Cary #9 Best Place to Live in US for College Graduates
Cary has been ranked the ninth-best city in the nation for recent college graduates, according to a June report from CoworkingCafe.
The workplace-focused website analyzed more than 300 U.S. cities to identify the best places for members of the Class of 2026 to launch their careers. Using U.S. government data, the study evaluated cities based on employment opportunities, financial factors and lifestyle amenities.
“With the Class of 2026 entering a job market shaped by uneven hiring, AI-driven skill shifts and rising competition for entry-level roles, the study looks at where new grads have the strongest mix of jobs, income, affordability, benefits, lifestyle amenities and coworking access,” CoworkingCafe said in a news release.
The report grouped cities by population size: large cities with more than 400,000 residents, mid-sized cities with 150,000 to 400,000 residents, and small cities with fewer than 150,000 residents.
Cary was the only North Carolina city to crack the national top 10. The Wake County town, home to about 183,000 residents, stood out for its strong job market, with a median income for college graduates approaching $90,000, while maintaining a cost of living roughly 2% below the national average.
Cary and Durham also ranked highly for educational attainment among young adults. In both mid-sized cities, just over half of residents ages 18 to 34 have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher, according to the report. CoworkingCafe noted that North Carolina’s strong performance wasn’t driven solely by education levels but also by its combination of career opportunities, affordability and lifestyle advantages.