Gen Z is graduating into an uncertain economic environment. With high tariffs and a possible recession on the horizon, the choice they make in terms of where they live could significantly impact their financial situation.
A new report by BizInsure identified the 25 best cities for Gen Z college graduates, based on factors related to tariffs, career growth, and lifestyle.
Austin, Texas, took the top spot with San Francisco and Seattle not far behind.
Why It Matters
Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012, is entering a turbulent economic outlook as they take their first jobs.
According to a Glassdoor report, just 43 percent of Gen Z is optimistic about their employer’s business outlook over the next six months. Tariffs, rising prices, and tighter hiring have created concerns across the country.
What To Know
Austin, Texas, was the top spot for Gen Z graduates to live in 2025, according to BizInsure. Just 2.8 percent of Austin’s exports are under retaliatory sanctions, and the city also boasts high job listings (third in the country).
Behind Austin, these cities made up the top 10: San Francisco, Seattle, Atlanta, Raleigh, Denver, Dallas, San Jose, Tampa, and Charlotte.
The Southern cities ranked high, with Dallas, Houston, and Atlanta scoring 7th, 13th, and 4th, respectively, in the BizInsure report.
“Some of these cities attract Gen Z because they’re seeking places where they won’t be swallowed whole by predatory landlords while trying to pay back crushing and debilitating student debt,” Bryan Driscoll, an HR consultant who specializes in generational differences, told Newsweek.
“They want affordable housing, genuine work-life balance, and companies that won’t ghost them after five interviews.”
San Francisco, which took the second spot, typically offered high salaries, even for entry-level positions. It also ranked seventh in entertainment offerings, despite scoring 0 out of 10 for rent and overall costs.
“Gen Z needs to take full advantage of the tech-driven economic engine that’s driving these urban hubs,” Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek.
Meanwhile, the bottom five cities were all in California, with Fresno at number 98 and Bakersfield at number 99, both located in the San Joaquin Valley.
Rick Kern/Getty Images
What People Are Saying
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: “It may be surprising to some to see cities like Austin and San Francisco topping the list, as recent headlines have focused on the slowing growth of these cities. However, both, along with locations like Seattle and San Jose, offer tech-related positions that are free from the grasps of most of the recently announced tariffs and could be easier to obtain and maintain a new position based on that.”
Bryan Driscoll, an HR consultant who specializes in generational differences, told Newsweek: “The report is fascinating but also a brutal reminder of what Gen Z and many other generations are up against. Austin topping the list makes sense. It has a relatively affordable tech economy and a community that embraces differences.
“But let’s not pretend any of these cities are utopias. Most recent grads are still choosing between paying rent or saving anything.”
Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek: “None of these cities were surprising. They all share one thing: economic growth and strong job prospects, especially in tech.
“Professionally, these cities offer a chance to connect with like-minded, eclectic individuals and be part of a vibrant, fast-paced environment. But long term, many in Gen Z may find themselves wanting to slow down, moving to the suburbs or smaller communities as priorities shift.”
What Happens Next
Cost-of-living factors could still make some cities more financially burdensome for Gen Zers, depending on their income.
“Gen Z will have to factor in the cost of living for some of these cities, which certainly can be a dealbreaker unless their career choice pays enough to cover rising expenses,” Beene said. “For this reason, more affordable cities in the Southeastern United States like Atlanta and Nashville could offer the best balance of career choices and better costs.”