Dive Brief:

• There's good news for career-oriented professionals living in or looking to relocate to Seattle and four other U.S. metropolitan areas, according to a recent poll.
• The survey, from staffing firm Robert Half and conducted by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), found that Seattle ranks first in the nation as the best destination for career-oriented professionals among 25 large U.S. metropolitan areas studied. 
• The city's bright career prospects, coupled with a relatively low cost of living, helped it reach the top spot. In addition to Seattle, the remaining top four ranked cities are Boston, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Raleigh, NC.

Dive Insight:

The Robert Half Career City Index is a benchmarking tool that ranks 25 U.S. cities across 25 indicators that measure and influence career choices, quality of life and work-life balance. The indicators are separated into four main categories: career prospects, quality of life, cost of living and cultural diversity. The study quantifies different aspects that make a city unique and factors that individuals may consider when deciding where to move.

In addition to the Career City Index, a second current study, the Robert Half Relocation Survey, shows most professionals are open to the idea of moving to a new city. Sixty-seven percent of workers would consider relocating for a job, and 37% believe a move would improve their career prospects.

The most important factors in deciding to move are tied to money: A higher salary (88%) and a lower cost of living (61%) ranked substantially higher in importance than being closer to family and friends (39%) for the workers polled.

For employers and HR leaders operating within the top 25 cities on the list, the research offers some added recruiting fodder.