Unless they’ve got a gig lined up, the period right after college can be one of the most stressful times in a young person’s life. There’s pressure to have something to show for the four years of education they’ve received, and the money they’ve spent or borrowed.
Fortunately, insurance provider Insurify has some tips on the best cities for recent graduates looking to launch their careers. This list is based on comparisons of unemployment rates, costs of living, apartment rental prices, alternative transportation, and arts and entertainment establishments across all U.S. Census Bureau–designated metropolitan statistical areas in the United States. Each city was given a score out of 100.
Top 10 Cities for New Graduates in 2022
- St. Louis: 100
- Minneapolis, Minnesota: 98.3
- Rapid City, South Dakota: 88.8
- Pittsburgh: 85.5
- Lincoln, Nebraska: 84.9
- Portland, Oregon: 78.9
- Fargo, North Dakota: 75.8
- Fort Wayne, Indiana: 73.7
- Denver: 73.3
- Tampa, Florida: 73.0
As you can see, no California cities made the top 10. Within California, the best city for recent graduates is Los Angeles. Its Overall Appeal Score was 64.8 (131% greater than state average).
Read more here.
List and data were compiled by Insurify and do not represent statistics on all cities.