The Best Places for Young Professionals ranking provides a comprehensive assessment of key factors that are meaningful for young professionals. This grade takes into account key factors, such as access to bars and restaurants, affordability, and job opportunities, in an attempt to measure the appeal of an area for young professionals. Learn where our data comes from.
| Residents 25-34 Years Old | Percentage of residents between the ages of 25 and 34. | U.S. Census | 15.0% |
| Higher Education Rate | Percentage of residents who have received a bachelor’s degree or higher. | U.S. Census | 12.5% |
| Access to Coffee Shops | A measure of both the proximity (per square mile) and the availability (per capita) of Coffee Shops and similar establishments. | Multiple Sources | 10.0% |
| Cost of Living Grade | Based on the consumer price index and access to affordable housing. | Multiple Sources | 10.0% |
| Access to Bars | A measure of both the proximity (per square mile) and the availability (per capita) of Bars and similar establishments. | Multiple Sources | 7.5% |
| Access to Restaurants | A measure of both the proximity (per square mile) and the availability (per capita) of Full-Service Restaurants. | Multiple Sources | 7.5% |
| Diversity Grade | Based on ethnic, generational and economic diversity. | Multiple Sources | 7.5% |
| Composite Overall Score | Niche survey responses scored on a 1-5 scale regarding the overall experience of the place. | Self-reported by Niche users | 5.0% |
| Crime & Safety Grade | Based on violent and property crime rates. | Multiple Sources | 5.0% |
| Millennials Below Poverty | Percentage of the population between ages 25 and 34 with income in the past 12 months below the poverty level by age group. | U.S. Census | 5.0% |
| Percent Change in Employees | The percent change in the number of employed individuals from 2011 to 2014 at the county level. | U.S. Census | 5.0% |
| Walkability Grade | Based on the proportion of residents that walk or bike, as well as the proximity of amenities and the density of development. | Multiple Sources | 5.0% |
| Young Professional Newcomers | The percent of residents between the ages of 25 and 34, who moved into the area within the last year. | U.S. Census | 5.0% |
The same methodology is used to produce the Good for Millennials Grade for each ranked place. Statistics are primarily obtained from the U.S. Census and represent the most recent data available.
For more details about how we calculate our rankings, click here.