10 affordable states where it's great to be young in America

REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

The District of Columbia ranked as the 10th best state for young adults.

Cities like New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles attract young people to the states of New York and California with vibrant nightlife and endless dining options ... but they're not the greatest places to build wealth.

In fact, North Dakota - with its low unemployment rate for young adults and affordable rental rates - topped MoneyRates' list of "The Best States for Young People".

In a study that hones in on where 20 to 24-year-olds have the best shot at thriving in today's economy, MoneyRates analyzed eight economic and lifestyle factors in all 50 states, including: youth unemployment, education costs, costs and availability of rental housing, nightlife, and overall healthfulness.

Here, we've highlighted the percentage of 20 to 24 year-olds in each state, along with the unemployment rate of those aged 20 t0 24, from the US Census Bureau - for comparison purposes, the national unemployment rate is 9.4%.

We also highlighted the hourly wage you would need to rent a two-bedroom apartment in each state, according to a new CityLab study.

Read on to see which other states made the top 10: