The 50 Best Places for Young Professionals in America

Ranked on The Town Files lifestyle rankings among 12,622 towns and cities of 500+ people in the U.S.. #1 is Washington, DC.

1. 50Rochester Institute of Technology, New York

   Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

   Rochester Institute of Technology is a community of 7,322 people in Monroe County, New York. It also ranks hipper than 95% of New York towns and more of a college town than 95% of New York towns.

   7,322 people · Monroe County · median home — · income $20,192 · Jan low 19°F · 102 in snow

   Full Rochester Institute of Technology, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

2. 49New Paltz, New York

   Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

   New Paltz is a village of 7,324 people in Ulster County, New York. It also ranks hipper than 98% of New York towns and better for cycling than 95% of New York towns.

   7,324 people · Ulster County · median home $414,500 · income $52,774 · Jan low 19°F · 59 in snow

   Full New Paltz, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

3. 48West Point, New York

   Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

   West Point is a community of 7,341 people in Orange County, New York. It also ranks more of a college town than 99% of New York towns and better for cycling than 98% of New York towns.

   7,341 people · Orange County · median home — · income $135,333 · Jan low 21°F · 36 in snow

   Full West Point, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

4. 47Watsessing, New Jersey

   Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

   Watsessing is a community of 8,078 people in Essex County, New Jersey. It also ranks more vibrant than 100% of New Jersey towns and hipper than 100% of New Jersey towns.

   8,078 people · Essex County · median home $435,400 · income $103,378 · Jan low 25°F · 28 in snow

   Full Watsessing, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

5. 46Grandview Heights, Ohio

   Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

   Grandview Heights is a city of 8,085 people in Franklin County, Ohio. It also ranks hipper than 100% of Ohio towns and more vibrant than 99% of Ohio towns.

   8,085 people · Franklin County · median home $583,300 · income $117,672 · Jan low 21°F · 28 in snow

   Full Grandview Heights, Ohio profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

6. 45Villanova, Pennsylvania

   Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

   Villanova is a community of 8,213 people in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. It also ranks more of a college town than 99% of Pennsylvania towns and better transit than 99% of Pennsylvania towns.

   8,213 people · Delaware County · median home $946,400 · income $250,001 · Jan low 23°F · 8 in snow

   Full Villanova, Pennsylvania profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

7. 44Brentwood, Missouri

   Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

   Brentwood is a city of 8,233 people in St. Louis County, Missouri. It also ranks more vibrant than 100% of Missouri towns and hipper than 98% of Missouri towns.

   8,233 people · St. Louis County · median home $299,700 · income $99,719 · Jan low 25°F · 10 in snow

   Full Brentwood, Missouri profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

8. 43Maplewood, Missouri

   Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

   Maplewood is a city of 8,269 people in St. Louis County, Missouri. It also ranks more walkable than 100% of Missouri towns and more vibrant than 100% of Missouri towns.

   8,269 people · St. Louis County · median home $237,000 · income $65,125 · Jan low 25°F · 14 in snow

   Full Maplewood, Missouri profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

9. 42Caldwell, New Jersey

   Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

   Caldwell is a borough of 9,027 people in Essex County, New Jersey. It also ranks more vibrant than 97% of New Jersey towns and hipper than 96% of New Jersey towns.

   9,027 people · Essex County · median home $575,400 · income $96,824 · Jan low 21°F · 24 in snow

   Full Caldwell, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

10. 41Hanover, New Hampshire

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    Hanover is a community of 9,078 people in Grafton County, New Hampshire. It also ranks more of a college town than 100% of New Hampshire towns and better for cycling than 100% of New Hampshire towns.

    9,078 people · Grafton County · median home $842,600 · income $153,281 · Jan low 13°F · 61 in snow

    Full Hanover, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

11. 40Conshohocken, Pennsylvania

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    Conshohocken is a borough of 9,261 people in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. It also ranks more vibrant than 100% of Pennsylvania towns and more walkable than 99% of Pennsylvania towns.

    9,261 people · Montgomery County · median home $443,600 · income $122,721 · Jan low 23°F · 8 in snow

    Full Conshohocken, Pennsylvania profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

12. 39Richmond Heights, Missouri

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    Richmond Heights is a city of 9,286 people in St. Louis County, Missouri. It also ranks more vibrant than 100% of Missouri towns and hipper than 100% of Missouri towns.

    9,286 people · St. Louis County · median home $358,700 · income $94,460 · Jan low 25°F · 17 in snow

    Full Richmond Heights, Missouri profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

13. 38University of California-Santa Barbara, California

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    University of California-Santa Barbara is a community of 9,710 people in Santa Barbara County, California. It also ranks more of a college town than 100% of California towns and better for cycling than 100% of California towns.

    9,710 people · Santa Barbara County · median home $452,900 · income $69,327 · Jan low 41°F · 0 in snow

    Full University of California-Santa Barbara, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

14. 37Marina del Rey, California

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    Marina del Rey is a community of 11,373 people in Los Angeles County, California. It also ranks more vibrant than 100% of California towns and more seaside character than 98% of California towns.

    11,373 people · Los Angeles County · median home $458,800 · income $146,623 · Jan low 49°F · 0 in snow

    Full Marina del Rey, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

15. 36Vinings, Georgia

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    Vinings is a community of 12,581 people in Cobb County, Georgia. It also ranks more vibrant than 100% of Georgia towns and more upscale than 97% of Georgia towns.

    12,581 people · Cobb County · median home $604,600 · income $94,982 · Jan low 34°F · 1 in snow

    Full Vinings, Georgia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

16. 35Emeryville, California

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    Emeryville is a city of 12,905 people in Alameda County, California. It also ranks more vibrant than 100% of California towns and hipper than 100% of California towns.

    12,905 people · Alameda County · median home $604,800 · income $117,092 · Jan low 43°F · 0 in snow

    Full Emeryville, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

17. 34Huntington, Virginia

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    Huntington is a community of 13,749 people in Fairfax County, Virginia. It also ranks more vibrant than 98% of Virginia towns and hipper than 98% of Virginia towns.

    13,749 people · Fairfax County · median home $541,900 · income $99,956 · Jan low 27°F · 14 in snow

    Full Huntington, Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

18. 33University Heights, Ohio

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    University Heights is a city of 13,914 people in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. It also ranks more vibrant than 100% of Ohio towns and more of a college town than 100% of Ohio towns.

    13,914 people · Cuyahoga County · median home $242,700 · income $96,971 · Jan low 24°F · 82 in snow

    Full University Heights, Ohio profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

19. 32Edgewater, New Jersey

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    Edgewater is a borough of 14,336 people in Bergen County, New Jersey. It also ranks more vibrant than 100% of New Jersey towns and hipper than 97% of New Jersey towns.

    14,336 people · Bergen County · median home $715,700 · income $124,050 · Jan low 28°F · 30 in snow

    Full Edgewater, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

20. 31Falls Church, Virginia

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    Falls Church is a city of 14,658 people in Falls Church city, Virginia. It also ranks more walkable than 100% of Virginia towns and more vibrant than 100% of Virginia towns.

    14,658 people · Falls Church city · median home $1,055,600 · income $143,262 · Jan low 26°F · 6 in snow

    Full Falls Church, Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

21. 30Princeton Meadows, New Jersey

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    Princeton Meadows is a community of 14,776 people in Middlesex County, New Jersey. It also ranks more upscale than 87% of New Jersey towns.

    14,776 people · Middlesex County · median home $665,700 · income $131,213 · Jan low 21°F · 24 in snow

    Full Princeton Meadows, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

22. 29Highland Park, New Jersey

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    Highland Park is a borough of 15,072 people in Middlesex County, New Jersey. It also ranks hipper than 98% of New Jersey towns and more vibrant than 97% of New Jersey towns.

    15,072 people · Middlesex County · median home $471,700 · income $104,694 · Jan low 23°F · 29 in snow

    Full Highland Park, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

23. 28Addison, Texas

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    Addison is a town of 16,661 people in Dallas County, Texas. It also ranks more vibrant than 100% of Texas towns and better transit than 100% of Texas towns.

    16,661 people · Dallas County · median home $482,000 · income $73,854 · Jan low 36°F · 2 in snow

    Full Addison, Texas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

24. 27Weehawken, New Jersey

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    Weehawken is a township of 17,197 people in Hudson County, New Jersey. It also ranks more walkable than 99% of New Jersey towns and hipper than 99% of New Jersey towns.

    17,197 people · Hudson County · median home $889,000 · income $127,763 · Jan low 28°F · 30 in snow

    Full Weehawken, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

25. 26Clayton, Missouri

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    Clayton is a city of 17,355 people in St. Louis County, Missouri. It also ranks more walkable than 100% of Missouri towns and more vibrant than 99% of Missouri towns.

    17,355 people · St. Louis County · median home $830,000 · income $123,000 · Jan low 25°F · 17 in snow

    Full Clayton, Missouri profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

26. 25Clemson, South Carolina

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    Clemson is a city of 17,681 people in Pickens County, South Carolina. It also ranks better transit than 99% of South Carolina towns and better for cycling than 98% of South Carolina towns.

    17,681 people · Pickens County · median home $398,400 · income $49,520 · Jan low 33°F · 2 in snow

    Full Clemson, South Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

27. 24West Chester, Pennsylvania

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    West Chester is a borough of 18,671 people in Chester County, Pennsylvania. It also ranks more vibrant than 100% of Pennsylvania towns and more of a college town than 98% of Pennsylvania towns.

    18,671 people · Chester County · median home $490,700 · income $78,385 · Jan low 20°F · 31 in snow

    Full West Chester, Pennsylvania profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

28. 23Boone, North Carolina

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    Boone is a town of 19,092 people in Watauga County, North Carolina. It also ranks more vibrant than 100% of North Carolina towns and hipper than 99% of North Carolina towns.

    19,092 people · Watauga County · median home $411,100 · income $30,065 · Jan low 22°F · 26 in snow

    Full Boone, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

29. 22Hermosa Beach, California

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    Hermosa Beach is a city of 19,728 people in Los Angeles County, California. It also ranks hipper than 100% of California towns and more vibrant than 99% of California towns.

    19,728 people · Los Angeles County · median home $2,000,001 · income $166,442 · Jan low 47°F · 0 in snow

    Full Hermosa Beach, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

30. 21Morristown, New Jersey

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    Morristown is a town of 20,180 people in Morris County, New Jersey. It also ranks more vibrant than 98% of New Jersey towns and better for cycling than 93% of New Jersey towns.

    20,180 people · Morris County · median home $567,600 · income $121,340 · Jan low 22°F · 24 in snow

    Full Morristown, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

31. 20North Druid Hills, Georgia

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    North Druid Hills is a community of 20,385 people in DeKalb County, Georgia. It also ranks more vibrant than 100% of Georgia towns and hipper than 98% of Georgia towns.

    20,385 people · DeKalb County · median home $515,900 · income $102,742 · Jan low 33°F · 1 in snow

    Full North Druid Hills, Georgia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

32. 19Merrifield, Virginia

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    Merrifield is a community of 20,488 people in Fairfax County, Virginia. It also ranks more vibrant than 99% of Virginia towns and better transit than 98% of Virginia towns.

    20,488 people · Fairfax County · median home $660,800 · income $136,373 · Jan low 23°F · 19 in snow

    Full Merrifield, Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

33. 18McNair, Virginia

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    McNair is a community of 21,598 people in Fairfax County, Virginia. It also ranks better transit than 98% of Virginia towns and more walkable than 97% of Virginia towns.

    21,598 people · Fairfax County · median home $595,800 · income $122,778 · Jan low 25°F · 21 in snow

    Full McNair, Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

34. 17Tysons, Virginia

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    Tysons is a community of 26,374 people in Fairfax County, Virginia. It also ranks more vibrant than 96% of Virginia towns and better transit than 96% of Virginia towns.

    26,374 people · Fairfax County · median home $640,000 · income $129,818 · Jan low 23°F · 19 in snow

    Full Tysons, Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

35. 16Princeton, New Jersey

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    Princeton is a town of 30,681 people in Mercer County, New Jersey. It also ranks more upscale than 99% of New Jersey towns and better for cycling than 99% of New Jersey towns.

    30,681 people · Mercer County · median home $1,050,600 · income $192,079 · Jan low 21°F · 24 in snow

    Full Princeton, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

36. 15Ithaca, New York

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    Ithaca is a city of 32,108 people in Tompkins County, New York. It also ranks hipper than 100% of New York towns and better for cycling than 97% of New York towns.

    32,108 people · Tompkins County · median home $342,700 · income $48,784 · Jan low 15°F · 63 in snow

    Full Ithaca, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

37. 14Radnor, Pennsylvania

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    Radnor is a township of 33,228 people in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. It also ranks better transit than 99% of Pennsylvania towns and more upscale than 98% of Pennsylvania towns.

    33,228 people · Delaware County · median home $833,900 · income $164,359 · Jan low 23°F · 8 in snow

    Full Radnor, Pennsylvania profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

38. 13Fair Oaks, Virginia

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    Fair Oaks is a community of 34,052 people in Fairfax County, Virginia. It also ranks more vibrant than 96% of Virginia towns and hipper than 92% of Virginia towns.

    34,052 people · Fairfax County · median home $608,200 · income $123,947 · Jan low 23°F · 19 in snow

    Full Fair Oaks, Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

39. 12West Hollywood, California

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    

    West Hollywood is a city of 35,757 people in Los Angeles County, California. It also ranks more vibrant than 100% of California towns and hipper than 100% of California towns.

    35,757 people · Los Angeles County · median home $924,800 · income $96,995 · Jan low 52°F · 0 in snow

    Full West Hollywood, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

40. 11Lakewood, Ohio

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    Lakewood is a city of 50,942 people in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. It also ranks more walkable than 100% of Ohio towns and more vibrant than 100% of Ohio towns.

    50,942 people · Cuyahoga County · median home $262,200 · income $68,954 · Jan low 22°F · 64 in snow

    Full Lakewood, Ohio profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

41. 10Hoboken, New Jersey

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    Hoboken is a city of 60,419 people in Hudson County, New Jersey. It also ranks more walkable than 100% of New Jersey towns and more vibrant than 100% of New Jersey towns.

    60,419 people · Hudson County · median home $895,100 · income $180,579 · Jan low 28°F · 30 in snow

    Full Hoboken, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

42. 9Brookline, Massachusetts

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    Brookline is a community of 63,191 people in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. It also ranks better transit than 100% of Massachusetts towns and more vibrant than 99% of Massachusetts towns.

    63,191 people · Norfolk County · median home $1,246,800 · income $142,101 · Jan low 19°F · 49 in snow

    Full Brookline, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

43. 8Waltham, Massachusetts

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    Waltham is a city of 65,218 people in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. It also ranks more vibrant than 98% of Massachusetts towns and better transit than 97% of Massachusetts towns.

    65,218 people · Middlesex County · median home $748,700 · income $120,216 · Jan low 18°F · 59 in snow

    Full Waltham, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

44. 7Somerville, Massachusetts

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    Somerville is a city of 81,045 people in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. It also ranks more walkable than 100% of Massachusetts towns and more vibrant than 100% of Massachusetts towns.

    81,045 people · Middlesex County · median home $911,300 · income $132,572 · Jan low 23°F · 49 in snow

    Full Somerville, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

45. 6Mountain View, California

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    Mountain View is a city of 82,376 people in Santa Clara County, California. It also ranks better for cycling than 99% of California towns and better transit than 99% of California towns.

    82,376 people · Santa Clara County · median home $1,927,000 · income $189,917 · Jan low 42°F · 0 in snow

    Full Mountain View, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

46. 5Santa Monica, California

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    Santa Monica is a city of 93,076 people in Los Angeles County, California. It also ranks hipper than 100% of California towns and more vibrant than 99% of California towns.

    93,076 people · Los Angeles County · median home $1,755,500 · income $114,885 · Jan low 50°F · 0 in snow

    Full Santa Monica, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

47. 4Cambridge, Massachusetts

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    

    Cambridge is a city of 118,403 people in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. It also ranks more vibrant than 100% of Massachusetts towns and hipper than 100% of Massachusetts towns.

    118,403 people · Middlesex County · median home $1,092,100 · income $130,748 · Jan low 19°F · 49 in snow

    Full Cambridge, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

48. 3Berkeley, California

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    

    Berkeley is a city of 124,321 people in Alameda County, California. It also ranks more walkable than 100% of California towns and hipper than 100% of California towns.

    124,321 people · Alameda County · median home $1,413,900 · income $108,092 · Jan low 43°F · 0 in snow

    Full Berkeley, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

49. 2Arlington, Virginia

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    

    Arlington is a community of 238,643 people in Arlington County, Virginia. It also ranks more walkable than 100% of Virginia towns and better transit than 100% of Virginia towns.

    238,643 people · Arlington County · median home $895,000 · income $142,114 · Jan low 30°F · 14 in snow

    Full Arlington, Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

50. 1Washington, District of Columbia

    Better for young professionals than 100% of U.S. towns

    

    Washington is a city of 689,545 people in District of Columbia, District of Columbia. The median home is worth $737,100 (typical District of Columbia town: $737,100).

    689,545 people · District of Columbia · median home $737,100 · income $109,870 · Jan low 28°F · 10 in snow

    Full Washington, District of Columbia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Price vs ranking

More U.S. rankings

• The 50 Best Small Towns to Retire in America
• The 50 Quietest Small Towns in America
• The 50 Most Affordable Small Towns in America
• The 50 Best Small Towns for Families in America
• The 50 Best Quiet, Affordable Small Towns to Retire in America
• The 50 Best Places to Retire in America
• The 50 Quietest Places in America
• The 50 Most Affordable Places in America
• The 50 Best Places for Families in America
• The 50 Best Quiet, Affordable Places to Retire in America