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While many people associate creative careers with the stereotypical starving artist, that is not the case in every location. A combination of lots of job opportunities in creative fields and a low cost of living combine to make a great metro area for creative types. SmartAsset combined these two factors to come up with a list of the ten best metro areas in the U.S. for creatives. Read on for more about the best places for creatives to live and work:
1. Savannah, GA
According to the study, approximately 110 per every 10,000 workers are employed as creative workers. The most popular creative job in Savannah is acting thanks in part to Georgia’s growing reputation as a Southern outpost of Hollywood. Savannah also has the lowest cost of living in the top ten, according to SmartAsset’s cost-of-living index.
2. Provo-Orem, UT
Approximately 115 per 10,000 of Provo-Orem workers are in creative occupations. Some of the popular creative jobs in this area include graphic designers and post-secondary arts teachers. It is ranked fifth among the top ten in cost of living, at about five percent less than the national average.
3. Nashville, TN
Nashville is often referred to as the Music City, so it’s not surprising that most creative occupations in the Nashville metro area are singer and musician. The Nashville metro area, which also encompasses Murfreesboro, Davidson and Franklin, has the third lowest cost of living out of the top ten.
4. Los Angeles, CA
The Los Angeles metro area has the highest cost of living out of the top ten – almost 50% above national average. However, the trade-off is that there are plenty of creative jobs to be found. As you might have guessed, a large number of LA’s creative professionals are employed as actors, directors and producers.
5. South Bend, IN
This metro area is home to The University of Notre Dame, where many creatives are employed as post-secondary drama and arts teachers. It has the fifth lowest cost-of-living index score in the top ten, approximately 2.3% lower than the national average.
6. Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City has a large number of graphic designers and architects. It also has plenty of editors and writers. It’s cost of living score ranks third among the top ten.
7. Atlanta, GA
Atlanta boasts a wide variety of creative professionals, including graphic designers, producers/directors, architects and interior designers. Atlanta is ranked fourth in living costs – about two percent higher than national average.
8. Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN
Graphic designers represent a large portion of creative professionals in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minnesota/Wisconsin metro area. The cost of living, however, is the second highest out of the top ten.
9. Durham, NC
With three universities in the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area, many creative professionals are employed as post-secondary arts teachers. Graphic designers also make up a large portion of creative workers in this location. It also has the second lowest cost-of-living index score in the top ten.
10. Kansas City, MO/KS
Graphic design is a popular creative job in Kansas City, with 2,130 people working in the field. There are 1,270 architects, followed by 600 floral designers. Kansas City has the fourth lowest cost-of-living rank on the list, at about five percent below the national average.
See the full study here: https://smartasset.com/checking-account/the-top-10-places-for-creatives-in-2019