New Report: This CT City Is the Worst in the Nation for Young Professionals

Are you a fresh-faced baby adult looking to conquer the world? There is one Connecticut city that is kryptonite for young professionals according to a new study.

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WalletHub just released its 2025 ranking of the best and worst cities in America to start a career, and let’s just say… things aren’t looking too hot for the Nutmeg State. Out of 182 cities, Bridgeport and New Haven landed deep in the bottom tier.

The study looked at stuff like job openings, starting salaries, housing costs, commute times, and even how fun each city is to live in. Bottom line: where you live right after college matters. It can set the tone for your career — and your quality of life.

• Bridgeport: Ranked #181 out of 182 — only one city in the entire country scored worse.

• New Haven: Not much better at #163 — still in the bottom 20.

OK, second to last but do you really want to split hairs on this one? I think being ranked 181 out of 182 is pretty bad.

Here are the 10 Best Cities for Starting Your Career:

1. Atlanta, GA

2. Orlando, FL

3. Tampa, FL

4. Austin, TX

5. Miami, FL

6. Charleston, SC

7. Richmond, VA

8. Salt Lake City, UT

9. Columbia, SC

10. Pittsburgh, PA

Bridgeport has always been easy to stereotype when it comes to lifestyle — long history of corruption, frequently ranked among the laziest cities in the U.S., and now officially the worst place to start your career. But something’s starting to shift when it comes to the city’s future.

Believe it or not, Bridgeport is actually one of the hottest housing markets in the country right now. According to a recent article from SF Gate, it ranks #9 nationwide — a surprising twist for a city with such a rough reputation.

9. Bridgeport, CT
Median Listing Price: $650,000
YoY Price Change: –17.6%
Median Days on Market: 30.8
Views per Listing: 4.2× the national average

So, maybe we're seeing around the corner to a brighter future for the Park City?