Ann Arbor, home of the University of Michigan
Today’s graduates are looking to live in cities that offer affordability, diversity, culture, and a sense of community.
Gen Z wants to be a part of communities where work feels meaningful and life feels full — where green spaces, vibrant neighborhoods, and civic engagement are just as important as job growth and income potential. For those looking to move post-grad, RentCafe’s research team crunched data across 122 metros to determine which cities offer the best mix of opportunity and livability for Gen Z grads.
In terms of numbers, they looked at the percentage of Gen Z adults in each metro, and how many of them are highly educated as a proxy for the amount of talent and peer networks in each city. They measured job growth, income growth, and changes in unemployment among college-educated Gen Zers to see how well cities are supporting young professionals financially. Their livability index measures everything from commute times and housing costs to access to culture, health care, and green space.
THE TOP THREE CITIES
Ann Arbor, Lincoln, and Des Moines are the top Gen Z hotspots, each offering a fabulous balance of career momentum and livability. Ann Arbor leads with its walkability and startup-friendly atmosphere. It’s also home to our No. 11 school in this our P&Q Best Undergraduate Business Schools of 2025: the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, which is known for hands-on learning and strong outcomes. Lincoln, Nebraska follows with low unemployment, a high Gen Z population, and civic-minded energy. It is also home to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s College of Business. Des Moines, Iowa rounds out the trio with rising cultural appeal, affordable urban living, and career paths in finance and tech. There, the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business often attracts young professionals to this city.
All in all, the Midwest pulled off a clean top three sweep for Gen Z grad hotspots. When it comes to the other regions, Seattle, Washington was the top city with an overall score of 72.19 for the West. Fayetteville, Arkansas was the top metro with a score of 76.51 for the South, and finally Boston, Massachusetts was in first with a score of 78 for the Northeast.
Next Page: States where the unemployment rate is rising and falling.
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