We examined the latest Labor Department unemployment rates for the 50 largest metro areas in the country as well as the monthly Job Search Difficulty Index, published by job search engine Juju.com.

FORBES: Where The Jobs Are (And Aren't)

One example is the "Rigidity of Employment Index, " which measures between 0 (the best) and 100 (the worst) the difficulty in hiring and firing workers, and also measures mandated benefits, such as vacations, and restrictions on working hours.

FORBES: Fact and Comment