If you want to maximize your career earnings, it pays to consider which cities are the most affordable. Here are the top five most affordable cities for biopharma in the U.S.
A successful career in the life sciences industry can be found almost anywhere in the United States. However, if you want to maximize your career earnings and live a more comfortable lifestyle, it pays to consider which cities are the most affordable.
Many hotbeds for life science activity are unsurprisingly located in some of the most expensive areas in the country. Still, there are others in which innovation and a more affordable cost of living intersect.
The 5 Most Affordable Cities for Biopharma Jobs in the U.S.
To help you in your job search, here are the five most affordable cities for biopharma jobs in the U.S.
Columbus, OH
The life sciences industry in Colombus is booming with plenty of opportunities for career growth. And with an affordable cost of living, Colombus is a great place to call home.
Some of the key players in the Colombus life sciences are The Ohio State University, Battelle and Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Forge Biologics and Andelyn Biosciences also have a significant presence in the city and are always looking for talented life science professionals.
Colombus also ranked number one on Forbes’ ‘Top 10 Rising Cities for Startups,’ list, which signals there may be even more opportunities coming to the city’s already booming life sciences scene as venture capitalists and entrepreneurs flock to the area.
According to Best Places’ cost of living calculator, Columbus is 15.7% less expensive than the U.S. average.
Find biopharma job postings in Columbus, Ohio here.
Houston, TX
With world-renowned research institutions, ample job opportunities and a thriving life science scene, Houston has something for everyone looking to start or grow their career in the life sciences.
For starters, the Texas Medical Center (TMC) is one of the largest medical complexes in the world and is home to MD Anderson Cancer Center, which is ranked as the number one cancer hospital in the United States in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2021-2022 annual “Best Hospitals” rankings.
These institutions make Houston an ideal place for those seeking a career in medical research.
Houston also has a thriving biotechnology industry. The city is home to over 1,760 life science companies, many of which are engaged in cutting-edge research and development. In addition to ample job opportunities and world-class research institutions, Houston offers a cost of living that is much more affordable than other major metropolitan areas in the United States.
Best Places calculated that Houston is 4.7% cheaper in terms of cost of living than the U.S. average.
Find job postings in Houston, Texas here.
Madison, WI
Madison is a great place for those seeking a career in the life sciences. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is one of the leading research institutions in the United States and is a major player in the city’s thriving life science scene.
Both Innovenn, Inc. and Invivo Sciences are also headquartered in Madison and are always looking for talented life science professionals to join their team. In addition, the Morgridge Institute for Research and the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery are two world-class research institutes located in Madison which offer ample opportunity for those seeking a career in medical research.
According to a cost of living calculator published by Best Places, Madison’s cost of living is about on par with the rest of the country, ranking at 1% more expensive than the U.S. average.
Find job postings in Madison, WI here.
Raleigh, NC
The Raleigh area in particular is a hotbed for life science activity and is home to a number of major research institutions, including the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University and North Carolina State University.
What’s more, the Research Triangle Park is the largest research park in the United States and is home to over 200 companies, many of which are engaged in life science research and development. It’s also worth mentioning that the Raleigh area is home to a number of venture capital firms that provide funding for life science startups, giving you ample opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a new and exciting company.
Similarly to Madison, Raleigh’s cost of living is about on par with the country’s average, coming in at 2% more expensive.
Find job postings in Raleigh, North Carolina here.
Austin, TX
Not only is Austin a great place to live, work, and play, but it’s also an ideal location for those seeking a career in the life sciences. The city is home to a number of major research institutions, including the University of Texas at Austin, Seton Healthcare Family and Baylor College of Medicine.
Some of the biggest players present in the Austin life science scene are Asuragen, Inc., Luminex and Veravas. All three of these companies demonstrate that the Lone Star state is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to the life sciences industry and there are many more like them throughout the state.
In addition to these world-class research institutions, Austin is also home to a thriving life science startup scene. In fact, the city was recently ranked as the No. 3 city in the United States for life science startups by Austin Business Journal. So if you’re looking for an opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a new and exciting company, Austin is the place to be.
While many may not think of Austin as affordable, it ranks much lower on a cost-of-living scale than most other biopharma hubs. According to Best Places, Austin is about 29% more expensive than the U.S. average.
Find job postings in Austin, Texas here.
The Takeaway
There are a number of great cities for life science professionals looking for an affordable place to live and work. These cities offer ample opportunity for career growth and provide access to world-class research institutions and demonstrate that you don’t have to sacrifice quality of life for a successful career in the life sciences.
You can find a great balance of affordability and opportunity in cities like Columbus, Houston, Madison, Raleigh and Austin. Additionally, by basing yourself in one of these cities, you’ll be able to take advantage of all that they have to offer - from world-class research institutions to thriving life science industries.
If you’re looking for an affordable place to live and work in the life sciences, these cities should be at the top of your list.
