Austin Ranked Best City for Millennials
After a brief hiatus from the top rankings, Austin, TX has made a triumphant return as the best city for millennials on the move in 2024, according to a new study. Commercial real estate platform CommercialCafe, which examined data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s latest American Community Survey, evaluated the millennial population change from 2018 to 2022 across 105 metropolitan areas with populations exceeding 500,000 residents.
Millennials, identified as individuals aged 22 to 37 in 2018 and 26 to 41 in 2022, have increasingly flocked to Austin, drawn by its unique blend of lifestyle, career opportunities, and educational excellence. From 2018 to 2022, Austin saw its millennial population swell by nearly 16%, with millennials making up 27.3% of the city’s total population in 2022—translating to approximately 673,000 residents.
“The Texas metro area has long been synonymous with sustained growth, expanding both in size and career opportunities alongside the millennial generation,” the report’s author noted.
This sentiment is echoed by many who see Austin as a beacon for young professionals seeking a balanced lifestyle. According to the study, millennials in Austin benefit from a harmonious equilibrium between income and living expenses, with the average household income for millennials at an impressive $131,250 annually.
A significant factor in Austin’s appeal is its concentration of highly educated millennials. The city ranks third nationally in this regard, bolstered by its renowned educational institutions and the thriving demand for skilled talent in its burgeoning tech industry. These elements create a fertile ground for professional growth and innovation, attracting young, ambitious individuals from across the country.
Austin’s resurgence as the top destination for millennials marks a comeback after the city fell to ninth place in 2023, according to a separate report by SmartAsset in 2022. Not only has Austin reclaimed its national standing, but it also tops CommercialCafe’s list of the best southern metros for millennials. Following Austin in this regional ranking are Raleigh, North Carolina; Huntsville, Alabama; Fayetteville, Arkansas; and Nashville, Tennessee.
Other Texas cities also made the list, though they lagged behind Austin. Dallas secured the 38th spot, followed by San Antonio at 50th, Houston at 56th, El Paso at 92nd, and McAllen at 102nd.
Make Your Move to Austin
Planning a move to Austin, TX? Millennials have more home choices in Austin-area master-planned communities like Whisper Valley. Named 2021 and 2023 Austin Master-Planned Community of the Year, Whisper Valley features zero energy capable housing and healthy living amenities not seen in many neighborhoods, including organic gardens and unprecedented access to open green spaces. Whisper Valley will also be home to one of the area’s largest public parks, a 600-acre oasis with planned playgrounds, picnics, gardens, a natural amphitheater and miles of trails connecting to Walter E. Long Park, East Metropolitan Park, and Travis County’s 14-mile trail system.
Whisper Valley features homes powered by solar PV and geothermal energy by premier Austin home builders: GFO Home, AHA Dream Homes, Thurman Homes, Terrata Homes, and Pacesetter Homes. The community also recently announced a new global builder: InstaBuilt, offering panelized and volumetric housing in three new product lines: Cherry Traditional, Cherry Millennials and Cherry Multifamily.
Learn more about Whisper Valley living and available homes by visiting our Discovery Center at 9400 Petrichor Blvd. Manor, TX 78653.