Why is Washington DC ranked the best city to live for college grads?

Thanks to its high amount of entry-level jobs offering big earnings potential, Washington DC is rated as the No. 1 major U.S. city for new college graduates.

According to rankings released Tuesday by Redfin and Glassdoor, DC provides a great work-life balance that's perfect for young professionals.

With 19 job postings per 100 workers — the most for any major city — DC is considered "a place of opportunity," Redfin Premier agent Andre Margutti said.

“Students graduate from Georgetown or George Washington University, and they stay because there are so many job prospects," Margutti said. "Or they graduate from school in an entirely different part of the country, and they move here for the same reason. And it’s not just in the federal government and related industries–our area attracts a lot of doctors, and a lot of international students stay in the area to work in finance for a place like the IMF or the World Bank.”

Redfin says the top sector in DC for young professionals is tech, but government and government-related jobs also make up a large portion of jobs.

The average salary for a worker early in their career in DC is $79,857, well above other cities that round out the ranking's top 10.

As locals know, housing isn't cheap in DC, but Redfin noted it's more affordable than other major coastal cities.

DC's placement in Redfin and Glassdoor's rankings falls in line with other sites, which often rank DC and surrounding communities as top options for young professionals.

Niche.com shows DC as the No. 5 best city for young professionals in the U.S., with neighboring Arlington, Virginia, rated No. 3. The site's rankings are based on job opportunities and access to bars, restaurants and affordable housing.

A U.S. News & World Report ranking from 2023, meanwhile, slotted DC at No. 10 for its listing of best places to live for young professionals.

What are the best cities for recent college graduates?

Redfin and Glassdoor analyzed career opportunity, housing affordability and quality of life to determine the best cities for college grads.

In order, these major cities were rated the best:

• Washington DC
• Omaha, Nebraska
• Boston, Massachusetts
• Dallas, Texas
• Chicago, Illinois
• Houston, Texas
• St. Louis, Missouri
• San Diego, California
• Miami, Florida
• Austin, Texas

New Orleans, Louisiana, was considered the best mid-sized city for young professionals, and Springfield, Illinois, was rated the top small city.