For the third year running, Washington, D.C. ranked #1 overall in our Southern tech metro rankings, scoring maximum points for tech establishment density, tech employment density, and median tech earnings. 

As technology becomes more embedded across all industries, tech companies and workers are spreading beyond traditional hubs. Notably, the South has been a leader of this dispersal: Tech talent and companies have been relocating across the region for reasons that include lifestyle choices, lower costs and career opportunities. But, they’re not settling randomly. Educational institutions, established industry specializations and local government policies all determine where tech grows. Accordingly, metros that combine strong universities, business-friendly initiatives, and supportive ecosystems for new companies tend to attract the most tech talent and startups.

So, to identify which Southern metros are winning this competition for tech talent and investment, we analyzed metro areas with populations above 200,000 and awarded them points based on nine metrics, including tech establishment density and growth; tech job prevalence and growth; median earnings for tech workers; tech patents; and quality of life, among others.

Washington, D.C. & Austin, Texas, Hold Onto Top Spots as South’s Best Tech Metros

For the third year in a row, Washington, D.C. held off the competition in our 2026 ranking of the best tech metros in the U.S. South by claiming #1 with 71 points. Just like the last ranking, the metro scored maximum points for its tech establishment density, tech employment density and median tech earnings. In addition, D.C. boasted the second-highest share of college-educated residents at 55.5%, maintaining its deep talent pool.