Find a Job You Really Want In
In today’s competitive job market, not everyone desires to live in a bustling metropolitan area. Rising costs and high rents make big cities less appealing, prompting many graduates to consider mid-sized cities for their career beginnings. These cities offer affordable living and exciting job opportunities, making them ideal for launching a career.
So, which mid-sized cities should recent graduates focus on? We analyzed various factors to identify the top spots in each state for new professionals to kickstart their careers.
Top Mid-Sized Cities to Launch Your Career
- Bentonville, Arkansas
- Urbandale, Iowa
- Bismarck, North Dakota
- West Seneca, New York
- Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
- Lee’s Summit, Missouri
- Carmel, Indiana
- Lenexa, Kansas
- Mentor, Ohio
- Bloomington, Illinois
These ten cities stand out for their promising job prospects, competitive salaries, and affordable living costs, making them excellent choices for new graduates. If none of these cities resonate with you, continue reading to discover the best mid-sized city to launch your career in each state.
How We Identified the Best Cities to Start Your Career
We evaluated over 800 cities based on three key metrics:
- Median Income
- Average Rent
- Unemployment Rate
First, we analyzed median income to identify cities where young professionals can expect to earn competitive salaries. While money isn’t everything, it certainly helps with living expenses and repaying student loans.
Next, we considered average rent costs, a critical factor for recent graduates trying to establish independence. Affordable rent can significantly ease the transition into the workforce.
Lastly, we examined the unemployment rate; a lower rate indicates a stronger job market, making it easier for graduates to secure employment if they need to pivot from their initial job.
We defined mid-sized cities as those with a working population between 25,000 and 150,000. We selected the highest-ranking city in each state. Unfortunately, no cities from Alaska met our criteria, with Anchorage being too large and Fairbanks too small.
All data was sourced from the latest Census ACS.
1. Bentonville, Arkansas
Median Earnings: $47,507
Rent: $918
Unemployment: 2%
Bentonville, home to Walmart’s headquarters, boasts a vibrant job market despite its mid-sized classification. With competitive salaries and affordable rent, it presents a great opportunity for new graduates looking to make their mark.
2. Urbandale, Iowa
Median Earnings: $48,480
Rent: $895
Unemployment: 2%
Located near Des Moines, Urbandale is an ideal launchpad for careers, combining affordability with access to a larger job market. Graduates will find that their initial paychecks stretch further here.
3. Bismarck, North Dakota
Median Earnings: $39,300
Rent: $850
Unemployment: 1%
As the capital of North Dakota, Bismarck offers a blend of professional opportunities and an affordable lifestyle, making it an attractive option for new graduates.
4. West Seneca, New York
Median Earnings: $40,087
Rent: $797
Unemployment: 2%
While New York City has seen population declines, West Seneca remains stable, offering affordable living and job opportunities for new professionals.
5. Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Median Earnings: $51,063
Rent: $1,071
Unemployment: 2%
Wauwatosa’s proximity to Milwaukee makes it appealing for both social and professional opportunities, while still offering affordable living spaces.
6. Lee’s Summit, Missouri
Median Earnings: $48,213
Rent: $1,015
Unemployment: 2%
Lee’s Summit may be smaller in size, but it boasts competitive salaries that can rival those in larger cities, with affordable rent making it a favorable choice for new graduates.
7. Carmel, Indiana
Median Earnings: $60,289
Rent: $1,199
Unemployment: 2%
Carmel boasts the highest earnings among our top ten cities, allowing residents to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle while saving for the future.
8. Lenexa, Kansas
Median Earnings: $45,859
Rent: $1,089
Unemployment: 2%
Lenexa stands out for its affordability and low unemployment rate, making it a prime location for new graduates entering the job market.
9. Mentor, Ohio
Median Earnings: $41,356
Rent: $934
Unemployment: 3%
Mentor’s scenic location on Lake Erie offers both job opportunities and a desirable lifestyle for recent graduates looking for an affordable start.
10. Bloomington, Illinois
Median Earnings: $37,824
Rent: $825
Unemployment: 3%
Bloomington is an excellent choice for graduates who prefer affordability. Despite lower earnings, its low unemployment rate ensures job opportunities are available.
Why Your Starting City Matters
Your first job can set the tone for your entire career. It can mean the difference between financial stability and struggling to make ends meet. Choosing the right city to start your career is crucial.
These mid-sized cities offer new job seekers a supportive environment to embark on their professional journeys. With low unemployment rates, decent pay, and reasonable living costs, they provide a strong foundation for career advancement.
If these cities don’t appeal to you (or if you’re looking to avoid harsh winters), explore our comprehensive list of 40 other promising cities to launch your career!
The Best Mid-Sized City To Start Your Career In Every State
| State | City | Earnings | Rent | Unemployment (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Hoover | $44,796 | $1,100 | 2 |
| Arizona | Scottsdale | $49,876 | $1,284 | 2 |
| Arkansas | Bentonville | $47,507 | $918 | 1 |
| California | Folsom | $64,175 | $1,601 | 2 |
| Colorado | Castle Rock | $48,806 | $1,460 | 2 |
| Connecticut | West Hartford | $53,976 | $1,297 | 3 |
| Delaware | Wilmington | $31,526 | $974 | 5 |
| Florida | Palm Beach Gardens | $44,453 | $1,638 | 1 |
| Georgia | Brookhaven | $50,946 | $1,350 | 1 |
| Hawaii | East Honolulu | $56,161 | $2,661 | 1 |
| Idaho | Meridian | $37,252 | $1,045 | 2 |
| Illinois | Bloomington | $37,824 | $825 | 2 |
| Indiana | Carmel | $60,289 | $1,199 | 1 |
| Iowa | Urbandale | $48,480 | $895 | 2 |
| Kansas | Lenexa | $45,859 | $1,089 | 1 |
| Kentucky | Owensboro | $27,488 | $723 | 3 |
| Louisiana | Metairie | $36,290 | $935 | 2 |
| Maine | Portland | $34,041 | $1,079 | 2 |
| Maryland | Ellicott City | $64,622 | $1,605 | 2 |
| Massachusetts | Newton | $60,228 | $1,829 | 1 |
| Michigan | Royal Oak | $50,824 | $1,042 | 2 |
| Minnesota | St. Louis Park | $48,877 | $1,176 | 2 |
| Mississippi | Southaven | $35,378 | $1,025 | 3 |
| Missouri | Lee’s Summit | $48,213 | $1,015 | 2 |
| Montana | Billings | $31,954 | $861 | 2 |
| Nebraska | Grand Island | $30,418 | $737 | 3 |
| Nevada | Carson City | $31,433 | $895 | 3 |
| New Hampshire | Manchester | $34,763 | $1,086 | 3 |
| New Jersey | Hoboken | $82,546 | $2,231 | 2 |
| New Mexico | Santa Fe | $31,761 | $1,043 | 3 |
| New York | West Seneca | $40,087 | $797 | 2 |
| North Carolina | Cary | $53,441 | $1,199 | 2 |
| North Dakota | Bismarck | $39,300 | $850 | 1 |
| Ohio | Mentor | $41,356 | $934 | 2 |
| Oklahoma | Edmond | $37,275 | $1,028 | 2 |
| Oregon | Tigard | $40,722 | $1,159 | 3 |
| Pennsylvania | Scranton | $25,743 | $765 | 2 |
| Rhode Island | Cranston | $38,487 | $1,021 | 3 |
| South Carolina | Mount Pleasant | $52,452 | $1,533 | 1 |
| South Dakota | Sioux Falls | $33,391 | $791 | 2 |
| Tennessee | Collierville | $54,506 | $1,250 | 1 |
| Texas | Keller | $60,330 | $1,332 | 2 |
| Utah | South Jordan | $45,168 | $1,418 | 1 |
| Vermont | Burlington | $26,901 | $797 | 4 |
| Virginia | Leesburg | $49,313 | $1,545 | 2 |
| Washington | Richland | $42,015 | $1,010 | 3 |
| West Virginia | Charleston | $29,200 | $727 | 3 |
| Wisconsin | Wauwatosa | $51,063 | $1,071 | 1 |
| Wyoming | Casper | $35,799 | $859 | 2 |
Author
Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.
