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Charlotte ranks among best US cities for new college graduates

Graduates seeking jobs, affordable living, and a strong quality of life keep coming to the Queen City.

A group of people mingling atop Nuvolé Rooftop TwentyTwo.

A healthy job market continues to drive young business professionals to the Charlotte region.

You’re a college graduate and life has brought you to Charlotte where a new job awaits you. Sound familiar? Trust us, you’re not alone. Earlier this year, CLTtoday reported Charlotte was the No. 1 most moved-to big city in the country from 2023 to 2024 — roughly 113 people every day.

Who are these new arrivals? Many continue to be recent college grads becoming young professionals. The Queen City ranked in the top 5 cities for new graduates, according to a new study from the ADP Research Institute (ADPRI).

The study found the top 5 best cities for new graduates included:

  1. Raleigh, NC — (hey, RALtoday)
  2. Baltimore, MD
  3. Austin, TX — (what’s up, ATXtoday?)
  4. Atlanta, GA
  5. Charlotte, NC
An aerial shot of Uptown Charlotte with Bank of America Stadium in the foreground.

US News World & Report ranked Charlotte the No. 1 place to live in North Carolina.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

As City Editor, it’s easy to see why so many recent college graduates are drawn to Charlotte — and no, that’s not being partial. Here are reasons why:

Jobs

  • Several Fortune 500 companies have strongholds offering career opportunities in Charlotte including:
    • Lowe’s Home Improvement — the Mooresville-based home improvement company employs more than 11,000 people in the Queen City.
    • Bank of America is headquartered in Uptown and has 16,000 employees in Charlotte.
    • Honeywell focuses on aerospace technology, building automation, and solutions with headquarters in Uptown near Bank of America Stadium.
    • Sonic Automotive is one of the largest automotive retailers in the US and is headquartered in Charlotte.
A bar chart signifying Charlotte's lower cost of living below the US average.

New arrivals to Charlotte can expect a lower degree of inflation in several critical expenses compared to other US cities, like housing and groceries.

Graphic via Payscale

Cost of living

  • Charlotte’s cost of living is 2% lower than the national average — including housing, utilities, groceries, and transportation.
    • The annual wage estimate for college graduates in Charlotte stands at $50,000.
    • The average rent for an apartment in Charlotte is currently at $1,628.

Quality of life

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