Atlanta is one of the best U.S. cities to move to after college graduation, thanks to factors like an affordable cost of living and a bustling nightlife and restaurant scene.
Apartment Advisor analyzed 98 major cities in the United States based on cost of living, entertainment availability, mobility and overall opportunities for residents. Seattle ranked No. 1, followed by Salt Lake City and Washington, D.C. On the other end of the spectrum, Newark, N.J., Detroit and Jackson, Mississippi, were the three lowest-scorers.
Atlanta placed No. 8 among 98 cities surveyed, earning high scores for affordability, (No. 2 in the United States), median income (No. 7) and young-adult population (No. 9).
Atlanta’s cultural scene is beloved by locals and tourists alike, with a rich variety of restaurants and 11 times more music festivals than the national average. The cost of living is relatively low, with only 23% of a bachelor’s degree holder’s earnings going to housing (the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,560, according to Apartment Advisor), and the local economy is bustling, clocking in as the 11th-largest in the country.