Tucson, Arizona, August 19, 2025
News Summary
An analysis by Upgraded Points has declared Tucson, Arizona, the most affordable large metro area for recent college graduates in the U.S. The study compared median earnings to estimated living expenses, revealing graduates in Tucson earn a median income of $61,770 against living costs of $42,510, providing a surplus of $19,260. Other notable cities include Milwaukee and Houston, while San Diego is listed as the least affordable due to financial shortfalls. The findings reflect ongoing economic challenges faced by new graduates.
Tucson, Arizona, Ranked Most Affordable City for Recent College Graduates
A new analysis from Upgraded Points has identified Tucson, Arizona, as the most affordable large metro area for recent college graduates in the United States. The study highlights how income compares to cost of living, providing crucial insights amid ongoing economic uncertainty.
The analysis examined median earnings of graduates against estimated living expenses to evaluate financial viability. Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Economic Policy Institute, researchers found that graduates in Tucson earn a median income of $61,770, significantly exceeding the estimated living costs of $42,510, resulting in a surplus of $19,260 for graduates.
Following Tucson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, ranks as the second most affordable city, where graduates earn a median income of $43,180, exceeding necessary living expenses by $18,590. Houston, Texas, finds its place in third, with an income surplus of $15,760 above the essential living costs.
Top Affordable Cities for Graduates
The top ten most affordable metro areas also include:
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- Detroit, Michigan
- San Antonio, Texas
- Providence, Rhode Island
- Rochester, New York
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- San Francisco, California (noted as an outlier with high earnings)
Least Affordable Cities
On the other hand, the report also highlighted the least affordable metros for recent graduates. San Diego, California, emerged as the least affordable city, showing a shortfall of $9,640 between its earnings of $62,000 and the living costs
. New York City ranks as the ninth least affordable, with living expenses nearly $5,000 higher than earnings of $63,830.
Other cities that fall into the category of least affordable include Riverside, California, and Orlando, Florida. These findings indicate a troubling gap between graduate earnings and living costs, particularly in high-cost areas mainly located on coastal and growing Sun Belt regions.
Economic Context
This analysis comes at a time of economic uncertainty, marked by difficulties in the job market and rising unemployment rates for recent graduates, notably for the class of 2025. Concerns are growing as declining college enrollment rates among Gen Z raise questions about the return on investment for earning degrees. A notable finding reveals that young men with degrees face similar unemployment rates to those without higher education.
The study emphasizes that affordability is becoming a significant factor for graduates as they navigate the challenging landscape of today’s job market.
| City | Median Earnings | Estimated Living Costs | Surplus/Shortfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson, AZ | $61,770 | $42,510 | +$19,260 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $43,180 | $43,180 | +$18,590 |
| Houston, TX | $58,940 | $43,180 | +$15,760 |
| San Diego, CA | $62,000 | $71,640 | -$9,640 |
| New York City, NY | $63,830 | $68,000 | -$4,170 |
What methodology was used in the analysis?
The analysis compared median earnings with cost-of-living estimates, employing data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Economic Policy Institute to assess financial viability for recent college graduates.
Which city was determined the most affordable for graduates?
Tucson, Arizona, was ranked the most affordable large metro area for recent college graduates, based on the surplus of income over living expenses.
What factors contribute to the least affordable cities for recent graduates?
Least affordable areas tend to be located in high-cost coastal states and some growing areas in the South, where living costs exceed the earnings of graduates.
How does economic uncertainty affect graduates?
Economic challenges have resulted in rising unemployment rates for recent graduates and have sparked concerns over the value of college degrees among Gen Z.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Texas Nonprofits Face Major Job Cuts Amid Funding Reductions
U.S. Cities Ranked for Affordability for Recent Graduates
Additional Resources
- Inside Higher Ed: Student Success
- Wikipedia: Survey Methodology
- News Express: Kentucky College Affordability
- Encyclopedia Britannica: College
- Elkhart Truth: Indiana College Affordability
- Google Search: Indiana College Graduation Affordability
- Barron’s: GOP Megabill College Affordability
- Google News: College Affordability GOP Megabill
- The Well News: Public Universities Investment
- Google Scholar: Public Universities Affordability
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