Gen Z graduates’ best shot at good pay and homeownership isn’t in New York or L.A.—it’s Omaha and Dallas

College graduates are turning their tassels and searching for cities with ample job opportunities as AI swipes white-collar roles. But popular hotspots like New York City and Los Angeles may not be their best bet—they may have better luck kick-starting their adult lives in less glitzy cities.

The top 10 best big U.S. cities for recent college graduates have dropped—based on starting salaries and housing metrics—and some of the flashiest metropolises didn’t make the cut. Washington, D.C., is ranked No. 1 for the budding professionals, according to a recent report from Glassdoor and Redfin; average annual early-career earnings in D.C. rest at $79,857, the median price of a starter home is $320,000, and monthly rent accounts for about 34% of income. 

While housing costs are high in the U.S. capital, the study says it offers a strong entry-level job market and culture around every corner.

Other cities that made the list may come as a surprise to some—namely, the fact that Omaha came in at second place. While the Midwest city’s average annual early-career earnings are a bit lower than others, $59,123, the average price of a starter home is just $195,000. Aside from more affordable homeownership, the report notes that Omaha is a hub for massive companies like