As the Class of 2023 gets ready to celebrate their graduation, many new college grads are contemplating their first post-collegiate move. To help, ApartmentAdvisor.com (www.apartmentadvisor.com), the apartment search platform, today released its 2023 Best Cities for College Grads List, highlighting cities that offer the perfect combination of opportunity, affordability, and fun. The list ranks U.S. cities based on a range of economic and desirability data, including rent affordability, employment opportunities and access to nightlife among other indicators. 

Topping the list this year is Madison, WI, noted for perks like affordable rent prices, abundant late-night haunts, and a high percentage people in their 20s, plus the added benefits of a major city — employment opportunities, exciting dining and bar options, and art and culture. Minneapolis, MN, came in at #2 on this year’s list, followed by Seattle WA at #3, and Atlanta, GA at #4. More information about all top ten cities as well as the full ranked list can be found here.

2023 Top 10 Best Cities for Recent College Graduates

1. Madison, WI 

2. Minneapolis, MN

3. Seattle, WA

4. Atlanta, GA

5. Salt Lake City, UT

6. Pittsburgh, PA

7. Denver, CO

8. Austin, TX

9. Washington, DC

10. St. Louis, MO

Resources for First-time Renters

New grads looking for their first apartment in any of these cities can use ApartmentAdvisor to search for their perfect place. The site analyzes and rates thousands of available apartment listings every day, then ranks renters’ search results according to which offer the best deals. Renters will also find helpful resources for new renters, including resources for preparing to rent your first apartment in our blog, The Key, our comprehensive neighborhood guides, our rent calculator, and rent price reports updated daily for most large US cities.