Generation Z — the generation after Millennials that was born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s — is gradually reaching adulthood. As more Gen Zers finish their studies and enter the job market, they’ll be looking to settle down based on their general traits, which include a need for financial security and quality education, as well as appreciation for experiences.
Plus, with remote work being more widely available than ever before, Generation Z has more choice in where they settle down and look for a career. With this in mind, CommercialCafe released a new study analyzing the best U.S. cities for relocating Gen Zers based on aspects such as affordability, opportunities for higher education, the fun factor and more.
Notably, Atlanta took the top spot. It was followed by a variety of cities across the U.S., each with their own unique advantages for young professionals on the move.
Atlanta Stands Out as Gen Z Hub Due to Gen Z Community, Education & Parks
Atlanta attained the title of best city for Gen Z thanks to a wide array of benefits it presented for prospective new residents.
Specifically, of the 45 cities in the analysis, the city had the highest number of parks per 10,000 residents at 7.61. Additionally, Atlanta also featured a large Gen Z community. In fact, people ages 20 to 24 (representing the oldest Zoomers who are choosing where to settle down) made up 9.8% of the city’s population. And, with so many young professionals making the city their home, it’s no surprise that Atlanta companies are benefiting from the influx of talent. Unsurprisingly, Atlanta coworking spaces are also gaining momentum.
Furthermore, the study also quoted Atlanta’s highly educated Gen Z population, average cost of living, and low unemployment as factors that contribute to the city’s potential as a hub for relocating young professionals.
Minneapolis & Boston Offer Great Benefits for Relocating Gen Zers with Great Communities, Educational Opportunities & More
Minneapolis and Boston took the second and third spots, respectively.
Minneapolis stood out with the third-highest percentage of Gen Zers, so there’s already a strong community of like-minded individuals for Zoomers looking to make the city their home. Minneapolis also enjoys an unemployment rate of 3.8% — the fourth-lowest in the study — and a cost of living close to the national average.
Meanwhile, Boston stood out as a great option for Gen Zers looking for a big-city experience. Despite being 50% more expensive than the average U.S. city, Boston’s status as a hotspot for companies looking for young talent can’t be denied. Like Minneapolis, Boston had a large Gen Z population, but it also boasted ample opportunities for eco-friendly commutes, including walking, biking or taking public transportation: Almost half of commuters in Boston choose one of these means of transportation to get to work. Overall, both Minneapolis and Boston presented unique advantages and might tick the right boxes for different young professionals.
The same was true for other cities in the top 10 most promising cities for Generation Z. For example, Tucson, Ariz., and Columbus, Ohio, stood out for their great affordability paired with sizeable Gen Z communities. Alternatively, Zoomers prizing educational opportunities could turn to Raleigh, N.C., which landed at #5 for its characteristic college town feel, as well as its relative affordability and low unemployment.
Of course, the long-established Millennial oases of Seattle and Austin, Texas, also made the list of best cities for Gen Zers looking to relocate. While Seattle’s coworking spaces and tech clusters are more readily associated with Millennials, Gen Zers who relocate here also stand to benefit from great universities, lightning-fast internet and easy access to nature trails.
Check out CommercialCafe’s original story for a full list of the best cities for Gen Zers and a breakdown of the methodology used in the ranking.
