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A great music scene is arguable the pinnacle of a great city. Going to concerts and shows and listening to live music on a street corner always makes for a good time and an elevated experience. Music benefits the cultural landscape of a city, bringing energy and fun and giving locals and tourists reasons to go out, discover new talent and support both emerging and established artists – something that PickleJar takes very seriously. But in order for music to thrive, a city must be a good place for artists to live and work and include plenty of performance venues, music-oriented stores, affordable cost of living, etc.
Here are the top 10 Best Cities for Musicians:
- Glendale, CA
- Located in Los Angeles County, Glendale offers a wide variety of music venues from small dive bars to bigger venues with historic reputations and has several independent, locally-owned music stores. The city’s downside, however, is that rent and total cost of living are high.
- Population: 199,303
- Music Businesses per Density: 0.33
- Population with Music-Related Occupation: 6.33%
- Located in Los Angeles County, Glendale offers a wide variety of music venues from small dive bars to bigger venues with historic reputations and has several independent, locally-owned music stores. The city’s downside, however, is that rent and total cost of living are high.
- Boston, MA
- Boston boasts one of the best live music scenes on the East Coast, with an audience for almost every genre of music and hundred of high-trafficked venues. But all that does come at a price, with Boston being a very expensive city to live in.
- Population: 692,600
- Music Businesses per Density: 0.94
- Population with a Music-Related Occupation: 2.81%
- Boston boasts one of the best live music scenes on the East Coast, with an audience for almost every genre of music and hundred of high-trafficked venues. But all that does come at a price, with Boston being a very expensive city to live in.
- Los Angeles, CA
- L.A. is one of the best cities to live in for aspiring musicians. Not only is it home to some of the best venues in the business, but also to legendary recording labels and a bar and nightclub circuit that is known for helping artists make connections. The downside? Living in L.A. doesn’t come cheap.
- Population: 3,979,576
- Music Businesses per Density: 0.40
- Population with a Music-Related Occupation: 6.26%
- L.A. is one of the best cities to live in for aspiring musicians. Not only is it home to some of the best venues in the business, but also to legendary recording labels and a bar and nightclub circuit that is known for helping artists make connections. The downside? Living in L.A. doesn’t come cheap.
- Pittsburg, PA
- Pittsburg is known for having an electric music scene that encompasses a wide range of genres, including rap. The city is also attractive for up-and-coming musicians thanks to its affordability.
- Population: 300,286
- Music Businesses per Density: 0.60
- Population with Music-Related Occupation: 3.06%
- Pittsburg is known for having an electric music scene that encompasses a wide range of genres, including rap. The city is also attractive for up-and-coming musicians thanks to its affordability.
- Atlanta, GA
- Though noted as one of the best cities for aspiring rap, hip-hop, crunk and R&B artists, Atlanta has popular scenes for almost any genre and is home to many recording studios. Atlanta is also an affordable place to both live and work as a musician.
- Population: 506,811
- Music Businesses per Density: 0.57
- Population with Music-Related Occupation: 4.12%
- Though noted as one of the best cities for aspiring rap, hip-hop, crunk and R&B artists, Atlanta has popular scenes for almost any genre and is home to many recording studios. Atlanta is also an affordable place to both live and work as a musician.
- New York, NY
- The music scene here is about as diverse as it gets with every neighborhood and borough overflowing with venues. But, unsurprisingly, living in New York is extremely expensive, having the highest rent in this top 10 list.
- Population: 8,336,817
- Music Businesses per Density: 0.57
- Population with Music-Related Occupation: 4.50%
- The music scene here is about as diverse as it gets with every neighborhood and borough overflowing with venues. But, unsurprisingly, living in New York is extremely expensive, having the highest rent in this top 10 list.
- Seattle, WA
- Seattle is well-known as the origin of 90’s grunge, punk and alternative rock but the city still has a thriving music scene that includes additional genres. As one of the biggest cities for musicians on the West Coast, Seattle boasts tons of venue options and live music festivals. Unfortunately, Seattle is also a pricey place to live.
- Population: 753,675
- Music Businesses per Density: 0.58
- Population with Music-Related Occupation: 4.45%
- Seattle is well-known as the origin of 90’s grunge, punk and alternative rock but the city still has a thriving music scene that includes additional genres. As one of the biggest cities for musicians on the West Coast, Seattle boasts tons of venue options and live music festivals. Unfortunately, Seattle is also a pricey place to live.
- Minneapolis, MN
- Most known as the birthplace of Prince, Minneapolis has a stage for everyone, and residents are known to be big supporters of local artists. There’s also no shortage of great venues or music festivals. Another perk? Minneapolis is one of the most affordable cities in this top 10 list.
- Population: 429,606
- Music Businesses Per Density: 1.02
- Population with Music-Related Occupation: 4.42%
- Most known as the birthplace of Prince, Minneapolis has a stage for everyone, and residents are known to be big supporters of local artists. There’s also no shortage of great venues or music festivals. Another perk? Minneapolis is one of the most affordable cities in this top 10 list.
- Washington, D.C.
- Music may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Washington, D.C. but the city has a very diverse music scene. The D.C. crowd loves to party and support venues that showcase local live music. But this vibrant music scene also comes with an above average cost of living.
- Population: 705,749
- Music Businesses per Density: 1.13
- Population with Music-Related Occupation: 5.80%
- Music may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Washington, D.C. but the city has a very diverse music scene. The D.C. crowd loves to party and support venues that showcase local live music. But this vibrant music scene also comes with an above average cost of living.
- San Francisco, CA
- Home to one of the best music scenes since the 1960’s, San Francisco offers a multitude of legendary venues and popular music festivals. Unfortunately, the number one city for musicians is also one of the most expensive. But to live and make music in one of America’s most celebrated cities for music may be well worth the cost.
- Population: 881,549
- Music Businesses per Density: 2.77
- Population with Music-Related Occupation: 4.92%
- Home to one of the best music scenes since the 1960’s, San Francisco offers a multitude of legendary venues and popular music festivals. Unfortunately, the number one city for musicians is also one of the most expensive. But to live and make music in one of America’s most celebrated cities for music may be well worth the cost.
There are tons of other cities in America that offer plenty of opportunities for musicians to practice their craft and generate success. Not included in the top 10, but worth noting are Chicago, Denver, Nashville, Orlando, and New Orleans. More importantly, PickleJar is available to use in any city where you find yourself performing!