Top 10 Cities For Millennials in 2018 and 2019

Based on job opportunities, nightlife activities, and median age, these are the best places for millennials this year and next.

Borhani Realty Group
Sep 5, 2018 · 10 min read

Finding a budding job market, a city with people close to their age, and abundance of daytime and nighttime activities are top of mind for any generation during early and middle adulthood. With so many cities becoming targeted by large corporations and new startups in this era, individuals have an array of options to choose from, which is both beneficial, but also confusing.

For Millennials today, many of which are coming out of school with aspirations to enter tech and other growing industries, need to find the best city to not only fit their employment needs, but also ones that they can enjoy themselves and grow internally in. Although the term “Millennial” has been loosely defined, for the purpose of this guide, we consider Millennials as those born between 1980–1996.

Various factors were used to come up with the below list, but the most prominent included job opportunities and growth, key industries that are growing, availability of daytime and nightlife activities, and the median age of the population in each city. By combining these factors, we were able to come up with the list of 10 best cities for Millennials both this year, as well as coming up in 2019.


10) Pittsburgh, PA

Pittsburgh Skyline (Image via Livability)

Pittsburgh is a city that is mostly on the list of Millennials on the East Coast, but may not register for those elsewhere in the country. The city is home to popular universities such as the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and others, making it a hotspot for young graduates. Combined with a low cost of living, it’s clear why flocks of Millennials are migrating to Pittsburgh.

Downtown Pittsburgh (Image via DowntownPittsburghHolidays)

The city also supports a range of fields and interests, given its diverse economic foundations. This allows young workers in various fields to come into the city and have a decent chance at finding employment in their specializations. In addition to the economic and employment opportunities, Pittsburgh has a nice balance between nightlife hotspots, as well as outdoor nature-oriented activities.

Yoga in Market Square (Image via Whirl Magazine)

Industries:

Healthcare; Education; Retail

Job Growth Rate:

+3.75%

Cost of Living:

-12% Below National Average

Walkscore:

59/100

Median Age:

33 years old


9) New York City, NY

New York City Skyline (Image via PearlHotel)

When it comes to thinking about best places to live, vibrant lifestyles, and opportunities galore, perhaps one of the first places on the minds of Millennials is New York City. Diversity, creativity, and activity embody the New York atmosphere, and has become a go-to for new graduates in any field of interest to find their way.

Times Square (Image via New York Times)

New York is not only ideal for new graduates and young workers looking to grow in their field of work, it boasts a range of activities and opportunities to explore the city. With everything in such close proximity to one another, and nightlife hotspots on seemingly every corner of the city, the appeal of New York City is clear for any Millennial looking to hit all the factors of their desired lifestyle.

Central Park (Image via NYCGo)

Industries:

Financial; Media; Communications; Technology

Job Growth Rate:

2.0%

Cost of Living:

+20% Above National Average

Walkscore:

82/100

Median Age:

36 years old


8) Denver, CO

Denver Skyline (Image via KenroIndustries)

Looking for the perfect mix of nature-oriented activities and vibrant nightlife? Look no further than the growing hub that is Denver. Millennials are starting to move heavily into Denver, as job growth has been consistent and growing, and the beautiful natural environment is perfect for those who love outdoors activities.

Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre (Image via Colorado.org)

Denver has simultaneously grown as a cultural and arts hub of the country, as it is home to popular performing arts centers and arts galleries. Specifically, the lower downtown region of Denver has seen a spike in the number of arts galleries that have opened in recent years, as artists find the city to be a lucrative and viable place for them to practice and grow in their field of interest.

Performing Arts Complex (Image via EdiMaps)

Industries:

Aerospace; Telecommunications; Technology

Job Growth Rate:

+2.6%

Cost of Living:

+10% Above National Average

Walkscore:

56/100

Median Age:

34 years old


7) Boston, MA

Boston Skyline (Image via Noir Gallery)

Being a college city, it is clear that Boston would be considered a top location for Millennials. However, don’t think the college atmosphere to be the sole attraction to the city. In reality, the economic diversity and strength in key industries is a major reason so many different types of Millennials see the benefit of moving to Boston.

Downtown Boston (Image via Flickr)

The historic city has been able to maintain its cultural foundations, but has grown in its diversity and become a cultural hub as well. The city strikes a balance between outdoor activities and nightlife hotspots, and the close proximity of the city makes it ideal for those looking to explore without having to put too much effort into getting places.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace (Image via GBCVB)

Industries:

Education; Biotechnology; Financial Services; Tourism

Job Growth Rate:

+2.1%

Cost of Living:

+19% Above National Average

Walkscore:

80/100

Median Age:

32 years old


6) Berkeley, CA

Berkeley Skyline (Image via Medium.com)

For quite some time, Berkeley was primarily prized due to its close proximity to the hustle and bustle of San Francisco. However, as tech firms and other corporations start to feel the impact of San Francisco’s high overhead costs, many have moved across the bridge into Berkeley. Couple this with being the home to University of California at Berkeley, and you can see why there is a growing Millennial microcosm taking place.

Downtown Berkeley — Arts District (Image via TripSavvy)

Although still relatively expensive for cost of living, it is significantly more affordable than San Francisco and many other Bay Area cities, while providing an expanding nightlife scene perfect for anybody looking to get out and meet people. It goes without saying that the city also provides a range of outdoor activities, and the cultural diversity makes it easy to stumble upon new things any day of the week.

Berkeley Library (Image via Patch)

Industries:

Education; Technology; Healthcare

Job Growth Rate:

+3.7%

Cost of Living:

+38% Above National Average

Walkscore:

79/100

Median Age:

31 years old


5) Washington, DC

Washington, DC Skyline (Image via The Most Perfect View)

When you think of Washington, DC, the last thing you might think of is a hub for Millennial activity. However, in recent years, as the city has seen a growth in both public and private sector jobs, it has attracted a younger age group looking to capitalize on new opportunities.

Adams Morgan (Image via Event Nation)

With a relatively lower cost of living than many others seen on this list, and being home to renown universities such as Georgetown, American University, Howard University, and George Washington, the city is filled with Millennials looking for employment, and looking to grow in their jobs. If you’re looking for nightlife activity, hotspots such as U-Street, Adams Morgan, and Georgetown are just a few places bustling with people on any given night.

Georgetown Waterfront Park (Image via GeorgetownDC)

Industries:

Government; Education; Consulting; Tourism

Job Growth Rate:

+2.0%

Cost of Living:

+18% Above National Average

Walkscore:

75/100

Median Age:

34 years old


4) Seattle, WA

Seattle Skyline (Image via CNBC)

If there is one city that can compete with the growth rates seen in San Francisco in recent years, it’s that of Seattle. Coming second in appeal for Millennials, there is no doubt that the consistently growing job market and abundance of activities has allowed the city to thrive.

Seattle Great Wheel

Although the cost of living may be fairly high, and housing options are currently slim despite the constant development taking place, Seattle is ideal for anybody looking to couple their career-growth with networking opportunities with people their same age range. Proximity to popular workplaces also makes the city ideal for Millennials who don’t want to worry about commuting to work on a regular basis.

Pike Place Market (Image via PPS)

Industries:

Aerospace; Clean Energy; Defense

Job Growth Rate:

+3.4%

Cost of Living:

+27% Above National Average

Walkscore:

71/100

Median Age:

36 years old


3) Arlington, VA

Arlington Skyline (Image via ApartmentGuide)

Arlington is definitely one of those cities that flies under the radar for Millennials when looking for places to move and live. Nestled just on the outskirts of Washington, DC, and home to George Mason University, Arlington is quickly becoming the private sector hub for companies looking to be close to the nation’s capital.

Clarendon Center (Image via Regency Centers)

As more corporations start to settle into Arlington, employment opportunities are opening for eager Millennials looking to make their mark. Simultaneously, the growth of business activity has led to the expansion of nightlife activity, as numerous hotspots have emerged in recent years. The outdoor activities for nature-lovers goes without saying in the abundantly-green city.

George Mason University (Image via WTW Architects)

Industries:

Government; Consulting

Job Growth Rate:

+1.6%

Cost of Living:

+53% Above National Average

Walkscore:

67/100

Median Age:

30 years old


2) San Francisco, CA

San Francisco Skyline (Image via BayCityGuide)

It goes without saying that San Francisco would be so high up on this list. The influx of tech-related employment and flow of young college graduates makes San Francisco a highly-desired location for Millennials of all ages. However, the high cost of living makes it difficult for many of these newcomers to settle into the desirable city, despite the high-paying jobs that are available for those at the top of their fields.

Painted Ladies (Image via Timeout)

The city boasts a plethora of daytime activities, including hiking trails, numerous parks, and simple walks for those looking to explore San Francisco. In addition to these amenities and attractions, the nightlife scene in San Francisco is comparable to anywhere else in the nation, and rivals that of Los Angeles, New York City, and any other hotspots you may think of.

Dolores Park (Image via The Bold Italic)

Industries:

Technology; Financial Services; Tourism

Job Growth Rate:

+4.1%

Cost of Living:

+64% Above National Average

Walkscore:

89/100

Median Age:

38 years old


1) Cambridge, MA

Cambridge Skyline (Image via CambridgeMA)

The number one spot on the list goes to Cambridge for an array of reasons, all of which desirable for Millennial-aged hopefuls. First off, the city has seen immense growth in the technology industry, as corporations and startups look for new, undiscovered hubs of talent around the country. Being home to two of the most prestigious schools in the nation (Harvard and MIT), makes it ideal for young graduates and those looking to find employment in reputable industries and companies.

Harvard Square (Image via Wikimedia)

Don’t let the economics bore you, however, as Cambridge is also one of the youngest cities in the country demographically. The young population is coupled by a relatively lower cost of living when compared to other cities on the list, and with a high walkability score, is ideal for Millennials looking to meet and network with people in their industry and around their age.

Downtown Cambridge (Image via TheBostonCalendar)

Industries:

Technology; Education

Job Growth Rate:

+1.4%

Cost of Living:

+19% Above National Average

Walkscore:

87/100

Median Age:

30 years old


Conclusion

Whether a new college graduate ready to find entry-level employment and excitement, or a later-aged Millennial who is looking to grow in their field of work and find a place to network, the above-mentioned cities are the top places to research. When looking into these cities, make sure to pinpoint the factors that are most important for you, as well as the ones that aren’t as crucial, in order to find the place that will best suit your needs.

Borhani Realty Group

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