Top 15 Best Cities to Move to After College | 2024 Ranking

Finishing college and getting ready to make your mark on the world is a big deal. At this point in life, there are so many things to think about. You have to figure out where to live, how to get your dream job, and what to do with your free time.

You might enjoy living in a big city or the kind of person who loves outdoor events. We compiled a list of the best cities to move to after college. While making this list, we considered the average median rent and the average median earnings for people with a bachelor’s degree.

Are you interested in the best cities to move to after college? Do you want to know why you should move and the average cost of moving? Then this article is for you. Keep reading.

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Why Do You Need To Move After College?

There are several reasons you should consider the best cities to move to after college. The most important are-

You would meet new people and find new opportunities. Even though many of the friends you make in school will be important to you for the rest of your life, they can also be limiting in the bigger picture. Like everything else in life, relationships must change over time to stay strong.

It can be good for you to start over and shed your old skin. Give yourself the chance to meet people who don’t already know who you are. Most importantly, what is your best qualities? Together with a new group of people, you will find out about the new strengths you have.

When you’re no longer in school, life in your college town feels different. All of your favorite hangout spots, bars, happy hour rooftops, and friends’ apartments and porches may feel like home right now. However, months after graduation, you will start to feel a sense of “stagnancy” around you.

You would have the opportunity to experience life in a bigger and better way.

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What to Consider When Thinking of the Best Cities to Move to After College

When thinking of the best cities to move to after college, the factors you should consider are-

• Average salary for new graduates
• Rate of unemployment for recent college graduates
• Number of businesses that hire 1k people
• The number of graduates in the city when compared to the national average
• Rent of a Median 1-bedroom
• Compare to the average cost of living in the U.S.

Cost of Moving to the Best Cities after College

The costs to consider are-

• Travel costs – When moving a long distance, travel costs add up quickly. These fees include the cost of gas and the cost of labor for the time it will take to move.
• Size of your move- Are you moving a lot? Not only will it take longer to move, but your things will also be heavier and take up more space. This can cause prices to go up.
• Packing services- Having movers pack up your things is convenient, but it could cost you an extra few hundred dollars or more.
• Moving add-ons – The price of your move will change based on what extra services you choose.
• Storage- If your move is kind of complicated, you may want a moving company to hold or store all of your things before, during, or after the move. Just know that you will have to pay more for this service.
• Moving supplies. Unless you can find enough free boxes for your move, you’ll need to buy moving supplies. These could be cardboard boxes, plastic bins, bubble wrap, packing paper, and anything else needed for the move.
• Remember that the date you move is just as important as how you move. That’s because the price can change a lot depending on when you move.
• A local move costs an average of $1,250. An average cross-country move costs $4,890. (distance of 1,000 miles). These prices vary based on a move of about 7,500 pounds from a two- to three-bedroom home.

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Top 15 Best Cities to Move to After College

#1. Austin, TX

Austin is definitely on our list of the best cities to move to after college. Several things put it at the top of the list. This includes low unemployment and an average commute time of fewer than 25 minutes. Austin, TX also has average median earnings for bachelor’s degree holders that are close to $60,000.

Some of the city’s biggest employers, like Apple, Inc., Cirrus Logic, Cisco Systems, Dell, Inc., Intel, 3M, and Texas State University, may attract recent college graduates. Entertainment is also a big draw, and the city’s Sixth Street has a cool music scene. There are also lots of restaurants, shops, and bars, including a dueling piano bar.

Graduates who have an interest in history might like to take a free 30-minute tour of the state capital. As a college graduate, you should consider Rollingwood, Shady Hollow, and West Lake Hills. They are all great places to live. It is one of the world’s best cities to move to after college.

Facts and Figures

• 30.1% of the population is between the ages of 20 and 34.
• In 2020, $1,217.64 is the average rent.
• In 2020, the median salary for people with a bachelor’s degree is $59,301.93
• Jobs that require a bachelor’s degree or more should grow by 16.6% on average across the state from 2016 to 2026.
• There are 304 art and entertainment centers
• Crime rate per 100K people is 8,296

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#2. San Francisco, California

San Francisco is on our list of the best big cities for recent college graduates because it had the most fun things to do. It has a lot of different ways to have fun. There is the theater, Giants baseball, the ballet, opera, 49ers football, and a ton of other things to do. From biking tours of the Golden Gate Bridge to food tours in the Chinatown district.

There are also economic things that make this city of more than 884,000 people appealing. For instance, San Francisco is number two on our list because it has a low unemployment rate of 3.8%. There is also a high state employment projection. It is one of the world’s best cities to move to after college.

Some of the best places for new graduates to look for work in the city are Wells Fargo, Kaiser Permanente, Uber, and Salesforce. San Francisco is the best city to move to after college.

Facts and Figures

• In 2020, 29% of the population was between the ages of 20 and 34.
• In 2020, $1,252.35 was the average rent.
• In 2020, $57,437.29 was the median salary for people with a bachelor’s degree.
• From 2016 to 2026, jobs that require a bachelor’s degree or more should grow by 10.7% on average across the state.
• There are 516 art and entertainment centers
• On average, it takes 33.8 minutes to get to work.
• Crime rate per 100K people is about 13,861

#3. Houston, Texas

Houston, Texas, has the biggest medical center in the world. It could be a great place for recent college graduates looking for jobs that are growing quickly. There are more than 50 medical institutions in the Texas Medical Center. That’s not why this city of 2.3 million (yes, 2.3 million!) people is on our list of the best big cities for recent graduates for another year.

Houston came in second for the number of entertainment venues. It also came sixth for the median earnings of people with a bachelor’s degree. It is one of the best cities to move to after college. Houston, Texas is one of the world’s best cities to move to after college.

People who move to Houston may want to start their search for fun in the downtown tunnels. It is a network of air-conditioned walkways that help downtown workers get around quickly.

There, you can find places to eat like Cafe Basil, Fuddruckers, and Salata. Houston has a lot more to do than just go underground. There are kite festivals, music, magic shows, state fairs, and more.

Facts and Figures

• 25.7% of the population is between the ages of 20 and 34.
• The median rent is $943.53
• In 2020, the median salary for people with a bachelor’s degree was $61,806.02
• Jobs that require a bachelor’s degree or more should grow by 16.6% on average across the state from 2016 to 2026.
• There are 269 places for art and entertainment
• Crime rate per 100K people is 10,757

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#4. San Antonio, Texas

One reason why new graduates might want to move to this city of 1.5 million people is the San Antonio River Walkway. But this city is back on our list of the best cities to move to after college for several other reasons. It is one of the world’s best cities to move to after college.

San Antonio has the third-shortest average commute time on our list. It also has the fifth-lowest average rent. When you compare this rent to the rent in other big cities on this list, like San Francisco and Austin, Texas, it’s easy to see how much money you could save.

Also, 45.2% of people in this city are renters, which is one of the lowest percentages on our list. This could mean that people like to settle down here. Why not, when the average cost of a home is less than in other big cities and there are so many things to do and see?

Facts and Figures

• 24% of the population is between the ages of 20 and 34.
• The median rent is $860.54
• The median salary for people with a bachelor’s degree is $56,100.02.
• There are over 234 art and entertainment centers
• Crime rate per 100K people is 11,251

#5. Ohio, Columbus

The capital city of Ohio has a lot of great features that put it back on our list of the best cities to move to after college. It has a population of more than 880,000 and the shortest commute time of all the cities on this list. Ohio is home to major employers like JPMorgan Chase & Co (which employs more than 20,000 people), Nationwide, Honda of America Manufacturing, and Amazon.

Columbus also has one of the lowest median rents on this list, coming in at number three. It also has one of the lowest unemployment rates. Columbus also has a lot of other things to offer new graduates. It’s the Ohio Girls Roller Derby Team, which is one of the best in the country. There is also a big horse show every October, and the chance to try a craft beer at one of the city’s many distilleries. It is one of the world’s best cities to move to after college.

Facts and Figures:

• 29% of the population is between the ages of 20 and 34.
• The median rent is $812.93
• In 2024, the median salary for people with a bachelor’s degree was $53,970.89.
• There are 244 art and entertainment centers.
• Crime rate per 100K people is 9,008

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#6. Dallas, TX

Dallas has a population of more than 1.34 million. It is the highest ranking for median earnings for bachelor’s degree holders. No surprise it comes in our list of the best cities to move to after college.

This modern city in northern Texas is home to the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, Dallas Mavericks, and Dallas Stars. It also has the Dallas Arts District, which has nearly 20 blocks of galleries, museums, and venues. It is one of the world’s best cities to move to after college.

Dallas is home to two airports and an Amtrak station. It has the eighth-lowest crime rate on our list of best cities for new graduates. New college graduates looking for jobs could look into AT&T, Exxon Mobile, JC Penney, and Texas Instruments. Even though there are more than 200 golf courses nearby, it snows in Dallas an average of 1.3 days a year.

Facts and Figures

• 27% of the population is between the ages of 20 and 34.
• The 2024 median rent was $944.62
• The median salary for people with a bachelor’s degree is $62,125.99
• There are 227 art and entertainment centers
• Crime rate per 100K people is about 8,295

#7. Charlotte, NC

Charlotte is on our list of the best cities to move to after college for many reasons. It has a lot of history and a big banking center and just celebrated its 250th anniversary. Charlotte ranks well in several important areas.

The median income for people with a bachelor’s degree is higher than the national average. An average commute time is less than half an hour. Charlotte ranks 10th for the total number of entertainment venues.

The city got named after Queen Charlotte, who was King George III’s wife. The city’s center is still made up of square blocks that show its colonial roots. At the same time, it has modern entertainment venues like the Belk Theater, Bojangles Coliseum, and Spectrum Center. College graduates might also like the city’s 30 miles of greenways or the 105-acre waterfront park to the north, Jetton Park. It is one of the world’s best cities to move to after college.

Facts and figures

• 25.3% of the population in 2020 was between the ages of 20 and 34.
• The 2024 median rent was $1,001.29
• In 2024, bachelor’s degree holders made an average of $60,288.11 a year.
• From 2016 to 2026, jobs that require a bachelor’s degree or more should grow by 10.1% on average across the state.
• There are 255 art and entertainment centers
• Crime rate per 100K people is 8,915

#8. San Diego, California

San Diego is the second largest city in California and the eighth largest in the United States. It gets close to 3,000 hours of sunshine each year. People who live there have access to more than 90 golf courses and more than 6,000 places to eat.

They also have access to 70 miles of beach. One well-known place to visit is Balboa Park, which has art galleries, 15 museums, gardens, and the San Diego Zoo. This city of 1.3 million people is back on our list of the best cities to move to after college because it has a low crime rate. There is also a strong job outlook for the state and more than 280 places to have fun.

The average commute time of fewer than 25 minutes is also a huge plus. Even though the median salary for bachelor’s degree holders is lower than in other cities on this list, there are many companies with strong growth. Some of them are Arctic Zero, Innovative Commercial Environments, and Zeeto. San Diego is one of the world’s best cities to move to after college.

Facts and figures

• In 2020, 38.2% of the population was between the ages of 20 and 34.
• The 2024 average rent was $1,092.73
• In 2024, the median salary for people with a bachelor’s degree was $48,397.29.
• From 2016 to 2026, jobs that require a bachelor’s degree or more should grow by 10.7% on average across the state.
• There are 284 art and entertainment centers
• Crime rate per 100K people is about 4,973

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#9. Indianapolis, Indiana

Indianapolis, also known as “Indy,” moved up on our list of the best cities to move to after college. It’s getting better because the average commute time is short. A lot of people live there who are between the ages of 20 and 34. The median monthly rent is low. In fact, with a median rent of $778.69 per month. Indianapolis has the lowest rent of all 15 cities on this list.

At the same time, the median salary for people with a bachelor’s degree is over $50,000. This is more than San Diego, which has a higher median rent. If you save money in this capital city, you’ll have more money to spend on things like the Lucas Oil Stadium, the Indiana Convention Center, the 250 acres of green space at White River State Park, and the Theater District. Indianapolis is one of the world’s best cities to move to after college.

Facts and figures:

• 24.2% of the population is between the ages of 20 and 34.
• The median rent is $778.69
• The median salary for people with a bachelor’s degree is $51,735.
• Jobs that require a bachelor’s degree or more should grow by 7.6% on average across the state between 2016 and 2026.
• Crime rate per 100K people is 12,157

#10. Texas, Fort Worth

Fort Worth, Texas, also known as “Cowtown,” is a plus on our list of the best cities to move to after college. It has upscale shopping, cowboy food, NASCAR racing, and eight main entertainment districts. The city of more than 876,000 people got ranked #10 on our list of the best cities to move to after college because it has a high median salary. This is mostly for people with bachelor’s degrees, a strong job market in the state, and a low crime rate.

With an average commute time of 27 minutes, it’s easy for new employees in the city to get to any cultural or interesting spot from their place of work. The zoo, botanical gardens, and Stockyards District are all places to go for fun. The Stockyards District has historical landmarks, nightclubs, unique shops and restaurants, and even rodeo shows. It is one of the world’s best cities to move to after college.

Facts and figures

• 23.9% of the population is between the ages of 20 and 34.
• The median rent is $928.24
• The median salary for people with a bachelor’s degree is $61,405.23.
• Jobs that require a bachelor’s degree or more should grow by 16.6% on average across the state from 2016 to 2026.
• There are 167 art and entertainment centers
• Crime rate per 100K people is 8,239

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#11. Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles, a city of 3.9 million people, is now on our list of the best cities to move to after college.

Also, Los Angeles is interesting because of its entertainment industry and because you might see Hollywood stars there. It also has a lot to offer new graduates in terms of arts and entertainment centers. The number of young adults who live there, and the low median rent are also quite reasonable. If you compare Los Angeles to the other big California cities on our list, you may find that it has the best rental prices.

Most people know Los Angeles for its famous Hollywood sign and the stars on the Walk of Fame. However, this southern city has a lot more job opportunities than just in the arts and entertainment. One of the most important industries in the city is leisure and hospitality. It is one of the world’s best cities to move to after college.

Other industries have been there for a long time.

In the greater Los Angeles area, nearly 200,000 people work in aerospace or technology. About 700,000 work in biomedical or health services.

Facts and figures:

• 25.4% of the population is between the ages of 20 and 34.
• The average rent is $894.43
• Their median salary for people with a bachelor’s degree is $40,491.87.
• From 2016 to 2026, jobs that require a bachelor’s degree or more should grow by 10.7% on average across the state.
• There are 396 art and entertainment centers
• Crime rate per 100K people is 6,017

#12. New York City, New York

You might not think that the Big Apple would be on this list but this city of 8.6 million people draws all kinds of people. There are a lot of arts and entertainment venues in the city, and a lot of young adults live there. The crime rate is low compared to other big cities on this list.

Of course, there are a lot of ways to have fun in New York City. Some examples are Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall, and the Lincoln Center. Central Park is a well-known park in the city. It has yoga classes, walking tours, and bike rentals, and it is mostly green. In the city’s Financial District, which is home to Wall Street, you can enjoy restaurants and cafes.

New graduates who move here might want to look for great jobs with big companies like JPMorgan Chase & Co., Citigroup, Inc., Pfizer, Inc., and PricewaterhouseCoopers. New York City is one of the world’s best cities to move to after college.

Facts and figures:

• 24.7% of the population was between the ages of 20 and 34.
• Average rent is $932.01
• The median salary for people with a bachelor’s degree is $44,760.45
• From 2016 to 2026, jobs that require a bachelor’s degree or more should grow by 12% on average across the state.
• There are 315 art and entertainment centers
• Crime rate per 100K people is 4,208

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#13. Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix is the largest city in Arizona. This city of 1.62 million people has light-rail service, ride-hailing services, and bike-sharing programs. They all offer different ways to get around. When new graduates move to Phoenix, they can take the light rail to the Central Avenue district right after work to get a drink or a bite to eat at places like Bitter & Twisted, Durant’s, or Southern Rail.

With a median rent of $866, this city is a good place for recent college graduates looking for their first job. It is also great for people who want to start over in a new place. In this sunny city, the average salary for people with a bachelor’s degree is well over $50,000.

This means that young adults could easily pay their rent. The city has an average of 299 sunny days a year. You could enjoy going to a Phoenix Suns or Arizona Cardinals game in their free time or after work. It is one of the world’s best cities to move to after college.

Facts and figures:

• 22.9% of the population is between the ages of 20 and 34.
• The median rent is $866.22
• The median salary for people with a bachelor’s degree is $52,488.01
• Between 2016 and 2026, jobs that require a bachelor’s degree or more should grow by 18.6% on average across the state.
• There are 175 places for art and entertainment
• Crime rate per 100K people is about 4,208

#14. San Jose, California

San Jose, a tech area in Silicon Valley, is on our list of the best cities to move to after college. Adobe, Inc., Maxim Integrated Products, Inc., and Prime Materials are some of the biggest employers in this city. This state got points for having a low unemployment rate when compared to other large cities. It also has a strong job outlook for the state as a whole.

The city was once the first capital of California and is now the third largest city in the state. It also has an airport, a crime rate that isn’t too bad, and stores can’t use plastic bags. San Jose is one of the world’s best cities to move to after college.

Facts and figures:

• 22.7% of the population was between the ages of 20 and 34.
• The average rent is $1,402.83
• The median salary for people with a bachelor’s degree is $54,169.64
• From 2016 to 2026, jobs that require a bachelor’s degree or more should grow by 10.7% on average across the state.
• There are 203 art and entertainment centers
• Crime rate per 100K people is 5,522

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#15. Chicago, Illinois

Some people think that this windy city got its name more from the politicians there who talk about a lot of hot air than from the number of windy days. No matter the reason, this big city may be a good choice for new college graduates.

This is because the median income for people with a bachelor’s degree is high. There are a lot of art and entertainment centers, and the average rent is less than $1,000.

Even though it’s hard to believe, the first Ferris wheel opened in Chicago in 1893. However, that’s not the most interesting thing for young adults to do there. This city of 2.7 million people has more than 5,000 restaurants.

There are also more than 50 museums, 200 music venues, and 8,100 acres of green space. Anyone who likes pizza knows that the Chicago deep-dish pizza is something to write home about.

Facts and figures

• 27.6% of the population is between the ages of 20 and 34.
• The median rent is $972.33
• The median salary for people with a bachelor’s degree is $59,230.37
• Jobs that require a bachelor’s degree or more should grow by 5.8% on average across the state from 2016 to 2026.
• There are 255 art and entertainment centers
• Crime rate per 100K people is 7,719

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Must-Know Tips for Moving after College

Tip 1: You might want to live with your parents for a while.

Moving back in with your parents doesn’t mean you’ve failed to get a job. In fact, in a 2019 survey, 50% of millennials said they planned to move back in with their parents after college. 31% said they planned to stay for at least two years.

Moving back in with your parents can help you save money, plan for your next move, and narrow your job search.

Tip 2: Set aside money for a deposit and two months of rent.

When you move into an apartment, you usually have to put down a deposit. In some cities, this could be as much as one month’s rent or even more. Make sure to do a lot of research on what you can afford based on your job prospects and expected wages. Keep that number in mind.

In addition to the deposit, if you can, you should also try to save a month or two of rent for emergencies or a sudden job loss.

Tip 3: Make a budget, start saving, and pay down your debt.

Before you move, you should make a budget for things like food, utilities, and your phone bill. Also consider rent and any debts you may have, like student loans, credit card debt, or auto loans.

Without a budget to help you reach your savings goals, it’s hard to know how much money you’ll need each month to pay for necessities, save, and deal with unexpected costs.

Tip 4: Find out which cities are best for you to move to.

Depending on the career path you want to take, some cities may have more job opportunities, higher wages, and lower costs of living than others.

Also, there may be a growing need for people with your skills in some areas. Researching to find out where the odds are in your favor can help you get a better job. Or at least a good job with room for growth.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Conclusion

There are different job markets in different parts of the country. Some places are harder by the recession than others. Cities that have had strong job markets in the past will make it easier for college graduates to find work.

Also, the local industry, the supply and demand of skilled workers, and the cost of living affect how much college graduates can make at first. It also affects how much they can make over time. These best cities to move to after college are your best bet for a good start.

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References

• studentloanhero.com– Best places to live after college- New graduate
• porch.com– Best places to move after college
• onlinedegrees.com– Best cities for new grads
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