These Are The Top 25 Cities For Gen Z Career Growth And Work-life Balance

• Topping the list of best 25 cities for Gen Z workers is Fargo, N.D., which is ranked highly for its exceptional blend of affordability and employment opportunities, alongside its rich cultural and recreational environment.
• Mid-sized cities, measured as having populations between 150,000 and 300,000, offer a sweet spot for Gen Z workers seeking work-life balance. 
• It’s not just big salaries or fancy office spaces that attract Gen Z workers; finding greater affordability, strong prospects for career growth, and a community that aligns with greater work-life balance are seen as important factors as well.

2024 is the year when the total number of Gen Z workers is expected to pass the total number of Baby boomers actively participating in the workforce. This is leading many businesses to take a second glance at workplace policies in order to maintain, or even establish, a thriving work environment that can successfully compete during these dramatic demographic changes. 

Factors such as offering flexible work opportunities directly impact attraction and retention efforts, but it also requires team leaders from the Baby boomer, Gen X, and Millennial generations to understand the unique needs and strengths of the up-and-coming Gen Z workforce. 

While some studies have suggested that younger workers are more willing to work in the office, it raises some questions for American Gen Zers: 

• In what cities should I be looking for a job? 
• What U.S. cities are best at helping my generation kickstart our careers?
• Are there affordable cities that provide good jobs and work-life balance for Gen Z workers?

What are the best cities for Gen Z workers? 

To better understand this question, Checkr, a professional background check services company, published a 2024 report that shines a spotlight directly on the best American cities for this emerging workforce — revealing the importance of embracing the unique qualities that many Gen Z brings to the table. 

The research, leveraging data from the U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis, evaluates large, mid-size, and small cities across the nation on metrics such as unemployment rate, labor force participation, and the Gen Z portion of the population, among others. Checkr used these metrics to establish three main categories to compare U.S. cities: employment, affordability, and social aspects. 

The top 25 cities, regardless of size, for Gen Z were:

1.Fargo, N.D.

Employment Rank: 13

Affordability Rank:  4

Social Rank:  129

2.Oshkosh, Wis.

Employment Rank: 3

Affordability Rank: 26

Social Rank: 175

3.Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Employment Rank: 11

Affordability Rank: 6

Social Rank: 255

4.Bismarck, N.D.

Employment Rank: 10

Affordability Rank: 2

Social Rank: 318

5.Madison, Wis.

Employment Rank: 16

Affordability Rank: 23

Social Rank:  167

6.Lincoln, Neb.

Employment Rank: 28

Affordability Rank: 39

Social Rank: 79

7.Sioux Falls, S.D.

Employment Rank: 5

Affordability Rank: 3

Social Rank: 328

8.Appleton, Wis.

Employment Rank: 2

Affordability Rank: 16

Social Rank: 314

9.Sheboygan, Wis.

Employment Rank: 4

Affordability Rank: 8

Social Rank: 345

10.Missoula, Mont.

Employment Rank: 14

Affordability Rank: 41

Social Rank: 212

11.Midland, Texas

Employment Rank: 20

Affordability Rank: 58

Social Rank: 165

12.Fairbanks, Alaska

Employment Rank: 12 

Affordability Rank: 65

Social Rank: 191

13.Eau Claire, Wis.

Employment Rank: 22

Affordability Rank: 44

Social Rank: 182

14.Iowa City, Iowa

Employment Rank: 66

Affordability Rank: 71

Social Rank: 53

15.Jefferson City, Mo.

Employment Rank: 30

Affordability Rank: 57

Social Rank: 145

16.Grand Forks, N.D.

Employment Rank: 44

Affordability Rank: 52

Social Rank: 118

17.Grand Island, Neb.

Employment Rank: 8

Affordability Rank: 27

Social Rank: 309

18.Waterloo, Iowa

Employment Rank: 21

Affordability Rank: 96

Social Rank: 119

19.St. Cloud, Minn.

Employment Rank: 37

Affordability Rank: 67

Social Rank: 136

20.California, Md.

Employment Rank: 52

Affordability Rank: 88

Social Rank: 93

21.Omaha, Neb.

Employment Rank: 25

Affordability Rank: 29

Social Rank: 257

22.Des Moines, Iowa

Employment Rank: 74

Affordability Rank: 11

Social Rank: 220

23.Grand Rapids, Mich.

Employment Rank: 43

Affordability Rank: 87

Social Rank: 104

24.Great Falls, Mont.

Employment Rank: 7

Affordability Rank: 32

Social Rank: 315

25.Cincinnati, Ohio

Employment Rank: 89

Affordability Rank: 13

Social Rank: 178

Topping this list is Fargo, N.D., which is ranked highly for its exceptional blend of affordability (ranked 4th) and employment opportunities (ranked 13th), alongside its rich cultural and recreational environment. Following closely behind are Midwestern cities like Oshkosh, Wis., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Bismarck, N.D., and Madison, Wis. — all recognized for their strong employment metrics and quality of life that appeal to younger professionals.

The survey also compared similar-sized cities. For those preferring the larger metro centers, Madison, Wis. leads in the category due to its social scene, educational institutions, and outdoor activities. Other large cities like Lincoln, Neb., and Omaha, Neb., also made the list. The list showcases the importance that Gen Z places on affordability and job markets.

The top 10 best large cities for Gen Z were listed as:

1. Madison, Wis.
2. Lincoln, Neb.
3. Omaha, Neb.
4. Des Moines, Iowa
5. Grand Rapids, Mich.
6. Cincinnati, Ohio
7. Provo, Utah
8. Salt Lake City, Utah
9. Ogden, Utah
10. Fayetteville, Ark.

Mid-sized cities, measured as having populations between 150,000 and 300,000, offer a sweet spot for Gen Z workers seeking work-life balance. Bismarck, N.D., emerges as a top city in this category by offering a blend of cultural richness and strong employment opportunities for Gen Z workers. Other small cities like Sheboygan, Wis., and Missoula, Mont., also rank high due to their promising combination of job availability and quality of life conducive to a great work-life balance.

The top 10 best mid-sized cities for Gen Z were listed as:

1. Bismarck, N.D.
2. Sheboygan, Wis.
3. Missoula, Mont.
4. Fairbanks, Alaska
5. Jefferson City, Mo.
6. Grand Forks, N.D.
7. Grand Island, Neb.
8. California, Md.
9. Great Falls, Mont.
10. Fond Du Lac, Wis.

Small cities, defined as those with populations under 150,000, present unique advantages for Gen Z workers valuing community and a slower pace of life. Fargo, N.D., again took the lead on this list — with its aforementioned affordable living and active employment scene. Cities such as Oshkosh, Wis., and Cedar Rapids, Iowa., also topped the list by providing excellent prospects for early career growth without the overcrowding of larger metro areas.

The top 10 best small cities for Gen Z were listed as:

1. Fargo, N.D.
2. Oshkosh, Wis.
3. Cedar Rapids, Iowa
4. Sioux Falls, S.D. 
5. Appelton, Wis.
6. Midland, Texas
7. Eau Claire, Wis.
8. Iowa City, Iowa
9. Waterloo, Iowa
10. St. Cloud, Minn.

As businesses across the U.S. strive to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving labor market, understanding and accommodating the needs of Gen Z workers will be key to unlocking innovation and sustaining growth in the years to come. 

The data suggests that it’s not just big salaries or fancy office spaces that attract Gen Z workers. Finding greater affordability, strong prospects for career growth, and a community that aligns with greater work-life balance are seen as important factors as well. For Gen Z workers, these unexpected destinations might be the key to launching their dream career in 2024.