Millennials have some tough obstacles to overcome, what with student loan debt, a dearth of jobs, relatively low pay, and even having to return to the nest to live with mom and dad.
But if you're determined to strike out on your own and beat all those problems in pursuing your profession, you'd probably want to do it in the best possible surroundings — and Niche has analyzed a lot of data to come up with the 10 best cities for millennials in the U.S.
Pittsburgh-based Niche, which analyzes data to help users determine the best schools and neighborhoods for them, drew on a broad range of sources for the data it used to make these determinations.
Some came from the U.S. Census Bureau, the FBI, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, while more came from places like the U.S. Department of Education, Civil Rights Data Collection, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the IRS.
Rankings were determined considering a range of factors, including the number of young professionals who live there — after all, being among a group of your peers makes for great networking and socializing opportunities — job opportunities; access to bars, coffee shops, and restaurants; affordable housing; and cost of living.
Other considerations were the crime rate, level of education of residents, population diversity, unemployment rate, and the percentage of change in the number of employees from 2010 to 2013.
(Related on ThinkAdvisor: 20 Best Cities to Start a Career)
Each factor was assigned a weight in the overall score, and Niche graded a total of 227 cities that met required qualifications.
When all was said and done, it ranked 223 of those cities — and here are the ones it determined to be the top 10 for millennial professionals:
"Keep Austin weird," is the rallying cry of the city, and for good reason. The city's access to live music and nightlife is a major draw for many young adults. (Photo: iStock)
10. Austin, Texas
Austin rated an A+ for its nightlife, diversity, and health and fitness. It got an A for being good for families and for its public schools and commute, while jobs only rated an A-.
Weather was B+, outdoor activities won a B and real estate got a B-, while crime and safety got a C+ and the cost of living got a C. The unemployment rate is 5 percent, and homes will run you a median of $227,800 — while rent is a median $1,012; 55 percent of residents rent, while 45 percent own.
Our nation's capital is home to countless museums and landmarks, giving millennials an opportunity to learn about America's storied history. Good thing walking the National Mall is free; you'll need to pinch pennies to afford rent. (Photo: iStock)
9. Washington, D.C.
Our capital city has the highest unemployment rate of any in the top 10, at 7.5 percent, so bear that in mind when you consider moving here.
While the city rates an A+ for nightlife, diversity, outdoor activities, and health and fitness, and an A for the commute (assuming you don't take the beltway, no doubt), it gets a B for weather, public schools, and being good for families.
Jobs only rate a B-; real estate rates a C and both the cost of living and crime and safety only get C-. Real estate, of course, is expensive; median home values are $454,500, which explains why only 42 percent own.
But with rents high, too, at $1,302, it's tougher to see how the 58 percent who rent manage. You'll need every bit of the only-slightly-above-national-average median household income of $69,235 to make it here.
Denver has consistently been ranked as a top destination for all generations, but millennials will love the easy access to outdoor activities and bevy of nightlife. (Photo: iStock)
8. Denver
Denver's A+ rating comes with higher-than-average grades on some and lower-than-average grades on other categories than previous cities in the list. It got four A+ grades, for instance for outdoor activities, nightlife, diversity, and health and fitness, but only one A, for its commute.
Then it sank to B in the categories of jobs and good for families. B- followed for real estate and public schools, followed by a C for crime and safety and a C- for cost of living.
The feel is suburban, and the homes are pricey; average median values run $257,500, well above the national median. Rents are close to the median, at $913, and renting and owning are evenly divided. Gas and groceries will cost you more than elsewhere.
The Space Needle and Mount Rainier are two iconic images associated with Seattle, and thanks to its great scores in outdoor activities, health, nightlife, and diversity, millennials might become another city staple. (Photo: iStock)
7. Seattle
Seattle gets an A+, with three individual A+ grades for outdoor activities, health and fitness, and nightlife. Diversity, public schools, and the commute all win As, while its good-for-families grade is a B+ and its job grade is a B. Weather just rates a B-, however.
Real estate and crime and safety just get Cs. Median home values are high, at $437,400, while rents outpace the national average but aren't completely out of reach at $1,131; more people — 54 percent — rent than own (46 percent). But the cost of living gets a D+. Like Denver, both groceries and gas are more expensive, which will keep you reaching for your wallet all year long.
