RALEIGH – Raleigh is among the “most livable” technology jobs hubs described as “up and coming” in a new report from real estate analysis firm Zillow. But the North Carolina capital scored much lower in other areas, thus failing to crack the top 10.

Some 42 cities were included in the study. Raleigh placed 12th.

Durham was not included in the study, according to a Zillow spokesperson.

Charlotte came in 16th.

“The Raleigh metro ranked No. 12 in the 42-market analysis that includes factors such as affordability, job growth, commute times, broadband speed and workforce education and skills,” a Zillow spokesperson says.

“Raleigh’s best scores were in livability and market hotness, but it was held back by demographics and labor, and tech skills.”

The top 10 markets for future tech growth:

1.      Oklahoma City
2.      Kansas City
3.      Jacksonville
4.      Indianapolis
5.      Cincinnati
6.      San Antonio
7.      Memphis
8.      Austin
9.      Louisville
10.  Columbus

Highest scores: Kansas City, Raleigh, Salt Lake City

Lowest scores: Chicago, Los Angeles, Detroit

“Surprisingly, the markets offering the best balance between these five dimensions are not necessarily those that may be top-of-mind when asked to identify tech hot spots.,” Zillow reported.

“Markets smack in the middle of the so-called “Silicon Prairie” top the list of those that may appeal to growing tech companies, followed by markets in the Midwest and the South that have the ability to draw talent and the tech companies looking to hire them. Eroding affordability and relatively lackluster quality of life put the nation’s more-stereotypical tech hubs at or near the bottom of the rankings.”

Key factors used in the study:

  • Housing affordability
  • Market ‘hotness’— does the market have the ability attract people?
  • Demographics and labor market dynamics indicating a robust economy
  • A ready or potential pool of talented and available tech workers
  • The appeal of living in the market based on factors like commute times

Read more about the study and methodology online.