10 Best Cities for Gamers

Many “best cities” lists are for residents. Others are for finding the best hotels or travel locations. Today, though, gamers are in luck. If you have ever wondered which city is the best one to set camp in, go to college, or visit over the summer, all with “gaming-oriented activities” as the top priority, we’ve got you covered. We’re curating the best cities for gamers to make the most of their experience living there. 

Perhaps you’re looking to study game development in the future. Well, our list will rank the best cities with the best video game college programs. Or perhaps you’re a gamer or streamer who needs the fastest internet connection to play games smoothly. We’ve got that covered, too. 

Thanks to Privacy Journal, we now have fact-based, thoroughly done research ranking the 100 most populated cities in the United States to find the best cities for gamers by 17 factors, including internet quality, video game stores, gaming culture, and study and career prospects.

So, whether you’re looking for cities with the most video game stores, cities that host the most popular gaming conventions, or even ones that have a popping small-scale gaming meetup culture, our best cities for gamers ensure that you have all the information you need at your fingertips to make the best decision for your next stop-over visit or permanent stay. So, without further ado, here are the best cities for gamers all around.

10. Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas, ranks number four among the best cities with the best internet quality and infrastructure. So, if you want to enjoy smooth and seamless online gaming experiences, you may want to consider Austin, Texas. 

It also ranks fourth among the best cities for pursuing a career in gaming. This makes it a viable choice for gamers with an interest in pursuing game development. Overall, Austin, Texas, ranks number eight among the best cities for gamers, with an overall score of 46.5.

9. Frisco, Texas

Next up, we have Frisco, Texas, which ranks first among the cities with the highest percentage of households with computers and the cities with the highest percentage of households with internet access. 

This makes it a viable choice for computer gamers who spend most of their time online. You’ll likely find many online gamers to jump into impromptu competitive gaming sessions with. Overall, Frisco, Texas, ranks at number seven with an overall score of 46.7.

8. Columbus, Ohio

At number eight, we have Columbus, Ohio. It ranks high among the cities with the highest number of gaming conventions per year. So, if you’re a fan of gaming conventions, Columbus, Ohio, is a good place to go. 

It’s also among the top cities with lightning-fast mobile internet speeds. It makes it perfect for you to enjoy seamless online gaming sessions free from annoying lags and stutters. Overall, Columbus, Ohio, ranks at number six with an overall score of 47.0.

7. Orlando, Florida

Coming in at number seven among the best cities for gamers is Orlando, Florida. It ranks at number two among the cities with the best gaming environment, thanks to the high number of Best Buy shops in the city. 

So, if you’re looking for the easiest place to walk into a video game store, whether to buy physical games or gaming hardware, Orlando, Florida, is the way to go. Overall, the city ranks at number five, with an overall score of 48.4.

6. Tampa, Florida

Tampa, Florida, ranks at number three with an overall score of 50.4. Despite its high ranking, the city doesn’t have a specific criterion for which it excels. So, you may want to consider Tampa, Florida, if you’re looking for a thriving gaming scene in general.

5. Raleigh, California – Best Livability

When it comes to livability, Raleigh, California, tops the list. It’s the ultimate destination for gamers looking for a favorable cost of living, maximum safety, and a high average salary. Besides excellent livability, Raleigh, California, also has an impressive internet infrastructure in place. 

This doesn’t restrict you to internet cafes with speedy internet. You can be at home or on the move and still enjoy fast internet, wherever you are. Overall, Raleigh, California, ranks at number two with an overall score of 52.9.

4. Plano, Texas – Best Internet Infrastructure

Among all the cities the Privacy Journal considered for their research, Plano, Texas, came out on top as the best city with excellent internet infrastructure. Everything from internet speed to the cost of the internet connection is top-notch here. 

Specifically, the city leads the charge with a median internet speed of 225.56 Mbps and 142.42 Mbps for fixed broadband and mobile connections, respectively. It also has 91% fiber coverage, with most internet connections costing roughly $48.70 per month.

In addition, the city also has great livability, taking away the pressure of everyday livelihood. While Plano, Texas, has its merits, it doesn’t boast as vibrant a gaming community as some other cities. The same goes for professional opportunities for gamers looking to start a career in gaming. Because of the low number of gaming communities and professional opportunities, Plano, Texas, ranks at number 10 with an overall score of 45.9.

3. Miami, Florida – Best Gaming Environment

Source: Florida Supercon

Miami, Florida, offers the best gaming environment for gamers. That’s primarily due to the sprawling number of GameStop stores located here. There are a number of Best Buy stores, too, though fewer in comparison. 

Additionally, Miami, Florida, hosts a whopping number of conventions. Some of these include the OtakuFest and Florida Supercon gaming conventions. When you add the fact that Miami, Florida, has the best GameStop presence, it becomes one of the ultimate destinations for gamers to go to.

Unfortunately, Miami, Florida, also has a striking cost of living. Its internet infrastructure is also quite lacking compared to other cities. In fact, it’s the second worst city with slow internet speeds, high latency, and high internet prices. This is why, despite having a top-notch gaming environment, Miami, Florida, ranks at number 23 with an overall score of 41.0. 

2. Los Angeles, California – Best Gaming Career Prospects

If you’re looking to study game development, apply for a job in gaming, or are considering a career change to gaming, you may want to consider Los Angeles, California. The city hosts the best gaming-related university programs. 

Similarly, you’ll find some of the biggest game studios in Los Angeles, California. As a result, Los Angeles, California, ranks as the best city for gaming career growth and professional development.

Some of the prestigious university programs in Los Angeles, California, include the University of Southern California and UCLA. Both offer excellent computer science programs for prospective students. You’ll find plenty of opportunities for gaming meetups. 

However, Los Angeles, California, has wanting livability and mediocre internet infrastructure, ranking at 80th and 65th, respectively. When you compare it to its impressive gaming community, retail access, and best educational and career opportunities, the city climbs all the way to fourth place with an overall score of 49.0.

1. New York City, New York – Best City for Gamers, Overall

Photo Courtesy: newyorkcomiccon

You guessed it, “the City that Never Sleeps,” New York City, ranks first in all categories. 

New York City is the best city for gamers overall, thanks to its thriving gaming scene with plenty of gaming meetups, conventions, and career prospects. If you’re a prospective student, you’ll find a good number of prestigious colleges offering computer science and gaming-related programs. There are also many young people living in New York City who’ll likely be open to meetups and online gaming. 

Similarly, many big names in the game development industry have their headquarters set up in New York City. So, if you’re looking to start or grow a career in game development, New York City is a great place to start. There are hundreds of game studios established in New York City, including Take-Two Interactive, WB Games, and Avalanche Studios, all operating from New York City.

Even though New York City has a high cost of living, all of its other perks, including an excellent internet connection and a thriving gaming community, propel it to the top. Overall, New York City ranks in first place among the best US gaming cities with an overall score of 55.1.