Best places for Millennials in every state

There's a nugget of truth in all those cracks about how much millennials love their avocado toast. Young people born between 1981 and 1996 do have different values than Generation X or Baby Boomers. While the meme about millennials choosing to buy fancy coffee and avocado toast instead of their first home is far from accurate, this generation would rather spend their money on experiences rather than things. Sure, older generations might call them entitled, but isn't that just another way to label someone who is self-confident and ambitious?

Given the difference in millennials' values from previous generations, it only makes sense that they'd look for different qualities in a place to live. Using 2018 data provided by Niche, Stacker selected the city, town or suburb that's best for young professionals in each state, focusing on places with populations of at least 10,000. Niche's rankings draw on a wide range of sources including the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, Bureau of Labor Statistics and its own surveys. Niche also considered key factors such as access to jobs, restaurants, nightlife, and affordable housing. Read on to find out whether or not you live in your state's most millennial-friendly city and where you might consider moving to.

BRM Source // Wikicommons

1 / 50

Alabama: Homewood

Population: 25,652
Median home value: $299,100
Median rent: $985
Overall Niche grade: A+
Public schools grade: A+
Cost of living grade: B-
Diversity grade: A-
Crime & safety grade: C+
Outdoor activities grade: B
Commute grade: A-
Housing grade: A-
Nightlife grade: A-
Jobs grade: B+
Health & fitness grade: A-

Frank K. // Wikicommons

2 / 50

Alaska: Anchorage

Population: 299,321
Median home value: $298,000
Median rent: $1,231
Overall Niche grade: B
Public schools grade: A-
Cost of living grade: C
Diversity grade: N/A
Crime & safety grade: C-
Outdoor activities grade: B-
Commute grade: A-
Housing grade: B-
Nightlife grade: B+
Jobs grade: B
Health & fitness grade: B+

Jason M Gutierrez // Wikicommons

3 / 50

Arizona: Tempe

Population: 174,708
Median home value: $219,900
Median rent: $985
Overall Niche grade: A
Public schools grade: A-
Cost of living grade: C
Diversity grade: A
Crime & safety grade: C+
Outdoor activities grade: B+
Commute grade: A
Housing grade: B-
Nightlife grade: A
Jobs grade: B
Health & fitness grade: A-

Brandonrush // Wikicommons

4 / 50

Arkansas: Bentonville

Population: 42,499
Median home value: $184,800
Median rent: $831
Overall Niche grade: A+
Public schools grade: A+
Cost of living grade: A-
Diversity grade: A-
Crime & safety grade: B
Outdoor activities grade: B+
Commute grade: B+
Housing grade: A+
Nightlife grade: B+
Jobs grade: A
Health & fitness grade: B

Public Domain Pictures

5 / 50

California: San Francisco

Population: 850,282
Median home value: $858,800
Median rent: $1,632
Overall Niche grade: A+
Public schools grade: A-
Cost of living grade: D+
Diversity grade: A+
Crime & safety grade: C
Outdoor activities grade: A+
Commute grade: A
Housing grade: C-
Nightlife grade: A+
Jobs grade: B+
Health & fitness grade: A+

Larry Johnson // Flickr

6 / 50

Colorado: Denver

Population: 663,303
Median home value: $292,700
Median rent: $1,035
Overall Niche grade: A
Public schools grade: C+
Cost of living grade: C-
Diversity grade: A+
Crime & safety grade: C
Outdoor activities grade: A
Commute grade: A
Housing grade: C
Nightlife grade: A+
Jobs grade: B+
Health & fitness grade: A+

Ragesoss // Wikicommons

7 / 50

Connecticut: West Hartford

Population: 63,187
Median home value: $318,800
Median rent: $1,236
Overall Niche grade: A+
Public schools grade: A+
Cost of living grade: C
Diversity grade: A-
Crime & safety grade: B
Outdoor activities grade: A
Commute grade: B+
Housing grade: B+
Nightlife grade: A
Jobs grade: B+
Health & fitness grade: A+

Ruhrfisch // Wikicommons

8 / 50

Delaware: Pine Creek Valley

Population: 10,077
Median home value: $244,500
Median rent: $1,118
Overall Niche grade: A
Public schools grade: B
Cost of living grade: B-
Diversity grade: A-
Crime & safety grade: N/A
Outdoor activities grade: A-
Commute grade: B+
Housing grade: B
Nightlife grade: A-
Jobs grade: B+
Health & fitness grade: A

Hubo // Wikicommons

9 / 50

Florida: Miami Beach

Population: 91,784
Median home value: $398,600
Median rent: $1,198
Overall Niche grade: A
Public schools grade: B
Cost of living grade: C-
Diversity grade: A
Crime & safety grade: C
Outdoor activities grade: A
Commute grade: A
Housing grade: C-
Nightlife grade: A+
Jobs grade: B-
Health & fitness grade: A+

Thomson200 // Wikicommons

10 / 50

Georgia: North Druid Hills

Population: 18,331
Median home value: $311,000
Median rent: $1,204
Overall Niche grade: A
Public schools grade: C+
Cost of living grade: C
Diversity grade: A
Crime & safety grade: N/A
Outdoor activities grade: A-
Commute grade: A-
Housing grade: C
Nightlife grade: A+
Jobs grade: B-
Health & fitness grade: A+

jimmyweee // Wikicommons

11 / 50

Hawaii: Honolulu

Population: 401,470
Median home value: $660,200
Median rent: $1,386
Overall Niche grade: B+
Public schools grade: B
Cost of living grade: D+
Diversity grade: N/A
Crime & safety grade: N/A
Outdoor activities grade: A-
Commute grade: A
Housing grade: C-
Nightlife grade: A+
Jobs grade: C+
Health & fitness grade: A+

Davidlharlan // Wikicommons

12 / 50

Idaho: Moscow

Population: 24,885
Median home value: $209,700
Median rent: $658
Overall Niche grade: A
Public schools grade: A-
Cost of living grade: C
Diversity grade: B-
Crime & safety grade: B
Outdoor activities grade: A
Commute grade: A+
Housing grade: C
Nightlife grade: A
Jobs grade: C+
Health & fitness grade: B+

Dennisyerger84

13 / 50

Illinois: Forest Park

Population: 14,137
Median home value: $205,500
Median rent: $967
Overall Niche grade: A-
Public schools grade: C
Cost of living grade: B-
Diversity grade: A+
Crime & safety grade: B-
Outdoor activities grade: A-
Commute grade: B+
Housing grade: C
Nightlife grade: A+
Jobs grade: B-
Health & fitness grade: A-

Nyttend // Wikicommons

14 / 50

Indiana: Fishers

Population: 85,887
Median home value: $225,700
Median rent: $1,133
Overall Niche grade: A+
Public schools grade: A+
Cost of living grade: B+
Diversity grade: B+
Crime & safety grade: A-
Outdoor activities grade: B+
Commute grade: B
Housing grade: A+
Nightlife grade: B+
Jobs grade: A+
Health & fitness grade: A

Iowahwyman // Wikicommons

15 / 50

Iowa: West Des Moines

Population: 61,624
Median home value: $195,500
Median rent: $934
Overall Niche grade: A+
Public schools grade: A+
Cost of living grade: B+
Diversity grade: B+
Crime & safety grade: B-
Outdoor activities grade: B-
Commute grade: A-
Housing grade: A
Nightlife grade: A-
Jobs grade: A
Health & fitness grade: A-

Paulmcdonald // Wikicommons

16 / 50

Kansas: Prairie Village

Population: 21,824
Median home value: $228,900
Median rent: $1,243
Overall Niche grade: A+
Public schools grade: A+
Cost of living grade: B
Diversity grade: B-
Crime & safety grade: B+
Outdoor activities grade: A-
Commute grade: B
Housing grade: A
Nightlife grade: A-
Jobs grade: A
Health & fitness grade: A+

Wikicommons

17 / 50

Kentucky: St. Matthews

Population: 17,930
Median home value: $203,000
Median rent: $948
Overall Niche grade: A
Public schools grade: B
Cost of living grade: B
Diversity grade: B+
Crime & safety grade: C+
Outdoor activities grade: B+
Commute grade: A-
Housing grade: B+
Nightlife grade: A
Jobs grade: B+
Health & fitness grade: A

Antrell Williams // Flickr

18 / 50

Louisiana: New Orleans

Population: 382,922
Median home value: $197,000
Median rent: $929
Overall Niche grade: B
Public schools grade: B-
Cost of living grade: C+
Diversity grade: A
Crime & safety grade: C-
Outdoor activities grade: C+
Commute grade: A
Housing grade: C-
Nightlife grade: A+
Jobs grade: C+
Health & fitness grade: B-

Phillip Capper // Flickr

19 / 50

Maine: Portland

Population: 66,649
Median home value: $248,000
Median rent: $969
Overall Niche grade: A
Public schools grade: B+
Cost of living grade: C
Diversity grade: B+
Crime & safety grade: C+
Outdoor activities grade: A
Commute grade: A
Housing grade: C
Nightlife grade: A+
Jobs grade: B-
Health & fitness grade: A+

Matthew Straubmuller // Flcikr

20 / 50

Maryland: North Bethesda

Population: 49,971
Median home value: $543,000
Median rent: $1,850
Overall Niche grade: A+
Public schools grade: A+
Cost of living grade: C
Diversity grade: A
Crime & safety grade: N/A
Outdoor activities grade: A
Commute grade: A-
Housing grade: B-
Nightlife grade: A
Jobs grade: B
Health & fitness grade: A+

Caroline Culler // Wikicommons

21 / 50

Massachusetts: Cambridge

Population: 108,757
Median home value: $629,700
Median rent: $1,754
Overall Niche grade: A+
Public schools grade: A+
Cost of living grade: C-
Diversity grade: A
Crime & safety grade: B-
Outdoor activities grade: A+
Commute grade: A+
Housing grade: C+
Nightlife grade: A+
Jobs grade: B
Health & fitness grade: A+

Stanthejeep // Wikicommons

22 / 50

Michigan: Ferndale

Population: 20,167
Median home value: $111,000
Median rent: $912
Overall Niche grade: A
Public schools grade: C
Cost of living grade: B+
Diversity grade: B+
Crime & safety grade: B-
Outdoor activities grade: A-
Commute grade: A-
Housing grade: B+
Nightlife grade: A+
Jobs grade: B+
Health & fitness grade: A-

StockSnap // Pixabay

23 / 50

Minnesota: Minneapolis

Population: 404,670
Median home value: $212,800
Median rent: $898
Overall Niche grade: A
Public schools grade: B-
Cost of living grade: B-
Diversity grade: A
Crime & safety grade: C-
Outdoor activities grade: A
Commute grade: A
Housing grade: B-
Nightlife grade: A+
Jobs grade: B
Health & fitness grade: A

sevenMaps7 // Shutterstock

24 / 50

Mississippi: Ridgeland

Population: 24,338
Median home value: $176,700
Median rent: $966
Overall Niche grade: A+
Public schools grade: A
Cost of living grade: B
Diversity grade: A
Crime & safety grade: C+
Outdoor activities grade: B+
Commute grade: B+
Housing grade: B+
Nightlife grade: B
Jobs grade: A-
Health & fitness grade: B

Kbh3rd // Wikicommons

25 / 50

Missouri: Clayton

Population: 16,034
Median home value: $577,300
Median rent: $1,115
Overall Niche grade: A+
Public schools grade: A+
Cost of living grade: C+
Diversity grade: A-
Crime & safety grade: B-
Outdoor activities grade: A-
Commute grade: A
Housing grade: B-
Nightlife grade: A+
Jobs grade: B+
Health & fitness grade: A+

Tim Evanson // Flickr

26 / 50

Montana: Bozeman

Population: 41,761
Median home value: $278,700
Median rent: $901
Overall Niche grade: A
Public schools grade: A
Cost of living grade: C-
Diversity grade: B-
Crime & safety grade: B-
Outdoor activities grade: A
Commute grade: A
Housing grade: C+
Nightlife grade: A
Jobs grade: B+
Health & fitness grade: A

Pat Hawks // Flickr

27 / 50

Nebraska: Omaha

Population: 443,072
Median home value: $139,800
Median rent: $819
Overall Niche grade: A
Public schools grade: A-
Cost of living grade: B+
Diversity grade: A
Crime & safety grade: C
Outdoor activities grade: A
Commute grade: A-
Housing grade: B
Nightlife grade: A
Jobs grade: B
Health & fitness grade: A-

Roman Kharkovski

28 / 50

Nevada: Winchester

Population: 27,986
Median home value: $128,300
Median rent: $819
Overall Niche grade: B+
Public schools grade: C+
Cost of living grade: B-
Diversity grade: A+
Crime & safety grade: N/A
Outdoor activities grade: A-
Commute grade: A-
Housing grade: C+
Nightlife grade: A+
Jobs grade: C+
Health & fitness grade: A

Doug Kerr // Wikicommons

29 / 50

New Hampshire: Portsmouth

Population: 21,458
Median home value: $361,000
Median rent: $1,158
Overall Niche grade: A
Public schools grade: A
Cost of living grade: C-
Diversity grade: B
Crime & safety grade: B
Outdoor activities grade: A
Commute grade: A-
Housing grade: B-
Nightlife grade: A
Jobs grade: B
Health & fitness grade: A

Don Ramey Logan // Wikicommons

30 / 50

New Jersey: Hoboken

Population: 53,136
Median home value: $621,300
Median rent: $2,001
Overall Niche grade: A+
Public schools grade: C+
Cost of living grade: C-
Diversity grade: B+
Crime & safety grade: B-
Outdoor activities grade: A
Commute grade: A-
Housing grade: C-
Nightlife grade: A+
Jobs grade: B+
Health & fitness grade: A+

AllenS // Wikicommons

31 / 50

New Mexico: Los Alamos

Population: 11,733
Median home value: $277,700
Median rent: $933
Overall Niche grade: A+
Public schools grade: A+
Cost of living grade: B-
Diversity grade: A-
Crime & safety grade: B+
Outdoor activities grade: A
Commute grade: A
Housing grade: A
Nightlife grade: C+
Jobs grade: A+
Health & fitness grade: A+

PublicDomainPictures

32 / 50

New York: Manhattan

Population: 1,634,989
Median home value: $871,500
Median rent: $1,575
Overall Niche grade: A+
Public schools grade: B
Cost of living grade: D+
Diversity grade: A+
Crime & safety grade: N/A
Outdoor activities grade: A+
Commute grade: A
Housing grade: C-
Nightlife grade: A+
Jobs grade: B-
Health & fitness grade: A+

Doug Kerr // Wikicommons

33 / 50

North Carolina: Morrisville

Population: 22,600
Median home value: $291,400
Median rent: $1,146
Overall Niche grade: A+
Public schools grade: A+
Cost of living grade: B
Diversity grade: A
Crime & safety grade: B
Outdoor activities grade: B+
Commute grade: B+
Housing grade: A
Nightlife grade: B
Jobs grade: A+
Health & fitness grade: A-

Tim Kiser // Wikicommons

34 / 50

North Dakota: Fargo

Population: 115,950
Median home value: $178,300
Median rent: $727
Overall Niche grade: A
Public schools grade: B+
Cost of living grade: B+
Diversity grade: B+
Crime & safety grade: C+
Outdoor activities grade: B+
Commute grade: A
Housing grade: B
Nightlife grade: A-
Jobs grade: A-
Health & fitness grade: B+

Erik Drost // Wikicommons

35 / 50

Ohio: Lakewood

Population: 50,866
Median home value: $134,000
Median rent: $715
Overall Niche grade: A+
Public schools grade: A-
Cost of living grade: B+
Diversity grade: B+
Crime & safety grade: B-
Outdoor activities grade: A-
Commute grade: A-
Housing grade: B+
Nightlife grade: A+
Jobs grade: B
Health & fitness grade: A-

Toniklemm // Wikicommons

36 / 50

Oklahoma: Norman

Population: 118,974
Median home value: $163,900
Median rent: $802
Overall Niche grade: A
Public schools grade: A
Cost of living grade: B+
Diversity grade: A-
Crime & safety grade: B-
Outdoor activities grade: D+
Commute grade: A-
Housing grade: B+
Nightlife grade: A-
Jobs grade: A-
Health & fitness grade: B+

Tony Webster // Wikicommons

37 / 50

Oregon: Portland

Population: 620,589
Median home value: $319,400
Median rent: $1,025
Overall Niche grade: A
Public schools grade: B+
Cost of living grade: C-
Diversity grade: A
Crime & safety grade: C
Outdoor activities grade: A+
Commute grade: A
Housing grade: C+
Nightlife grade: A+
Jobs grade: B-
Health & fitness grade: A+

Jiuguang Wang // Flickr

38 / 50

Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh

Population: 305,305
Median home value: $100,800
Median rent: $844
Overall Niche grade: A
Public schools grade: B-
Cost of living grade: B
Diversity grade: A
Crime & safety grade: C-
Outdoor activities grade: A-
Commute grade: A
Housing grade: B
Nightlife grade: A+
Jobs grade: B
Health & fitness grade: A-

6SN7 // Flickr

39 / 50

Rhode Island: Newport

Population: 24,570
Median home value: $382,200
Median rent: $1,096
Overall Niche grade: A-
Public schools grade: B-
Cost of living grade: C-
Diversity grade: A-
Crime & safety grade: B-
Outdoor activities grade: A
Commute grade: A
Housing grade: C-
Nightlife grade: A+
Jobs grade: B-
Health & fitness grade: A

David Shankbone // Flickr

40 / 50

South Carolina: Charleston

Population: 129,888
Median home value: $269,400
Median rent: $1,052
Overall Niche grade: A
Public schools grade: B+
Cost of living grade: C+
Diversity grade: A
Crime & safety grade: C+
Outdoor activities grade: A-
Commute grade: A
Housing grade: B-
Nightlife grade: A
Jobs grade: B
Health & fitness grade: B+

Seabear70 // Wikicommons

41 / 50

South Dakota: Sioux Falls

Population: 167,884
Median home value: $161,500
Median rent: $749
Overall Niche grade: A
Public schools grade: B+
Cost of living grade: A-
Diversity grade: B+
Crime & safety grade: C+
Outdoor activities grade: A-
Commute grade: A-
Housing grade: B+
Nightlife grade: B+
Jobs grade: A-
Health & fitness grade: B+

dconvertini // Wikicommons

42 / 50

Tennessee: Nashville

Population: 643,771
Median home value: $174,600
Median rent: $902
Overall Niche grade: A-
Public schools grade: C+
Cost of living grade: B
Diversity grade: A
Crime & safety grade: C
Outdoor activities grade: A-
Commute grade: B+
Housing grade: B-
Nightlife grade: A-
Jobs grade: B+
Health & fitness grade: B

Justin Cozart // Wikicommons

43 / 50

Texas: Addison

Population: 15,363
Median home value: $307,300
Median rent: $1,142
Overall Niche grade: A
Public schools grade: B
Cost of living grade: B-
Diversity grade: A
Crime & safety grade: C+
Outdoor activities grade: B-
Commute grade: A-
Housing grade: B
Nightlife grade: A+
Jobs grade: A-
Health & fitness grade: A-

Pasteur // Wikicommons

44 / 50

Utah: Salt Lake City

Population: 191,446
Median home value: $248,700
Median rent: $844
Overall Niche grade: A
Public schools grade: B
Cost of living grade: C
Diversity grade: A
Crime & safety grade: C
Outdoor activities grade: A
Commute grade: A
Housing grade: C+
Nightlife grade: A
Jobs grade: B+
Health & fitness grade: A

Tony Webster // Flickr

45 / 50

Vermont: Burlington

Population: 42,556
Median home value: $264,300
Median rent: $1,071
Overall Niche grade: A
Public schools grade: A-
Cost of living grade: C-
Diversity grade: B
Crime & safety grade: B-
Outdoor activities grade: A
Commute grade: A+
Housing grade: C-
Nightlife grade: A+
Jobs grade: C+
Health & fitness grade: A+

Ron Cogswell // Flickr

46 / 50

Virginia: Arlington

Population: 226,092
Median home value: $623,300
Median rent: $1,861
Overall Niche grade: A+
Public schools grade: A+
Cost of living grade: C-
Diversity grade: A
Crime & safety grade: N/A
Outdoor activities grade: A
Commute grade: A
Housing grade: C+
Nightlife grade: A+
Jobs grade: B
Health & fitness grade: A+

GoodFreePhotos

47 / 50

Washington: Seattle

Population: 668,849
Median home value: $484,600
Median rent: $1,266
Overall Niche grade: A+
Public schools grade: A-
Cost of living grade: C-
Diversity grade: A
Crime & safety grade: C
Outdoor activities grade: A
Commute grade: A
Housing grade: C+
Nightlife grade: A+
Jobs grade: B
Health & fitness grade: A+

Jon Dawson // Flickr

48 / 50

West Virginia: Morgantown

Population: 30,364
Median home value: $178,500
Median rent: $742
Overall Niche grade: A
Public schools grade: A-
Cost of living grade: B-
Diversity grade: B-
Crime & safety grade: C+
Outdoor activities grade: A
Commute grade: A
Housing grade: B-
Nightlife grade: A+
Jobs grade: B
Health & fitness grade: B

sevenMaps7 // Shutterstock

49 / 50

Wisconsin: Shorewood

Population: 13,300
Median home value: $308,600
Median rent: $909
Overall Niche grade: A+
Public schools grade: A+
Cost of living grade: B-
Diversity grade: B+
Crime & safety grade: B
Outdoor activities grade: A-
Commute grade: A
Housing grade: B
Nightlife grade: A+
Jobs grade: B
Health & fitness grade: A

Mlewis2005 // Wikicommons

50 / 50

Wyoming: Jackson

Population: 10,279
Median home value: $573,400
Median rent: $1,175
Overall Niche grade: A-
Public schools grade: B+
Cost of living grade: C-
Diversity grade: A-
Crime & safety grade: B-
Outdoor activities grade: B+
Commute grade: A+
Housing grade: C
Nightlife grade: A
Jobs grade: B+
Health & fitness grade: A

Best places for Millennials in every state

Alabama: Homewood

Alaska: Anchorage

Arizona: Tempe

Arkansas: Bentonville

California: San Francisco

Colorado: Denver

Connecticut: West Hartford

Delaware: Pine Creek Valley

Florida: Miami Beach

Georgia: North Druid Hills

Hawaii: Honolulu

Idaho: Moscow

Illinois: Forest Park

Indiana: Fishers

Iowa: West Des Moines

Kansas: Prairie Village

Kentucky: St. Matthews

Louisiana: New Orleans

Maine: Portland

Maryland: North Bethesda

Massachusetts: Cambridge

Michigan: Ferndale

Minnesota: Minneapolis

Mississippi: Ridgeland

Missouri: Clayton

Montana: Bozeman

Nebraska: Omaha

Nevada: Winchester

New Hampshire: Portsmouth

New Jersey: Hoboken

New Mexico: Los Alamos

New York: Manhattan

North Carolina: Morrisville

North Dakota: Fargo

Ohio: Lakewood

Oklahoma: Norman

Oregon: Portland

Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh

Rhode Island: Newport

South Carolina: Charleston

South Dakota: Sioux Falls

Tennessee: Nashville

Texas: Addison

Utah: Salt Lake City

Vermont: Burlington

Virginia: Arlington

Washington: Seattle

West Virginia: Morgantown

Wisconsin: Shorewood

Wyoming: Jackson

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