10 top U.S. cities for single young professionals exclude New York and LA.

Recent college grads continue to view New York as their preferred destination, but a recent report indicates that single young professionals are increasingly choosing other cities.

Renthop released its ranking of the top U.S. cities for single young professionals, considering three factors: population size, job opportunities, and cost of living.

1. Job prospects based on the latest metropolitan unemployment rates and median non-family household income.
2. The cost of living includes the median rent, the cost of groceries, and the cost of dining out.
3. The percentage of the population aged 20 to 34, the percentage of single individuals, and the level of interest in dating.

While major cities like New York City and Los Angeles did not make it to the top 10, Los Angeles ranked 81st and New York City was named the worst city for single young professionals with a score of 34.73.

Since New York City is one of the most expensive rental markets globally, it is not an ideal location for young professionals. According to Zillow, the average rent in New York City is $3,400.

Minneapolis is the best city for single young professionals

Renthop ranked Minneapolis as the top city for single young professionals.

The city of Minneapolis has a median income of $58,035 and a median rent of $1,525. It ranks seventh in the career category, 31st in cost of living, and fifth in dating. The unemployment rate in Minneapolis is 2.4%, as per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

According to The Atlantic, the median household income in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area is higher than in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

According to a 2023 Neighbor.com report, the Twin Cities area and Minneapolis were ranked among the top 10 cities in the US for highest college graduation rate, highest median earnings, and lowest poverty rate among residents under 35.

The Minneapolis-St. Paul area is home to the headquarters of over a dozen Fortune 500 companies, including Target, United Health, and General Mills. Additionally, St. Paul was ranked third on Renthop's list of the best cities for single young professionals.

10 best U.S. cities for single young professionals

1. Minneapolis
2. Madison
3. St. Paul
4. Pittsburgh
5. Cincinnati
6. Atlanta
7. Denver
8. Lincoln
9. Seattle
10. Columbus

Madison, Wisconsin, ranks as the second-best city for single young professionals, with its large population of young people contributing to its success in the dating subcategory. Specifically, over 34% of the population in Madison falls between the ages of 20 and 34, as reported by Renthop.

Currently, Madison, often referred to as "Mad City," is the state's fastest-expanding metropolis.

While the median income is $52,450 and the median rent is $1,550, according to the study, Madison ranks 17th in the career subcategory and 29th in the cost subcategory.

Major employers such as the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Lands' End, Spectrum Brands, American Girl, and others are located in or near the city.

Recent graduates have been flocking to Madison, choosing to relocate to the friendly Midwest city over New York City or San Francisco, according to a 2023 Neighbor report.

The article has been revised to show the proper spelling of Pittsburgh.

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