Big cities used to be the default for young adults chasing opportunity, but that’s no longer a given. For many Gen Zers, priorities have moved toward balance, community and affordability. They’re graduating into careers while weighing ambition against rising rents and mental bandwidth. And, suddenly, the mid-sized cities they studied in — once seen as steppingstones — are starting to look more like launchpads.
Perhaps more than ever, mid-sized cities (250,000 to 400,000 residents) have a real shot at holding onto Gen Z talent. That’s because the standouts are building strong pipelines from campus to career by offering lifestyle perks and investing in infrastructure — without pricing out the young people. This ranking highlights the mid-sized U.S. cities doing the best job of it.
Keep reading for the full list of the top mid-sized hotspots for Gen Z to live and work in. Or, jump to the regional breakdowns below:
Madison Is Best Mid-Sized City for Gen Z in 2025; Midwest & South Pack Top 20 List
#1 – Madison, Wis.
Madison tops the list of best mid-sized cities for Gen Z thanks to a strong mix of education enrollment, early-career opportunities and the kind of outdoor livability that the city is known for. About 15.2% of Madison’s 280,000 residents fall into the Gen Z bracket — the highest share in the study — largely driven by the University of Wisconsin – Madison and Madison College, where more than half of 20- to 24-year-olds are enrolled in school.
But, as Gen Z ages into the workforce, career opportunities matter just as much. To that end, Madison ranks third nationally for graduate-suitable jobs with 31% of roles requiring some college or training, but less than four years’ experience. That’s backed by a strong local pipeline from higher education into the job market, supported by the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub — one of the federally funded hubs receiving $50 million for workforce development and biotech research and development.
Then, there’s the outdoors — another strength. Madison ranks second nationally for park access with 10.3 parks per 10,000 residents. For a generation that values work/life balance and green space, that’s a meaningful stat. Add to that the city’s infrastructure for car-free living: 16.4% of locals walk, bike or take public transit, which places Madison in the top five for green commuting, too.
#2 – Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh holds onto its runner-up spot from last year, standing out for across-the-board strength. Specifically, the city landed in the top three for four different metrics with strong showings in education, transit, culture and Gen Z population share. Here, about 64% of residents aged 20 to 24 are enrolled in school. That’s driven by major institutions like Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh, both of which are based in the Oakland neighborhood. The presence of these campuses also contributes to a healthy Gen Z footprint overall with 12% of the city’s population falling into that age group.
But, clearly, Pittsburgh is not just a student city. It’s also a place where ongoing infrastructure investment supports long-term livability. For instance, nearly one-quarter of residents (24.4%) commute without a car, whether by walking, biking or using public transit. Notably, that number could climb even higher with the second phase of the University Line, a $100 million project that will add 18 new stations and improve bike and pedestrian access through Oakland and beyond. Pittsburgh also ranks high for culture with 2,087 venues for recreation and entertainment, which includes everything from the Andy Warhol Museum to local music mainstays, like Mr. Smalls Theatre.
#3 – Lincoln, Neb.
Lincoln claims a solo spot on the podium this year after sharing it with Cincinnati in the previous ranking. Like other top-performing cities, it’s anchored by education: Nearly half of residents aged 20 to 24 are enrolled in school—largely thanks to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln—contributing to a Gen Z population share of 11.9%, the fourth-highest in the study.
Holding onto that talent means offering strong job prospects after graduation. Accordingly, Lincoln ranks fourth nationally for early-career job availability, supported by its role as state capital and a local economy built around government, healthcare and tech. In particular, employers like Bryan Health, Kawasaki and Hudl—along with research-driven initiatives, such as the Nebraska Innovation Campus—help ensure opportunity on the other side of graduation. The city also posted the lowest unemployment rate among Midwestern metros in the study, with affordability to match: Lincoln’s cost of living is about 8% below the national average.
#4 – Cincinnati
Cincinnati continues to deliver on core Midwest strengths with a strong showing in parks, recreation and affordability. More precisely, the city ranks third overall for park access, assisted by recent upgrades, like the $5 million renovation of downtown’s Lytle Park, which was completed last year. That helped push per-capita park spending to $239 — up from $190 the year prior, according to Trust for Public Land.
Recreation also runs deep here. With more than 2,000 venues for entertainment and leisure, the city covers everything from the Cincinnati Art Museum and Music Hall to major league sports and nightlife on both sides of the river.
Crucially, those lifestyle perks don’t come at an outsized cost: Cincinnati’s cost of living sits at just 94.1% of the national average, and the city also offers some of the lowest internet prices in the study — a plus for remote learners and streamers alike. Gen Z makes up 8.9% of the city’s population, or roughly 27,700 residents.
#5 – New Orleans
The highest-ranking Southern city on this year’s list, New Orleans climbs into the #5 spot after placing 12th last year. That jump was largely driven by a rise in Gen Z enrollment: 65.5% of residents aged 20 to 24 are in school, placing the city second overall for education engagement. From Nunez Community College to Tulane and Loyola, the city offers a broad mix of institutions that’s bolstered by rising out-of-state demand with Xavier University investing $80 million in a new residence hall.
As expected, student life here doesn’t lack for things to do. That’s because New Orleans blends history, culture, and nightlife in ways that few U.S. cities can match — from the French Quarter and Magazine Street to Uptown and Mid-City. Here, Gen Z accounts for 6.7% of the local population, which is a modest share by this study’s standards, but is nevertheless supported by infrastructure that caters to both academic and social life.
#6 – Lubbock, Texas
Lubbock ranks as one of the strongest Gen Z mid-sized hubs in the country with the group accounting for 13% of the city’s population — the second-highest share in this year’s ranking. Anchored by Texas Tech, the city has a large student base, but it’s also well-positioned to retain young adults after graduation or even those who take different paths.
As the economic center of the South Plains, Lubbock posted the lowest unemployment rate among all top 20 mid-sized cities, which is promising news for Gen Zers looking to stay. In particular, health care, energy and agriculture offer a range of job prospects, while day-to-day living costs add another draw: Lubbock has the lowest cost of living among the top 10 cities, coming in at just 90.9% of the national average.
#7 – Buffalo, N.Y.
Buffalo cracks the top 10 with an all-around showing that checks off several Gen Z priorities, from affordability and green commuting to outdoor space and recreation. Although it doesn’t dominate any one category, the city holds its own across the board. More precisely, Buffalo leads the Northeast in non-car commuting with 13% of residents using alternatives like public transit, biking or walking. It also offers 7.6 parks per 10,000 residents — one of the better access ratios in the study — backed by major investment, including the $110 million overhaul of LaSalle Park, which is being renamed Ralph Wilson Park. The city also counts around 1,450 recreation venues, including more than 20 active theater companies anchoring a strong performing arts scene.
Career-wise, Buffalo lands comfortably in the top half of metros for early job availability. And, for Gen Zers looking to stay in the Northeast without the price tag, this is one of the most affordable picks: The city’s cost of living sits at just 94.4% of the national average.
#8 – St. Louis
Breaking into the top 10 this year, St. Louis jumps up from 16th in the previous ranking. The Gateway to the West now serves as a gateway for experiences that resonate with Gen Z, thanks to a thriving cultural and recreational scene. In fact, the city ranks second overall for recreation venues with more than 2,200 options that reflect its deep roots in music, food and sports. The Soulard district captures that spirit — where barbecue joints, blues clubs and neighborhood bars make for a city that knows how to have fun. Major league sports are also baked into the local identity.
On the career front, St. Louis starts with a strong academic foundation: 49.2% of Gen Z residents are enrolled in education, supported by institutions like Washington University, Saint Louis University and the University of Missouri – St. Louis. And, with a regional economy led by biotech and geospatial sectors — including the growing ecosystem surrounding NGA West — the city is well-positioned to keep its talent in town after graduation.
#9 – Lexington, Ky.
Lexington leans into its college-town identity with one of the highest Gen Z enrollment rates in the study: 56.6% of residents aged 20 to 24 are in school, thanks not only to the University of Kentucky, but also to schools like Transylvania University and Bluegrass Community and Technical College. That pipeline supports a strong Gen Z presence overall with the age group making up 9.9% of the city’s population — another top-five result.
Even as it grows, Lexington has been intentional about holding onto its heritage. Even as the city remains the Horse Capital of the World, its economy is expanding in forward-facing sectors. For example, the Coldstream Research Campus — home to more than 50 organizations — hosts more than 2,100 employees across industries like ag biotech, health, manufacturing and engineering technology. Factor in a cost of living nearly 7% below the national average, and Lexington delivers for Gen Zers in school and those already in the workforce.
#10 – Cleveland
Cleveland rounds out the top 10 with a solid mix of affordability, early-career opportunity and the all-important fun factor — plus non-car ways of getting around. As such, it ties for third in the share of young adults working in jobs that typically require a degree or vocational training. That talent pipeline feeds into the city’s “Big Three” hospital systems — Cleveland Clinic (now building a $1.1 billion neurological center), University Hospitals and MetroHealth — along with a growing innovation district.
Recreation also runs deep: Cleveland ranks high in venue count (1,676) with Playhouse Square — the second-largest performing arts center in the U.S. — and the Cleveland Orchestra among the nation’s best. Plus, the city’s culture around sports stays strong. Add in a 12.5% green commuting rate and the third-lowest internet costs in the ranking and Cleveland keeps things accessible on multiple fronts.
5 Midwest Cities Rank in Top 10 for Gen Z, St. Paul & Wichita Follow in Top 20
With five cities in the overall top 10—and two more in the top 20—the Midwest delivered a top-heavy showing among the best mid-sized cities for Gen Z.
Notably, what stood out was access to recreational and cultural venues — reflecting the region’s historical depth and civic investment. Additionally, several former Rust Belt cities are seeing renewed focus on livability with parks and green infrastructure being restored or expanded. These upgrades speak directly to Gen Z priorities — well-being, balance and urban environments that feel sustainable. At the same time, affordable living and early-career job access give the region an edge in retaining the talent it attracts.
Specifically, Madison, Wis.; Lincoln, Neb.; Cincinnati; St. Louis and Cleveland all placed in the top 10 with Madison ranked #1 overall. Just outside that tier, St. Paul, Minn., (#13) and Wichita, Kan., (#14) broke into the top 20 — each offering a different set of strengths, but both tied to the broader momentum in the region.
In St. Paul, Minn., lifestyle leads: It ranks fifth nationally for recreational establishments — roughly 1,700 venues — and brings a cultural presence that punches above its size, anchored by museums, theaters and public gathering spaces. Park access is another plus with 6.1 parks per 10,000 residents. If not for its cost of living (highest in the Midwest at 104.5% of the national average), it might have cracked the top 10.
Wichita, Kan., landed at the other end of the spectrum as the Midwest’s most affordable city with living costs more than 10% below the national average. It also tied with Lincoln, Neb., for being one of the best in the Midwest for access to early-career jobs. Here, Gen Zers may find pathways in aerospace or advanced manufacturing — especially with Integra Technologies planning a $1.8 billion facility that could add 2,000 new jobs.
Interestingly, the two cities swapped spots in the national list from last year with Wichita slipping from #11 to #14 and St. Paul climbing from #15 to #13. Wichita’s affordability and job access remained strong, but a modest gain in Gen Z population share helped lift St. Paul a few places higher.
South Claims Most Top 20 Mid-Sized Cities for Gen Z: Durham, N.C., Leads for Careers & Orlando, Fla., for Recreation
Zooming out to the full top 20, the South edged out the Midwest with eight cities making the cut—more than any other region. The first Southern city (New Orleans) didn’t appear until #5, but from there, the list leaned distinctly Southern.
In this case, affordability was a throughline. Around half of the 10 most affordable cities in the entire study were in the South. The region’s top performers also had high rates of Gen Z enrollment in higher education—giving them a head start on retaining talent. That’s because these are cities where young people are already studying, and where job markets are increasingly ready to meet them halfway.
Joining New Orleans; Lubbock, Texas; and Lexington, Ky., as top options for Gen Z was Durham, N.C., at #11, just outside of the upper tier. Even so, Durham led the entire study for early-career job availability, defined here as roles requiring a degree or technical training, but less than four years of experience. Plus, with strengths in tech and health care, the local economy is actively recruiting young talent. That makes sense in a city anchored by Duke and North Carolina Central, where more than half of 20- to 24-year-olds are enrolled in school. It’s worth noting here that Durham is one of just 10 cities in the study to hit that mark. And, while Durham punches high on career-readiness, it stays grounded on cost — 3.4% below the national average.
Nearby, Greensboro, N.C., posted a higher Gen Z population share and an even stronger enrollment rate: 52.1% of residents aged 20 to 24 are in school, which is a top-three figure in the South. Anchored by UNC Greensboro, NC A&T, and Guilford Tech, the education pipeline is solid. Moreover, living costs are 7.3% below the national average, and the city has one of the region’s best park access ratios, with 7.6 parks per 10,000 residents.
Meanwhile, Winston-Salem, N.C., (at #17 nationally and sixth regionally), rounds out the North Carolina trio. It just makes the population cutoff for the study at 253,000, but brings the same affordability edge as local prices run about 8.6% below the national average. Although its school enrollment rate isn’t as high as its neighbors, the city scored well on quality-of-life metrics and continues to offer the kind of livability that Gen Zers are drawn to.
Outside of North Carolina, two more Southern cities landed in the top 20: Corpus Christi, Texas, entered the national list this year at #18, (or seventh in the South), thanks, in part, to affordability and a healthy job market. It also posted the region’s third-lowest unemployment rate, which is relevant for Gen Zers starting their careers, including those not on a college path.
Further south, Orlando, Fla., at #19 overall (#8 in the South), was the region’s outlier in more ways than one. First, it led the entire study for recreational venues, with more than 2,800 listings—about 600 more than the next-best city. While theme parks may be the default association, Gen Zers living in Orlando are more likely to frequent spots in neighborhoods like the Milk District or Mills 50, both of which are known for their food, nightlife and art scenes. However, that social scene comes with a caveat: Orlando was one of the few Southern cities where costs edged above the national average.
Northeast: Pittsburgh Ranks 2nd Nationally, Jersey City, N.J., Leads in Green Commuting
Pittsburgh came within a point of topping the entire ranking, landing just behind Madison, Wis., at #2 nationally. It also placed third in four separate metrics and stood out not just for quality-of-life perks, but also for early-career job access and education enrollment. As a matter of fact, it’s just as much a Rust Belt rebound story as the best-performing Midwest cities — alongside Buffalo, N.Y., runner-up in the Northeast, which also broke into the national top 10.
Further east, the Northeast was home to two very different kinds of standouts — legacy cities that have leaned into transit and older coastal hubs where density and walkability are built in. The clearest example is Jersey City, N.J., which led the entire study for green commuting. Here, nearly half of local commuters walk, bike or use public transit — helped by major investments like the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, a multi-decade project that repurposed historic rail corridors into one of New Jersey’s most connected systems.
That commuting score pushed Jersey City into the national top 20 overall. But for Gen Z, it’s more than just a place to move around efficiently. Nearly half of residents aged 20 to 24 are enrolled in college, with nearby options including New Jersey City University, Saint Peter’s, and Hudson County Community College. On the job front, Jersey City offers a strong base of early-career roles — jobs that require a degree or technical training, but less than four years of experience.
That stat is matched by Newark, N.J., the other New Jersey city in the study. Newark finished 33rd nationally, but shared the region’s second-highest rate of green commuting. And like Jersey City, it offers something valuable for Gen Z: proximity to Manhattan, but without being entirely swallowed by it.
West: Irvine, Calif., Tops Mid-Sized Cities in Gen Z Education Enrollment & Park Access
The West placed just two cities in the national top 20, but Irvine, Calif., (#1 in the West) made its presence count by ranking first in two major metrics — Gen Z education enrollment and park access per capita.
The latter reflects Irvine’s origins as a planned community: Suburban development took off here in the 1970s, but its roots go back even further. In 1959, the University of California asked the Irvine Company for land to build a new campus, and planners began designing a new city around the university. That legacy still shapes the city today, with expansive parks and a built environment that leaves room for green space—a major plus for Gen Zers studying and living here.
Then, there’s the education stat: Nearly 70% of residents aged 20 to 24 are enrolled in school, which is the highest share of any mid-sized city in the ranking. That figure helps explain Irvine’s continued draw for young people. However, what holds it back from a higher finish in the study is the cost of living, which is the highest in the study — about 15.5% above the national average, according to RPP data.
The only other city in the West to break into the top 20 was Honolulu, finishing at #20 on the national list and second in the West. Technically in its own region, it’s still a standout for Gen Z. Of course, what sets it apart is lifestyle — green commuting, walkability and recreation. About 17% of residents use public transit, bike, or walk to get to work or school — due, in part, to Skyline, the city’s new rail system. Honolulu also stood out for recreation by logging more than 1,500 active venues — everything from nightlife and festivals to the Honolulu Museum of Art and the historic Chinatown district.
Further down the rankings, other Western cities still delivered in specific areas. For example, Aurora, Colo., third in the West, had the lowest internet costs in the study, whereas Anchorage, Alaska, #8 in the West, stood out on two labor market metrics: It posted the lowest unemployment rate of any mid-sized city and the second-highest share of early-career jobs (31.1% of employed residents working in graduate-friendly roles requiring some college or technical training, but less than four years’ experience). These cities may not offer the full package, but in specific ways, they’re proving themselves Gen Z-ready.
Methodology
We ranked mid-sized U.S. cities with populations between 250,000 and 400,000 residents in which data was available for all metrics. Metrics were selected based on their potential to provide Gen Zers with career opportunities and quality of life, while the population cutoff was chosen to focus on mid-sized cities that still offer a broad range of options for education, employment, and entertainment. Each metric was assigned a weight based on its relevance in determining the overall attractiveness of a city for members of Gen Z.
Gen Z Economic Indicators:
- Cost of Living – The composite index showing cost of living, which is expressed as a number higher or lower than 100. Numbers higher than 100 represent living costs above the national averages, whereas numbers below 100 represent living costs below the national average. (15% of the total index.) Source: BEA – Real Consumer Spendings for 2023.
- Jobs for Recent Graduates – Share of employed population currently working in a job requiring a bachelor’s degree, associate’s degree, or vocational training, as well as a considerable amount of work-related skill and knowledge, but no more than four years’ experience. (15% of the total index.) Source: BLS 2023. Because data for this metric is only available at a metro level, it was mapped to each city based on the metro that it’s part of.
- One-year unemployment rate within the local population in 2023. (5% of the total index.) Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Share of Gen Z Residents: The percentage of the population aged 20 to 24 in each city in 2023. (15% of the total index.) Census provides population data in age groups spanning five years each. The age range was chosen to be illustrative of a city’s population of adult Generation Z members as a community while not overlapping with other age groups. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Gen Z Educational Enrollment: The percentage of the population aged 20 to 24 enrolled in a form of education as of 2023. (15% of the total index.) Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Internet Cost: The price of internet with connection speeds of at least 60 Mbps by city. (10% of the total index.) Source: Numbeo.
Things to Do: The number of establishments for recreation, arts and sports, including performing arts; spectator sports; museums; historical sites; amusement parks and arcades; other amusement and recreation; drinking places (bars); restaurants; and other places to eat. (10% of the total index.) Source: Census Business Patterns 2022 of the U.S. Census Bureau. Data for this indicator is available at a zip code-level. The number of establishments within a city is the sum of the establishments in all of its associated zip codes.
Green Category:
- Green Commuting – The combined percentage of public transportation, walking and cycling as a means to travel to work for each city in 2023. (10% of the total index.) Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
- Number of parks per 10,000 residents. (5% of the total index.) Source: TPL 2024 park data.
