From childhood, Americans are taught that a college degree is required to earn any kind of significant wealth. While higher education absolutely helps, it’s not the only path to financial success. Another factor may have an equally beneficial ability to help individuals build wealth: location.
Trending Now: What Salary Single People Need To Live Comfortably in 100 Major US Cities
Read This: How Middle-Class Earners Are Quietly Becoming Millionaires — and How You Can, Too
I asked ChatGPT to dig up the data on which cities in the U.S. can support a person’s upper-class dreams without a college degree.
Austin, Texas
One Texas city shines for those who want to get rich. With a booming startup ecosystem and a lower cost of doing business (particularly in the early stages), Austin looks good for those who want to skip college and go straight to building wealth.
The Texas capital has been ranked among the top global ecosystems, with “strong funding flows, many unicorns and vibrant tech and creative sectors,” ChatGPT said.
Paths to wealth in Austin without a degree:
- Start a tech or digital business: You can build a software tool, app, niche SaaS (software as a service — think Zoom, Canva, etc.) or AI plug-in with minimal overhead.
- Content or community monetization: Austin’s mix of culture and tech means niche content (e.g., music, film, creative communities) can scale.
- Service businesses supporting startups: Contracting in DevOps, design, marketing or infrastructure for local startups.
- Real estate or small-scale housing flips: As Austin’s growth continues, local real estate investors (even small ones) can benefit.
For You: 12 Midwest Cities Where Rent Costs 30% or Less of a Middle-Class Income
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is ranked among top U.S. cities for small-business activity, ChatGPT said. It’s gaining recognition as a tech growth market, in particular.
Additionally, cost of living and business expenses are relatively low here, the AI noted, making wealth-building opportunities more accessible to nontraditional entrepreneurs.
Paths to wealth in Oklahoma City without a degree:
- Tech services and bootstrapped startups: Launch small niche software or tech support businesses that serve local clients.
- Digital freelancing / outsourcing hub: Provide marketing or virtual assistance services to clients globally while living in a lower-cost market.
- Local manufacturing or artisan goods: Produce crafts, custom goods or small-batch manufactured units with fiscal breathing room, thanks to low overhead costs.
- Real estate investment in growth zones: Buying, renovating and renting or flipping homes in up-and-coming neighborhoods.
Miami
In addition to excellent weather and a diverse hub of cultures, Miami has become a magnet for startup founders, crypto and fintech projects, ChatGPT said — particularly remote-first companies.
Additionally, Miami is already a wealthy place with lots of global connectivity, giving entrepreneurs access to international markets.
Paths to wealth in Miami without a degree:
- Crypto / fintech ventures: Because of its connection to Latin America, cross-border payment, crypto and fintech startups have fertile ground.
- Tourism and hospitality ventures: Boutique lodging, travel experiences or niche tourism services can scale well in this tourist hub.
- Content creation and media: Bilingual content, creator businesses or niche media can thrive in a multicultural market.
- Real estate short-term rentals: With high visitor traffic, vacation rentals and niche lodging can be lucrative.
Salt Lake City
Salt Lake’s tech and software job growth has outpaced many metros, ChatGPT noted, and it often ranks among fastest-growing tech hubs in the West.
Additionally, here you’ll find strong infrastructure, a healthy economy and growing investment capital, all of which make it “a rising startup ecosystem,” the AI said.
Paths to wealth in Salt Lake City without a degree:
- Tech or SaaS startups: Build a small software product or plugin that solves local or vertical problems.
- Outdoor / gear / recreation brands: Leverage Utah’s outdoor lifestyle to create branded gear or experiences.
- Remote work hub plus service businesses: Serve remote-first populations with services (coworking, productivity tools and/or support).
- Real estate development or niche lodging: Mountain-adjacent properties or short-stay lodging for tourism.
Phoenix
Phoenix continues to be one of the fastest-growing metros in the country, drawing new residents and businesses every year, ChatGPT said. Its cost of living remains moderate compared to coastal cities –while it’s not as cheap as some of the others on its list, its economy is booming across industries that don’t require a college degree. Industries here that support wealth-building without a degree include construction, logistics and real estate.
Arizona also ranks among the top states for small-business formation, the AI said, giving ambitious workers plenty of room to move up.
Paths to wealth in Phoenix without a degree:
- Real estate and house flipping: Rapid population growth keeps housing demand strong. Many residents start by buying fixer-uppers or renting out small properties in up-and-coming suburbs.
- Trades and contracting: With a lot of development and extreme weather, skilled trades like HVAC, roofing and solar installation pay well and often lead to business ownership.
- Trucking and logistics: Phoenix’s location between California and Texas makes it a freight and warehouse hub, perfect for small trucking or delivery businesses.
- Home services: Low overhead and year-round demand make pool cleaning, landscaping and home maintenance solid routes to six-figure income potential.
- E-commerce and digital side gigs: Affordable space and strong internet access make Phoenix a great base for online stores, content creation or reselling ventures.
Why These Cities
These cities are good paths to wealth building primarily because:
- Costs are lower (so you don’t need huge capital).
- Local entrepreneurial ecosystems are growing (so support, networks and mentors exist).
- Growth sectors are present or emerging (tech, tourism, real estate).
Even without a degree, in these markets, someone who is resourceful could launch a business, scale it, invest in property or launch digital income streams with more likelihood of success.
More From GOBankingRates
- 5 Luxury SUVs That Will Have Massive Price Drops in Fall 2025
- I Help People Retire Every Day -- Here's the Most Common Retirement Mistake People Make
- 6 Clever Ways to Pocket an Extra $1K This Month
- 6 Safe Accounts Proven to Grow Your Money Up to 13x Faster
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I Asked ChatGPT for 5 Cities Where You Can Get Rich Without a College Degree
