Current:Home > ContactHere are the best U.S. cities for young Americans to start their career -AssetTrainer
Here are the best U.S. cities for young Americans to start their career
View
Date:2025-04-14 13:55:07
Young Americans just embarking on their careers should turn their gaze toward the country's South, a new report suggests.
A growing number of southern cities offer the best balance of affordability, employment opportunities, long-term career potential and overall quality of life, according to Bankrate, which ranked the 50 largest metro areas based on these and other criteria. Cities that don't make the grade include New York, San Francisco, Washington and other costly urban hubs where it can be difficult for young adults to put down roots.
"We are seeing a lot of companies shifting offices and headquarters to the South. They are cost-effective alternatives that offer that optimal work-life balance for young professionals," Bankrate analyst Alex Gailey told CBS MoneyWatch.
Six of the 10 cities topping the personal finance site's list of the best places to start a career are located in the South:
1. Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, Texas
2. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, Washington
3. Salt Lake City, Utah
4. Raleigh-Cary, North Carolina
5. Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, Tennessee
6. Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, Indiana
7. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas
8. Kansas City, Missouri/Kansas
9. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, Georgia
10. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, California
Many of the top-ranked cities offer a vibrant cultural scene and outdoor recreation activities, while remaining comparatively affordable, Gailey said. Other cities, like Austin and Seattle, also offer a variety of high-paying job opportunities, especially in the tech space.
- Indeed's best entry-level jobs for recent college grads, ranked
- When work gets too frustrating, some employees turn to "rage applying"
Class of 2023 college grads face a labor market "in transition," analyst says
While Midwestern metros such as Kansas City, Missouri, and Indianapolis, Indiana, may not have as many job opportunities as other top-ranked cities, they are more affordable.
"They're easier places to transfer to homeownership if that's something that a young professional is interested in, if that's a financial goal of theirs," Gailey said.
"There's kind of an inverse relationship because more affordable places are likely to have less employment opportunities," she added.
Despite economic challenges such as stubbornly high inflation, rising interest rates and fears of a recession, young professionals are being greeted with a strong job market. The nation's unemployment rate, 3.7%, remains at a historically low level.
"Employers across the nation have stepped up their hiring," Gailey said. "In May we added approximately 339,000 jobs, which was well above expectations."
Sanvi Bangalore is a business reporting intern for CBS MoneyWatch. She attends American University in Washington, D.C., and is studying business administration and journalism.
TwitterveryGood! (85568)
Related
- House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
- FTC sends over $2.5 million to 51,000 Credit Karma customers after settlement
- Can you freeze deli meat? Here’s how to safely extend the shelf life of this lunch staple.
- Biden declares major disaster area in southeast New Mexico due to historic flooding
- Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
- In the heights: Generations of steeplejacks keep vanishing trade alive
- Kevin Durant fires back at Stephen A. Smith over ESPN's personality's criticism
- Longtime music director at Michigan church fired for same-sex marriage
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- A presidential campaign unlike any other ends on Tuesday. Here’s how we got here
Ranking
- The Super Bowl could end in a 'three
- Love Is Blind's Marissa George Debuts New Romance After Ramses Prashad Breakup
- Ryan Blaney, William Byron make NASCAR Championship 4 in intriguing Martinsville race
- Former Kentucky officer found guilty of violating Breonna Taylor's civil rights
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- Lionel Messi's MLS title chase could end in first round. There's no panic from Inter Miami
- Millions may lose health insurance if expanded premium tax credit expires next year
- Election Day forecast: Good weather for most of the US, but rain in some swing states
Recommendation
Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
Karma is the guy in Indy: Travis Kelce attends Saturday night Eras Tour
Takeaways from AP’s report on how immigration transformed a Minnesota farm town
How Fracking Technology Could Drive a Clean-Energy Boom
Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
Cardi B supports Kamala Harris at campaign rally in Wisconsin: 'Ready to make history?'
Sotheby's to hold its first auction for artwork made by a robot; bids could reach $180,000
Do high ticket prices for games affect sports fan behavior? Experts weigh in.