Across the nation’s largest apartment markets, the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics report affirms that major Sun Belt and Southeastern cities are commanding the narrative on employment growth. Orlando has emerged as the clear leader, recording a 24.8% increase over the five years from October 2020 to August 2025, according to a RealPage analysis. That surge, which lifted its job count to more than 1.51 million, reflects the city's rapid recovery in key sectors, particularly leisure and hospitality, as well as professional and business services and education and health services. Such robust expansion signals opportunities for commercial property investors tracking both workforce and population inflows.
Then there's Austin, which maintains its reputation for dynamism, increasing its employment base by 23.6% over the same period, with total jobs rising to nearly 1.37 million. The city continues to benefit from the tech sector’s momentum and from corporate headquarters' preference for business-friendly environments. As a result, Austin solidifies its position as a major target for both domestic and international capital.
Rounding out the top three, Las Vegas registered a 23.1% gain, climbing to 1.14 million jobs. The city’s sustained rebound following the pandemic underscores the critical role of its hospitality and entertainment industries, which, after facing steep declines in 2020, have helped fuel broad-based economic recovery. Growth in logistics and business services is supporting this trend and drawing interest from occupiers and investors alike.
Miami’s workforce reached nearly 1.35 million, up 18.2% since late 2020. The city continues to ride a wave of diversification, bolstered by growth in finance, tech, health care and international trade. Investor demand in Miami now spans multiple asset classes, as migration supports both housing and commercial absorption.
Nashville’s 17.6% five-year employment increase reflects the city’s transformation into a business and healthcare services hub, attracting new companies and residents. More than 1.2 million jobs power the market's various real estate segments, with the music industry’s draw complemented by robust growth in medical and professional services.
San Antonio, up 17% to just over 1.2 million jobs, sees stable expansion across government, military and health care sectors, along with notable activity in manufacturing. Its growing economic base is supporting larger multifamily and commercial investments, catering to a steadily rising population.
Dallas continues its impressive performance, reaching over three million total jobs in August 2025. The city’s 16.6% growth, while not the fastest, is unmatched in scale among the nation’s leaders. Its economic strength comes from a broad mix of finance, technology and logistics segments, each providing ballast to leasing and real estate development through market cycles.
Raleigh/Durham advanced to more than 1.1 million jobs, a 16.4% jump since late 2020. The area, long known for its educated workforce and research orientation, lures companies in tech, biotech and health care, ensuring sustained interest among investors targeting innovation-driven metros.
West Palm Beach, at 702,700 jobs in August, experienced a 15.7% rise in the past five years, supported by migration, professional services and health care expansion. Remote work and the influx of new residents continue to lift both office and housing demand, prompting investors to respond to evolving preferences.
Rounding out the top 10, Fort Worth’s job market expanded by 15.6%, reaching over 1.21 million jobs. The city’s logistics, energy and manufacturing sectors have played essential roles in attracting companies and supporting CRE activity, supported by growth from adjoining Dallas.
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