Best Cities for Young Professionals in Virginia
Virginia ranks #13 of 50 for young professionals, with a young professionals score of 63.4. Reston is its best city for young professionals at 73.6.
- Virginia, all states
- #13 of 50
- Population
- 64,414
Why Virginia Works for Young Professionals
Virginia ranks #13 out of 50 for young professionals, placing it in the upper tier for career-oriented relocators. The state's economy scores 65/100, with 3.4% unemployment and a median household income of $92,090. Modest population growth of 0.69% suggests a stable but not booming market.
For young professionals, the equation comes down to earning potential versus cost of living. With a cost-of-living index of 101.1, expenses are near the national norm — what you earn is roughly what you keep. Growth metrics are moderate, so career advancement may depend more on specific industries than broad market expansion.
Beyond the paycheck, livability matters. Virginia's livability score of 27/100 is modest, which may matter to young professionals who value nightlife, dining, and cultural events. Transportation is car-dependent in most areas (score: 48/100), which is worth factoring into housing location decisions.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Young Professionals
| # City | Grade | Young Professionals score | Overall | Economy | Growth | Walkability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Reston | A+ | 73.6 | 75.8 | 99 | — | 64 | 64,414 |
| 2Arlington | A+ | 72.0 | 75.0 | 93 | — | 70 | 236,254 |
| 3McLean | A+ | 68.3 | 72.6 | 100 | — | 50 | 49,627 |
| 4Centreville | A+ | 67.9 | 71.5 | 91 | — | 56 | 71,706 |
| 5Alexandria | A+ | 65.1 | 68.9 | 77 | 52 | 71 | 156,976 |
| 6Leesburg | A+ | 62.0 | 69.7 | 90 | 46 | 38 | 49,171 |
| 7Charlottesville | A | 59.4 | 63.3 | 59 | 40 | 71 | 45,437 |
| 8Tuckahoe | B+ | 58.9 | 61.8 | 59 | — | 44 | 49,183 |
| 9Virginia Beach | A | 58.3 | 63.1 | 65 | 44 | 51 | 456,349 |
| 10Lynchburg | B+ | 57.5 | 58.8 | 44 | 53 | 67 | 79,497 |
| 11Harrisonburg | B+ | 56.7 | 59.4 | 48 | 43 | 73 | 51,392 |
| 12Richmond | B | 55.9 | 56.5 | 50 | 52 | 66 | 229,359 |
| 13Chesapeake | B+ | 55.8 | 59.4 | 66 | 46 | 44 | 252,583 |
| 14Suffolk | B | 54.1 | 56.0 | 63 | 59 | 27 | 98,796 |
| 15Dale City | B | 53.5 | 57.2 | 67 | — | 42 | 71,016 |
| 16Roanoke | C+ | 52.6 | 53.4 | 47 | 47 | 63 | 98,355 |
| 17Norfolk | C+ | 52.5 | 54.1 | 49 | 41 | 64 | 233,596 |
| 18Hampton | C+ | 51.6 | 55.0 | 49 | 40 | 55 | 137,557 |
| 19Newport News | C | 49.7 | 52.0 | 50 | 40 | 53 | 184,216 |
| 20Portsmouth | D | 47.5 | 48.4 | 45 | 39 | 58 | 97,190 |
City young professionals scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out.
Compare: States with Similar Young Professionals Rankings
Also See: Virginia for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Virginia a good state for young professionals?
Virginia ranks #13 out of 50 for young professionals with a persona-weighted score of 63.4/100. Its strongest relevant category is Safety (79/100) and its weakest is Livability (27/100).
What is the best city for young professionals in Virginia?
Reston ranks #1 in Virginia for young professionals with a score of 73.6/100, followed by Arlington and McLean.
What factors are most important for young professionals in Virginia?
Rankings weighted toward job market strength, economic growth, affordable living, transportation, and vibrant community life — the factors that attract ambitious young professionals.