America’s Best Cities for Gen Z Workers

The labor market is changing, and it’s getting younger. While some have recently criticized the youngest working generation — Gen Z — about their work ethic, timeliness, and more, many others have claimed that these young workers are simply misunderstood.

Whichever way you feel, it’s important to understand that younger workers are entering the labor market and businesses may wish to consider embracing Gen Z workers and the immense talent and viewpoints they provide.

Gen Z brings a unique set of characteristics, values, and technological fluency to the workplace. As the first fully digital-native generation, Gen Zers are navigating the professional realm with a distinct blend of innovation, adaptability, and a keen awareness of the rapidly changing global landscape. In this era, businesses of all sizes should work to understand how Gen Z engages with work, collaborates with colleagues, and leverages technology to foster a cohesive and productive work environment. 

With this in mind, Checkr crunched the numbers using data sourced from the US Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis to uncover the best US cities for Gen Z workers based on three categories: employment, affordability, and social aspects. We analyzed this data to help employers in these highly ranked cities understand the importance of embracing Gen Z workers to widen their talent pool, tap into Gen Z’s diverse skill set, and bring innovative perspectives into the workplace. Gen Z workers can also use this report to learn more about new cities that might be a potential fit for them as they continue to grow as professionals.

Overall, we dug into a total of seven critical factors from the Gen Z age range (18-27) for all US cities. Each of the following key factors was assigned to one of the previously mentioned categories, which were then appropriately weighted to reveal the top cities for Gen Z workers.

Key Metrics (for people ages 18-27):

Now, let’s check out some of the key findings.

Let’s start by looking at the best cities, of all sizes, for Gen Z workers. 

*Data analyzed by Checkr from US Census Bureau & Bureau of Economic Analysis

Above you’ll see Fargo, ND as the top-ranked city in America for Gen Z workers. Fargo boasts an impressive combination of affordability (4th) and employment factors (13th) for Gen Zers, making it a great choice for young professionals in the workforce. On top of those metrics, Fargo is also well-known for its thriving art scene, entrepreneurial spirit, and a plethora of green spaces, parks, and recreational areas for outdoor enthusiasts.

Rounding out the top five best cities for Gen Z workers is a group of midwestern cities, including Oshkosh, WI, Cedar Rapids, IA, Bismarck, ND, and Madison, WI. This group of small, mid-sized, and large cities may not showcase the most desirable climate in winter, depending on your preferences, but when it comes to employment factors for Gen Z workers considered in this report, all four of these cities rank within the top 16 among all US cities. 

Joining the aforementioned cities in the top ten are Lincoln, NE, Sioux Falls, SD, Appleton, WI, Sheboygan, WI, and Missoula, MT. Again, these cold-weather cities provide excellent opportunities for Gen Z workers in the employment category, while also ranking inside the top 50 for affordability. 

While the social scene might fall behind some of the larger cities covered later in this report, the opportunity to earn a great income in the workforce in these places cannot be overlooked. 

Next, let’s dive into rankings based on city sizes, starting with the best large cities — cities with more than 300,000 people — for Gen Z workers.

In 2024, large cities can hold a magnetic allure for Gen Z workers due to their vibrant and diverse job markets, offering a lot of opportunities in emerging industries such as technology, media and entertainment, and healthcare among others. Additionally, the appeal lies in the abundance of cultural amenities, from innovative art scenes to diverse culinary experiences, aligning with many Gen Z interests.

Moreover, the collaborative and dynamic urban environments foster networking and mentorship opportunities, catering to the generation's desire for meaningful connections and professional growth. 

So, where should Gen Z look for work among America’s largest cities?

*Data analyzed by Checkr from US Census Bureau & Bureau of Economic

Leading the nation as the best large city for Gen Z workers is Madison, WI. Madison is home to a top-ranked university — The University of Wisconsin — and is situated between two lakes providing fantastic scenery and outdoor activities for young professionals. In addition, the social scene that comes with a major university brings a college town flair perfectly fit for Gen Zers. Madison also ranks in the top 25 for both employment and affordability factors, on top of a fantastic social scene. 

Joining Madison within the top five are Lincoln, NE, Omaha, NE, Des Moines, IA, and Grand Rapids, MI. These cities provide Gen Z workers with a combination of affordable housing and above-average wages. Much like Madison, many of these cities are home to major universities or colleges which makes them even more attractive for sports and entertainment fans as their major venues are home to some of the country’s best events in music and sports. 

Rounding out the top ten are Cincinnati, OH, three Utah cities — Provo, Salt Lake City, and Ogden — and Fayetteville, AR. 

Next up, we’ll learn more about the best mid-sized cities for Gen Z workers. 

Mid-sized cities present a compelling opportunity for Gen Z workers seeking a balanced lifestyle, with more affordable living costs and a sense of community that larger cities may lack. These cities with populations between 150,000 and 300,000 people often showcase growing tech and startup scenes, providing Gen Z with exciting career prospects while avoiding the intense competition found in large urban hubs.

The accessibility of outdoor spaces, universities, and a slower pace of life in mid-sized cities resonates with Gen Zers and their emphasis on well-being, offering a blend of professional opportunities and a quality living experience.

*Data analyzed by Checkr from US Census Bureau & Bureau of Economic

The top-ranked mid-sized city for Gen Z workers is also the top-ranked among all city sizes — Fargo, ND. Home to North Dakota State University, Fargo ranks 4th nationally for affordability and 13th for employment factors. Additionally, the city's commitment to sustainability and outdoor recreational opportunities may also resonate with Gen Z's focus on environmental consciousness and a balanced lifestyle outside of the workplace. 

Joining Fargo in the top five are Oshkosh, WI, Cedar Rapids, IA, Sioux Falls, SD, and Appleton, WI. These midwestern gems provide great affordability for Gen Z workers, and all rank inside the top 20 for employment factors including labor force participation and a low unemployment rate for this age group. 

Wrapping up the top ten are Midland, TX, Eau Claire, WI, Iowa City, IA, Waterloo, IA, and St. Cloud, MN. Again, these cities are all near universities and colleges — a common theme — and provide fantastic employment metrics for Gen Z workers looking to start or continue their careers.

Next, we’ll dive into the best small cities for Gen Z workers. 

Small cities hold a unique charm for Gen Z workers seeking an intimate and tight community environment. The simplicity and slower pace of life in these settings can offer respite from the hustle and bustle of major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. These smaller cities create a sense of peace and well-being that aligns with Gen Z's emphasis on work-life balance.

Additionally, the lower cost of living in small cities may provide financial relief, allowing Gen Z workers to allocate resources toward personal development and experiences, further enhancing the appeal of the cities listed with populations of less than 150,000 people.

The top-ranked small city best fit for Gen Z workers is Bismarck, ND. Bismarck is not only North Dakota’s capital city, but it is also a hub of history and culture. Bismarck ranks in the top ten nationally for affordability and employment factors, making it a desirable place for Gen Zers looking to earn a good living while saving on housing and other costs. 

Joining Bismarck in the top five are Sheboygan, WI, Missoula, MT, Fairbanks, AK, and Jefferson City, MO. Among these highly-ranked small cities, one common theme is apparent — they all rank within the top 50 nationally for employment metrics for Gen Z workers, including labor force participation and unemployment rate.  

Rounding out the top 10 best small cities for Gen Z workers are Grand Forks, ND, Grand Island, NE, California, MD, Great Falls, MT, and Fond du Lac, WI. 

Check out the full list of the top 100 best cities for Gen Z workers below to learn more about the appealing cities that Gen Zers might consider for their next move.

For more information on Check’s research or to request graphics or commentary about this study, please contact press@checkr.com. 

To rank America’s best cities for Gen Z workers, Checkr analyzed seven key factors from the US Census Bureau & Bureau of Economic Analysis. The factors include Gen Z unemployment rate, labor force participation rate, income-to-rent ratio, percentage of renters paying <30% of income in rent, real personal income, Gen Z portion of the population, and Gen Z members per entertainment establishment. Each factor was weighted appropriately by Checkr and scaled, resulting in the final rankings of the best cities in the country for Gen Z workers. 

About the author

Sara Korolevich serves as checkr.com’s editor and content manager. In this role, she produces educational resources for employers on a broad range of screening topics, including background check compliance and best practices. She also writes about Checkr’s company and product news to keep customers updated and informed.