The Best States to Live In for Young Adults: Top U.S. Places to Thrive

For new graduates and workers entering the career world, now is a good time to think about where to put down roots. This study on the best states for young adults can help identify where opportunity is knocking.

Based on an analysis of seven factors, MoneyRates found that Utah is the most attractive state for young adults.

Not only is it the most youthful state in the country, but there are other reasons it attracts so many young people.

Best States to Live in for Young Adults: Best Places to Live in the US for Young Adults May Change

When you think about youth culture and opportunity, the high-profile job markets of Silicon Valley or New York City’s financial district naturally come to mind.

You might also expect young people to be drawn to Las Vegas or Miami’s nightlife scene and party atmospheres.

This year, we looked beyond the cost of living and affordable rent, though they remain central factors in the study, and considered other factors that affect how someone lives, especially in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

With concerns raised by COVID-19, the millennial population may be less drawn to living in the best city than in the past. They may be more interested in how much work flexibility work opportunities offer. Public transportation may be less appealing today than living costs.

Given how much things have changed, this is a great time to rethink what each state and the District of Columbia have to offer young professionals looking for opportunities and a decent place to live. This article explores the best opportunities for young people across America, highlighting cities and trends shaping livability and population growth.

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What Are the Best Places to Live for Young Adults?

1. Utah
2. Iowa
3. Nebraska
4. North Dakota
5. Idaho
6. Kansas
7. Wyoming
8. Arkansas
9. Colorado
10. South Dakota

Methodology: Best States to Live in for Young Adults

Each state, plus the District of Columbia, was ranked based on the following seven factors:

• Broadband connectivity, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
• Percentage of jobs in the finance and information sectors, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
• Relative size of the youth population in each state, according to BLS data.
• The unemployment rate is 16- to 24-year-olds, according to the BLS.
• Affordability of a one-bedroom apartment, according to the Census Bureau.
• Availability of residential rentals, according to Census data.
• Affordability of 4-year public college tuition for in-state students, according to the College Board’s 2019 Trends in College Pricing report.

Individual rankings were determined for each category, then averaged to determine the overall ranking. The methodology and data for these rankings are based on trends and research collected over the past decade, ensuring a comprehensive and credible analysis..

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Comparing Conditions: What Influences Where Young Adults Live?

The United States may be one country, but the differences in conditions among the states can be huge.

Comparing each attribute yields fascinating insights into where young people might be positively and negatively impacted. Some states perform above or below the national average in important categories, such as income and housing costs, highlighting key differences in economic opportunity and affordability.

Broadband connection

The coronavirus pandemic has shown that broadband connections are not just a source of entertainment options. They can also give you added flexibility in how and where you work.

Two states, Utah and Washington, tied at 90% for the highest percentage of households with broadband connections.

Residents of Mississippi, New Mexico, and four other states are more than twice as likely as those in Utah and Washington to lack a broadband connection.

This affects how people work and how they handle the money they earn. Young people are more likely to engage with options that let them save money, manage it better, and invest it online.

And that’s a good thing because online banking generally offers better savings account rates and lower checking account costs than banking in person, even if they didn’t realize it.

Finance- and information-sector jobs

COVID-19 precautions favor people in industries that allow flexible working arrangements. Those working arrangements have proven so beneficial that they may become permanent in many cases.

Delaware has the highest percentage of its jobs in sectors like finance and information with remote-working opportunities. In some states, the insurance industry is also a significant part of the finance sector, contributing to employment opportunities. Mississippi and six other states have less than half of Delaware’s jobs in those sectors.

Young adult population

Young people generally like to be around other young people. Some states and cities are beautiful to young workers due to abundant job opportunities and desirable lifestyles.

This is easiest to do in Utah, which has the highest percentage of young adults in its population, at nearly 20%. Things are very different in the District of Columbia, where only 12.44% of the population is young adults.

Unemployment rate

Young adults have a tough time finding a job. When you’re getting started in life, it helps to know where it’s easiest to obtain work.

North Dakota has the lowest unemployment rate among 16- to 24-year-olds. The unemployment rate for that age group is more than four times as high in Mississippi.

This is one of the most critical factors for young people to consider since saving for retirement when you’re young is one of the best money moves you could make.

Affordable housing

Young people are often on limited budgets, so housing costs are key. Arkansas has the lowest average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment, at $548. Huntsville, Alabama, is also considered an affordable place for young people, offering low housing costs and overall affordability compared to other major metro areas. If you choose to live in Washington, DC, you’ll pay nearly three times as much on average.

Available housing

Then there’s the matter of whether housing is available. Young people just starting in life probably aren’t able to buy a house at this point, but they still need a place to live.

As a percentage, residential rentals are more than six times as available in Alabama as in Maine. In a town, rental availability can differ significantly from that in a major city, often offering a different balance of affordability and community atmosphere.

In-state public tuition

Young people pursuing a college degree may be interested to know that Wyoming has the country’s lowest in-state, four-year public college tuition.

The average annual cost of $5,581 is less than a third of the average in Vermont, which has the most expensive average tuition.

Related: Retirement Savings: How Much You Should Have at 25, 30, 40, 50 and 65

Quality of Life and Amenities

Quality of life and amenities are essential factors when choosing the best place to live. Young working people often prioritize cities and states that offer a high quality of life, with access to good healthcare, education, national parks, and recreational activities.

Some of the top cities in the U.S. for young professionals, such as Austin, Texas, and Portland, Oregon, offer a unique blend of outdoor activities, cultural events, and entertainment options. These cities also tend to have a high median home price, but the abundance of work opportunities and career advancement possibilities often offsets the cost of living.

In contrast, cities like Nashville, Tennessee, and Columbia, South Carolina, offer more affordable living costs, with lower median home prices and a thriving career market. For people aged 18-24 seeking a balance between job growth and lifestyle, considering the amenities and the overall cost is key to finding the best place to live.

The 10 Best States for Millennials

Considering each vital factor for young people, Utah ranked at the top overall. The Mountain West region of the country generally did much better than coastal states. The Midwest also performed strongly in the rankings, highlighting its regional advantage for young, career-driven people.

After balancing the good and bad of each state, the following were ranked as the ten best states for youth:

1. Utah

Utah led the way in two categories and made the top ten in three others.

One telling indicator of the state’s appeal is that 19.84% of the population is aged 16 to 24, giving Utah the nation’s highest percentage of young people over 18. Salt Lake City, the state capital, plays a significant role in this appeal. It is a political, economic, and cultural center that attracts young people with its opportunities and vibrant atmosphere.

Utah also led the way (tied with Washington State) in broadband connectivity, with 90% of its population having broadband. Other top-ten rankings for Utah were percentage of jobs in finance and information, affordability of college tuition, and employment.

The only areas where Utah was below the median were housing and rental availability. A one-bedroom apartment costs more in Utah than most states, and rental availability is below the median. Even so, Utah was nowhere near the worst state in those categories.

2. Iowa

Iowa ranked fourth for employment of young people over the age of 18 and has the fourth-lowest average rent for a one-bedroom apartment. It is one of the most affordable states for young adults.

While those were Iowa’s only top-ten finishes, the state’s average was helped by being below the median in just one category. The broadband connectivity rate of 83.6% in Iowa ranked 34th.

3. Nebraska

Iowa’s neighbor to the west has the second-highest percentage of young people over the age of 18 in its overall population.

That’s one clue that young people like living there. Perhaps one of the more surprising points of attraction is that Nebraska has the fifth-highest proportion of any state’s finance- and information-sector jobs.

Nebraska’s weakest point was its low rental vacancy rate of just 6.4%, which ranked 31st in the nation. This means that finding your first place to live might be a little tougher than in most states.

4. North Dakota

If you go by preconceived notions, North Dakota may not be among the first places you consider an excellent place for 20-somethings. However, when you dig into the numbers, you find a few reasons why it has consistently appealed to that age group in recent years.

North Dakota has the country’s best employment rate for the 16-to-24 age group.

In addition, North Dakota ranks third for the availability of residential rentals and seventh for the proportion of its youth population.

The biggest drawback is a lack of connectivity. North Dakota is one of the ten worst states for broadband availability.

5. Idaho

This is one of the ten most youthful states.

Among the things that appeal to those young residents may be affordable college tuition, a high rate of employment for ages 18-24, and affordable rents. Idaho ranks among the ten best states in all three categories.

All those pluses may be attracting enough people to overwhelm the supply of residential rental properties. Idaho’s biggest shortcoming in this study was falling into the bottom ten for rental availability.

6. Kansas

Kansas is another state on this top-ten list that ranks among the ten most youthful in the country. That suggests that the conditions in this survey will help attract and keep young residents.

Young people who aren’t yet ready to buy a house should have no problem finding a place to live in Kansas. The state ranks fourth for residential rental availability.

Kansas performed just a few slots below the median in only two categories: broadband connectivity and percentage of jobs in the information and investment sectors.

7. Wyoming

Looking for cheap college tuition? Wyoming is your best bet, with the nation’s lowest tuition for in-state students at 4-year public colleges.

The state is also kind to renters, ranking among the ten best states for affordability and availability of rental properties.

On the downside, this may not be the best state if you want a finance or info tech job. Wyoming’s proportion of employment in those sectors ranked second to last.

8. Arkansas

This is the state with the cheapest average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the nation. It also ranked among the ten best for the youthfulness of its population, employment, and rental availability.

On the negative side, Arkansas lacks some 21st-century elements. It ranks third to last in broadband connectivity and is also in the bottom ten for the proportion of information and financial jobs.

9. Colorado

Colorado ranked third for broadband connectivity and for employment for young people. It also scored a top-ten ranking for the proportion of jobs in information and finance.

Before you move there, though, research where you would live. Colorado Springs is frequently recognized as one of the best places in the U.S. for young adults, offering excellent recreational opportunities and a vibrant economy. Colorado ranks 43rd for rental availability and 40th for rental affordability.

10. South Dakota

As the third-cheapest state to rent a one-bedroom apartment, South Dakota is affordable for people just starting their careers.

South Dakota was also better than the median in four other categories. Its chief shortcoming was ranking 40th for broadband connectivity.

Top Cities in the US for Young Professionals

Some of the best places to live in your 30s and 20s include:

• Denver, Colorado: Known for its easy access to the Rocky Mountains and a vibrant outdoor lifestyle, Denver offers young people a strong job market, especially in technology, healthcare, and hospitality. The city’s growing population and dynamic downtown make it an excellent place for work and play.
• Seattle, Washington: As a central hub for the tech industry, Seattle attracts young people seeking work opportunities in technology, research, and creative industries. The city’s stunning natural surroundings and lively arts and entertainment scene make it a top choice for those who want work advancement and a high quality of life.
• Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina: The Research Triangle is renowned for its concentration of top universities and innovative companies, making it ideal for young professionals in tech, healthcare, and research. The area’s affordable housing, strong job market, and southern charm have contributed to steady population growth over the past few years.
• San Diego, California: With its beautiful beaches, mild climate, and thriving tourism and biotech industries, San Diego is a paradise for young professionals who value outdoor opportunities and a relaxed lifestyle. The city’s diverse neighborhoods and vibrant nightlife also appeal to people seeking a new place to call home.
• Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota: The Twin Cities offer a unique combination of urban amenities and easy access to outdoor recreation. With a robust job market in industries like finance, healthcare, and the arts, Minneapolis-St. Paul is a great place for young professionals looking for work opportunities and a high standard of living.

The Best States for Young Adults – Complete List

Making a Decision: How to Choose the Right City or State

With so many great options, making a decision can be overwhelming. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the right city or state for you:

• Career opportunities: Evaluate the job market in your field and look for cities with strong job advancement possibilities. Research which industries are thriving and where your skills are most in demand.
• Cost of living: Calculate the total cost of living, including housing, transportation, and daily expenses, to ensure it aligns with your income and lifestyle goals.
• Quality of life: Consider what amenities and activities matter most to you, such as outdoor recreation, cultural events, or a vibrant nightlife. Think about how these factors will impact your day-to-day living.
• Education and healthcare: If you’re planning for the future, research the quality of local schools and healthcare services to ensure they meet your needs.
• Community: Reflect on the type of community you want to be part of, including diversity, safety, and social opportunities. A supportive and engaging environment can make a big difference in your overall happiness.

By weighing these factors and conducting thorough research, young professionals and adults can find the best city or state to launch their careers and enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle.

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