These Texas cities among best for Gen Z workforce, study finds

AUSTIN (KXAN) — As more Gen Zers enter the workforce and homebuying market, a new study from MoneyGeek outlined which cities offer "financially thriving" opportunities for some of the nation's youngest earners.

MoneyGeek's analysis reviewed data from 138 cities across the U.S. that were home to 100,000 or more residents. Evaluated criteria included income, homeownership rates, young adult population levels, student loan burdens and access to entertainment.

The study found portions of the West and South had the most viable options, while the Northeast and Midwest areas "tend to offer more challenging environments."

Seven Texas cities made the Top 25 rankings, including one Central Texas community.

The overall best cities for young people to succeed financially include:

1. Salt Lake City, Utah: 100% score
2. Abilene, Texas: 84.7% score
3. Des Moines, Iowa: 84.2% score
4. Boise, Idaho: 82.3% score
5. Las Cruces, New Mexico: 78.9% score
6. Amarillo, Texas: 78.0% score
7. Baton Rouge Louisiana: 77.6% score
8. Lincoln, Nebraska: 77.6% score
9. Murfreesboro, Tennessee: 77.0% score
10. Springfield, Missouri: 76.6% score
11. Round Rock, Texas: 76.0% score
12. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: 74.4% score
13. Fargo, North Dakota: 74.0% score
14. Waco, Texas: 73.7% score
15. Corpus Christi, Texas: 71.7% score
16. Chandler, Arizona: 70.9% score
17. Omaha, Nebraska: 70.9% score
18. Madison, Wisconsin: 68.0% score
19. Brownsville, Texas: 67.8% score
20. Durham, North Carolina: 67.3% score
21. Tulsa, Oklahoma: 67.1% score
22. Wichita, Kansas: 67.1% score
23. Minneapolis, Minnesota: 66.9% score
24. Lubbock, Texas: 66.7% score
25. Kansas City, Kansas: 66.4% score

Within MoneyGeek's analysis, it found Round Rock had some of the largest growth in householders under the age of 25 between 2012 and 2022. That Central Texas community's young homeownership growth grew 160% in the 10-year timeframe.

Collectively, the South and West portions of the country saw 3% to 4% increases in young adult populations, while areas in the Northeast decreased almost 10% between 2012 and 2022.

The full report is available online.