Graduation is soon approaching, forcing college grads to start questioning which city they want to jump-start their career in. While New York, Chicago and Los Angeles may seem like obvious choices, the job markets in these cities are extremely competitive and the cost of living is at an all-time high.
To help determine which cities topped our list of best prospects for young professionals, we considered a variety of lifestyle and career factors, including unemployment rate, starting salary and living affordability. In addition, we took into account cities with high numbers of young adults and entertainment options.
1. Austin, Texas
Many young people have helped ‘Keep Austin Weird’ by living and thriving in this progressive culture. Austin differentiates itself from any other city because it is often identified as the top city for singles looking to meet a significant other, and it holds the highest number of 25 to 34 year olds in the country. Austin attracts a wide range of individuals with its 200 live music venues, cheap food prices and eclectic art collection.
The city’s surplus of activities isn’t the only thing attracting young professionals. Austin has the lowest unemployment rate of all major U.S. cities and an average starting salary of $45,023 for college grads. In addition, apartment rentals are extremely affordable in this city – the cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Austin averages $995 per month.
2. San Jose, California
Living in Silicon Valley isn’t cheap, but it definitely helps that San Jose residents are the highest paid in the country, with an average starting salary of $68,600. The city has many things to offer: warm temperatures, an innovative culture and an eco-friendly environment. These reasons, among many others, may help explain why it was rated the number one happiest city in America. Additionally, housing in San Jose is nearly half the cost of living in San Francisco. This offers San Jose residents the benefit of visiting the nearby city without having to be indebted to it!
3. Madison, Wisconsin
Did you know that Madison has the most restaurants per capita of any city in the United States? As a capital city and vibrant college town, Madison ranks fourth on our list of best cities for recent college graduates. According to Business Insider, young adults between the ages of 20 and 34 make up 24.7% of Madison’s population, and 42.6% of the adult population holds at least a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, home affordability shouldn’t be a huge concern for young professionals – Madison has a low unemployment rate and median rent for a one-bedroom apartment of $688.
4. Denver, Colorado
Denver has one of the most educated populations in the nation, offering college graduates an average starting salary of $48,800. However, it isn’t just the income bringing college graduates to the area. The Mile-High City entertains its population with annual beer festivals, incredible mountain views and 850 miles of pristine bike trails. Although Denver has become the fastest rising market for apartment rentals in 2015, prices are still affordable for college graduates looking to enjoy their weekends snowboarding or hiking!
5. Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo has become increasingly popular over the past few years, which may be attributed to the fact that it has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. Fargo is one of the safest places to live in the United States, has an affordable median rent of $668, and offers college graduates a booming job market. Looking for something to do on the weekends? Fargo offers an exciting nightlife as well as a variety of trendy restaurants to try!
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