Lincoln Is the 119th-Best U.S. City to Start a Career in 2026

Lincoln, Nebr., is the 119th-best U.S. city to start a career in 2026, according to a new WalletHub study that aimed to help recent college graduates find the best starting points for their budding careers. The study compared more than 180 U.S. cities based on 25 key metrics that range from the availability of entry-level jobs to the average monthly starting salary to housing affordability. 

Around 69% of employers in the U.S. report difficulty finding qualified talent, indicating persistent labor shortages in 2026, which could benefit new graduates with in‑demand skills. But deciding where to lay the foundation for a long and prosperous career can be a tall order, especially for recent graduates entering the job market for the first time. 

“Transitioning out of school and into the workforce can be a difficult and stressful process, but certain cities make things a lot easier than others,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “The best cities for starting a career not only have a lot of job opportunities but also provide substantial income growth potential and satisfying working conditions. It's also important to consider factors such as how fun a city is to live in and how good of a place it is to raise a family, to ensure satisfaction with life outside of your career.”

In-Depth Look at Lincoln

Lincoln may appeal to some job-seekers because it has the 10th-lowest unemployment rate in the nation. Plus, Lincoln has the 13th lowest average rent for a two-bedroom apartment (as a share of income), which demonstrates that the city keeps the cost of living low.

Lincoln lags behind other cities in some areas, too. It only has the 157th-most full-time jobs per capita at companies that are rated at least four stars on Glassdoor. In addition, it ranks 149th when it comes to household income growth.

Individual metrics don't tell the whole story, though. The study breaks things down into two major categories, and Lincoln ranks:

• 172nd for its professional opportunities
• 35th for its quality of life

Overall, this lands Lincoln in 119th place out of the 182 cities in WalletHub's study.

Best Cities to Start a Career

The methodology can be found on the full version of the article on WalletHub.