love this startYou're a college graduate and life has brought you to Charlotte where a new job awaits you. Sound familiar? Trust us, you're not alone. Earlier this year, CLTtoday reported Charlotte was the No. 1 most moved-to big city in the country from 2023 to 2024 — roughly 113 people every day.

Who are these new arrivals? Many continue to be recent college grads becoming young professionals. The Queen City ranked in the top 5 cities for new graduates, according to a new study from the ADP Research Institute (ADPRI).

The study found the top 5 best cities for new graduates included:

Raleigh, NC — (hey, RALtoday)
Baltimore, MD
Austin, TX — (what's up, ATXtoday?)
Atlanta, GA
Charlotte, NC

US News World & Report ranked Charlotte the No. 1 place to live in North Carolina. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons

As City Editor, it's easy to see why so many recent college graduates are drawn to Charlotte — and no, that's not being partial. Here are reasons why:

Jobs

Several Fortune 500 companies have strongholds offering career opportunities in Charlotte including:
- Lowe’s Home Improvement — the Mooresville-based home improvement company employs more than 11,000 people in the Queen City.
- Bank of America is headquartered in Uptown and has 16,000 employees in Charlotte.
- Honeywell focuses on aerospace technology, building automation, and solutions with headquarters in Uptown near Bank of America Stadium.
- Sonic Automotive is one of the largest automotive retailers in the US and is headquartered in Charlotte.

New arrivals to Charlotte can expect a lower degree of inflation in several critical expenses compared to other US cities, like housing and groceries. | Graphic via Payscale

Cost of living

Charlotte's cost of living is 2% lower than the national average — including housing, utilities, groceries, and transportation.
- The annual wage estimate for college graduates in Charlotte stands at $50,000.
- The average rent for an apartment in Charlotte is currently at $1,628.

Quality of life

Charlotte offers no shortage of events and activities to fill your social calendar — whether you're craving a vibrant night life to grab a drink, a slice of pizza, somewhere to order brunch, or a place to go hiking, — the Queen City has it all.