Adults in their twenties are this nation’s most mobile generation, accounting for the majority of interstate moves in recent years.
There are multiple reasons why moving out of state can feel like an attractive option for twenty-somethings, but it’s the job market that sends many Gen Z Americans packing:
Two-thirds of this group would relocate for their careers. So, where should they move? To help answer this question, we’ve curated a list of the absolute best cities for young professionals across the U.S. — based on factors like the cost of living, top industries, average salaries, entry-level job positions, and more.
Which cities are best for young professionals? Ideal cities offer dynamic career opportunities, combined with affordable expenses and an accessible work-life balance. Keep reading to see what topped our list.
What Young Professionals Should Look for in a City
Here’s a breakdown of the main considerations to keep in mind when evaluating which of the top cities for young professionals is the ideal choice for you.
Cost of living
The cost of living directly influences how much income you’ll need for expenses like housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and entertainment. Knowing this will help you determine if a certain location fits into your budget.
Top industries
The cities below are known for strong job markets across a variety of industries, but make sure to choose a location that aligns with the career you want to pursue. Not only will this make it easier to find a relevant and rewarding job, but it will also ensure access to networking, mentorships, and career advancement opportunities to maximize your professional growth.
Average salary
Comparing salaries across different cities will set realistic expectations and help you determine if the compensation will be adequate for the cost of living and your financial goals. In many cases, a higher salary indicates a healthier job market.
Entry-level opportunities
Cities with a strong entry-level job presence offer more accessible pathways to acquiring the skills, connections, and experience you’ll need for a successful career. The sooner you can gain a foot in the door, the easier it will be to create momentum for long-term upward mobility. A large pool of entry-level jobs often correlates with low unemployment, too.
Quality of life
Finally, make sure your new hometown enhances your personal well-being with amenities that help you maintain a healthy work-life balance and a comfortable quality of life. This includes efficient commuter options, a vibrant social and entertainment scene, green spaces, and more. After all, you’re not just building a career — you’re cultivating an entire lifestyle.
| Which cities is Gen Z moving to? Gen Z Americans primarily choose cities with a reasonable cost of living, a robust job market, and lots of entertainment options, where they can fuse their career ambitions with their desire for an optimal work-life balance.Cities like Austin, Nashville, Denver, and Atlanta continue to attract younger professionals for exactly these reasons. |
8 Best Cities for Young Professionals
Using the above criteria as a launch point, below is our complete guide to the best U.S. cities for young professionals. Each of these locations boasts a strong economy and a robust job market with competitive salaries and numerous industries to choose from. They also don’t skimp when it comes to entertainment, so you can thrive off the clock as well. On that note, let’s dive into the eight best cities for young professionals and what makes them stand out.
1. Provo, UT
- Cost of living: 3% below national average
- Top industries: Education, healthcare, manufacturing, software
- Average salary: $73,000
- Entry-level opportunities: Moderate
- Highlights: Outdoor recreation, close-knit community, global culinary scene
As the home of Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, has a high concentration of residents in their early twenties, eager to launch careers in this scenic mountain town.
Provo stands out as a top destination for young professionals, thanks to its flourishing startup culture in the “Silicon Slopes” corridor, where you’ll find an abundance of tech jobs and a cheaper cost of living than in some other trendy innovation hubs.
Just 45 minutes outside of Salt Lake City, Provo combines urban proximity with a laidback community feel. Plus, outdoor attractions and a lively downtown make Provo a hotspot in its own right. Explore Utah Lake or Provo Canyon, then refuel at one of the many global eateries, including Peruvian, French, and Japanese fare.
Major Employers in Provo:
- Brigham Young University
- Qualtrics XM
- Utah Valley Hospital
- Vivint Smart Home
- Ancestry.com
| What city has the most 20-year-olds? Provo, Utah, has more 20-something residents than anywhere else in the U.S., making up almost 45% of the city’s population. |
2. Boston, MA
- Cost of living: 48% above national average
- Top industries: Finance, education, biotech, legal services
- Average salary: $94,000
- Entry-level opportunities: Plentiful
- Highlights: Public transit, historical landmarks, seasonal festivals
When you think of professional centers in the Northeast, NYC most likely comes to mind — but don’t sleep on Boston, Massachusetts. With a financial sector, anchored by firms like Fidelity Investments and academic institutions such as Boston University, this historic New England city booms with dynamic opportunities. Not to mention, its walkable streets and extensive MBTA public transit system make commuting feel seamless.
Boston is full of unique entertainment options to discover in your free time, too — from exploring the iconic Freedom Trail sites to enjoying dozens of seasonal festivals or just grabbing a pint at a boisterous Irish pub.
Major Employers in Boston
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- Fidelity Investments
- Boston University
- Liberty Mutual Insurance
- Boston Consulting Group
3. Austin, TX
Cost of living: 3% below national average
Top industries: Digital media, state government, education, technology
Average salary: $87,000
Entry-level opportunities: Moderate
Highlights: Epicenter of live music, no income taxes, creative energy
Creatives and entrepreneurs are drawn to Austin, Texas, for its youthful culture, diverse career opportunities, and lack of income taxes. As the state capital, Austin is a regional hub for jobs in education, government, and healthcare, along with a prominent tech scene, where corporate headquarters, such as the Tesla Gigafactory, thrive.
But Austin isn’t only one of the best cities for young professionals — it’s an entertainment mecca, too. Known as the “live music capital of the world,” Austin boasts more than 250 performance venues and unbeatable nightlife destinations. This city also hosts the annual South X Southwest Festival, drawing in crowds from all over the country.
Major Employers in Austin
Texas State Capitol
University of Texas at Austin
Whole Foods Market
Dell Technologies
Tesla Automotive
| Ready to plan your move? Get a fast, free quote from Colonial. |
4. Nashville, TN
Cost of living: 2% below national average
Top industries: Music production, healthcare, tourism, hospitality
Average salary: $77,000
Entry-level opportunities: Plentiful
Highlights: Nightlife entertainment, no income taxes, country music scene
While it’s often seen as a tourist destination, there are many reasons for young professionals to consider living in Nashville, Tennessee. For starters, this city has one of the nation’s lowest unemployment rates at 2.9%. Plus, its robust economy offers lucrative jobs in a wide range of industries, from healthcare and hospitality to music production. In fact, some of the most famous record label companies have offices on Nashville’s Music Row.
Filling up your social calendar comes easily here as well, thanks to an unmatched nightlife scene. Whether you’re in the mood to line dance at a classic saloon on Broadway or to listen to new artists and songwriters at The Bluebird Cafe, there’s never a dull moment in Nashville.
Major Employers in Nashville
Vanderbilt University and Medical Center
Universal Music Group
Bridgestone Americas
Sony Music Entertainment
Nissan North America
5. Denver, CO
Cost of living: 10% above national average
Top industries: Aerospace, clean energy, healthcare, telecommunications
Average salary: $86,000
Entry-level opportunities: Plentiful
Highlights: Walkability, outdoor recreation, craft breweries
If you’re seeking career opportunities out West, look no further than Denver, Colorado. This city has become a magnet for entry-level talent who want to gain a foothold in a number of industries: Denver’s job market runs the gamut from telecommunication roles at Lumen Technologies to aviation and aerospace careers at Denver International Airport.
The walkable downtown core and 850 miles of paved bike trails allow for a smooth commute to the office and after-hours activities. Speaking of which, Denver bustles with entertainment for all interests. Meet up with friends at one of the city’s 150 craft breweries, attend a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, or head about an hour north to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Major Employers in Denver
Denver International Airport
Kaiser Permanente
Lumen Technologies
Sage Telecommunications
HCA HealthONE
6. Atlanta, GA
Cost of living: 5% below national average
Top industries: Aviation, film and television, software, financial tech
Average salary: $84,000
Entry-level opportunities: Plentiful
Highlights: Southern cuisine, cultural diversity, urban green spaces
Want an authentic urban lifestyle without the exorbitant costs of New York or Los Angeles? Atlanta, Georgia, fits the bill — and with a booming economy that’s home to 17 Fortune 500 companies, this Southern charmer ranks high among the top cities for young professionals.
Moving to Atlanta can take your career aspirations just about anywhere, from the corporate offices of Delta Airlines or Coca-Cola to major film and television production lots (hence, its nickname, “Hollywood of the South”). But that only scratches the surface of all Atlanta has to offer. This city also stands out for its multicultural diversity, soul food cuisine, and lush green spaces like the 22-mile Beltline Trail or Midtown’s 200-acre Piedmont Park.
Major Employers in Atlanta
Emory Hospital and University
Delta Airlines
Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport
Coca-Cola Company
The Home Depot
7. Minneapolis, MN
Cost of living: 8% below national average
Top industries: Retail, agriculture, life science, manufacturing
Average salary: $85,000
Entry-level opportunities: Plentiful
Highlights: Lakefront access, outdoor recreation, vibrant arts scene
Chicago receives the bulk of attention in the Midwest, but when it comes to the best cities for young professionals, Minneapolis, Minnesota, has the edge. Not only does Minneapolis boast a lower unemployment rate than Chicago, but it also places residents just a few minutes away from the headquarters of multinational corporations, such as Target, Ameriprise Financial, and General Mills.
The city also has one of the 15 most successful business startup cultures in North America, making it ideal for entrepreneurs. In your free time, get outside — Minneapolis is a nature lover’s paradise with 22 lakes and 15 miles of shoreline paths. The arts scene here is equally vibrant, thanks to the downtown Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and the Walker Art Center.
Major Employers in Minneapolis
Target Corporation
Ameriprise Financial
General Mills
Hannepin Healthcare
Best Buy, Inc.
8. Seattle, WA
Cost of living: 45% above national average
Top industries: Technology, aerospace, maritime logistics, life science
Average salary: $97,000
Entry-level opportunities: Moderate
Highlights: Water activities, fresh-caught seafood, coffee shop culture
For young professionals with dreams of breaking into the tech industry, Seattle is the place to be. Seattle’s job market is not nearly as cutthroat as Silicon Valley’s, and the cost of living is comparatively lower.
Plus, with major conglomerates such as Amazon and Microsoft driving its economy, Seattle sits at the forefront of technological innovation. It currently ranks third in the U.S. for artificial intelligence careers, just behind San Jose and NYC.
But the Emerald City is more than a tech powerhouse — living in Seattle also offers a solid work-life balance. From the infectious energy of Pike Place Market to the unhurried tranquility of a Puget Sound beach, you’ll find tons of opportunities to refresh and recharge.
Major Employers in Seattle
Amazon.com
Microsoft Corporation
The Boeing Company
Starbucks Coffee
University of Washington
| Pro tip: Once you know which of the following cities is best for your career ambitions, use our printable moving checklist for a smooth, streamlined relocation. |
Why Colonial Van Lines Is a Smart Choice for Young Professionals
If you’re relocating for a new job, there’s a good chance your employer offers some form of relocation assistance—many companies will fully or partially reimburse moving expenses, especially for long-distance moves. If you’ll be moving without relocation assistance, working with a professional full-service moving company like Colonial Van Lines can be a practical, cost-effective decision.
We handle the heavy lifting (literally): From packing and loading to transportation and unloading, our team takes care of the entire process so you don’t have to juggle logistics on top of starting a new job or settling into a new city.
We specialize in long-distance moves: With extensive experience in interstate relocations, we know how to pack and transport your belongings so they arrive safely and on time.
You can take less time off, with less disruption: Because we manage the driving and coordination, you won’t need to take as much time away from work or spend days handling the move yourself.
We offer flexible storage options: If you’re moving to a new city before you’ve locked in a place, we can arrange storage for your belongings until you’re ready for them.
Colonial offers a smoother, more efficient experience: Moving out of state comes with a lot of moving parts. We streamline the process so you can focus on settling into your new role and your new city.
Make Your New Career Move With Colonial Van Lines
Ready to move to one of the best cities for young professionals? Whether you’re drawn to the tech scene in Seattle, the music culture in Nashville, or the finance sector in Boston, Colonial Van Lines can help streamline this transition for you. With over 12,000 relocations completed each year, our team of full-service movers has both the experience and expertise to handle all the steps of long-distance moving, so you can focus on this thrilling new chapter ahead of you. Get a fast, free moving quote today!