Home to the country's largest employer -- the federal government and all its related consultants, lawyers and policy experts that ply their wares there -- Washington, D.C. gets high marks for hiring opportunities and job satisfaction.

The nation's capital is also one of the country's most innovative cities, in part because of its green-living initiatives.

And it ranks among Brookings' top 10 cities that offer a large number of STEM jobs.

But when it comes to housing affordability, the city plummets to No. 42 among the 50 most populous metro areas.

Lockheed Martin, Verizon and Marriott are among those currently hiring. And employers in the area are looking for people to fill positions ranging from intelligence analysts to housekeepers.