3.84 | 3.84 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 1.50 | 1.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 10.99 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.93 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 0.00 /10
- State income tax: 2.51 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 2.72 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 7.41 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.15 /10
- State income tax: 2.55 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 11.05 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 3.52 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 2.57 /6
- Other serious violence: 2.09 /3
- Property crime: 0.77 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 0.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
Strongest categories
- Things to do: 3.84 of 4
- Job access: 6.86 of 9 (FOH and BOH average)
Weakest categories
- Worker lifestyle: 1.50 of 5
- Earning opportunity: 21.63 of 40 (FOH and BOH average)
Sources: see the full sources list.
Atlantic City Tap to open ▼
FOH
47.16
#51 of 55
BOH
58.44
#27 of 55
OVERALL
52.80
Weed legalLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 13.55 | 25.26 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 15.79 | 15.79 |
| Safety /10 shared | 8.18 | 8.18 |
| Job access /9 | 2.99 | 2.56 |
| Weather /5 shared | 3.10 | 3.10 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 0.05 | 0.05 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 3.50 | 3.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 7.75 /15
- Stable shifts: 0.53 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 2.04 /10
- State income tax: 3.23 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 9.29 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 9.88 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 2.43 /10
- State income tax: 3.66 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 10.28 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 3.51 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 5.88 /6
- Other serious violence: 2.01 /3
- Property crime: 0.29 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 2.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
Strongest categories
- Safety: 8.18 of 10
- Worker lifestyle: 3.50 of 5
Weakest categories
- Things to do: 0.05 of 4
- Job access: 2.78 of 9 (FOH and BOH average)
Sources: see the full sources list.
Austin Tap to open ▼
FOH
60.52
#14 of 55
BOH
61.05
#18 of 55
OVERALL
60.79
No recreational weedLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmed
No state income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 20.46 | 20.66 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 20.98 | 20.98 |
| Safety /10 shared | 7.18 | 7.18 |
| Job access /9 | 4.84 | 5.17 |
| Weather /5 shared | 3.10 | 3.10 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 2.46 | 2.46 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 1.50 | 1.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 6.23 /15
- Stable shifts: 9.23 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 0.00 /10
- State income tax: 5.00 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 2.66 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 4.61 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.39 /10
- State income tax: 5.00 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 12.98 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 6.00 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 4.71 /6
- Other serious violence: 2.00 /3
- Property crime: 0.47 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 0.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
Strongest categories
- Cost of living: 20.98 of 27
- Safety: 7.18 of 10
Weakest categories
- Worker lifestyle: 1.50 of 5
- Earning opportunity: 20.56 of 40 (FOH and BOH average)
Sources: see the full sources list.
Baltimore Tap to open ▼
FOH
46.26
#52 of 55
BOH
47.66
#52 of 55
OVERALL
46.96
Weed legalLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 15.89 | 17.74 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 14.25 | 14.25 |
| Safety /10 shared | 2.54 | 2.54 |
| Job access /9 | 3.88 | 3.43 |
| Weather /5 shared | 3.10 | 3.10 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 2.60 | 2.60 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 4.00 | 4.00 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 4.13 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.47 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 0.78 /10
- State income tax: 2.51 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 4.31 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 3.19 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 7.77 /10
- State income tax: 2.47 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 10.48 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 1.77 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 1.69 /6
- Other serious violence: 0.63 /3
- Property crime: 0.22 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 2.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 1.00 /1
Strongest categories
- Worker lifestyle: 4.00 of 5
- Things to do: 2.60 of 4
Weakest categories
- Safety: 2.54 of 10
- Job access: 3.66 of 9 (FOH and BOH average)
Sources: see the full sources list.
Baton Rouge Tap to open ▼
FOH
51.30
#39 of 55
BOH
48.22
#50 of 55
OVERALL
49.76
No recreational weedLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 15.42 | 11.71 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 25.00 | 25.00 |
| Safety /10 shared | 6.03 | 6.03 |
| Job access /9 | 0.71 | 1.34 |
| Weather /5 shared | 2.60 | 2.60 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 0.04 | 0.04 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 1.50 | 1.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 2.96 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.87 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 0.00 /10
- State income tax: 3.59 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 0.00 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 0.00 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.09 /10
- State income tax: 3.62 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 17.00 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 6.00 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 3.64 /6
- Other serious violence: 1.85 /3
- Property crime: 0.54 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 0.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
Strongest categories
- Cost of living: 25.00 of 27
- Safety: 6.03 of 10
Weakest categories
- Things to do: 0.04 of 4
- Job access: 1.03 of 9 (FOH and BOH average)
Sources: see the full sources list.
Birmingham Tap to open ▼
FOH
45.33
#55 of 55
BOH
45.97
#54 of 55
OVERALL
45.65
No recreational weedLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 14.11 | 14.10 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 23.00 | 23.00 |
| Safety /10 shared | 2.05 | 2.05 |
| Job access /9 | 0.82 | 1.47 |
| Weather /5 shared | 3.30 | 3.30 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 0.55 | 0.55 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 1.50 | 1.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 2.92 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.93 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 0.00 /10
- State income tax: 2.26 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 0.00 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 3.79 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.15 /10
- State income tax: 2.16 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 15.91 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 5.09 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 0.00 /6
- Other serious violence: 1.51 /3
- Property crime: 0.54 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 0.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
Strongest categories
- Cost of living: 23.00 of 27
- Weather: 3.30 of 5
Weakest categories
- Job access: 1.15 of 9 (FOH and BOH average)
- Things to do: 0.55 of 4
Sources: see the full sources list.
Boston Tap to open ▼
FOH
50.47
#40 of 55
BOH
63.36
#10 of 55
OVERALL
56.92
Weed legalLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 20.14 | 33.34 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 4.38 | 4.38 |
| Safety /10 shared | 9.58 | 9.58 |
| Job access /9 | 6.07 | 5.76 |
| Weather /5 shared | 3.20 | 3.20 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 3.60 | 3.60 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 3.50 | 3.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 7.14 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.37 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 2.41 /10
- State income tax: 2.22 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 15.00 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 8.55 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 7.69 /10
- State income tax: 2.10 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 0.00 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 2.38 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 6.00 /6
- Other serious violence: 2.58 /3
- Property crime: 1.00 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 2.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
Strongest categories
- Safety: 9.58 of 10
- Things to do: 3.60 of 4
Weakest categories
- Cost of living: 4.38 of 27
- Weather: 3.20 of 5
Sources: see the full sources list.
Buffalo Tap to open ▼
FOH
59.54
#20 of 55
BOH
65.05
#5 of 55
OVERALL
62.30
Weed legal
Late night groceriesState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 19.27 | 24.95 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 21.90 | 21.90 |
| Safety /10 shared | 7.83 | 7.83 |
| Job access /9 | 2.03 | 1.86 |
| Weather /5 shared | 2.80 | 2.80 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 1.21 | 1.21 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 4.50 | 4.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 3.67 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.77 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 4.47 /10
- State income tax: 2.36 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 5.68 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 8.88 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.01 /10
- State income tax: 2.38 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 16.32 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 3.58 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 5.10 /6
- Other serious violence: 2.31 /3
- Property crime: 0.42 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 2.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 2.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
What helped
- Cost score of about 21.90 out of 27
- Safety of about 7.83 out of 10
- Kitchen progression of about 8.88 out of 10
What hurt
- Small BOH job market (about 1.86 out of 9)
- Cold, snowy winters
Read the full Buffalo writeup →
Important data
- Restaurant cook median: about $18.30 an hour
- Lead and supervisor jobs: roughly $18.50 to $23.25 an hour
- Delaware North full time sous chef posting: above $62,000 a year with benefits
- HUD FY2027 one bedroom FMR: about $1,203
- Zillow rent context: about $1,449
Research notes and caveats
- Buffalo finished only about 0.59 point ahead of San Francisco Oakland. That cutoff should not be treated as highly certain.
Sources
Charleston, SC Tap to open ▼
FOH
48.83
#48 of 55
BOH
54.47
#37 of 55
OVERALL
51.65
No recreational weed
No late night groceriesState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 17.37 | 22.98 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 15.85 | 15.85 |
| Safety /10 shared | 6.38 | 6.38 |
| Job access /9 | 4.04 | 4.07 |
| Weather /5 shared | 3.40 | 3.40 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 1.29 | 1.29 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 0.50 | 0.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 6.28 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.53 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 0.00 /10
- State income tax: 2.56 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 4.54 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 7.31 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.33 /10
- State income tax: 2.80 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 9.07 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 4.78 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 3.55 /6
- Other serious violence: 2.13 /3
- Property crime: 0.70 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 0.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 0.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
Strongest categories
- Weather: 3.40 of 5
- Safety: 6.38 of 10
Weakest categories
- Worker lifestyle: 0.50 of 5
- Things to do: 1.29 of 4
Sources: see the full sources list.
Charlotte Tap to open ▼
FOH
54.03
#36 of 55
BOH
56.79
#33 of 55
OVERALL
55.41
No recreational weedLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 19.09 | 21.58 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 18.17 | 18.17 |
| Safety /10 shared | 5.06 | 5.06 |
| Job access /9 | 4.28 | 4.55 |
| Weather /5 shared | 3.30 | 3.30 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 2.63 | 2.63 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 1.50 | 1.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 6.90 /15
- Stable shifts: 9.07 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 0.00 /10
- State income tax: 3.12 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 3.81 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 6.36 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.25 /10
- State income tax: 3.16 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 11.47 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 4.70 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 2.86 /6
- Other serious violence: 1.84 /3
- Property crime: 0.36 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 0.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
Strongest categories
- Cost of living: 18.17 of 27
- Weather: 3.30 of 5
Weakest categories
- Worker lifestyle: 1.50 of 5
- Job access: 4.42 of 9 (FOH and BOH average)
Sources: see the full sources list.
Chicago Tap to open ▼
FOH
61.03
#11 of 55
BOH
57.57
#30 of 55
OVERALL
59.30
Weed legalLate night groceriesState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 25.53 | 22.07 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 10.96 | 10.96 |
| Safety /10 shared | 6.12 | 6.12 |
| Job access /9 | 6.61 | 6.61 |
| Weather /5 shared | 2.90 | 2.90 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 3.91 | 3.91 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 5.00 | 5.00 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 8.97 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.73 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 5.65 /10
- State income tax: 2.18 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 7.09 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 3.97 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.99 /10
- State income tax: 2.02 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 7.89 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 0.07 /6
- Transportation: 3.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 3.35 /6
- Other serious violence: 2.03 /3
- Property crime: 0.74 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 2.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 2.00 /2
- Other late night access: 1.00 /1
Strongest categories
- Worker lifestyle: 5.00 of 5
- Things to do: 3.91 of 4
Weakest categories
- Cost of living: 10.96 of 27
- Weather: 2.90 of 5
Sources: see the full sources list.
Cincinnati Tap to open ▼
FOH
65.41
#5 of 55
BOH
61.55
#15 of 55
OVERALL
63.48
Weed legalLate night groceriesState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 19.93 | 16.18 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 24.08 | 24.08 |
| Safety /10 shared | 7.79 | 7.79 |
| Job access /9 | 4.56 | 4.45 |
| Weather /5 shared | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 1.55 | 1.55 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 4.50 | 4.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 5.54 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.50 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 1.76 /10
- State income tax: 4.13 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 1.33 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 2.20 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.30 /10
- State income tax: 4.35 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 16.46 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 5.62 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 4.23 /6
- Other serious violence: 2.70 /3
- Property crime: 0.86 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 2.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 2.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
What helped
- Cost score of about 24.08 out of 27
- Safety of about 7.79 out of 10
- Real higher check venues, including Jeff Ruby’s, The Precinct, Carlo & Johnny, Boca and Mita’s
What hurt
- Premium FOH market depth is smaller than Vegas, Orlando or Tampa (venue depth 5.54 out of 15)
- Ohio’s $5.50 tipped cash wage (employer paid floor 1.76 out of 10)
Read the full Cincinnati writeup →
Important data
- HUD FY2027 one bedroom FMR: about $1,128
- Zillow rent context: about $1,522
- About $4.5 billion in direct Hamilton County visitor spending
Research notes and caveats
- High check venues exist, but that does not measure how many FOH workers can get enough high paying shifts.
Sources
Cleveland Tap to open ▼
FOH
60.03
#17 of 55
BOH
59.56
#23 of 55
OVERALL
59.80
Weed legalLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 18.60 | 18.35 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 24.63 | 24.63 |
| Safety /10 shared | 4.44 | 4.44 |
| Job access /9 | 3.55 | 3.33 |
| Weather /5 shared | 2.90 | 2.90 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 1.91 | 1.91 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 4.00 | 4.00 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 4.41 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.30 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 1.76 /10
- State income tax: 4.13 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 3.98 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 2.38 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 7.64 /10
- State income tax: 4.35 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 16.94 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 5.69 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 1.89 /6
- Other serious violence: 1.61 /3
- Property crime: 0.94 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 2.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 1.00 /1
Strongest categories
- Cost of living: 24.63 of 27
- Worker lifestyle: 4.00 of 5
Weakest categories
- Job access: 3.44 of 9 (FOH and BOH average)
- Safety: 4.44 of 10
Sources: see the full sources list.
Columbus, OH Tap to open ▼
FOH
59.62
#19 of 55
BOH
57.01
#32 of 55
OVERALL
58.32
Weed legalLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 19.54 | 17.46 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 22.57 | 22.57 |
| Safety /10 shared | 5.93 | 5.93 |
| Job access /9 | 3.50 | 2.97 |
| Weather /5 shared | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 1.58 | 1.58 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 3.50 | 3.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 4.68 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.97 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 1.76 /10
- State income tax: 4.13 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 2.18 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 2.76 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.17 /10
- State income tax: 4.35 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 14.88 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 5.69 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 3.25 /6
- Other serious violence: 2.05 /3
- Property crime: 0.63 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 2.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
Strongest categories
- Cost of living: 22.57 of 27
- Worker lifestyle: 3.50 of 5
Weakest categories
- Job access: 3.24 of 9 (FOH and BOH average)
- Things to do: 1.58 of 4
Sources: see the full sources list.
Dallas Fort Worth Tap to open ▼
FOH
64.40
#6 of 55
BOH
60.42
#21 of 55
OVERALL
62.41
No recreational weedLate night groceriesNo state income taxFOH Just Missed, #6.
| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 23.84 | 19.86 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 16.69 | 16.69 |
| Safety /10 shared | 6.85 | 6.85 |
| Job access /9 | 7.12 | 7.12 |
| Weather /5 shared | 3.30 | 3.30 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 3.60 | 3.60 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 3.00 | 3.00 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 9.61 /15
- Stable shifts: 9.23 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 0.00 /10
- State income tax: 5.00 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 2.17 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 3.80 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.89 /10
- State income tax: 5.00 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 12.73 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 1.96 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 3.94 /6
- Other serious violence: 2.23 /3
- Property crime: 0.68 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 0.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 2.00 /2
- Other late night access: 1.00 /1
What helped
- Huge restaurant market, with about 5,847 full service venues
- Strong job depth, with about 100,500 FOH jobs
- No Texas individual state income tax
What hurt
- Texas still permits a $2.13 employer paid tipped cash wage, which earned 0 out of 10
Read the full Dallas Fort Worth writeup →
Sources
Denver Tap to open ▼
FOH
58.52
#24 of 55
BOH
63.80
#7 of 55
OVERALL
61.16
Weed legalLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedState income taxBOH Just Missed, #7.
| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 26.25 | 31.46 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 13.86 | 13.86 |
| Safety /10 shared | 4.56 | 4.56 |
| Job access /9 | 4.72 | 4.79 |
| Weather /5 shared | 2.70 | 2.70 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 2.93 | 2.93 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 3.50 | 3.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 6.97 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.83 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 7.38 /10
- State income tax: 3.07 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 12.62 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 7.59 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.07 /10
- State income tax: 3.18 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 9.12 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 2.74 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 4.23 /6
- Other serious violence: 0.33 /3
- Property crime: 0.00 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 2.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
What helped
- Restaurant cook median of about $21.33 an hour
- Strong wages and a balanced market
What hurt
- Housing and overall living costs, with a HUD one bedroom FMR of about $1,831
Read the full Denver writeup →
Sources
Detroit Tap to open ▼
FOH
60.42
#15 of 55
BOH
58.06
#28 of 55
OVERALL
59.24
Weed legalLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 20.78 | 18.58 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 21.07 | 21.07 |
| Safety /10 shared | 4.42 | 4.42 |
| Job access /9 | 4.81 | 4.65 |
| Weather /5 shared | 2.90 | 2.90 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 2.44 | 2.44 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 4.00 | 4.00 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 7.43 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.90 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 1.75 /10
- State income tax: 2.70 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 4.79 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 3.04 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.12 /10
- State income tax: 2.63 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 16.16 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 2.91 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 2.47 /6
- Other serious violence: 1.09 /3
- Property crime: 0.86 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 2.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 1.00 /1
Strongest categories
- Worker lifestyle: 4.00 of 5
- Cost of living: 21.07 of 27
Weakest categories
- Safety: 4.42 of 10
- Earning opportunity: 19.68 of 40 (FOH and BOH average)
Sources: see the full sources list.
Gulfport Biloxi Tap to open ▼
FOH
54.14
#35 of 55
BOH
48.07
#51 of 55
OVERALL
51.11
No recreational weedLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 18.24 | 12.17 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 24.28 | 24.28 |
| Safety /10 shared | 4.70 | 4.70 |
| Job access /9 | 2.52 | 2.52 |
| Weather /5 shared | 2.90 | 2.90 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 1.50 | 1.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 6.11 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.80 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 0.00 /10
- State income tax: 3.33 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 0.00 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 0.66 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.04 /10
- State income tax: 3.47 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 17.00 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 5.28 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 1.89 /6
- Other serious violence: 2.41 /3
- Property crime: 0.40 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 0.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
Strongest categories
- Cost of living: 24.28 of 27
- Weather: 2.90 of 5
Weakest categories
- Things to do: 0.00 of 4
- Job access: 2.52 of 9 (FOH and BOH average)
Sources: see the full sources list.
Honolulu Tap to open ▼
FOH
49.41
#44 of 55
BOH
60.53
#20 of 55
OVERALL
54.97
No recreational weedLate night groceriesState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 22.90 | 33.01 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 4.41 | 4.41 |
| Safety /10 shared | 9.68 | 9.68 |
| Job access /9 | 3.90 | 4.91 |
| Weather /5 shared | 4.20 | 4.20 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 1.32 | 1.32 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 3.00 | 3.00 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 4.72 /15
- Stable shifts: 9.63 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 6.58 /10
- State income tax: 1.97 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 11.19 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 9.86 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 9.71 /10
- State income tax: 2.25 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 2.41 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 0.00 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 6.00 /6
- Other serious violence: 2.80 /3
- Property crime: 0.88 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 0.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 2.00 /2
- Other late night access: 1.00 /1
Strongest categories
- Safety: 9.68 of 10
- Weather: 4.20 of 5
Weakest categories
- Cost of living: 4.41 of 27
- Things to do: 1.32 of 4
Sources: see the full sources list.
Houston Tap to open ▼
FOH
63.21
#7 of 55
BOH
52.99
#42 of 55
OVERALL
58.10
No recreational weedLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedNo state income taxFOH Just Missed, #7.
| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 24.54 | 14.32 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 20.49 | 20.49 |
| Safety /10 shared | 2.99 | 2.99 |
| Job access /9 | 7.43 | 7.43 |
| Weather /5 shared | 2.60 | 2.60 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 3.16 | 3.16 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 2.00 | 2.00 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 10.17 /15
- Stable shifts: 9.37 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 0.00 /10
- State income tax: 5.00 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 0.11 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 0.22 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.99 /10
- State income tax: 5.00 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 14.82 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 3.67 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 2.38 /6
- Other serious violence: 0.45 /3
- Property crime: 0.16 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 0.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 1.00 /1
What helped
- Large restaurant and hospitality market
- No Texas individual state income tax
What hurt
- Safety score of about 2.99 out of 10 materially reduced the overall result
Read the full Houston writeup →
Sources
Indianapolis Tap to open ▼
FOH
54.96
#33 of 55
BOH
53.22
#41 of 55
OVERALL
54.09
No recreational weedLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 16.96 | 15.46 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 22.16 | 22.16 |
| Safety /10 shared | 6.23 | 6.23 |
| Job access /9 | 3.29 | 3.05 |
| Weather /5 shared | 3.10 | 3.10 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 1.22 | 1.22 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 2.00 | 2.00 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 4.70 /15
- Stable shifts: 9.00 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 0.00 /10
- State income tax: 3.26 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 1.98 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 2.13 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.20 /10
- State income tax: 3.15 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 14.78 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 5.38 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 3.16 /6
- Other serious violence: 2.08 /3
- Property crime: 0.99 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 0.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 1.00 /1
Strongest categories
- Cost of living: 22.16 of 27
- Safety: 6.23 of 10
Weakest categories
- Things to do: 1.22 of 4
- Job access: 3.17 of 9 (FOH and BOH average)
Sources: see the full sources list.
Jacksonville, FL Tap to open ▼
FOH
60.98
#12 of 55
BOH
54.11
#40 of 55
OVERALL
57.55
No recreational weedLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedNo state income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 24.98 | 17.95 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 20.05 | 20.05 |
| Safety /10 shared | 5.81 | 5.81 |
| Job access /9 | 3.52 | 3.68 |
| Weather /5 shared | 2.80 | 2.80 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 1.82 | 1.82 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 2.00 | 2.00 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 5.44 /15
- Stable shifts: 9.40 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 5.14 /10
- State income tax: 5.00 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 2.27 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 2.16 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.52 /10
- State income tax: 5.00 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 13.36 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 4.69 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 3.25 /6
- Other serious violence: 1.75 /3
- Property crime: 0.81 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 0.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 1.00 /1
Strongest categories
- Cost of living: 20.05 of 27
- Safety: 5.81 of 10
Weakest categories
- Worker lifestyle: 2.00 of 5
- Job access: 3.60 of 9 (FOH and BOH average)
Sources: see the full sources list.
Kansas City Tap to open ▼
FOH
54.82
#34 of 55
BOH
54.45
#38 of 55
OVERALL
54.64
Weed legalLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 19.70 | 19.59 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 22.69 | 22.69 |
| Safety /10 shared | 0.85 | 0.85 |
| Job access /9 | 3.86 | 3.60 |
| Weather /5 shared | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 1.22 | 1.22 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 3.50 | 3.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 4.75 /15
- Stable shifts: 9.03 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 2.80 /10
- State income tax: 3.12 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 4.10 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 3.94 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.23 /10
- State income tax: 3.32 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 14.69 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 6.00 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 0.00 /6
- Other serious violence: 0.56 /3
- Property crime: 0.29 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 2.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
Strongest categories
- Cost of living: 22.69 of 27
- Worker lifestyle: 3.50 of 5
Weakest categories
- Safety: 0.85 of 10
- Things to do: 1.22 of 4
Sources: see the full sources list.
Las Vegas Tap to open ▼
FOH
73.01
#1 of 55
BOH
72.98
#1 of 55
OVERALL
73.00
Weed legalLate night groceriesNo state income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 28.29 | 28.33 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 20.21 | 20.21 |
| Safety /10 shared | 4.85 | 4.85 |
| Job access /9 | 8.20 | 8.13 |
| Weather /5 shared | 3.50 | 3.50 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 2.96 | 2.96 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 5.00 | 5.00 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 8.74 /15
- Stable shifts: 9.40 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 5.15 /10
- State income tax: 5.00 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 8.31 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 5.50 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 9.52 /10
- State income tax: 5.00 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 13.00 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 4.71 /6
- Transportation: 2.50 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 3.35 /6
- Other serious violence: 1.29 /3
- Property crime: 0.21 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 2.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 2.00 /2
- Other late night access: 1.00 /1
What helped
- Massive hospitality volume, with about 38.5 million visitors in 2025
- Casino, hotel, resort, banquet and union opportunities
- No Nevada individual state income tax, and Nevada does not use a lower tipped cash wage than its normal minimum
What hurt
- Brutal summer heat
- Casino and resort jobs do not guarantee a new worker an ideal shift or full schedule
Read the full Las Vegas writeup →
Important data
- Median restaurant cook wage: about $18.65 an hour
- MGM master cook postings at multiple properties: just over $27 an hour
- HUD FY2027 one bedroom FMR: about $1,435
- Zillow rent context: about $1,742
- Recreational cannabis legal, with strong late night access
Research notes and caveats
- Casino and resort job availability does not mean every new worker immediately receives a premium property, ideal shift or full schedule.
Sources
Little Rock Tap to open ▼
FOH
45.39
#54 of 55
BOH
41.47
#55 of 55
OVERALL
43.43
No recreational weedLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 14.84 | 10.92 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 25.00 | 25.00 |
| Safety /10 shared | 0.40 | 0.40 |
| Job access /9 | 0.45 | 0.45 |
| Weather /5 shared | 3.20 | 3.20 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 1.50 | 1.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 2.81 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.90 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 0.26 /10
- State income tax: 2.87 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 0.00 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 0.00 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.12 /10
- State income tax: 2.80 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 17.00 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 6.00 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 0.00 /6
- Other serious violence: 0.34 /3
- Property crime: 0.06 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 0.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
Strongest categories
- Cost of living: 25.00 of 27
- Weather: 3.20 of 5
Weakest categories
- Things to do: 0.00 of 4
- Safety: 0.40 of 10
Sources: see the full sources list.
Los Angeles Tap to open ▼
FOH
60.61
#13 of 55
BOH
63.29
#11 of 55
OVERALL
61.95
Weed legalLate night groceriesState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 31.46 | 34.14 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 2.68 | 2.68 |
| Safety /10 shared | 5.37 | 5.37 |
| Job access /9 | 7.50 | 7.50 |
| Weather /5 shared | 4.60 | 4.60 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 5.00 | 5.00 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 10.31 /15
- Stable shifts: 9.30 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 8.50 /10
- State income tax: 3.35 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 13.25 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 7.58 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 9.44 /10
- State income tax: 3.87 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 0.18 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 0.00 /6
- Transportation: 2.50 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 4.23 /6
- Other serious violence: 0.81 /3
- Property crime: 0.33 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 2.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 2.00 /2
- Other late night access: 1.00 /1
Strongest categories
- Things to do: 4.00 of 4
- Worker lifestyle: 5.00 of 5
Weakest categories
- Cost of living: 2.68 of 27
- Safety: 5.37 of 10
Sources: see the full sources list.
Memphis Tap to open ▼
FOH
49.31
#46 of 55
BOH
50.66
#46 of 55
OVERALL
49.99
No recreational weedLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedNo state income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 18.84 | 19.90 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 23.87 | 23.87 |
| Safety /10 shared | 0.32 | 0.32 |
| Job access /9 | 1.15 | 1.44 |
| Weather /5 shared | 2.60 | 2.60 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 0.53 | 0.53 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 2.00 | 2.00 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 5.14 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.70 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 0.00 /10
- State income tax: 5.00 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 2.03 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 4.91 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 7.96 /10
- State income tax: 5.00 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 16.44 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 5.43 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 0.00 /6
- Other serious violence: 0.32 /3
- Property crime: 0.00 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 0.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 1.00 /1
Strongest categories
- Cost of living: 23.87 of 27
- Weather: 2.60 of 5
Weakest categories
- Safety: 0.32 of 10
- Things to do: 0.53 of 4
Sources: see the full sources list.
Miami Tap to open ▼
FOH
58.05
#25 of 55
BOH
49.63
#47 of 55
OVERALL
53.84
No recreational weedLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedNo state income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 31.03 | 22.61 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 4.88 | 4.88 |
| Safety /10 shared | 5.56 | 5.56 |
| Job access /9 | 7.88 | 7.88 |
| Weather /5 shared | 2.70 | 2.70 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 2.00 | 2.00 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 12.09 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.80 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 5.14 /10
- State income tax: 5.00 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 4.55 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 4.52 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.54 /10
- State income tax: 5.00 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 2.88 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 0.00 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 3.50 /6
- Other serious violence: 1.70 /3
- Property crime: 0.36 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 0.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 1.00 /1
Strongest categories
- Things to do: 4.00 of 4
- Job access: 7.88 of 9 (FOH and BOH average)
Weakest categories
- Cost of living: 4.88 of 27
- Worker lifestyle: 2.00 of 5
Sources: see the full sources list.
Milwaukee Tap to open ▼
FOH
48.31
#50 of 55
BOH
52.58
#43 of 55
OVERALL
50.45
No recreational weedLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 14.75 | 19.07 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 23.86 | 23.86 |
| Safety /10 shared | 1.34 | 1.34 |
| Job access /9 | 2.61 | 2.56 |
| Weather /5 shared | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 1.25 | 1.25 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 1.50 | 1.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 2.98 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.53 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 0.10 /10
- State income tax: 3.14 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 4.24 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 3.71 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 7.83 /10
- State income tax: 3.29 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 16.33 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 5.53 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 0.00 /6
- Other serious violence: 0.59 /3
- Property crime: 0.75 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 0.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
Strongest categories
- Cost of living: 23.86 of 27
- Weather: 3.00 of 5
Weakest categories
- Safety: 1.34 of 10
- Job access: 2.59 of 9 (FOH and BOH average)
Sources: see the full sources list.
Minneapolis St. Paul Tap to open ▼
FOH
60.03
#17 of 55
BOH
63.50
#8 of 55
OVERALL
61.77
Weed legalLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedState income taxBOH Just Missed, #8.
| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 21.34 | 24.39 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 16.07 | 16.07 |
| Safety /10 shared | 8.33 | 8.33 |
| Job access /9 | 5.10 | 5.52 |
| Weather /5 shared | 2.80 | 2.80 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 2.89 | 2.89 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 3.50 | 3.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 5.29 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.77 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 4.84 /10
- State income tax: 2.44 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 8.15 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 5.50 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.01 /10
- State income tax: 2.73 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 13.19 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 0.88 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 5.49 /6
- Other serious violence: 2.20 /3
- Property crime: 0.64 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 2.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
What helped
- Solid BOH market, with a restaurant cook median of about $19.06 an hour
- A better housing picture than several high wage coastal cities, with a HUD one bedroom FMR of about $1,427
What hurt
- Did not quite reach the Top 5 cutoff
Read the full Minneapolis St. Paul writeup →
Sources
Myrtle Beach Tap to open ▼
FOH
50.34
#41 of 55
BOH
49.40
#48 of 55
OVERALL
49.87
No recreational weedLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 14.26 | 13.74 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 21.25 | 21.25 |
| Safety /10 shared | 5.98 | 5.98 |
| Job access /9 | 2.94 | 2.52 |
| Weather /5 shared | 3.80 | 3.80 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 0.11 | 0.11 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 2.00 | 2.00 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 6.23 /15
- Stable shifts: 5.47 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 0.00 /10
- State income tax: 2.56 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 0.34 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 5.23 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 5.37 /10
- State income tax: 2.80 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 14.47 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 4.78 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 3.64 /6
- Other serious violence: 1.82 /3
- Property crime: 0.52 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 0.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 1.00 /1
Strongest categories
- Cost of living: 21.25 of 27
- Weather: 3.80 of 5
Weakest categories
- Things to do: 0.11 of 4
- Job access: 2.73 of 9 (FOH and BOH average)
Sources: see the full sources list.
Nashville Tap to open ▼
FOH
56.67
#30 of 55
BOH
63.05
#12 of 55
OVERALL
59.86
No recreational weedLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedNo state income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 20.38 | 26.85 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 18.51 | 18.51 |
| Safety /10 shared | 5.56 | 5.56 |
| Job access /9 | 4.61 | 4.52 |
| Weather /5 shared | 3.20 | 3.20 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 2.91 | 2.91 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 1.50 | 1.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 6.91 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.47 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 0.00 /10
- State income tax: 5.00 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 6.01 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 7.57 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.27 /10
- State income tax: 5.00 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 11.04 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 5.47 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 4.03 /6
- Other serious violence: 0.99 /3
- Property crime: 0.54 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 0.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
Strongest categories
- Things to do: 2.91 of 4
- Cost of living: 18.51 of 27
Weakest categories
- Worker lifestyle: 1.50 of 5
- Job access: 4.56 of 9 (FOH and BOH average)
Sources: see the full sources list.
New Orleans Tap to open ▼
FOH
62.31
#10 of 55
BOH
52.54
#44 of 55
OVERALL
57.43
No recreational weedLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 22.71 | 12.58 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 23.30 | 23.30 |
| Safety /10 shared | 6.03 | 6.03 |
| Job access /9 | 4.32 | 4.68 |
| Weather /5 shared | 2.80 | 2.80 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 1.65 | 1.65 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 1.50 | 1.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 10.15 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.97 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 0.00 /10
- State income tax: 3.59 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 0.19 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 0.10 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.67 /10
- State income tax: 3.62 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 15.30 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 6.00 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 3.64 /6
- Other serious violence: 1.85 /3
- Property crime: 0.54 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 0.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
Strongest categories
- Cost of living: 23.30 of 27
- Safety: 6.03 of 10
Weakest categories
- Worker lifestyle: 1.50 of 5
- Things to do: 1.65 of 4
Sources: see the full sources list.
New York City Tap to open ▼
FOH
53.61
#38 of 55
BOH
61.04
#19 of 55
OVERALL
57.33
Weed legalLate night groceriesState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 25.89 | 33.32 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 3.50 | 3.50 |
| Safety /10 shared | 5.24 | 5.24 |
| Job access /9 | 6.48 | 6.48 |
| Weather /5 shared | 3.50 | 3.50 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 5.00 | 5.00 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 10.05 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.67 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 4.81 /10
- State income tax: 2.36 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 12.52 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 9.49 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.93 /10
- State income tax: 2.38 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 0.00 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 0.00 /6
- Transportation: 3.50 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 4.32 /6
- Other serious violence: 0.58 /3
- Property crime: 0.34 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 2.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 2.00 /2
- Other late night access: 1.00 /1
Strongest categories
- Things to do: 4.00 of 4
- Worker lifestyle: 5.00 of 5
Weakest categories
- Cost of living: 3.50 of 27
- Safety: 5.24 of 10
Sources: see the full sources list.
Orlando Tap to open ▼
FOH
67.27
#2 of 55
BOH
62.34
#13 of 55
OVERALL
64.81
No recreational weedLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedNo state income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 29.42 | 24.64 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 16.46 | 16.46 |
| Safety /10 shared | 6.03 | 6.03 |
| Job access /9 | 7.90 | 7.75 |
| Weather /5 shared | 2.60 | 2.60 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 2.86 | 2.86 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 2.00 | 2.00 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 9.78 /15
- Stable shifts: 9.50 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 5.14 /10
- State income tax: 5.00 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 5.64 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 4.90 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 9.10 /10
- State income tax: 5.00 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 9.77 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 4.69 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 3.64 /6
- Other serious violence: 1.85 /3
- Property crime: 0.54 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 0.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 1.00 /1
What helped
- More than 480 hotels and resorts and more than 130,000 hotel rooms
- About 76.7 million visitors in 2025
- Florida tipped cash wage of $11.98 as of September 30, 2026, and no state individual income tax
What hurt
- Housing significantly more expensive than it once was
- Heat, humidity and tourist area traffic
Read the full Orlando writeup →
Important data
- HUD FY2027 one bedroom FMR: about $1,726
- Zillow rent context: about $1,942
- Marriott resort assistant sous chef posting: $26.92 to $32.69 an hour
Research notes and caveats
- Safety uses an imputed midpoint (6.03 out of 10) because a matched FBI metro value was missing.
- Late night grocery access is midpoint scored (1 out of 2).
Sources
Philadelphia Tap to open ▼
FOH
57.43
#28 of 55
BOH
61.38
#16 of 55
OVERALL
59.41
No recreational weedLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 20.35 | 24.49 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 16.76 | 16.76 |
| Safety /10 shared | 5.29 | 5.29 |
| Job access /9 | 6.14 | 5.95 |
| Weather /5 shared | 3.30 | 3.30 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 3.59 | 3.59 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 2.00 | 2.00 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 8.22 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.60 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 0.37 /10
- State income tax: 3.16 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 5.88 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 7.70 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 7.88 /10
- State income tax: 3.03 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 11.17 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 3.59 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 3.35 /6
- Other serious violence: 1.65 /3
- Property crime: 0.29 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 0.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 1.00 /1
Strongest categories
- Things to do: 3.59 of 4
- Job access: 6.05 of 9 (FOH and BOH average)
Weakest categories
- Worker lifestyle: 2.00 of 5
- Safety: 5.29 of 10
Sources: see the full sources list.
Phoenix Tap to open ▼
FOH
65.69
#4 of 55
BOH
65.33
#4 of 55
OVERALL
65.51
Weed legalLate night groceriesState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 23.76 | 23.62 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 18.78 | 18.78 |
| Safety /10 shared | 6.22 | 6.22 |
| Job access /9 | 6.09 | 5.87 |
| Weather /5 shared | 3.20 | 3.20 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 3.14 | 3.14 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 4.50 | 4.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 5.95 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.87 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 5.23 /10
- State income tax: 3.71 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 7.19 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 4.15 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.59 /10
- State income tax: 3.69 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 12.69 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 4.09 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 4.32 /6
- Other serious violence: 1.14 /3
- Property crime: 0.76 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 2.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 2.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
What helped
- Large hospitality market, with about 2,829 full service restaurants and 549 hotels
- About 44,090 core BOH jobs
- Resort and hotel kitchens create an advancement ladder
What hurt
- Extreme summer heat is the major climate drawback, with a weather score of 3.2 out of 5
- Housing is not as cheap as it used to be
Read the full Phoenix writeup →
Important data
- Restaurant cook median: about $18.83 an hour
- HUD FY2027 one bedroom FMR: about $1,493
- Zillow rent context: about $1,722
Research notes and caveats
- Whether jobs, attainable rentals, travel costs and summer schedules work together for a typical worker remains unmeasured.
Sources
Pittsburgh Tap to open ▼
FOH
57.89
#26 of 55
BOH
57.83
#29 of 55
OVERALL
57.86
No recreational weedLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 17.44 | 17.42 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 21.82 | 21.82 |
| Safety /10 shared | 7.51 | 7.51 |
| Job access /9 | 4.37 | 4.33 |
| Weather /5 shared | 2.90 | 2.90 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 2.35 | 2.35 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 1.50 | 1.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 5.21 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.70 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 0.37 /10
- State income tax: 3.16 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 1.26 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 5.17 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 7.96 /10
- State income tax: 3.03 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 16.62 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 3.20 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 3.55 /6
- Other serious violence: 2.96 /3
- Property crime: 1.00 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 0.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
Strongest categories
- Cost of living: 21.82 of 27
- Safety: 7.51 of 10
Weakest categories
- Worker lifestyle: 1.50 of 5
- Earning opportunity: 17.43 of 40 (FOH and BOH average)
Sources: see the full sources list.
Portland, Maine Tap to open ▼
FOH
45.59
#53 of 55
BOH
56.34
#35 of 55
OVERALL
50.97
Weed legalLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 15.43 | 25.94 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 11.98 | 11.98 |
| Safety /10 shared | 9.91 | 9.91 |
| Job access /9 | 0.95 | 1.19 |
| Weather /5 shared | 2.80 | 2.80 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 1.02 | 1.02 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 3.50 | 3.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 6.07 /15
- Stable shifts: 4.40 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 2.83 /10
- State income tax: 2.13 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 14.84 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 4.23 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 4.52 /10
- State income tax: 2.35 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 6.55 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 3.43 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 6.00 /6
- Other serious violence: 2.91 /3
- Property crime: 1.00 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 2.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
Strongest categories
- Safety: 9.91 of 10
- Worker lifestyle: 3.50 of 5
Weakest categories
- Job access: 1.07 of 9 (FOH and BOH average)
- Things to do: 1.02 of 4
Sources: see the full sources list.
Portland, Oregon Tap to open ▼
FOH
59.09
#22 of 55
BOH
65.86
#3 of 55
OVERALL
62.48
Weed legalLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 25.13 | 31.01 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 14.08 | 14.08 |
| Safety /10 shared | 6.24 | 6.24 |
| Job access /9 | 3.67 | 4.56 |
| Weather /5 shared | 3.70 | 3.70 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 2.77 | 2.77 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 3.50 | 3.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 8.00 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.90 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 7.65 /10
- State income tax: 0.58 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 14.63 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 7.20 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.62 /10
- State income tax: 0.56 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 11.14 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 0.94 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 4.81 /6
- Other serious violence: 1.43 /3
- Property crime: 0.00 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 2.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
What helped
- Restaurant cook median of about $21.73 an hour
- Sous chef postings of roughly $27 to $29 an hour, and some salaried sous roles around $70,000 to $75,000
- Strong food culture and legal recreational cannabis
What hurt
- Rent
- Gray, rainy weather
Read the full Portland, Oregon writeup →
Important data
- Core BOH employment: about 25,050
- HUD FY2027 one bedroom FMR: about $1,633
- Zillow rent context: about $1,818
Research notes and caveats
- The salaried sous chef offer should not be translated into an hourly rate without actual hours.
Sources
Raleigh Tap to open ▼
FOH
53.83
#37 of 55
BOH
57.12
#31 of 55
OVERALL
55.48
No recreational weedLate night groceriesState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 15.94 | 18.66 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 19.21 | 19.21 |
| Safety /10 shared | 8.42 | 8.42 |
| Job access /9 | 2.57 | 3.14 |
| Weather /5 shared | 3.20 | 3.20 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 1.49 | 1.49 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 3.00 | 3.00 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 3.85 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.97 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 0.00 /10
- State income tax: 3.12 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 1.97 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 5.36 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.17 /10
- State income tax: 3.16 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 12.52 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 4.69 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 4.71 /6
- Other serious violence: 2.86 /3
- Property crime: 0.85 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 0.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 2.00 /2
- Other late night access: 1.00 /1
Strongest categories
- Safety: 8.42 of 10
- Cost of living: 19.21 of 27
Weakest categories
- Job access: 2.86 of 9 (FOH and BOH average)
- Things to do: 1.49 of 4
Sources: see the full sources list.
Reno Tap to open ▼
FOH
55.21
#32 of 55
BOH
56.56
#34 of 55
OVERALL
55.89
Weed legalLate night groceriesNo state income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 23.38 | 24.73 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 17.79 | 17.79 |
| Safety /10 shared | 5.63 | 5.63 |
| Job access /9 | 0.89 | 0.89 |
| Weather /5 shared | 2.90 | 2.90 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 0.12 | 0.12 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 4.50 | 4.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 4.56 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.67 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 5.15 /10
- State income tax: 5.00 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 7.18 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 4.62 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 7.93 /10
- State income tax: 5.00 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 11.08 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 4.71 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 4.32 /6
- Other serious violence: 0.80 /3
- Property crime: 0.51 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 2.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 2.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
Strongest categories
- Worker lifestyle: 4.50 of 5
- Cost of living: 17.79 of 27
Weakest categories
- Things to do: 0.12 of 4
- Job access: 0.89 of 9 (FOH and BOH average)
Sources: see the full sources list.
Sacramento Tap to open ▼
FOH
56.72
#29 of 55
BOH
61.11
#17 of 55
OVERALL
58.92
Weed legalLate night groceriesState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 25.91 | 29.65 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 10.33 | 10.33 |
| Safety /10 shared | 7.14 | 7.14 |
| Job access /9 | 3.00 | 3.65 |
| Weather /5 shared | 3.80 | 3.80 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 2.04 | 2.04 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 4.50 | 4.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 5.56 /15
- Stable shifts: 9.30 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 7.70 /10
- State income tax: 3.35 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 12.39 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 4.95 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.44 /10
- State income tax: 3.87 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 7.40 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 0.93 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 5.30 /6
- Other serious violence: 1.11 /3
- Property crime: 0.73 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 2.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 2.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
Strongest categories
- Worker lifestyle: 4.50 of 5
- Weather: 3.80 of 5
Weakest categories
- Job access: 3.33 of 9 (FOH and BOH average)
- Cost of living: 10.33 of 27
Sources: see the full sources list.
Salt Lake City Tap to open ▼
FOH
49.36
#45 of 55
BOH
54.42
#39 of 55
OVERALL
51.89
No recreational weedLate night groceriesState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 13.38 | 17.79 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 20.78 | 20.78 |
| Safety /10 shared | 6.93 | 6.93 |
| Job access /9 | 1.14 | 1.79 |
| Weather /5 shared | 2.80 | 2.80 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 1.83 | 1.83 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 2.50 | 2.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 2.07 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.97 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 0.00 /10
- State income tax: 2.34 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 4.08 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 3.37 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.17 /10
- State income tax: 2.17 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 14.19 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 4.59 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 5.49 /6
- Other serious violence: 1.44 /3
- Property crime: 0.00 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 0.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 2.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
Strongest categories
- Cost of living: 20.78 of 27
- Safety: 6.93 of 10
Weakest categories
- Job access: 1.46 of 9 (FOH and BOH average)
- Earning opportunity: 15.59 of 40 (FOH and BOH average)
Sources: see the full sources list.
San Antonio Tap to open ▼
FOH
62.99
#8 of 55
BOH
54.64
#36 of 55
OVERALL
58.82
No recreational weedLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedNo state income taxFOH Just Missed, #8.
| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 21.27 | 13.12 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 24.40 | 24.40 |
| Safety /10 shared | 4.70 | 4.70 |
| Job access /9 | 5.70 | 5.50 |
| Weather /5 shared | 3.30 | 3.30 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 1.62 | 1.62 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 2.00 | 2.00 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 7.37 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.90 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 0.00 /10
- State income tax: 5.00 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 0.00 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 0.00 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.12 /10
- State income tax: 5.00 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 16.40 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 6.00 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 3.55 /6
- Other serious violence: 1.15 /3
- Property crime: 0.00 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 0.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 1.00 /1
What helped
- Comparatively manageable housing costs
What hurt
- FOH earning opportunity was not strong enough to offset other factors
Read the full San Antonio writeup →
Sources
San Diego Tap to open ▼
FOH
58.96
#23 of 55
BOH
63.39
#9 of 55
OVERALL
61.18
Weed legalLate night groceriesState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 28.50 | 32.60 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Safety /10 shared | 8.98 | 8.98 |
| Job access /9 | 6.54 | 6.87 |
| Weather /5 shared | 4.70 | 4.70 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 3.24 | 3.24 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 5.00 | 5.00 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 7.87 /15
- Stable shifts: 9.13 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 8.15 /10
- State income tax: 3.35 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 14.42 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 5.50 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.81 /10
- State income tax: 3.87 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 0.00 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 0.00 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 6.00 /6
- Other serious violence: 1.98 /3
- Property crime: 1.00 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 2.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 2.00 /2
- Other late night access: 1.00 /1
Strongest categories
- Worker lifestyle: 5.00 of 5
- Weather: 4.70 of 5
Weakest categories
- Cost of living: 2.00 of 27
- Job access: 6.71 of 9 (FOH and BOH average)
Sources: see the full sources list.
San Francisco Oakland Tap to open ▼
FOH
57.68
#27 of 55
BOH
64.46
#6 of 55
OVERALL
61.07
Weed legalLate night groceriesState income taxBOH Just Missed, #6.
| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 31.19 | 37.16 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Safety /10 shared | 6.27 | 6.27 |
| Job access /9 | 5.28 | 6.09 |
| Weather /5 shared | 4.60 | 4.60 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 3.84 | 3.84 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 4.50 | 4.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 10.33 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.97 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 8.54 /10
- State income tax: 3.35 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 15.00 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 9.12 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 9.17 /10
- State income tax: 3.87 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 0.00 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 0.00 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 5.30 /6
- Other serious violence: 0.96 /3
- Property crime: 0.01 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 2.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 2.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
What helped
- Some of the strongest cook wages in the ranking, with a median of about $22.13 an hour
What hurt
- Extreme housing cost, with a HUD one bedroom FMR of about $3,003
Read the full San Francisco Oakland writeup →
Research notes and caveats
- The metro spans very different housing markets. Oakland averages about $2,263 for a one bedroom, while San Francisco averages about $3,629. A worker’s actual employer location and commute can dramatically affect affordability.
Sources
San Jose Tap to open ▼
FOH
49.51
#43 of 55
BOH
61.87
#14 of 55
OVERALL
55.69
Weed legalLate night groceriesState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 26.15 | 37.55 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 2.93 | 2.93 |
| Safety /10 shared | 7.55 | 7.55 |
| Job access /9 | 2.32 | 3.28 |
| Weather /5 shared | 4.50 | 4.50 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 1.56 | 1.56 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 4.50 | 4.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 4.69 /15
- Stable shifts: 9.60 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 8.51 /10
- State income tax: 3.35 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 15.00 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 10.00 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.68 /10
- State income tax: 3.87 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 0.00 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 0.93 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 6.00 /6
- Other serious violence: 1.32 /3
- Property crime: 0.23 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 2.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 2.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
Strongest categories
- Weather: 4.50 of 5
- Worker lifestyle: 4.50 of 5
Weakest categories
- Cost of living: 2.93 of 27
- Job access: 2.80 of 9 (FOH and BOH average)
Sources: see the full sources list.
Savannah Tap to open ▼
FOH
48.57
#49 of 55
BOH
49.09
#49 of 55
OVERALL
48.83
No recreational weedLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 18.05 | 18.57 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 18.68 | 18.68 |
| Safety /10 shared | 4.92 | 4.92 |
| Job access /9 | 2.16 | 2.16 |
| Weather /5 shared | 2.80 | 2.80 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 0.46 | 0.46 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 1.50 | 1.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 6.67 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.87 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 0.00 /10
- State income tax: 2.51 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 1.30 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 6.63 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.09 /10
- State income tax: 2.55 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 11.96 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 4.72 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 0.92 /6
- Other serious violence: 3.00 /3
- Property crime: 1.00 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 0.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
Strongest categories
- Cost of living: 18.68 of 27
- Weather: 2.80 of 5
Weakest categories
- Things to do: 0.46 of 4
- Job access: 2.16 of 9 (FOH and BOH average)
Sources: see the full sources list.
Seattle Tap to open ▼
FOH
62.60
#9 of 55
BOH
69.52
#2 of 55
OVERALL
66.06
Weed legalLate night groceriesNo state income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 32.02 | 38.04 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 7.13 | 7.13 |
| Safety /10 shared | 7.43 | 7.43 |
| Job access /9 | 4.61 | 5.51 |
| Weather /5 shared | 3.80 | 3.80 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 3.11 | 3.11 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 4.50 | 4.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 8.09 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.93 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 10.00 /10
- State income tax: 5.00 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 15.00 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 8.89 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 9.15 /10
- State income tax: 5.00 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 4.61 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 0.02 /6
- Transportation: 2.50 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 5.59 /6
- Other serious violence: 1.69 /3
- Property crime: 0.15 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 2.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 2.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
What helped
- Restaurant cook median of about $22.95 an hour
- Seattle minimum wage of $21.30 an hour in 2026, with no tip credit
- About 43,560 core BOH jobs and strong advancement wages
What hurt
- Housing is the major drawback
- Gray, rainy weather
Read the full Seattle writeup →
Important data
- HUD FY2027 one bedroom FMR: about $2,180
- Zillow rent context: about $2,278
Research notes and caveats
- Strong nominal wages, but expensive housing and unverified full week access prevent a high confidence conclusion about disposable income.
Sources
St. Louis Tap to open ▼
FOH
59.31
#21 of 55
BOH
59.02
#25 of 55
OVERALL
59.17
Weed legalLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 20.88 | 20.96 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 22.28 | 22.28 |
| Safety /10 shared | 2.71 | 2.71 |
| Job access /9 | 4.86 | 4.49 |
| Weather /5 shared | 3.10 | 3.10 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 1.98 | 1.98 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 3.50 | 3.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 6.06 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.90 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 2.80 /10
- State income tax: 3.12 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 5.69 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 3.83 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.12 /10
- State income tax: 3.32 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 17.00 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 3.28 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 0.04 /6
- Other serious violence: 1.88 /3
- Property crime: 0.79 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 2.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
Strongest categories
- Cost of living: 22.28 of 27
- Worker lifestyle: 3.50 of 5
Weakest categories
- Safety: 2.71 of 10
- Things to do: 1.98 of 4
Sources: see the full sources list.
Tampa Bay Tap to open ▼
FOH
65.89
#3 of 55
BOH
59.49
#24 of 55
OVERALL
62.69
No recreational weedLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedNo state income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 28.40 | 21.69 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 17.27 | 17.27 |
| Safety /10 shared | 6.74 | 6.74 |
| Job access /9 | 5.72 | 6.03 |
| Weather /5 shared | 2.80 | 2.80 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 2.96 | 2.96 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 2.00 | 2.00 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 8.89 /15
- Stable shifts: 9.37 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 5.14 /10
- State income tax: 5.00 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 3.61 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 4.09 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.99 /10
- State income tax: 5.00 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 10.01 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 5.26 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 3.98 /6
- Other serious violence: 1.88 /3
- Property crime: 0.88 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 0.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 1.00 /1
What helped
- About $6 billion in 2025 direct visitor spending in Hillsborough County
- Strong tourism, nightlife, restaurant and event economy
- Florida tipped cash wage of $11.98 as of September 30, 2026, and no state individual income tax
What hurt
- Housing costs, especially near downtown
- Florida is medical cannabis only, not recreational adult use
Read the full Tampa Bay writeup →
Important data
- HUD FY2027 one bedroom FMR: about $1,648
- Zillow rent context: about $2,001
- About 2,740 full service venues and 576 hotels
Research notes and caveats
- Safety (6.74 out of 10) uses a Tampa city only proxy, while some other metros use metro data.
- Late night grocery access is an unverified midpoint.
Sources
Virginia Beach Norfolk Tap to open ▼
FOH
50.28
#42 of 55
BOH
46.86
#53 of 55
OVERALL
48.57
No recreational weedLate night groceries: limited or unconfirmedState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 18.38 | 15.04 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 18.33 | 18.33 |
| Safety /10 shared | 4.04 | 4.04 |
| Job access /9 | 3.73 | 3.65 |
| Weather /5 shared | 3.60 | 3.60 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 0.70 | 0.70 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 1.50 | 1.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 7.25 /15
- Stable shifts: 8.77 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 0.00 /10
- State income tax: 2.36 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 1.58 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 2.98 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.01 /10
- State income tax: 2.47 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 11.79 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 4.54 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 1.50 /6
- Other serious violence: 2.03 /3
- Property crime: 0.51 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 0.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 1.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
Strongest categories
- Weather: 3.60 of 5
- Cost of living: 18.33 of 27
Weakest categories
- Things to do: 0.70 of 4
- Worker lifestyle: 1.50 of 5
Sources: see the full sources list.
Washington, DC Tap to open ▼
FOH
55.76
#31 of 55
BOH
60.19
#22 of 55
OVERALL
57.98
No recreational weedLate night groceriesState income tax| CATEGORY | FOH | BOH |
|---|---|---|
| Earning opportunity /40 | 26.38 | 30.69 |
| Cost of living /27 shared | 6.20 | 6.20 |
| Safety /10 shared | 7.29 | 7.29 |
| Job access /9 | 6.42 | 6.54 |
| Weather /5 shared | 3.40 | 3.40 |
| Things to do /4 shared | 3.57 | 3.57 |
| Worker lifestyle /5 shared | 2.50 | 2.50 |
See the subcomponent scores ▼
FOH earnings
- Venue depth: 10.47 /15
- Stable shifts: 9.10 /10
- Employer paid tipped base: 4.26 /10
- State income tax: 2.55 /5
BOH earnings
- Typical cook wages: 11.25 /15
- Lead and chef progression: 8.35 /10
- 40 hour continuity, benefits, union: 8.28 /10
- State income tax: 2.81 /5
Cost of living
- Rent and utilities: 3.57 /17
- Groceries and essentials: 0.63 /6
- Transportation: 2.00 /4
Safety
- Homicide and firearm harm: 4.32 /6
- Other serious violence: 2.23 /3
- Property crime: 0.74 /1
Worker lifestyle
- Adult use cannabis: 0.00 /2
- Grocery after 11 PM: 2.00 /2
- Other late night access: 0.50 /1
Strongest categories
- Things to do: 3.57 of 4
- Safety: 7.29 of 10
Weakest categories
- Cost of living: 6.20 of 27
- Worker lifestyle: 2.50 of 5
Sources: see the full sources list.
Sources and Research References
The ranking was built from federal labor and housing data, government wage and crime sources, tourism authorities, state regulatory agencies, employer job postings, union information, rental market data and local late night access checks. Where possible, primary or official sources were used. Individual job postings are used only to show that certain wage levels, benefits or advancement opportunities exist. They are not treated as citywide averages.
Wages, Employment and Restaurant Job Depth
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BLS May 2025 metro data download
- BLS OES FAQ on tipped wage reporting
- U.S. Census Bureau 2026 research on tip reporting
- BLS QCEW food services (NAICS 722), quarterly
- BLS QCEW food services (NAICS 722), annual
- BLS Buffalo 2025 wage release
Minimum Wages and Tipped Cash Wages
The published September 30, 2026 ranking reflects Florida’s scheduled $15 general minimum wage and $11.98 employer paid tipped cash wage.
- U.S. Department of Labor, Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees
- FloridaCommerce, Florida minimum wage
- FloridaCommerce 2025 minimum wage memo
- Seattle Office of Labor Standards, 2026 minimum wage
- Washington L&I, local minimum wage rates
- Ohio 2026 minimum wage notice
Housing
HUD Fair Market Rent and Zillow ZORI are different rental measures and are not treated as interchangeable.
- HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rents
- HUD FY2027 FMR workbook
- Zillow Observed Rent Index, metro data
- Zillow ZORI methodology
Local Rental Checks
Used as context only. Not substituted for the standardized HUD or Zillow inputs.
- Downtown Buffalo
- Downtown Cincinnati
- Over the Rhine, Cincinnati
- Downtown Tampa
- Oakland
- San Francisco
Safety
Some metros required city level proxies or midpoint treatment because fully comparable metro coverage was not available.
Weather
Official 1991 to 2020 station level climate normals were used for each metro.
- NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
- NOAA normals, Las Vegas station
- NOAA normals, Seattle station
- NOAA normals, New York City station
Cost of Goods and State Income Tax
Tourism and Hospitality Market Data
- LVCVA, 2025 Las Vegas visitation
- Visit Orlando, data and trends
- Visit Tampa Bay
- Visit Seattle
- Travel Portland
- Visit Cincy
Employers, Job Postings and Unions
Postings show that opportunities exist. They are not metro wide wage averages.
- MGM master cook, Bellagio
- MGM master cook, ARIA banquets
- Marriott assistant sous chef, Orlando
- Compass Group sous chef, Seattle
- Compass Group sous chef, Portland, hourly
- Compass Group sous chef, Portland, salaried
- Delaware North sous chef, Buffalo
- Wegmans line cook, Amherst
- Wegmans lead cook, Amherst
- Culinary Workers Union Local 226
- UNITE HERE Local 8
- UNITE HERE Local 2
Cannabis
Medical only markets were not scored the same as recreational adult use markets.
- Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board
- California Department of Cannabis Control
- Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division
- Ohio Division of Cannabis Control
Late Night Groceries and Practical Access
Where late night grocery evidence was incomplete, midpoint scoring was retained rather than assuming availability.
- Wegmans Amherst store hours
- CVS 24 hour pharmacies, Las Vegas
- CVS 24 hour pharmacies, Dallas
- CVS 24 hour pharmacies, Houston
- RTC Southern Nevada fares
Things To Do
These measures do not fully capture beaches, hiking, parks, neighborhood culture or free attractions.
About The Data
These rankings are based on the most recent comparable data available during research conducted in 2026.
Some datasets are released on different schedules, so not every input represents the exact same month or year.
Where perfectly comparable information was unavailable, we used the best available proxy and noted important limitations.
The purpose of this project is not to claim that a fraction of a point can determine where somebody should live. It is to give restaurant workers a better starting point for comparing where their wages, job opportunities and quality of life may go the furthest.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Trending
Weighing Culinary Diplomas Against Kitchen Battle Scars
“I Was Wrong, Kinda”
Fear And Loathing In Woody Creek
The Top 5 Cities For F&B’rs
Nuts & Napkins
The Manager On Duty
Non-Slippin In The Kitchen
Suing The System
Hooking Up With Coworkers
Serving Philanthropy with a Side of Santo
Advertisement
