Ann Arbor, Michigan, ranks as the highest metropolis for Gen Z professionals, in keeping with a brand new survey by RentCafe.com — an residence search platform that evaluated 264 US metros.
The research narrowed the record to 122 metros by excluding cities with populations beneath 300,000 or missing enough information.
Rankings have been primarily based on key Gen Z priorities like affordability, tradition, range, setting and general livability.
“We put together this list to help Gen Z grads find cities that offer a balance between rewarding work and a good life,” wrote Mihaela Buzec, the report’s writer.
Metrics included the share of Gen Z residents, schooling ranges, unemployment adjustments, earnings and job progress, and a composite livability index that factored in socioeconomics, neighborhood dynamics and high quality of life.
“Ann Arbor takes the top spot with its college-town appeal and competitive job market,” the report famous. The town is dwelling to the College of Michigan, which drives a gradual inflow of younger expertise and cultural exercise.
Lincoln, Nebraska, and Des Moines, Iowa, adopted intently behind.
The report highlighted a development of Gen Z professionals favoring smaller, inexpensive cities with robust financial foundations and college presence.
“We see the shift in Gen Z’s preferences from the large urban centers to more livable and affordable destinations,” the report acknowledged.
RentCafe.com instructed FOX Enterprise that among the many 122 metros that ranked on the backside have been El Paso, TX; McAllen, TX; Memphis, TN; Stockton, CA; and Lafayette, LA.
“These metros ranked at the bottom of the list not necessarily because they are lacking opportunities, but because they do not align with the core values of Gen Z, especially regarding livability factors and the industries that drive the job market,” in keeping with Mihaela Buzec, a senior author and researcher.
“Specifically, we can look at metros such as Bakersfield (#116), Modesto (#115), or Beaumont (#114), where the main hiring industries are agriculture, oil and gas, or logistics and manufacturing, not the typical industries that Gen Zs orient themselves to,” Buzec mentioned.
Buzec defined additional that Gen Zs favor communities that “offer a high quality of life, with frequent cultural events, diverse entertainment options, and walkable areas,” which most of the metros that ranked low lacked.
“For instance, McAllen, TX, and El Paso, TX, had the two lowest scores for the livability composite index in our analysis (#122 and #121). One key demographic metric that also influenced this positioning is the lower percentage of highly educated Gen Zs from the total young adult population, meaning there is no large driving force for change at the moment in these specific metros,” Buzec mentioned.
