Congratulations! Your name was on the grad list. All your efforts were worth it; now you’re set to achieve greater things! First, you’ll have to find the right city to ignite your career as a new college graduate to make it to the top as quickly as possible. But with so many towns and options, where exactly should you start? How would you know the best city to find the right entry-level job and affordable cost of living for new college graduates? Starting your career in the right city can help you put the right foot forward – so we’ve compiled the best cities for recent college graduates to find a job this year. 10 Best Cities for New College Graduates To Find A Job In 2016
1. Pittsburgh, PA
In 2015, the United States Census Bureau estimated that Pittsburgh is home to 304 391 people. But as a new college graduate, what are your chances of finding the right job in Steel City? The Bureau of Labor Statistics says the United States unemployment rate as of April 2016 was 5.30 percent, while Pittsburgh’s unemployment rate during that same period was 5.4 percent. So let’s dig deeper to see how your career could improve if you move to Pittsburgh.
As a new college graduate, you’ll probably consider renting a home when you move to Pittsburgh. The median home price in this city is $111,300, while the cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. Also, the average commute time in Pittsburgh is 25.95 minutes. While 54 percent of commuters in Pittsburgh drive inside their car alone, about 10 percent carpool with others, 19 percent use mass transit, and 3 percent work from home.
2. Cincinnati, OH
Cincinnati is one of the best cities for new college graduates looking to find a job this year. In July 2015, the United States Census Bureau estimated that Cincinnati is home to 298,550 people. Compared to other cities in the United States, Cincinnati’s cost of living is 16.60% lower than the national average. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Cincinnati’s unemployment rate as of April 2016 was 4.2 percent, while the national average was 5.30. The good news is that job availability is rising at a rate of 2.29 percent.
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But how fast can you make it to your office if you find a job in Cincinnati? The average commute time in this city is 22 minutes, 3 minutes faster than the national average of 25 minutes. If you own a car, you can join the 71 percent of commuters who drive in their car alone. Up to 8 percent of commuters take mass transit, 10 percent carpool with others, and 4 percent work from home.
3. Kansas City, MO
Starting in the right city can give you an edge in your career. Though they are tasty, there is more to Kansas City than its world-champion baseball team and its barbecues. As of July 2015, Kansas City’s population was estimated at 475,378, says the United States Census Bureau. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median home cost of this city is $132,300, while the unemployment rate was 3.9 as of April 2016.
The cost of living in Kansas City is 5.90% lower than the United States average of 6.30. So how soon can you make it to your office if you’re hired in Kansas City? The average commute time in this city is 21.32 minutes, a few minutes lower than the national average of 25 minutes. Eighty-one percent of commuters in this city drive their car alone, 9 percent carpool with others, 4 percent use mass transit, and 4 percent work from home.
4. Indianapolis, IN
According to the United States Census Bureau, Indianapolis is home to 831,230 people, making it the largest city in Indiana. The median home price in this city is $120 500, while the cost of living is 11.10% lower than the United States average. The unemployment rate in Indianapolis was 4.7 percent as of April 2016, which was lower than the national average of 5.30.
So how fast can you get to work in Indianapolis? The average commute time in this city is 22.7 minutes, lower than the United States average of 25 minutes. In this city, 82 percent of commuters drive alone, 10 percent commute in the same vehicle with others, 2 percent use public transportation, and 3 percent work from home. Since you’re a new college graduate, you’ll probably consider renting a house or an apartment for a start.
5. Nashville, TN
According to the United States Census Bureau, Nashville, Tennessee, as of July 2015, was 654,610. The median home value in Nashville is $188,400. The cost of living in Nashville is 0.80% lower than the United States average. The unemployment rate in Nashville was 3.1 percent as of April 2016, while the United States average was 5.30 percent. The average commute time in this city is 23.09 minutes. In that time, 80 percent of commuters drive their car, 11 percent commute with others in their vehicle, 2 percent take mass transit, and 5 percent work from home.
6. Columbus, OH
According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Columbus City was 850,106 as of July 2015. The median home price in Columbus is $95,900. The cost of living in Columbus is 17.90% lower than the United States average. According to the United States Census Bureau, the unemployment rate in this city is 3.9 percent, and it’s lower than the U.S. average of 5.30 percent. The good news is Columbus City’s job growth has been positive in recent years, and as a new college graduate, your chances of finding entry-level jobs are high here. In Columbus City, the average commute time is 21 minutes, 3 percent work from home, 81 percent of commuters drive in their car alone, about 9 percent carpool with others, and 3 percent take mass transit. What about housing? Oddly, you’ll have to rent a home or apartment when you get your first job in Columbus City.
7. Minneapolis – St. Paul, MN
According to the United States Census Bureau, Minneapolis’s population is 410,939. The median home value in this city is $190,900. The cost of living in Minneapolis is 8% higher than the national average compared to the other parts of the country. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in this city was 3.40 percent as of April 2016, while the national average was 5.30 percent. The average commute time in this city is 22.19 minutes. Fourteen percent of commuters in Minneapolis take mass transit, 62 percent drive their cars alone, 5 percent work from home, and 9 percent carpool with others.
8. Philadelphia, PA
According to the United States Census Bureau, Philadelphia is home to 1,567,442 people, making it one of the top ten largest metropolitan areas in the United States. Philadelphia’s median home cost is $103,400. The cost of living in this city is 3.80 percent lower than the United States average. Considering its large population, Philadelphia’s unemployment rate is 6.6 percent as of April 2016, while the United States average during the same period was 5.30, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average commute time in Philadelphia is 32 minutes; 26 percent of commuters take mass transit, 50 percent drive their car, 9 percent carpool with others, and 3 percent work from home.
9. Chicago, I
How many people live in Chicago? According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of people living in Chicago as of July 2015 was 2,720 546. Chicago’s median home price is $165,700. The cost of living in Chicago is 3.40, higher than the United States average. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate of this city is 4.7 percent as of May 2016. In Chicago, the average commute time is 33.49 minutes; 27 percent of commuters take mass transit, 50 percent drive in their car alone, 10 percent carpool with others, and 4 percent work from home.
10. San Francisco, CA
In July 2015, the United States Census Bureau estimated that 864,816 people call San Francisco home. The city’s median home cost is $875 100. However, San Francisco’s cost of living is 142.60 percent higher than the United States average. The unemployment rate in this city is 3.7 percent as of April 2016. The average commute time of this city is 29.93 minutes – 32 percent of commuters take mass transit, 37 percent drive their car alone, 8 percent carpool with others, and 7 percent work from home. If you want to move to any of these cities to start your career, you can plan your move with us; it’s 100% free. Request a free moving quote now to get started. If you intend to move to any of these cities, we can help you plan your move; it’s 100% free. We provide up to 6 free quotes from licensed and BBB-rated moving companies.