Best Cities for Young Professionals in America - 2026 Rankings

Starting your career? Our young professional rankings identify ZIP codes with the best mix of job opportunities, affordable housing, short commutes, vibrant culture, and strong income growth potential.

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Top ZIP Codes for Young Professionals

50 ZIP codes ranked

#	ZIP · City · State	Population	Median Income	Median Home	Safety	Career Score
1	75209 Dallas, TX	22,940	$233,505	$794,709	A+	87
2	20016 Washington, DC	36,840	$232,569	$839,768	A+	86
3	30309 Atlanta, GA	24,280	$230,125	$766,525	A+	86
4	80206 Denver, CO	31,820	$229,420	$751,974	A+	87
5	85254 Scottsdale, AZ	42,890	$229,874	$801,988	A	85
6	20015 Washington, DC	28,120	$232,303	$1,117,846	A	82
7	33133 Miami, FL	38,920	$228,359	$1,058,559	A+	83
8	75205 Dallas, TX	22,870	$225,710	$1,000,952	A+	84
9	94114 San Francisco, CA	19,240	$226,185	$1,121,697	A	81
10	85260 Scottsdale, AZ	52,180	$219,136	$757,892	A+	87
11	10065 New York, NY	35,120	$217,326	$777,642	A+	88
12	60611 Chicago, IL	32,790	$211,484	$853,104	A+	86
13	80246 Denver, CO	20,490	$218,594	$941,299	A+	85
14	40207 Louisville, KY	31,820	$214,351	$788,324	A	85
15	35213 Birmingham, AL	25,840	$213,627	$915,864	A+	84
16	10021 New York, NY	66,870	$212,143	$773,622	A+	86
17	90401 Santa Monica, CA	12,960	$213,108	$1,072,141	A+	82
18	33629 Tampa, FL	36,920	$215,062	$1,139,601	A+	79
19	27607 Raleigh, NC	46,780	$208,215	$800,873	A	85
20	98199 Seattle, WA	21,040	$208,297	$1,073,119	A+	82
21	30306 Atlanta, GA	26,740	$198,296	$846,033	A+	85
22	27609 Raleigh, NC	41,320	$201,894	$851,544	A+	85
23	90024 Los Angeles, CA	30,840	$199,593	$860,324	A+	82
24	77019 Houston, TX	16,830	$199,424	$818,543	A+	85
25	98109 Seattle, WA	19,530	$199,590	$893,437	A	84
26	20007 Washington, DC	34,280	$195,694	$841,214	A+	84
27	77005 Houston, TX	18,940	$197,253	$838,365	A+	81
28	37215 Nashville, TN	41,230	$195,538	$1,126,567	A+	82
29	78703 Austin, TX	25,380	$194,513	$796,060	A+	84
30	90049 Los Angeles, CA	31,220	$195,435	$990,856	A+	82
31	77056 Houston, TX	38,210	$193,107	$872,833	A+	82
32	10016 New York, NY	43,280	$187,005	$785,005	A+	85
33	75225 Dallas, TX	27,830	$190,400	$1,056,171	A+	80
34	30342 Atlanta, GA	28,430	$182,717	$989,309	A+	83
35	60654 Chicago, IL	14,530	$185,222	$806,362	A+	84
36	10011 New York, NY	48,970	$181,019	$1,035,713	A+	82
37	60614 Chicago, IL	75,580	$178,321	$817,583	A+	86
38	02116 Boston, MA	22,810	$180,412	$972,196	A+	81
39	90210 Beverly Hills, CA	20,390	$173,430	$953,023	A	81
40	15232 Pittsburgh, PA	19,240	$172,635	$859,680	A+	83
41	78746 Austin, TX	42,380	$168,553	$1,034,936	A+	79
42	92130 San Diego, CA	48,210	$163,225	$909,344	A	79
43	78731 Austin, TX	35,190	$167,479	$971,698	A+	79
44	27615 Raleigh, NC	52,840	$158,979	$914,140	A+	80
45	33131 Miami, FL	18,240	$134,197	$466,648	A	77
46	84121 Salt Lake City, UT	58,420	$133,620	$450,945	A	77
47	96816 Honolulu, HI	38,240	$134,892	$469,242	A	79
48	19106 Philadelphia, PA	14,530	$132,313	$441,581	A	78
49	57105 Sioux Falls, SD	44,810	$132,397	$469,773	A	79
50	39211 Jackson, MS	32,840	$130,462	$503,219	A	77

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best city for young professionals in America? ▼

The best cities for young professionals combine strong job markets, reasonable cost of living, vibrant culture, and good transportation. Look for ZIP codes with above-average median income and short commute times.

Where should a young professional move? ▼

Focus on ZIP codes with high ZipScores, above-average median incomes, and short commute times. Use our comparison tool to evaluate multiple cities before making your decision.

What cities have the most job opportunities for young professionals? ▼

Major metro areas consistently lead in job opportunities, but many midsize cities offer better work-life balance at lower cost. Browse our rankings to find the best neighborhood within your target city.

Explore Top ZIP Codes

75209 - Dallas, TX 20016 - Washington, DC 30309 - Atlanta, GA 80206 - Denver, CO 85254 - Scottsdale, AZ 20015 - Washington, DC 33133 - Miami, FL 75205 - Dallas, TX 94114 - San Francisco, CA 85260 - Scottsdale, AZ 10065 - New York, NY 60611 - Chicago, IL 80246 - Denver, CO 40207 - Louisville, KY 35213 - Birmingham, AL 10021 - New York, NY 90401 - Santa Monica, CA 33629 - Tampa, FL 27607 - Raleigh, NC 98199 - Seattle, WA

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Rankings based on real data from US Census Bureau (ACS), FBI Uniform Crime Report, EPA AirNow, and FEMA National Risk Index. Updated periodically.

Best Cities for Young Professionals in America - 2026 Rankings

Top ZIP Codes for Young Professionals

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore Top ZIP Codes

Compare Any Two ZIP Codes Side by Side

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