The oldest members of Generation Z are turning 27 this year and likely working toward their first significant workplace promotion or saving up to become homeowners. Meanwhile, the youngest Gen Zers are turning 12, still a few years away from the intricacies of adulthood and the job market. In between these age ranges are around 69 million Gen Zers, who account for around one-fifth of the total population of the U.S. As such, the generation’s role in society and the economy will only increase as they all come of age.
Gen Z has all of the promise and potential of a generation reaching maturity — and they’re also saving up faster than other generations before them. At the same time, the timeframe for their coming-of-age offers challenges, as well as opportunities. For instance, high mortgage rates and the affordability crisis have an outsized effect on younger people with less disposable income. This, compounded with Zoomers’ emphasis on quality education and experiences, means Gen Zers are hard-pressed to make the best choice when choosing the right city to settle down and start their life in.
In this context, we set out to highlight the cities with the greatest potential benefits for Generation Z in 2024. Specifically, we ranked the cities in the U.S. with populations above 400,000 by Gen Z-friendly indicators, such as internet cost, employment for fresh graduates, affordability and places for recreation. Notably, our cutoff point of at least 400,000 residents was chosen because we focused on larger, regional population centers as the primary destinations for undergraduates and young professionals. See the Methodology section for a full breakdown of our indicators.
Keep reading for the complete national ranking, or navigate to separate breakdowns of U.S. geographic regions by using the following jump links:
*The study only includes cities with more than 400,000 residents. The Northeastern U.S. only includes three cities above this cutoff point: New York City (ranking 39th on the national list), Boston (#3) and Philadelphia (#6).
Atlanta Reclaims Title of Gen Z Ground Zero in U.S.
The neck-and-neck race between Atlanta and Minneapolis to claim the title as the best U.S. city for Generation Z continues in 2024, with the two cities trading places yet again. The remaining best destinations for the cohort were spread mainly across the East Coast, Gulf Coast and Midwest. Texas boasted the largest number of entries in the larger top 20 with four, followed by North Carolina’s two entries.
#1 – Atlanta
After being overtaken by Minneapolis in 2023, Atlanta returned to the top of the standings as 2024’s best city for Generation Z. ATL earned this distinction with strong performances across the board, from sustainability and entertainment to economic and educational factors. In fact, Atlanta is still home to the largest number of parks per capita among all large U.S. cities, thereby providing relaxation and meeting spots for the city’s Gen Zers. Moreover, the Census age group of 20 to 24 years old made up almost 10% of Atlanta’s total population, making it the fourth-densest city in the study in that regard and amplifying the sense of community that relocating young people can find here.
Of course, Atlanta’s thriving Generation Z population can be at least partly attributed to the advantageous local economic conditions. With an affordability index of 98.6, the city is slightly cheaper to live in than the national average (pegged at 100). Additionally, more than 52% of Atlanta Zoomers aged 20 to 24 were enrolled in education, which contributes to the cohort’s prospects for success. Finally, Atlanta’s multitude of youth projects promoting mentorship and leadership are just the cherry on top in a city that's so invested in its future generations.
#2 – Minneapolis
More than 10% of Minneapolis residents belong to the adult Generation Z age group, and 51.3% of residents between the ages of 20 and 24 are enrolled in education. Furthermore, the cost of living index in Minneapolis stands 6.4 points below the national average and the city had an unemployment rate of just 2.6% in 2023. In short, the picture is clear: Minneapolis’ considerable Gen Z population is set up for success and further growth.
Compared to last year’s ranking, Minneapolis’ Gen Z population inched up from 9.9% to 10.1%, indicating that the metro is continuing to experience a steady influx of young people — thanks, in no small part, to its comparatively accessible housing market. As a result, Minneapolis’ young population is in constant evolution — a prized characteristic for a generation emphasizing social connections.
#3 – Boston
Completing the podium, Boston earned a total of 60.5 points out of a maximum of 100. Boston truly shines in terms of educational and employment opportunities for young people. In fact, almost 63% of college-age Gen Zers in Boston are enrolled in education, which is more than 10 percentage points ahead of the next-best showings in Atlanta and Minneapolis. What's more, 30% of the city’s employed population works in jobs for recent graduates. And, it's worth noting for an environmentally-minded generation that more than 38% of commutes in Boston were carried out through eco-friendly means, like walking, biking or public transportation.
Granted, the city also had an affordability index of 147.1, according to the Council for Community and Economic Research’s latest cost of living report, which means that life in Boston is considerably more expensive than the U.S. national average. For comparison, the next-most expensive entry in the top 10 was Tucson, Ariz., with an affordability index of 103.5. Accordingly, this makes Boston an excellent destination for young people who have the income to support living in the city.
#4 – Austin, Texas
In the 12 months since our last ranking, Austin progressed in several indicators, including cost of living, green commuting and share of jobs for graduates. Most notably, the share occupied by adult-age Generation Z members in Austin’s population increased from 7.1% to 7.9%, which helped it climb three spots in the ranking while also also emphasizing the fact that Austin is the place to be for young people. Here, the city’s large number of higher education institutions — in conjunction with the government’s youth initiatives and people-oriented measures — ensure the growth of Austin’s young population, which, in turn, provides a constant stream of talent and fresh ideas to the city’s numerous companies in tech, advanced manufacturing and more.
#5 – Columbus, Ohio
At #5, Columbus is a proven jack of all trades, ready to provide great value for a wide range of young professionals with different goals. First, it has the seventh-largest share of Generation Z residents out of total population. Columbus also boasts the fourth-largest number of entertainment venues like arcades, amusement parks, museums and bars in the top 10, which provides plenty of opportunities for fun for locals and relocated youth alike. Additionally, the city’s relatively cheap prices are nothing to scoff at, either, with a cost-of-living index of 92. At #5, Columbus is a proven jack of all trades, ready to provide great value for a wide range of young professionals with different goals. First
#6 – Philadelphia
Philadelphia ranked as the sixth-best Gen Z city in 2024 — four positions higher than its 2023 standing. While Philly was a hotbed for young people in recent times, the city is making further strides in presenting itself as one of the principal Generation Z centers of the Northeast. More precisely, since last year, Philadelphia’s cost-of-living index shed almost three points to land at 101.7. That included a drop in average internet cost from $68 to $63 per month — a fact that the always-online Gen Zers are sure to appreciate. Employment opportunities also improved with unemployment dropping from 5.4% to 4.2%. To top it off, the adult Gen Zers now make up 7.1% of the city’s more than 1.5 million residents (up from the 6.5% share last year), making for a vibrant youth culture that’s bound to keep growing.
#7 – Omaha, Neb.
With a rich history of rhythm and blues music, an eclectic cuisine and a performing arts scene spearheaded by Opera Omaha and the city’s many theatres, Omaha is a cultural hotspot where young people will always find something new and refreshing to do. Beyond that, though, Omaha is also one of the Midwest’s best examples for urban rejuvenation, leading to a vibrant youth scene and obvious advantages for members of Generation Z. With a cost-of-living index of 93.3 and the lowest unemployment rate in the top 10 at 2.6%, the economic advantages present here are clear. And, for Gen Zers who love the outdoors, Omaha also has the third-most parks per capita in the top 10 — on top of the multitude of state parks and nature trails in the area.
#8 – Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson is home to Arizona’s largest university by enrollment with the University of Arizona, while also housing campuses from several other institutions of higher education. The result is a vibrant city rife with university life and fresh ideas, all stemming from Tucson claiming the highest adult Gen Z population by percentage among all of the nation’s largest cities at 12.1%. In practical terms, this means that more than 66,000 of Tucson’s 550,000 residents fall within Generation Z’s age range, providing prospective college students or young professionals eyeing the area with a rich community of like-minded people. Tucson also bodes well economically for the generation, as it scored in the upper echelons of the list for Gen Z school enrollment and share of jobs for graduates.
#9 – Kansas City, Mo.
With a growing tech and finance industry, Kansas City is attracting young people looking for great career prospects in conjunction with affordability. Offering below-average unemployment, a cost-of-living index well below the national average, a share of recent graduate-friendly jobs of 28.5% and plenty of networking groups for young professionals, KCMO is attracting Gen Z relocations and growing steadily as a result. Still, that’s far from the only perk that the city has to offer. Namely, Generation Z is famously oriented toward experiences, rather than possessions, and Kansas City offers precisely that as one of the cultural melting pots straddling the border between the Midwest and South. Finally, Kansas City also boasts the cheapest internet among the top 10, as well as the third-cheapest in the entire study.
#10 – Raleigh, N.C.
As one of the foremost university centers in the region, Raleigh sees its fair share of Generation Z students, boasting the fifth-highest school enrollment among the cohort. As a matter of fact, the entire Carolina Research Triangle area is growing rapidly thanks to the influx of students, which is evidenced by the fact that Raleigh’s adult Gen Z population share grew from 7.9% to 9% during the span of a single year. At the same time, Raleigh average prices remain quite accessible (around 2% lower than the national average), despite the influx of new young residents.
The table below contains all cities with more than 400,000 residents and their respective scores in the ranking. Use the page navigation arrows in the top right corner to see the next entries after the top 20.
Atlanta, Raleigh & 4 Texas Cities Claim Top 10 Southern Centers for Generation Z
The South was home to some of the best-ranking cities nationally for Generation Z, including first-place Atlanta. Austin, Texas and Raleigh, N.C. also scored well in the overall national ranking, enjoying an influx of young people due to their statuses as centers of learning and their rising tech employment. Still, the region also includes several other entries that are promising Gen Z magnets although not in the national top 10.
For starters, Tulsa, Okla., scored just 0.1 points below Raleigh, N.C., to rank as the South’s fourth-best Generation Z destination and fall just outside of the national top 10. While Tulsa has a relatively lower population of 20- to 24-year-olds at 7.5% and a lower school enrollment, its strong suits included average internet prices on the cheaper side, as well as great overall affordability; Prices in Tulsa are 12.5 index points below the national average — the second-best cost of living in the entire study.
Further south, a trio of Texas towns ranked as the fifth- through seventh-best Gen Z cities in the region. El Paso boasts an affordability index of 88% of the national average and a good number of parks per capita, while Houston — the region’s largest city by population — has the third-most things to do and entertainment venues in the entire study. Not to be outdone, fellow Texas Triangle entry San Antonio also scored well for its entertainment factor, cheaper prices and lower unemployment compared to Houston. To that end, the Lone Star State as a whole has enjoyed an influx of young people in recent years due to a conjunction of job opportunities, great weather, eclectic local cultures and relative affordability compared to other top-tier areas in the country.
Other high-scoring Southern cities included Washington, D.C. at #8 and nearby Baltimore at #9. Here, the nation’s capital features a Gen Z educational attainment of nearly 50%, ample green commuting opportunities and a high park density, although these are at the cost of considerably higher prices, as well as higher unemployment. Meanwhile, Baltimore scored well thanks to its low unemployment, while also having good showings in the remaining metrics. Consequently, the two cities stand in contrast as good options for Gen Zers with different priorities when settling down.
The South’s top 10 list was rounded out by Charlotte, N.C., which is also benefiting from a student boom defining other entries in the area and leading to a growing, rich youth culture that benefits local employers looking for talent
Top 10 Western Cities for Generation Z Hail From 7 Different States
The Western U.S. recorded just one entry in the national top 10 with Tucson’s eighth-place finish, but the region nevertheless has plenty to offer prospective students or fresh graduates alike. As you might expect, coastal entries primarily differentiated themselves through their highly educated Gen Z populations or great career prospects, while inland locations generally offered lower average prices.
Starting on the coast, Seattle ranks as the second-best Western city for Zoomers with a share of jobs for recent graduates at 29.6% to claim the fourth-best city in the whole study in that regard. Emerald City has lots more to offer, though, as it boasts the region’s highest park density, as well as the largest share of green commutes on the West Coast (after San Francisco).
Further down the coast, Portland, Ore.’s score of 45.5 points earned it the title of the West’s seventh-best Gen Z location, due to a good balance among all of its scores. Even further south, San Diego, Calif., earned the eighth spot with good school enrollment and a considerable Gen Z population, while Sacramento, Calif., earned the ninth spot. Yet, while these coastal hubs offer great job prospects, the opportunity is balanced by their steeper costs. Consequently, they provide great options for Gen Zers looking to build careers in certain high-demand fields, while also experiencing big-city life with all that it entails.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, inland Western cities offered more affordability. Among them, Albuquerque, N.M., was the best performer after Tucson, having the lowest cost of living in the region among cities above 400,000 residents, as well as the second-highest park density. Up next, Phoenix’s recent population surge was driven to a great extent by young professional relocations, which is evident in its high adult Gen Z share of the population and the good number of jobs for recent graduates here, granting the city a regional fourth-place finish.
Next, Denver made the list at #5 by boasting the area’s third-best share of jobs for recent graduates — a showing to be expected given the city’s employment growth in aerospace, biotech and more. But, nearby Colorado Springs surpassed its fellow in-state entry with 30% of its employment in jobs for recent graduates to claim the West’s overall best showing in that category.
Closing out the Western list at #10, Las Vegas offered a familiar mix of affordability paired with good showings in other metrics. The city also had the second-lowest prices in the region — one of only two large cities in the West with living costs below the national average.
Midwest Attracts Generation Z With Affordability & Community
With entries including Minneapolis; Columbus, Ohio; Omaha, Neb.; and Kansas City, Mo., the Midwest enjoyed its fair share of cities ranking among the national list of best cities for Gen Z. In addition to these locations, three more Midwestern cities had more than400,000 residents and complete data in all metrics to be included in our study.
As the nation’s third-largest city by number of residents, Chicago has a long history of growth driven by the younger generations. So, for the latest generation reaching maturity, Chicago offers an impressive number of fun activities and venues at more than 5,500, only surpassed by New York City in that regard. And, while the city’s adult Gen Z population share of 7.4% is around the study’s average, that still translates into almost 200,000 Zoomers aged 20 to 24 in the Windy City.
Milwaukee scored better than Chicago in the Gen Z population share category as 8.8% of the city’s residents belong to that age category. Additionally, Milwaukee also has higher Gen Z educational attainment, a lower unemployment rate and more jobs for recent graduates, underscoring it as a great option for career-oriented Gen Zers in the Midwest. Lastly, Detroit closed out the regional list with the second-most parks per capita in the Midwest, as well as the second-cheapest average internet costs.
* Only cities with more than 400,000 residents were included in the study, and only the aforementioned seven cities in the Midwest had population counts above this cutoff. Similarly, New York City (#37 nationally), Boston (#3 nationally) and Philadelphia (#6 nationally) were the only cities with more than 400,000 residents in the Northeast.
Methodology
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:
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, while numbers below 100 represent living costs below the national average (25% of the total index) – Source: C2ER Cost of Living Report 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 2022. As data for this metric is only available at a metro level, it was mapped to each city based on the metro it is part of.
- Unemployment rate within the local population in 2023 (5% of the total index) – Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics’ LAU report
Share of Gen Z Residents: The percentage of the population aged 20 to 24 in each city in 2022 (15% of the total index). Census provides population data in age groups spanning five years each. The age range was chosen so as 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 School Enrollment: The percentage of the population aged 20 to 24 enrolled in a form of education as of 2022 (10% 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 2020 of the U.S. Census Bureau
Green Category:
- Green Commuting – The combined percentage of public transportation, walking and cycling as a means to travel to work for each city in 2022 (5% of the total index) – Source: U.S. Census Bureau
- Number of parks per 10,000 residents (5% of the total index) – Source: TPL
