Reuters
- Gen Z are flocking to cities like Ann Arbor, Provo, and Boulder, according to a Smart Asset study.
- It found that Gen Z want to live in cities with a thriving college life and more job opportunities.
- Lower cost of living and affordable housing is also front of mind for Gen Z looking to settle down.
Young American are flocking to US cities that are college friendly, have an influx of job opportunities, and a lower cost of living, according to a new Smart Asset study.
Smart Asset published the research in November and used data from the US Census Bureau American Community Survey in 2022 to look at where Gen Z, aged 18 to 24, were moving to the most amongst 268 cities in the US.
It found that Ann Arbor in Michigan was a hotbed for the younger generation with nearly 31,400 Gen Zers moving there and making up about 36% of the population.
This may be in part because Ann Arbor is a college town where the University of Michigan is located. It also boasts the highest rate of residents with graduate degrees, according to another recent Smart Asset study.
Gen Z are looking for big city life but without the high costs. They're keen to move to smaller cities with a high college population where they can find a community, but also benefit from the advantages of affordable housing, job opportunities, and lower costs.
These are the top 10 states were Gen Z are moving to:
Ann Arbor, Michigan — 31,394 Gen Zers, equivalent of 26.4% of the city's population, moved to Ann Arbor in 2022, and now make up almost 36% of the total population.
Provo, Utah — 27,523 Gen Zers, equivalent of 24.7% of the city's population moved to Provo, and make up just over 42% of the total population.
Boulder, Colorado — 25,028 Gen Zers, equivalent of 23.9% of the city's population, moved to Boulder, and comprise a little over 33% of the total population.
College Station, Texas — 27,247 Gen Zers, equivalent of 22.2% of the city's population moved here, and make up 39.22% of the total population.
Athens, Georgia — 22,213 Gen Zers, equivalent of 17.4% of the city's population, moved to Athens, and are almost 28% of the total population.
Tallahassee, Florida — 34,570 Gen Zers, equivalent of 17.4% of the city's population, moved to Tallahassee, and make up about 29.5% of residents.
Berkeley, California — 18,699 Gen Zers, equivalent of 15.8% of the city's population, moved here, and are around 26.5% of the total population.
Gainesville, Florida — 22,262 Gen Zers, equivalent of 15.4% of the city's population, moved to Gainesville, and make up 35% of the total population.
Columbia, South Carolina — 20,778 Gen Zers, equivalent of 15.1% of the city's population, moved to Columbia, making up almost 26% of the total population.
Alongside Ann Arbor, Boulder, Athens, and Gainesville are also popular college towns with high rates of graduates and likely appeal to younger Gen Z moving to college. For graduates, it's an opportunity to stay close to their friends.
Texas ranked high on the list because the cost of living is lower than the national average and it boasts lower tax rates, so residents are able to keep more of their money. In fact, New Yorkers earning six-figure salaries could save up to 40% of their salary just by moving to Texas.
Meanwhile, Florida has also seen a population surge especially amongst the younger generation partly because of the great weather and abundance of beaches. The absence of state income tax and a healthy job market is also a major draw, BI previously reported.