Best Cities for Millennials 2024

Millennials are people reaching young adulthood in the early 21st century. Millennials, also known as Generation Y, are born between 1981-1996.

Millennials are known for some specific traits differentiating them from other generations. Among these are some negative traits, such as being described as lazy, narcissistic, and concerned more about themselves, coining the term “Generation Me.” Despite this, recent trends have shown that millennials have become increasingly more involved in civic matters such as climate change and social justice. Their approach to social change can be seen as ‘pragmatic idealism,” with a desire to make the world a better place. Millennials also show more willingness to vote in elections than previous generations. Lastly, A Pew Research Poll found that 84% of millennials in 2013 supported legalizing the use of marijuana.

Given this information, some cities are considered to be more ideal for millennials than others. Millennials often look for areas with adequate job opportunities, cultural centers, fun and social things to do, and an overall low housing cost among other things. Although trendy cities such as San Francisco, Washington D.C., and New York are appealing to millennials, they are not practical options for the majority of the generation, especially the younger half.

The best cities for millennials rank for several factors, including the cost of living, economic statistics, access to public transportation and employment.

The top ten cities for millennials are:

1. St. Louis, MO
2. Grand Rapids, MI
3. Indianapolis, IN
4. Columbus, OH
5. Pittsburgh, PA
6. Colorado Springs, CO
7. Nashville, TN
8. Boulder, CO
9. San Antonio, TX
10. New Orleans, LA

St. Louis is ranked the number one city for millennials. St. Louis has an abundant job market and is one of the most affordable cities for millennials. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in St. Louis is $1076. Additionally, St. Louis has many fun and social activities such as Major League Baseball, museums, and plenty of bars and restaurants.