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Ranking
Best Places for Young Professionals
Cities for early-career movers using young-grad fit, ACS education/rent/commute context where available, BLS state unemployment, sector tags, education access, city scale, and lifestyle tags. Rankings are transparent research aids. Verify rent, wages, school programs, crime, commute, taxes, and neighborhood details before making a relocation decision.
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| City | Catalog | Grad fit | Median rent | Median income | 2025 population | City unemployment | Growth | Jobs | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, South Dakota | State starter | 88/100 | $1,035 | $75,970 | 213,748 | 2.5% | +10.90% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Spearfish, South Dakota | South Dakota coverage | 87/100 | $963 | $65,688 | 14,154 | 2.2% | +15.91% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Lehi, Utah | Utah coverage | 86/100 | $1,964 | $131,299 | 95,313 | 4.0% | +25.56% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Ankeny, Iowa | Iowa coverage | 85/100 | $1,319 | $108,198 | 77,833 | 1.9% | +14.29% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Brookings, South Dakota | South Dakota coverage | 85/100 | $889 | $63,493 | 25,355 | 4.5% | +8.45% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Madison, Alabama | Alabama coverage | 84/100 | $1,453 | $134,655 | 67,968 | 2.2% | +19.43% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| West Des Moines, Iowa | Iowa coverage | 84/100 | $1,237 | $86,594 | 74,224 | 2.4% | +8.00% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Lebanon, New Hampshire | New Hampshire coverage | 84/100 | $1,744 | $98,147 | 15,481 | 0.8% | +8.30% | strong | rent watch |
| South Jordan, Utah | Utah coverage | 84/100 | $1,991 | $134,047 | 87,614 | 2.4% | +13.07% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Fargo, North Dakota | State starter | 83/100 | $946 | $66,998 | 136,275 | 3.8% | +8.20% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Bentonville, Arkansas | Arkansas coverage | 83/100 | $1,344 | $112,792 | 63,057 | 3.1% | +16.31% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Meridian, Idaho | Idaho coverage | 82/100 | $1,805 | $100,795 | 142,988 | 2.7% | +21.37% | competitive | rent watch |
| Idaho Falls, Idaho | Idaho coverage | 82/100 | $1,075 | $73,110 | 71,785 | 4.2% | +9.42% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Noblesville, Indiana | Indiana coverage | 82/100 | $1,389 | $104,047 | 76,111 | 2.9% | +8.89% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Helena, Montana | Montana coverage | 82/100 | $1,092 | $71,036 | 35,138 | 2.9% | +9.44% | competitive | rent watch |
| West Fargo, North Dakota | North Dakota coverage | 82/100 | $1,111 | $90,665 | 41,175 | 1.1% | +6.58% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Charlotte, North Carolina | #14 | 81/100 | $1,612 | $82,068 | 964,784 | 4.6% | +10.30% | competitive | rent stretched |
| Salt Lake City, Utah | State starter | 81/100 | $1,414 | $75,090 | 218,428 | 4.2% | +9.36% | competitive | rent watch |
| Auburn, Alabama | Alabama coverage | 81/100 | $1,098 | $63,668 | 85,113 | 3.2% | +11.06% | competitive | rent watch |
| Homer, Alaska | Alaska coverage | 81/100 | $1,238 | $74,449 | 6,331 | 8.7% | +14.59% | competitive | rent watch |
| Lakeville, Minnesota | Minnesota coverage | 81/100 | $1,806 | $139,041 | 79,270 | 2.0% | +14.06% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Whitefish, Montana | Montana coverage | 81/100 | $1,354 | $73,811 | 9,358 | 2.4% | +20.22% | competitive | rent watch |
| Bismarck, North Dakota | North Dakota coverage | 81/100 | $999 | $78,387 | 77,963 | 2.5% | +5.89% | strong | rent-friendly |
| San Antonio, Texas | #7 | 80/100 | $1,324 | $65,056 | 1,548,422 | 6.2% | +8.03% | competitive | rent stretched |
| Fort Worth, Texas | #10 | 80/100 | $1,509 | $79,507 | 1,028,117 | 4.8% | +11.89% | cautious | rent watch |
| Greer, South Carolina | South Carolina coverage | 80/100 | $1,198 | $82,626 | 50,007 | 2.4% | +41.02% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Rapid City, South Dakota | South Dakota coverage | 80/100 | $1,109 | $70,870 | 80,589 | 2.6% | +7.83% | strong | rent watch |
| Box Elder, South Dakota | South Dakota coverage | 80/100 | $1,491 | $73,008 | 13,936 | 4.9% | +17.56% | strong | rent stretched |
| South Burlington, Vermont | Vermont coverage | 80/100 | $1,787 | $106,667 | 21,394 | 3.9% | +5.76% | strong | rent watch |
| Rogers, Arkansas | Arkansas coverage | 79/100 | $1,270 | $86,728 | 76,956 | 2.5% | +10.47% | competitive | rent-friendly |