By Samuel Gonzalez
Moving to California after graduation no longer guarantees the perfect career start that many imagine. Although cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco have historically been aspirational destinations, a new analysis reveals that They are not the best options to start professional life. So, what is the best California city for recent college graduates? Today we reveal the answer to you.
According to a joint report by Glassdoor and Redfin, The best positioned city in the state is San Diegowhich managed to place itself in 8th place among the main cities in the United States for young professionals. This ranking evaluated 13 key factors, including access to housing, job opportunities and quality of life.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles and San Francisco were left off the list. The common reason is clear: the high cost of living. This phenomenon is not unique to California, as other expensive cities like New York also lagged behind.
Despite its good positioning, San Diego is not without challenges. The average price of a starter home is around $615,000.which places it among the least accessible cities in terms of housing. For many workers early in their careers, this means allocate up to 65% of your salary solely to mortgage payments.
However, according to the study, Average earnings for recent graduates reach $74,053 annuallyin addition to having a solid labor market and an attractive quality of life.
The ranking is led by Washington DC, where young professionals can earn nearly $80,000 a year and access more affordable homes, with starting prices close to $320,000. In second place appears Omahafollowed by Boston, which stands out for offering the highest salaries for recent graduates, although with high rental costs.
The list also includes several Texas cities that have gained popularity among young professionals. dallas (fourth place), Houston (sixth) and austin (10th) stand out for their combination of affordable housing and growing job markets. In the case of Austin, economic dynamism has allowed wages to grow faster than home prices.
Other notable cities in the ranking include Chicago, St. Louis and Miamieach with particular characteristics that make them attractive depending on individual priorities.
The study was based on a survey conducted between February 9 and 11, 2026, with the participation of more than 1,800 professionals in the United States. Based on this data, analysts recommend recent graduates not limit themselves to a single geographic option.
“Broaden your search and evaluate what really matters before settling”the report suggests.
For young people, who are about to make the leap into the world of work, it would be good to contemplate these results to make important decisions that can affect their professional, financial and personal future. California is a great state, but that same characteristic makes it very expensive to settle. The final decision is up to you, your aspirations and what your own family needs.
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