The best US cities for recent college graduates
The tassels are turned, the diplomas are framed, and next comes the big question: Where should recent college graduates plant roots? Redfin and Glassdoor looked across the U.S. to reveal which cities offer the best mix of career opportunity, housing affordability, and work-life balance for young professionals.
The survey examined Redfin data on property sales, and Glassdoor data on employer reviews, salary reviews, and job listings. Redfin and Glassdoor ranked places based on 13 indicators across housing affordability, career opportunity, and urban quality of life. From higher starting salaries to affordable starter homes, some cities give young people a serious leg up. Here, Redfin and Glassdoor list the 30 best places to live and launch a career, with 10 cities highlighted in each population category: big, mid-sized, and small.
Top 10 big US cities for recent college graduates
1. Washington, D.C.
- Average annual early-career earnings: $79,857
- Price of typical starter home: $320,000
- Years to save for down payment: 4 years, 2 months
- Monthly mortgage payment as % of income: 31.6%
- Monthly rent as % of income: 34%
The nation’s capital ranks as the best big city for recent college grads because it has a robust entry-level job market, strong starting salaries, and a diverse range of employers. And while housing isn’t exactly cheap, it’s more affordable than many other big coastal cities.
The top sector for early-career workers is tech, but D.C. also offers plenty of junior jobs in government and government-adjacent organizations, like think tanks, defense contractors, consultants, and law firms. D.C. has 19 job postings per 100 workers, the most of any big U.S. city. The city also attracts a lot of doctors, and a lot of international students stay in the area to work in finance at a place like the IMF or the World Bank.
But it’s not all work, all the time: The U.S. capital is also one of the cultural centers of the U.S., offering not only unique landmarks, but a thriving food and drinks scene at places like The Wharf and Union Market.
2. Omaha, Nebraska
- Average early-career earnings: $59,123
- Price of typical starter home: $195,000
- Years to save for down payment: 3 years, 8 months
- Monthly mortgage payment as % of income: 26%
- Monthly rent as % of income: 28%
What sets Omaha apart from the rest of the country is its affordability and job variety. A starter home in Omaha costs less than $200,000, which is affordable to someone earning the typical entry-level salary of around $59,000. And while the most popular career path for recent grads in the Nebraska town is healthcare, it's also home to several Fortune 500 companies, including Berkshire Hathaway, Union Pacific, and Mutual of Omaha. These jobs often pay well and can give young grads a real shot of purchasing a house.
Not only do college grads report enjoying their jobs, but they also report strong work-life balance—especially for those immersed in the city’s thriving music and brewery scene. Add in high-quality colleges and universities, and grads can go from college to work without leaving town.
3. Boston, Massachusetts
- Average early-career earnings: $80,026
- Price of typical starter home: $460,000
- Years to save for down payment: 6 years, 8 months
- Monthly mortgage payment as % of income: 45.3%
- Monthly rent as % of income: 53%
The typical recent grad in Boston earns $80,000 per year, the highest average starting salary of all the cities in this top 10 list. The city’s most popular sector for recent grads is tech, though it’s also home to a lot of jobs in biotech, healthcare, education and research. Boston is also a work-life winner, with twenty-somethings working hard by day and catching a game at Fenway Park or meeting friends at a beer garden at night.
Additionally, because there are so many top-tier universities nearby—e.g., Harvard, MIT, Boston College—a lot of major employers have offices in Boston to attract new grads and keep them in the city. A strong startup culture in biotech, finance, and software also offers well-paying jobs, enticing both local grads and cross-country transplants. High housing costs may turn off some people, though.
4. Dallas, Texas
- Average early-career earnings: $67,451
- Price of typical starter home: $240,000
- Years to save for down payment: 4 years, 1 month
- Monthly mortgage payment as % of income: 28%
- Monthly rent as % of income: 26%
Dallas is home to 24 Fortune 500 company headquarters, including American Airlines, AT&T and Toyota, offering abundant entry-level jobs. The Texas city is known for legendary barbecue spots and live music, which is perfect for young professionals unwinding after a long week of work.
Dallas is unique because it’s well-rounded; it is relatively affordable, fairly high-paying for early-career workers, and there is plenty to do for young professionals. The typical resident can comfortably afford a median-priced rental, and only needs to save for four years to afford a down payment.
5. Chicago, Illinois
- Average early-career earnings: $72,786
- Price of typical starter home: $202,000
- Years to save for down payment: 3 years
- Monthly mortgage payment as % of income: 21.9%
- Monthly rent as % of income: 28%
Chicago has a plethora of jobs for early-career workers, from finance to tech to working corporate jobs for companies like McDonald’s or United Airlines. And with the L train system and hundreds of miles of interconnected bike lanes, getting around without a car is both easy and convenient. Relatively high early-career earnings and low starter home prices mean a recent grad can afford to purchase a down payment in just three years.
Beyond the economy, Chicago is home to iconic attractions like Wrigley Field and Navy Pier, along with countless comedy clubs, deep-dish pizza spots, and neighborhood bars.
6. Houston, Texas
- Average early-career earnings: $65,369
- Price of typical starter home: $215,000
- Years to save for down payment: 3 years, 7 months
- Monthly mortgage payment as % of income: 25.9%
- Monthly rent as % of income: 18%
Everything’s bigger in Texas—especially the number of job opportunities. Houston has a mix of industries, from aerospace engineering at NASA to healthcare at the Texas Medical Center, the world’s largest medical facility. It’s also known for vibrant nightlife, including live music venues and food halls.
However, one thing that isn’t bigger is the prices. The typical monthly rent costs residents less than 20% of their monthly income, and a $65,000 entry-level salary can comfortably support a solid quality of life for a young professional.
7. St. Louis, Missouri
- Average early-career earnings: $61,834
- Price of typical starter home: $150,000
- Years to save for down payment: 2 years, 7 months
- Monthly mortgage payment as % of income: 19.1%
- Monthly rent as % of income: 23%
Not only does St. Louis have a lower cost of living than coastal cities, but it’s also home to a variety of entry-level jobs. The most popular industry is healthcare, and there are also opportunities in finance, tech, and engineering, among other industries. Twenty-somethings can enjoy free attractions like the City Museum and Gateway Arch, along with world-class museums and dining.
For new grads looking to settle down, starter homes in St. Louis are among the most affordable in the country and require less than three years of saving to afford a down payment.
8. San Diego, California
- Average early-career earnings: $74,053
- Price of typical starter home: $615,000
- Years to save for down payment: More than 10 years
- Monthly mortgage payment as % of income: 65.4%
- Monthly rent as % of income: 64%
When San Diegans aren’t working, they’re at the beach: riding bikes along the coastline, scuba diving, surfing, kayaking, or simply sunbathing. But don’t let the city’s laid-back vibes fool you: It’s one of the country’s biggest biotech hubs, and it’s also home to many entry-level positions in industries like healthcare and gaming.
Living in San Diego is worth it for those who can swing the higher housing costs. Starting salaries are among the highest on this list, but affording a home will likely require savings or additional income.
9. Miami, Florida
- Average early-career earnings: $62,748
- Price of typical starter home: $210,000
- Years to save for down payment: 3 years, 11 months
- Monthly mortgage payment as % of income: 26.4%
- Monthly rent as % of income: 33%
Miami thrives on its diverse economy and career growth potential. Whether grads want to work in retail, wholesale, construction, real estate, tourism, aviation, healthcare, or any of Miami’s many industries, the city has entry-level jobs for everyone. Add Miami’s white-sand beaches, turquoise water and endless nightlife, and the South Florida city is a twenty-something’s dream.
10. Austin, Texas
- Average early-career earnings: $72,025
- Price of typical starter home: $276,600
- Years to save for down payment: 4 years, 1 month
- Monthly mortgage payment as % of income: 30.3%
- Monthly rent as % of income: 35%
The “Live Music Capital of the World” is home to music venues and festivals like SXSW and Austin City Limits. Places like Barton Springs Pool and Lady Bird Lake also make it a paradise for water lovers—especially popular during the long and hot summers. Industries like healthcare, tech, and education offer many entry-level jobs, and Austin’s slow and increasingly affordable housing market makes it a good time for young buyers to break in.
Top 10 mid-sized U.S. cities for recent college graduates
Top 10 small US cities for recent college graduates
Methodology
This report is based on a Redfin-Glassdoor ranking of the best U.S. metro areas (“cities”) for recent college graduates. Redfin and Glassdoor ranked places based on 13 indicators across housing affordability, career opportunity, and urban quality of life. Indicators were normalized and averaged within those three broad categories. Overall rankings are based on the weighted sum of ranks across the factors. Here are more details on each broad category:
Housing affordability
- Starter home availability: Starter homes sold per 1,000 residents
- Ownership cost: Early-career income divided by median starter home price
- Ownership cost trend: Early career earnings growth minus starter home price growth
- Rent-to-income ratio: Average monthly condo/co-op cost, divided by monthly early-career salary
Career opportunity
- Early-career income: Typical income of early-career workers
- Economic diversity: Concentration of early-career workers in particular sectors
- Overall job satisfaction: Average employer ratings from early-career workers
- Career opportunity satisfaction: Average career opportunity rating from early-career workers
- Job availability: Number of distinct job postings per 100 workers
- Post-pandemic job availability trend: Five-year trend in job posting volume
Urban Quality of Life
- Work-life balance ratings: Average work-life balance of early-career workers
- Navigability: Median Walk Score, median Transit Score
Metrics were calculated using 563,000 Glassdoor salary reviews collected in 2025 from early-career workers, 662,000 Glassdoor employer reviews collected from early-career workers between 2023 and 2025, over 22 million job postings on Glassdoor from 2025, and over 2.5 million 2025 property sales from Redfin.
Metrics were calculated for all available metropolitan areas. A metro was excluded if four or more indicators were missing.
This story was produced by Redfin Real Estate and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
