As a post-pandemic hiring frenzy fades, Class of 2024 college graduates face a cooling but still solid U.S. job market.
But the job, and the quality of life, young adults have after graduation may hinge on where they choose to live and work.
With that in mind, Realtor.com this week unveiled a list of top rental markets for recent college grads based on factors such as job opportunities, rent availability and affordability, the share of other grads in the area and cultural amenities.
The No. 1 market? Austin, Texas, followed by Bloomington, Minnesota, and Pittsburgh.
Grads with job offers or plans to live near family may already have a destination picked out, but “others who are still considering their options and want to explore a new area may want to consider this curated list of cities in their job and home search,” says Realtor.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale.
Is the job market getting harder for college grads?
Nationally, hiring is expected to dip 1.9% for 2024 grads versus their counterparts the prior year, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
Why?
What happened to the tech job market in 2024?
Tech and finance companies have been laying off more workers because of excessive hiring during the pandemic and the Federal Reserve’s historically high interest rates, which are aimed at curbing inflation but also squeeze profits at financial companies.
Consulting firms like EY are delaying start dates for new grads in response to a slowdown in…
