{"id":36374,"date":"2025-10-06T11:00:57","date_gmt":"2025-10-06T08:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.commercialcafe.com\/blog\/?p=36374"},"modified":"2026-04-21T12:03:50","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T09:03:50","slug":"best-places-to-live-gen-z","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.commercialcafe.com\/blog\/best-places-to-live-gen-z\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Cities for Gen Z in 2025 &#038; Beyond: Which Areas Are Most Livable for Young People?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>According to a recent Corebridge Financial survey, nearly 80% of Gen Zers \u2014 those now between 13 and 28 years old \u2014 say they are already serious about their financial planning.<\/p>\n<p>While they may have inherited the title of \u201cmost-criticized generation\u201d from Millennials, Gen Zers are proving themselves to be financially astute, community-oriented and cost-conscious. Moreover, their digital-native upbringing makes them uniquely positioned to leverage emerging technologies \u2014 particularly artificial intelligence \u2014 with unprecedented skill. In short, Generation Z is a potential asset for companies and communities, and their influence will only grow as the remainder of the generation\u2019s members transition from their teenage years and into the workforce.<\/p>\n<p>Our study ranks the large cities that are best equipped to provide Gen Z with their desired affordability and lifestyle amenities, which will also position these urban centers to reap the benefits of drawing in the nation\u2019s newest generation of professionals and taxpayers. We evaluated all U.S. cities with populations exceeding 400,000 across multiple metrics, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Percentage of young residents<\/li>\n<li>Affordability compared to the national average<\/li>\n<li>Educational enrollment rate for young adults<\/li>\n<li>Proportion of entry-level and graduate-friendly jobs<\/li>\n<li>Availability of entertainment venues and recreational opportunities<\/li>\n<li>Parks and green spaces per capita<\/li>\n<li>Green commuting options<\/li>\n<li>Unemployment rate<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Continue reading for our comprehensive national ranking of large cities where Gen Z can thrive, or use these links to explore the top locations in each region:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Midwest<\/li>\n<li>South<\/li>\n<li>West<\/li>\n<li>Northeast<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Minneapolis Is 2025\u2019s #1 Gen Z Destination, Midwest &amp; South Dominate Top 10 List<\/h2>\n<p>This year, Minneapolis earned the title of the best city for the up-and-coming Generation Z, swapping places with Atlanta compared to last year\u2019s ranking. In fact, cities in the Midwest and along the Sun Belt generally fared the best in our ranking, thanks (in no small part) to their relative affordability and fun factor.<\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"datawrapper-chart-5NtHC\" style=\"width: 0; min-width: 100%; max-height: 100% !important; border: none;\" title=\" Best U.S. Cities for Gen Z to Live, Work &amp;amp; Explore\" src=\"https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/5NtHC\/5\/\" height=\"629\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" aria-label=\"Map\" data-external=\"1\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><script type=\"text\/javascript\">!function(){\"use strict\";window.addEventListener(\"message\",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data[\"datawrapper-height\"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll(\"iframe\");for(var t in a.data[\"datawrapper-height\"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data[\"datawrapper-height\"][t]+\"px\";r.style.height=d}}}))}();<\/script><\/p>\n<p><strong>#1 \u2013 Minneapolis, MN<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Returning to the top position after previously earning that title in 2022, Minneapolis is 2025\u2019s Gen Z epicenter. That status is earned because the city ticks Gen Z\u2019s most important boxes: It has a sizable community of young people, with more than 9% of its residents being aged between 20 and 24; it offers great educational opportunities with more than half of young adults being enrolled in a form of education; it has the second-lowest unemployment rate in the study at 3.6%; and, most critically for a generation that\u2019s looking to save up or splurge on memorable experiences, it has one of the best affordability indexes in the entire top 10 at 93.6, or 6.4% below the national average.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, the City of Lakes isn\u2019t just about educational institutions and cheap prices. It\u2019s also one of the cultural focal points of the Midwest when it comes to music, the culinary arts and winter festivals. Furthermore, the city\u2019s young population also benefits from a plethora of youth development programs like TechHire Minneapolis and AchieveMpls, which are focused on offering career readiness, training paths and internships, contributing to the market&#8217;s tech and innovation scene which is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.commercialcafe.com\/blog\/tech-metros-midwest-2024\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">one of the strongest in the region<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>#2 \u2013 Atlanta, GA<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As the runner-up, Atlanta\u2019s offering is also one of a vibrant, young community paired with affordability. Its other advantages include a below-average internet cost \u2014 essential for an always-online group such as Zoomers \u2014 and good showings in the metrics for school enrollment and jobs for recent graduates. Atlanta also scored top marks for its large concentration of parks (7.3 for every 10,000 residents), which provide valuable <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/02\/28\/business\/third-place-meaning-starbucks.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">third spaces<\/a> for young people to meet, connect and socialize in.<\/p>\n<p>In particular, areas like the Old Fourth Ward, Midtown and other central neighborhoods in Atlanta have a long history of fostering creativity and attracting young innovators, and the same is still true today. Of course, the city\u2019s many universities \u2014 including Georgia Tech, Emory, Morehouse, Georgia State and more \u2014 as well as the local music, fashion and tech scenes make Atlanta a quintessential Gen Z city in the South.<\/p>\n<p><strong>#3 \u2013 Boston, MA<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Turning north, Boston is the third-best city where Gen Z can thrive in 2025, as well as the Northeast\u2019s only entry in the top 10. As in previous years, the city is primarily set apart by the opportunities it presents to young people, boasting the largest share of Gen Zers enrolled in education in the entire study at 61.3%, as well as the highest share of recent graduate-friendly jobs in the top 10 at 32.3%. Additionally, young professionals are more likely to score a job here compared to other similar locations, as evidenced by the city\u2019s unemployment rate, which is the sixth-lowest in the study. And, for environmentally minded Zoomers, the city also offers plenty in terms of green commuting options.<\/p>\n<p>Granted, much of Boston\u2019s rich youth culture is due to its status as an academic and innovation center. Beyond the reputation of Harvard and MIT, which attract some of the brightest young minds from the U.S. and beyond, many other higher learning institutions ensure that the city has the highest concentration of college students out of all large U.S. cities. As such, Boston is one of the most popular destinations for Gen Zers who are looking to maximize their future prospects\u2014and the city\u2019s innovation ecosystem in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.commercialcafe.com\/blog\/top-u-s-metros-for-life-sciences-2024\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">life sciences<\/a>, sustainability and even contemporary art stand to benefit from this influx.<\/p>\n<p><strong>#4 \u2013 Tampa, FL<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The smallest city in the top 10 at 403,000 residents (just above the 400,000 mark necessary to be included in the study) Tampa offers plenty of upsides for sun-seeking Zoomers. Firstly, this Sunshine State entry is relatively affordable with an affordability index almost 2.5% below the national average \u2014 and considerably lower than Miami&#8217;s. Moreover, Tampa also offers excellent employment opportunities after graduation, with more than 30% of jobs here being entry-level or requiring less than four years of experience. More precisely, health care providers, financial firms and even companies in the city\u2019s budding tech industry all bring employment opportunities to fresh graduates, thereby contributing to its attractiveness for Generation Z.<\/p>\n<p><strong>#5 \u2013 Raleigh, NC<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Another burgeoning technology hub that\u2019s reliant on the entrepreneurship and innovative spirit of young people, Raleigh scored well in several metrics to earn a fifth-place finish. As is the case in many other Southern entries with fewer than 1 million residents, Raleigh derived most of its score from its high affordability. However, it also scored well in the metric for fresh graduate-friendly jobs (30.3% out of the total) and adult-age Gen Z population (8.8% of the city\u2019s population). Of course, the Research Triangle Park is one of the prime innovation centers of the U.S., and its interdependence with Raleigh\u2019s universities make it a natural choice for Gen Zers targeting a job in a STEM field paired with affordable living costs.<\/p>\n<p><strong>#6 \u2013 Omaha, NE<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Back in the Midwest, Omaha punches far above its weight when it comes to employment opportunities for Gen Zers. with ample employment opportunities in finance and fintech, engineering and more. Young entrepreneurs and their startups also stand to benefit from a robust incubator and support infrastructure. Most important, all of these opportunities are present in a city that consistently ranks as one of the Midwest\u2019s most affordable, meaning that Generation Zers who land a well-paying job in one of the city\u2019s many high-demand industries will likely have more money to spend or save at the end of the month.<\/p>\n<p><strong>#7 \u2013 Columbus, OH<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Further east, Columbus\u2019 robust higher education ecosystem has always set it apart from other cities in Ohio and the wider Rust Belt. With a substantial amount of college and university campuses, Columbus is rife with college students ready to make their mark \u2014 and many of them choose to settle down in the city after graduation. This also provides fresh talent for the city\u2019s keystone industries such as healthcare, finance and tech, with 29.6% of jobs here being entry-level or requiring little experience. The support ecosystem for startups and disruptors is also strong here, resulting in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.commercialcafe.com\/blog\/supporting-cbd-business-diversity\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">remarkable diversity among local businesses<\/a>. And, with good showings in other metrics such as parks per capita, recreational establishments and affordability, Columbus is another strong Midwestern contender for Gen Zers, whether they\u2019re looking for colleges to apply to or places to settle down in after graduation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>#8 \u2013 Austin, TX<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Texas is the only state to record more than one entry in the top 10, and Austin is at the forefront of the state\u2019s influx of Gen Zers. In fact, Austin has become eponymous with youth culture in Texas and the entire South, contributing to the city\u2019s growing innovation scene and its expanding population. As a matter of fact, Austin now concentrates a high number of startups driven to success by young people, as evidenced by its strong score in the \u201cjobs for graduates\u201d metric. At the same time, Austin also has one of the lowest unemployment rates on the list at 4.3%, below-average internet costs, more than 3,200 places for fun and recreation and a large number of parks per capita, making it a strong all-rounder for Gen Zers looking to relocate.<\/p>\n<p><strong>#9 \u2013 Houston, TX<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>At 2.3 million residents, Houston is, by far, the largest city in the top 10 list of best Gen Z destinations, as no other entry is home to more than 1 million residents. As the only true \u201cbig city\u201d on the list, Space City provides several advantages compared to smaller university towns or innovation hubs higher on the list, including a large number of recreational establishments and third places like restaurants, bars, stadiums or museums. Beyond venues for fun, Houston is also home to a large community of young people with 7.6% of residents \u2014 nearly 175,000 \u2014 being between ages 20 and 24. That being said, these perks are partly offset by a relatively high unemployment rate and a comparatively lower enrollment in education, although this does not take away Houston\u2019s status as a major Gen Z hub.<\/p>\n<p><strong>#10 \u2013 Kansas City, MO<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Closing out the top 10, Kansas City may not be the first location that comes to mind when imagining Gen Z-friendly cities. Certainly enough, KC hosts around 32,000 residents between ages 20 to 24, making up 6.3% of its population \u2014 the lowest share in the top 10. However, its affordability is unparalleled among the same entries with prices here being almost 9% lower compared to the national average. Kansas City also has the second-cheapest internet out of all 45 cities in the analysis, as well as above-average scores in jobs for recent graduates and parks per capita. In addition to that, the cultural transformation that the area is experiencing \u2014with vibrant art walks, growing creative districts and historic jazz clubs \u2014 owes much to the city\u2019s young population.<\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"datawrapper-chart-Dy7Uj\" style=\"width: 0; min-width: 100%; max-height: 100% !important; border: none;\" title=\" Best U.S. Cities for Gen Zers in 2025\" src=\"https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/Dy7Uj\/9\/\" height=\"638\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" aria-label=\"Table\" data-external=\"1\"><\/iframe><script type=\"text\/javascript\">!function(){\"use strict\";window.addEventListener(\"message\",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data[\"datawrapper-height\"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll(\"iframe\");for(var t in a.data[\"datawrapper-height\"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data[\"datawrapper-height\"][t]+\"px\";r.style.height=d}}}))}();<\/script><\/p>\n<h2>Midwest Entices Students &amp; Young Professionals With Cheap Cost of Living &amp; Future Prospects<\/h2>\n<p>The affordability and livability that characterizes many population centers in the Midwest resulted in the region recording no fewer than four out of 10 cities among the best for Gen Z to relocate to in 2025. These included first-place Minneapolis, as well as Omaha, Neb. (#6); Columbus, Ohio (#7); and Kansas City, Mo. (#10).<\/p>\n<div class=\"infogram-embed\" data-id=\"0ff8f18b-0bb4-4049-b395-ecc968b75680\" data-type=\"interactive\" data-title=\"GenZ_Large Midwest\"><\/div>\n<p><script>!function(e,n,i,s){var d=\"InfogramEmbeds\";var o=e.getElementsByTagName(n)[0];if(window[d]&&window[d].initialized)window[d].process&&window[d].process();else if(!e.getElementById(i)){var r=e.createElement(n);r.async=1,r.id=i,r.src=s,o.parentNode.insertBefore(r,o)}}(document,\"script\",\"infogram-async\",\"https:\/\/e.infogram.com\/js\/dist\/embed-loader-min.js\");<\/script><\/p>\n<p>But, the Midwest has additional strong contenders to present outside of the top 10. For example, <strong>Milwaukee<\/strong> scored less than two points below 10th-place Kansas City to claim the region\u2019s fifth-best Gen Z haven. In this case, Milwaukee offers similar opportunities for first jobs, more recreational establishments, more green commute options, and a larger Gen Z community, although it also has higher unemployment and internet costs.<\/p>\n<p>Just to the south along Lake Michigan, <strong>Chicago<\/strong> ranks as the sixth-best option for Gen Zers in the Midwest and the 13<sup>th<\/sup>-best nationwide by offering all of the perks of a large, 2.6-million-resident city. That includes more than 6,500 recreational establishments, as well as ample opportunities for eco-friendly commutes as almost 28% of commuters in the Windy City travel to work via public transportation, bike or by walking.<\/p>\n<p>The final Midwestern city with more than 400,000 residents on our list is <strong>Detroit<\/strong>. Motor City has the cheapest internet costs and the same inexpensive prices that characterize its fellow regional entries, but these advantages are partly offset by the local unemployment rate and few entertainment venues.<\/p>\n<h2>Top Livable Cities in Southern U.S. Attracting Gen Z Relocations<\/h2>\n<p>Concentrating some of the fastest-growing cities in the country by population, the South has long been a magnet for young people looking for a quality education or better job prospects. This year, the region recorded the highest number of entries in the top 10, taking up an entire half of that list with strong-scoring entries such as Atlanta; Tampa, Fla.; Raleigh, N.C.; Austin, Texas; and Houston.<\/p>\n<div class=\"infogram-embed\" data-id=\"9f90b249-0a3f-434f-80c6-64ace179987b\" data-type=\"interactive\" data-title=\"GenZ_Large South\"><\/div>\n<p><script>!function(e,n,i,s){var d=\"InfogramEmbeds\";var o=e.getElementsByTagName(n)[0];if(window[d]&&window[d].initialized)window[d].process&&window[d].process();else if(!e.getElementById(i)){var r=e.createElement(n);r.async=1,r.id=i,r.src=s,o.parentNode.insertBefore(r,o)}}(document,\"script\",\"infogram-async\",\"https:\/\/e.infogram.com\/js\/dist\/embed-loader-min.js\");<\/script><\/p>\n<p>Not to be outdone, an additional four cities from the South ranked between the 11<sup>th<\/sup> and 20<sup>th<\/sup> places on our list. These included two Texas entries with <strong>San Antonio<\/strong> \u2014 which was the region\u2019s sixth-best entry with great employment opportunities for Gen Zers \u2014 as well as <strong>Fort Worth<\/strong>, which ranked ninth regionally with above-average showings in several metrics.<\/p>\n<p>Other Southern cities attracting Generation Zers with affordability, as well as opportunities, include <strong>Baltimore<\/strong>, which ranked seventh in the South (15<sup>th<\/sup> nationally), and <strong>Washington, D.C.<\/strong> in eighth place (#17 nationally), with the latter distinguishing itself with the highest percentage of fresh graduate-friendly jobs at 42.5%.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, a plethora of other entries from the region landed outside the national top 20, but nevertheless provide excellent choices for young professionals and students with specific goals. From smaller, education-oriented centers like <strong>Charlotte, N.C.,<\/strong> to cultural hubs like <strong>Nashville, Tenn.,<\/strong> and bustling cities like <strong>Dallas<\/strong>, the South presents a varied offer when it comes to attracting Zoomers as they reach maturity.<\/p>\n<h2>Coastal Innovation &amp; Inland Affordability Define Top Western Gen Z Destinations<\/h2>\n<p>In general, cities in the Western U.S. were unable to crack the national top 10 due to their steeper prices, lower school enrollment or higher unemployment rates. Still, the region\u2019s innovation centers host some of the best higher learning institutions in the U.S. and offer excellent employment opportunities in certain fields.<\/p>\n<div class=\"infogram-embed\" data-id=\"a4b39616-2780-414e-a00b-260d4fed4efe\" data-type=\"interactive\" data-title=\"GenZ_Large West\"><\/div>\n<p><script>!function(e,n,i,s){var d=\"InfogramEmbeds\";var o=e.getElementsByTagName(n)[0];if(window[d]&&window[d].initialized)window[d].process&&window[d].process();else if(!e.getElementById(i)){var r=e.createElement(n);r.async=1,r.id=i,r.src=s,o.parentNode.insertBefore(r,o)}}(document,\"script\",\"infogram-async\",\"https:\/\/e.infogram.com\/js\/dist\/embed-loader-min.js\");<\/script><\/p>\n<p>To that end, for Gen Zers looking for alternatives to the high costs of living on the West Coast, inland cities may provide a solution. Of the three best-scoring cities in the Western U.S., <strong>Albuquerque, N.M.<\/strong>, is the most affordable with living costs around 5% below the national average. That makes it one of only two cities in the region with more than 400,000 residents to record living costs below the national average.<\/p>\n<p>Similarly, <strong>Tucson, Ariz.<\/strong>\u2019s affordability index stands at 114.6 (14.6% above the national average), which is still significantly cheaper compared to gateway cities like Los Angeles, Seattle or San Diego. However, Tucson stands out with the highest concentration of young adults in the study at 10.8%, ensuring that Zoomers relocating here have higher chances of connecting with others of similar ages and priorities. And, for environmentally conscious people, Tucson\u2019s \u201cResilient Together\u201d climate action plan has been hailed as a landmark project for sustainable urban development.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, other Western entries stood out due to the excellent future prospects they offer to students or young professionals. For example, <strong>Denver, Colo.<\/strong> became the third-best Gen Z boomtown regionally thanks to a large density of jobs for recent graduates, while also claiming relatively low internet costs at around $64 per month. To the northwest, <strong>Seattle<\/strong> (#4 in the West) has the highest park density in the entire region with close to 500 parks and natural areas covering more than 6,400 acres. The Emerald City also boasts a larger Gen Z population share compared to Denver and great educational attainment, thanks to its robust network of colleges and universities.<\/p>\n<p>Moving down the coast, <strong>Portland, Ore.,<\/strong> is the fifth-best large Western city for Gen Z with good showings in park density (five for every 10,000 residents) and the cheapest average internet cost in the region ($62.4).<\/p>\n<p>Generally, inland locations like <strong>Phoenix <\/strong>(sixth-best Gen Z city in the West); <strong>Colorado Springs, Colo.<\/strong> (7<sup>th<\/sup>); and <strong>Las Vegas <\/strong>(10<sup>th<\/sup>) feature lower living costs as their main attraction for members of the cohort looking to settle down or relocate, whereas coastal hubs \u2014 such as <strong>San Diego <\/strong>(8<sup>th<\/sup> regionally), <strong>Los Angeles<\/strong> (12<sup>th<\/sup>) and <strong>San Francisco<\/strong> (15<sup>th<\/sup>) \u2014 trade affordability for more job opportunities, larger Gen Z communities and more things to do.<\/p>\n<h2>Boston, Philadelphia, &amp; New York City Provide Job Prospects, Education &amp; Fun Factor for Gen Zers in Northeast<\/h2>\n<p>The Northeast was represented on the podium of best cities for Generation Z by Boston, which ranked third with excellent indicators for education and job opportunities. Certainly, the lack of other entries in the top 10 list is not due to the region being unwelcoming to fresh graduates or young professionals. Rather, it&#8217;s because of its demographic fragmentation, as the region only has two other cities with more than 400,000 residents.<\/p>\n<div class=\"infogram-embed\" data-id=\"7a292ccb-2fcb-446f-81dc-25a766f3c846\" data-type=\"interactive\" data-title=\"GenZ_Large North\"><\/div>\n<p><script>!function(e,n,i,s){var d=\"InfogramEmbeds\";var o=e.getElementsByTagName(n)[0];if(window[d]&&window[d].initialized)window[d].process&&window[d].process();else if(!e.getElementById(i)){var r=e.createElement(n);r.async=1,r.id=i,r.src=s,o.parentNode.insertBefore(r,o)}}(document,\"script\",\"infogram-async\",\"https:\/\/e.infogram.com\/js\/dist\/embed-loader-min.js\");<\/script><\/p>\n<p>Scoring 14<sup>th<\/sup> nationally, <strong>Philadelphia<\/strong> is the Northeast\u2019s second-best large city for Generation Z to settle down in. Philly provides relative affordability when compared to its regional contenders, although its 3,700+ venues and recreational establishments are sure to entice young people as well.<\/p>\n<p>Lastly, the largest city by population in the country \u2014 <strong>New York City <\/strong>\u2014 was dragged down in the standings by its high prices and relatively high unemployment rate of 11.7% in 2023. However, for Gen Zers with steady jobs that can afford living here, NYC offers the full package: more than 10,000 recreational establishments (the most nationwide); great educational enrollment and entry-level job opportunities; and above-average park density. Even its relatively low share of young adults aged 20 to 24 at 5.9% still translates into close to 500,000 residents in that age group, which is more than the total population of many entries higher on the list.<\/p>\n<h2>Methodology<\/h2>\n<p>We ranked the largest U.S. cities with more than 400,000 residents where 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 result in a selection of mid- to large-sized cities with ample opportunities for education, employment and entertainment. Metrics were then assigned a weight-based on their importance in determining the overall attractiveness of a city for Gen Zers. The base categories, underlying metrics and their weights in the final score were as follows:<\/p>\n<div class=\"infogram-embed\" data-id=\"5d5622d2-9c34-4f41-aa0a-2c6633074afc\" data-type=\"interactive\" data-title=\"Methodology - gen Z 2024\"><\/div>\n<p><script>!function(e,n,i,s){var d=\"InfogramEmbeds\";var o=e.getElementsByTagName(n)[0];if(window[d]&&window[d].initialized)window[d].process&&window[d].process();else if(!e.getElementById(i)){var r=e.createElement(n);r.async=1,r.id=i,r.src=s,o.parentNode.insertBefore(r,o)}}(document,\"script\",\"infogram-async\",\"https:\/\/e.infogram.com\/js\/dist\/embed-loader-min.js\");<\/script><\/p>\n<p><strong>Gen Z Economic Indicators:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cost of Living \u2013 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, while numbers below 100 represent living costs below the national average (25% of the total index). Source: C2ER Cost of Living Report 2024.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Jobs for Recent Graduates \u2013 Share of employed population currently working in a job requiring a bachelor\u2019s degree, associate\u2019s degree, or vocational training, as well as a considerable amount of work-related skill and knowledge, but no more than four years\u2019 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\u2019s part of.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>One-year unemployment rate within the local population in 2023 (5% of the total index). Source: U.S. Census Bureau.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Share of Gen Z Residents<\/strong>: The percentage of the population aged 20 to 24 in each city in 2023 (15% of the total index). The U.S. Census Bureau provides population data in age groups spanning five years each. The age range was chosen to be illustrative of a city\u2019s population of adult Generation Z members as a community while not overlapping with other age groups. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Gen Z Educational Enrollment:<\/strong> The percentage of the population aged 20 to 24 enrolled in a form of education as of 2023 (10% of the total index). Source: U.S. Census Bureau.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Internet Cost:<\/strong> The price of internet with connection speeds of at least 60 Mbps by city (10% of the total index). Source: Numbeo.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Things to Do:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Green Category<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Green Commuting \u2013 The combined percentage of public transportation, walking and cycling as a means to travel to work for each city in 2023 (5% of the total index). Source: U.S. Census Bureau.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Number of parks per 10,000 residents (5% of the total index). Source: TPL 2024 park data.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Several large cities stand out as excellent locations for Gen Zers looking to settle down, offering excellent opportunities for education and employment while also remaining affordable.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":71,"featured_media":42694,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false},"categories":[8641,4014],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-36374","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-commercialcafe-studies","category-featured","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v23.4 (Yoast SEO v24.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Top U.S. Cities for Generation Z in 2025 | CommercialCafe<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"As more Gen Zers turn from high schoolers to taxpayers, which are the best places for Gen Z to settle down, find jobs and engage in communities?\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.commercialcafe.com\/blog\/best-places-to-live-gen-z\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Best Cities for Gen Z in 2025 &amp; 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