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One of the most common complaints today is the lack of affordable housing. Major cities like San Francisco, Seattle, Miami, and San Diego are seeing costs so high that a single person needs to earn more than $100,000 to live a comfortable life. That’s enough to make people consider moving to a cheaper area and explore the most affordable cities for renting property.
If you wonder where these thrifty renters flock to, this list covers it. Cities with populations of more than 200,000 are on this list because there are too many small towns in the United States to list.
If you’re considering a move, these 15 diverse cities offer affordable housing, a high quality of life, and plenty of job opportunities.
1. Gilbert, Arizona
Gilbert is just outside the Phoenix metropolitan area. If you’re relocating for work in the Phoenix area, look no further than Gilbert. It’s close enough to the big city but far enough into the suburbs to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city.
For $1,240, you can rent an apartment with about 1,000 square feet. This makes it a good option for students attending Arizona State University in nearby Tempe or financial professionals working in Scottsdale, the finance hub, just a short drive north.
2. Virginia Beach, Virginia
If you want to live near the beach, consider Virginia Beach for your next home. The city is a unique blend of a quiet beach town, low-density residential neighborhoods, low-rise commercial areas, and a prominent military presence.
Those who call this southeastern corner of Virginia home can earn a modest salary. You can rent a 972-square-foot apartment for $1,170. That makes it easy to enjoy the shoreline, parks, and recreational areas that Virginia Beach has to offer.
3. North Las Vegas, Nevada
You may think of Las Vegas as only being the flashy Strip lined with casinos, restaurants, and bars. But North Las Vegas has a whole different vibe. It has large planned communities, parks, and shopping centers and is just far enough away from the Strip that you might forget you’re so close to Sin City.
While most residents work in the hospitality industry, the cheap land makes it an up-and-coming spot for the tech community. If you like the desert heat, you can live here for about $1,000 for a 950-square-foot apartment.
4. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City has a history of rich oil and energy companies. Still, industries like logistics, aerospace, finance, health care, and state government are becoming the most popular job fields in the area. Those who work in these fields benefit from some of the cheapest rent in the nation. An average apartment of 850 square feet can be yours for just $750 a month.
5. Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa is in northeastern Oklahoma, at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. The cosmopolitan city is home to 100 parks and 6,000-plus acres of green space, making it ideal for those who love the outdoors. Once an oil town, Tulsa has transitioned to a growing aerospace and financial town. The housing is affordable, too. Renters pay an average of $685 monthly for an 820-square-foot apartment, making it appealing for young professionals and families.
6. Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in Nebraska, with a population of 485,000. It once was a cow town, but modern Omaha is an insurance and railroad hub with many financial institutes, the largest of which is Warren Buffet’s conglomerate, Berkshire Hathaway.
Omaha renters can live comfortably. The average apartment costs $900 and has 924 square feet of living space.
7. Columbus, Ohio
Situated in the center of Ohio, Columbus is the state capital and home to Ohio State University, one of the biggest colleges in the state. Those who love college sports know how big this school’s fan base is.
Unless you’re a Michigan fan, you’ll love the pace of life in Columbus. Not only can you get an 885-square-foot apartment for $918 a month, but renters can also enjoy the many restaurants and pubs that serve hearty Midwestern cuisine while watching the Buckeyes play on Saturdays in the fall.
8. Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville has a unique blend of laid-back beach life and big business in the finance, logistics, and retail sectors. The city has grown rapidly, with companies like CSX Corporation, Fidelity National Financial, Southeastern Grocers, Swisher International, and the Port of Jacksonville employing more and more workers every year.
Jacksonville is perfect for you if you like to work and party hard. An average apartment is 966 square feet and costs slightly more than $1,000. It’s not too bad for a home where you can spend an afternoon with your feet in the sand.
9. Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is a thriving city, home to the University of Kentucky, in the heart of Thoroughbred horse country. Despite its deep rural roots, the city has a diverse economy and is home to many major corporations, such as UPS, Amazon, Trane, Toyota, IBM, Lockheed-Martin, and Lexmark.
The city is affordable for both the thousands of college students it houses and the working professionals. An apartment with 900 square feet of living space will only cost $898 monthly.
10. El Paso, Texas
A border town on the westernmost corner of Texas and Mexico, El Paso has the benefits of a melting pot of cultures. The town is home to the University of Texas El Paso and Fort Bliss, a major military base just outside the city limits.
Residents of El Paso can enjoy the cheap rental options. An 800-square-foot apartment only costs $770 per month.
11. Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis has the luxury of being within driving distance of several of the United States’ larger cities, including Louisville, Kentucky, St. Louis, Missouri, Chicago, and even Nashville. But staying in the city can be just as fun. Indianapolis is home to major sports teams like the Colts of the NFL, the Pacers of the NBA, and the Indy 500, one of NASCAR’s most prestigious races.
The city offers a mix of big-city living and affordable housing. There’s always something affordable to do, and you can do it because an 880-square-foot apartment costs only $850 in rent each month.
12. Corpus Christi, Texas
Corpus Christi is one of the nation’s most visited beach towns but remains one of the most affordable coastal cities. If you don’t mind the tourists who visit year-round, the constant threats of hurricanes, and the consistent thunderstorms, you can enjoy the great weather on the Gulf of Mexico.
It could be worth the low rental rates Corpus Christi offers. An 850-square-foot place costs only $965. Think of all the pina coladas you can enjoy with that low rent.
13. Greensboro, North Carolina
The secret is out about the beauty and high quality of life that cities in North Carolina offer. Greensboro is one of those cities that has seen a rise in population over the past decade.
Major corporations like Honda Aircraft, Volvo Trucks, Mack Trucks, Lincoln Financial Group, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and FedEx offer plenty of jobs. Plus, locals and re-locators will love the price of a 930-square-foot apartment, which is only $875 monthly.
14. Bakersfield, California
Not many places in California can boast about their affordable housing. That said, Bakersfield lands on this list with an average rental property costing $992 a month.
Bakersfield has many pros and cons, but the pros are starting to outweigh the cons. Despite the feverishly high summer temperatures, Bakersfield is a quick drive to the Sierra Nevada mountains, Sequoia National Forest, Las Vegas, and central Los Angeles. If you can handle the heat and like being away from the big city, you should consider resting your head in Bakersfield.
15. Wichita, Kansas
The cheapest place on this list for renters is Wichita, Kansas. Wichita is very much industrialized despite being surrounded by nothing but farmland. Its central location makes it an ideal home for the airline industry. In fact, over 50 airlines have foundations in the city limits.
With 750-square-foot rentals costing only $640, it is a great place to save money on rent.
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