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The 10 best cities for saving money in 2014

(February 24, 2014) — Not surprisingly, most finance experts say saving money should be a top priority. A $10,000 emergency fund, 15 percent of income siphoned away for retirement — you’re expected to set aside a considerable chuck of income for the future, but what if you don’t have it now?

Currently, the average savings account rate according to the GOBankingRates database is a mere 0.11% APY. As of January, the national unemployment rate was 6.6 percent, and according to ecreditdaily.com, the median price of existing U.S. homes has risen by 10.7 to $188,900 as of January.

Savers don’t have a lot of help today, but they might find the city where they live provides better opportunity than others.

We examined the top 100 largest U.S. cities by population to find out where Americans have the best chance at growing their savings, thanks to higher yields, lower taxes, more jobs with higher incomes and less expensive homes. Below are the 10 cities that ranked the highest for saving money this year:

1. Atlanta, Georgia
Average Savings Account Rate: 0.14% APY Sales Tax: 8% Unemployment Rate: 6.8% Median Household Income: $56,024 Median Home Value: $101,300

2. Jacksonville, Florida
Average Savings Account Rate: 0.09% APY Sales Tax: 7% Unemployment Rate: 5.6% Median Household Income: $53,082 Median Home Value: $127,100

3. Honolulu, Hawaii
Average Savings Account Rate: 0.12% APY Sales Tax: 4.5% Unemployment Rate: 3.8% Median Household Income: $66,639 Median Home Value: $627,900

4. Houston, Texas
Average Savings Account Rate: 0.12% APY Sales Tax: 8.25% Unemployment Rate: 5.5% Median Household Income: $58,567 Median Home Value: $163,800

5. Anchorage, Alaska
Average Savings Account Rate: 0.08% APY Sales Tax: None Unemployment Rate: 5.2% Median Household Income: $72,555 Median Home Value: $200,600

6. Lubbock, Texas
Average Savings Account Rate: 0.11% APY Sales Tax: 8.25% Unemployment Rate: 4.3% Median Household Income: $45,171 Median Home Value: $90,100

7. Arlington, Texas (tie)
Average Savings Account Rate: 0.07% APY Sales Tax: 8% Unemployment Rate: 5.3% Median Household Income: $56,691 Median Home Value: $130,100

7. Garland, Texas (tie)
Average Savings Account Rate: 0.09% APY Sales Tax: 8.25% Unemployment Rate: 5.5% Median Household Income: $50,198 Median Home Value: $113,900

8. Plano, Texas
Average Savings Account Rate: 0.10% APY Sales Tax: 8.25% Unemployment Rate: 5.5% Median Household Income: $80,184 Median Home Value: $222,600

9. Fort Worth, Texas
Average Savings Account Rate: 0.07% APY Sales Tax: 8.25% Unemployment Rate: 5.5% Median Household Income: $56,691 Median Home Value: $130,100

10. Orlando, Florida
Average Savings Account Rate: 0.10% APY Sales Tax: 6.5% Unemployment Rate: 5.5% Median Household Income: $47,965 Median Home Value: $133,700