Milwaukee named among top 5 best US cities for young adults in 2026, new report says

Groups of young men and women sitting on a blanket in a park, with the Milwaukee skyline in the background.

By Cailey Gleeson
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
January 5, 2026

Milwaukee is the among the best cities in the nation for young adults to move to in 2026, according to Travel + Leisure magazine.

The Dec. 29 report from the travel magazine cited a study from JB, which analyzed 30 major urban areas across the United States on metrics like job market, dating opportunities and overall livability.

Based on these categories, Milwaukee came in fourth on the publication’s list due to its “decent job market, a young population, and short commute times,” Travel + Leisure notes.

What are the five best U.S. cities for young adults to move to in 2026, according to Travel + Leisure?

Here are the five best cities for young adults to move to in 2026, according to the publication:

  1. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  2. Boston, Massachusetts
  3. Washington, D.C.
  4. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  5. Atlanta, Georgia

You can read the full report online.