Harrisburg, Pittsburgh named best places for new grads

Two Pennsylvania cities were recently named to the top 10 places for new grads to move list by realtor.com®.

Harrisburg nabbed fourth place, while Pittsburgh took seventh.

Harrisburg was applauded for a large variety in jobs, thanks to being the state capital. The unemployment rate, at 3.5%, is low and the 5-year wage growth is nearly 19%. However, Harrisburg’s largest draw is how affordable housing is. The median home price is $219,000, which is doable on the median millennial income of $68,500.  Additionally, Harrisburg also offers many opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts and a vibrant nightlife.

“The Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors®  is thrilled Harrisburg is again being recognized for its quality of life and housing affordability. Harrisburg and its surrounding areas has much to offer recent college graduates. In the past several years, the number and variety of activities geared to the millennials has increased dramatically. I am happy our beautiful Capital city is getting noticed,” said GHAR President Michelle Gueci.

In Pittsburgh, it’s even more affordable for post-college millennials to purchase a home, as the median home price is just $180,000. The unemployment rate is 4.3% and the 5-year wage gap is 15.9%.

“Pittsburgh continues to be at or near the top for cities to consider.  A low unemployment rate, affordable home prices and great job prospects continue to be a draw for younger residents wanting to move here, said Arch Autenreith, 2019 Realtors® Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh president.

Austin was named the top city for recent grads. The site considered unemployment rates, median income for households aged 25 to 34, incomes for residents with a bachelor’s degree, five-year wage growth, percentage of college grads, percentage of singles, median one-bedroom apartment rents, median home prices, housing affordability  and the number of venues for nightlife, bars, gyms, karaoke, sports bars and social clubs on Yelp when rating the cities.