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Charlotte is one of the 10 best cities in America for college grads. Here’s why

Shot of a group of students throwing their hats in the air on graduation day Getty Images | Royalty Free
Shot of a group of students throwing their hats in the air on graduation day Getty Images | Royalty Free Getty Images

It’s graduation season for college students across the country about to kick-start new careers.

And Charlotte was named one of the best cities to enter the workforce.

Stacker ranked Charlotte 10th out of 15 cities as one of “the best places for college grads to start their careers.”

The analysis report showed that the median income of households headed by people under 25 in the area is $42,831, with the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment at $1,284. Data shows the unemployment rate is 4.6%.

Stacker analyzed data from the Labor Department, U.S. Census Bureau, and Apartment List to compile a list of the best metro areas for college students to start their careers based on the unemployment rate, housing costs, and median income.

According to Stacker, Charlotte and the other cities on this list have stronger job markets and lower costs of living than major cities like New York, Chicago, or Atlanta. Employers such as “Bank of America and Wells Fargo” along with tech companies like “Microsoft, Amazon, and IBM” make Charlotte an attractive city for new graduates entering the job market.

“Charlotte is one of the fastest-growing metros in the U.S., and for good reason. Not only are the median income high and median rent low compared to the average, but it’s host to major sports teams, including the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC,” the report states.

Here’s how Charlotte compared to other cities that made the list:

  1. Savannah, Georgia

  2. Crestview, Florida

  3. Honolulu, Hawaii

  4. Boise, Idaho

  5. Sioux Falls, South Dakota

  6. Des Moines, Iowa

  7. Jacksonville, Florida

  8. San Jose, California

  9. Indianapolis, Indiana

  10. Charlotte, North Carolina

  11. Virginia Beach, Virginia

  12. Rochester, New York

  13. Fort Collins, Colorado

  14. Lincoln, Nebraska

  15. Omaha, Nebraska

Chyna Blackmon
The Charlotte Observer
Chyna Blackmon was a service journalism reporter for The Charlotte Observer. A native of the Carolinas, she grew up in Columbia, SC, and graduated from Queens University of Charlotte. She’s also worked in local television news in Charlotte, NC, and Richmond, VA. Support my work with a digital subscription
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