Young professionals in the early stages of their careers are facing a lot of uncertainties today, including where to live and put down roots.
SmartAsset, a financial resource website, recently analyzed 150 cities to pinpoint the best places for young professionals. Researchers considered metrics like the percentage of the population between 25 and 34; county-level unemployment rates from May 2020; labor force participation for young professionals; median rent; the cost of living; median earnings for full-time workers; and more.
The Midwest may offer some of the strongest prospects for them, according to the analysis. Seven of the top 10 cities in SmartAsset’s study are located in the Midwest. Two metrics that particularly stand out for the region: The median rent is a lower percentage of full-time workers’ earnings, and a high percentage of the population is between ages 25 and 34.
Here’s the breakdown of the best cities for young professionals, according to SmartAsset’s analysis.
Source: “Best Cities for Young Professionals—2020 Edition,” SmartAsset (July 28, 2020)
