Glassdoor and Redfin Rank Top U.S. Cities for Recent College Graduates in 2026
A new report by job platform Glassdoor and real estate website Redfin has identified the top large U.S. cities for recent college graduates in 2026. The ranking is based on 13 indicators across three categories: housing affordability, career opportunity, and quality of life. The report highlights that cities in the South and Midwest, where housing is more affordable and available, rank highly. Notably, major cities like New York City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles are absent from the list due to their high living costs. The report suggests that new graduates should consider a wide range of factors when deciding where to live, including job market conditions and housing costs. The analysis used data from Glassdoor's job postings, employer reviews, and salary data, as well as Redfin's property sales from 2025. 
