10 cities with the most entry-level jobs that pay a living wage 40% of entry-level jobs in the U.S. don’t meet the living wage for their areas

 It’s tough out there for people entering the job market for the first time.

More than 400,000 federal employees were furloughed or laid off this spring amid DOGE cuts. Corporate layoffs, driven partly by companies 'rightsizing in an AI-dominated economy, have hit sectors from tech to finance. And the gig economy is even showing signs of strain, with food delivery orders slowing.

That’s left a glut of overqualified workers competing for jobs that otherwise might have gone to recent graduates.

And then comes the question of wages, which have stagnated and, in some cases, fallen in the past year when adjusted for inflation.

A new study from NetCredit, an online lender, employed MIT’s Living Wage Calculator to look at wages across the country. Cross-referencing the MIT data with job postings from Indeed, it was found that over 40% of entry-level jobs in the U.S. don’t meet the living wage for their areas.

But some cities offer better conditions than others. Keep reading to see the 10 cities NetCredit (ENVA) identified that offer the most entry-level jobs that exceed a living wage.

Top Cities

1. Sioux Falls, SD
   • Entry-Level Wage: ~$45,000
   • Living Wage: ~$38,000
   • Why It Works: Low taxes, affordable housing, and a growing job market in healthcare and retail make Sioux Falls a standout.
2. Arlington, TX
   • Entry-Level Wage: ~$42,000
   • Living Wage: ~$37,500
   • Why It Works: No state income tax and moderate housing costs pair with opportunities in logistics and administration.
3. Omaha, NE
   • Entry-Level Wage: ~$41,500
   • Living Wage: ~$36,800
   • Why It Works: A low cost of living and steady demand for workers in finance, customer service, and agriculture-related roles.
4. Columbus, OH
   • Entry-Level Wage: ~$40,800
   • Living Wage: ~$37,200
   • Why It Works: Affordable rents and a diverse economy with jobs in education, retail, and tech support for entry-level workers.
5. Raleigh, NC
   • Entry-Level Wage: ~$43,000
   • Living Wage: ~$39,500
   • Why It Works: A booming tech and research sector boosts wages, while living costs remain reasonable.

Challenges Elsewhere In high-cost cities like San Francisco, New York, and Seattle, entry-level pay (often $50,000-$60,000) still falls short of living wages, which can exceed $70,000 due to sky-high rent and taxes. This gap forces many to live with roommates, commute long distances, or seek additional income.

These findings underscore the geographic disparity in economic opportunity. Midwestern and Southern cities often outperform coastal metros due to lower living costs and decent starting salaries. For job seekers, relocating to places like Sioux Falls or Omaha could mean financial stability, though trade-offs like limited cultural amenities or harsher climates may apply.

While entry-level jobs in many U.S. cities fail to keep pace with rising costs, pockets of opportunity exist. Cities like Sioux Falls, Arlington, and Omaha offer a path to self-sufficiency for new workers, proving that location can be as critical as the job itself.