Apartment hunting can be so stressful. You have to fill out a plethora of applications, duke it out with other potential tenants, and make sure your credit is up to snuff. Sometimes, it can feel like it’s impossible to find the perfect place to rent. The biggest apartment hunting stressor? Affordable rent. And if you’re living in a major city, it might seem like a good chunk of your paycheck is going straight to your landlord.
Affordable rent is difficult to come by. It can be tough not shell out more money for your dream apartment in your dream city. You might think, What’s $100 more on rent?, but that money adds up. Most of the time, rent doesn’t include other bills such as gas, water, electricity, and internet. Plus, don’t you want to grab a few cute decor items to nest? A good rule of thumb in terms of budgeting for your apartment is by following the 50/30/20 rule, emphasized by Senator Elizabeth Warren in her book All Your Worth: The Ultimate Lifetime Money Plan. The rule states that you should allocate your post-tax income to 50 percent needs (rent, bills, etc.), 30 percent wants (non-essentials like movie tickets), and 20 percent savings. But even with this finance tool in mind, you can budget all you want, but it might not seem like you have an affordable rent option if you choose to live in an expensive city.
If you’re looking for affordable rent, steer clear of the coasts.
A lot of people rave about living on the coasts, whether it’s in the hustle and bustle of New York City or in laid-back Los Angeles. But living along the coast of the United States comes with a steeper price tag, which isn’t great for renters. In fact, the most expensive cities to live in — New York City, San Francisco, and Boston — are along the coasts. The average rent in these major cities for a one-bedroom apartment is $2,150, $2,470, and $1,730, respectively.
So how do you find out where you’ll get the most bang for your buck?
Now that we’ve covered some of the most expensive cities in the country, it’s time we look at the cities where there’s the most affordable rent. Of course, there are other things to factor in to a location decision, such as specific job markets, but according to Apartment List and Apartment Guide, these are the most affordable cities to rent a one-bedroom apartment in:
Anniston, Alabama
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Anniston wins when it comes to affordable cost of living.
In the city with a population of just over 22,000, you can find a one-bedroom apartment for as low as $329, according to Apartment List. Fun fact: Anniston is home to one of the world’s largest office chair. It’s also home to the Anniston Museum of Natural History, where there are more than 2,000 natural history items on display.
Florence, Alabama
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Alabama lands another spot on our affordable cities to rent in the list with the city of Florence.
Not only can you score an apartment for an average of $401 per month, according to Apartment Guide, but you can also get scenic views of the Tennessee River. It’s also home to the University of Alabama, so if you’re into college football, this is the place to be. Roll Tide!
Charleston, Illinois
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In this city, you can explore 19th century architecture and support local shops.
If you’re looking for a city with character and a really good deal on rent, Charleston might be for you. On average, rent is $464 a month, according to Apartment Guide. It’s also a town full of young professionals, since it’s also home to Eastern Illinois University. You can also make easy weekend trips to Chicago, minus the whole paying-too-much-to-live-there.
Lawton, Oklahoma
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This suburb has a lot to offer.
The city of 95,000 has a solid livability score with good ratings among its diversity, nightlife, and housing (which can cost around $475 per month). It also has quite a few parks and museums, such as the Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center and the Museum of the Great Plains.
Fort Smith, Arkansas
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It’s a surprising city filled with art and culture.
If you’re looking for an up-and-coming art scene and inexpensive rent, you should put Fort Smith on your radar. After checking out some murals, you can go enjoy a night of live music at some of the venues Fort Smith has to offer. It has affordable rent, too: the average apartment only costs $498 in the second-largest city in Arkansas, according to Apartment Guide.
Asheboro, North Carolina
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Asheboro is home to the world’s largest natural habitat zoos.
Asheboro has a population of about 25,000 — and that’s not including the 1,800 species there are at the city’s famous 500-acre attraction, the North Carolina Zoo. If you’re not an animal lover, then the affordable rent should draw you in, as it’s typically around $502 a month, according to Apartment Guide.
Decatur, Alabama
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There’s no shortage of things to do in Decatur.
Located on the Tennessee River, you can find year-round activities in this Alabama city. There are hiking trails, parks, and festivals throughout the seasons. And don’t worry, you’ll be able to budget all sorts of recreational activities with the money you’re saving on rent, as it only costs around $507 per month, according to Apartment Guide.
Bowling Green, Ohio
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It’s a “great place to live, work and play!”
Bowling Green has a high livability scale of 77 out of 100 for its amenities, schools, and affordable rent averaging at $529 per month. There are just under 32,000 residents in the city with a median age of 23, thanks to the massive undergraduate campus of Bowling Green State University.
Brownsville, Texas
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Brownsville has a population of 183,000, making it one of the larger cities with affordable rent on our list.
You can enjoy some nature on the beach, one of its state parks, or the zoo. You can also kick back and shop around some of your favorite retailers or the farmers market. It also scores quite high in terms of livability with an 80 out of 100. On top of all that, rent is typically only $531 for a one-bedroom apartment, according to Apartment List.
Austintown, Ohio
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Austintown also ranks high in livability.
The city received an 82 out of 100 for quality amenities, schools, low crime, and affordable rent with the average one-bedroom running around $543 per month, according to Apartment Guide. The city is known for having a tight-knit community with plenty of restaurants, shopping, and entertainment.
Vandalia, Ohio
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Whether you choose to rent or buy, Vandalia is a solid choice.
The housing market is very reasonable in Vandalia, so if you’re looking to buy, you’re in luck. If you are simply looking for affordable rent, you won’t balk at the average one-bedroom rent of $485, according to Apartment List. In terms of recreation, the city’s Metro Park is highly rated with plenty of trails to explore nature in the area.
Muncie, Indiana
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It gets an A+ for its affordable rent.
Muncie is highly ranked in terms of cost of living (with the average rent of a one-bedroom landing around $555) and amenities. In the city of 69,583 residents, there’s a significant amount of young professionals with a median age of 29. Muncie goes to show that not all smaller towns are strictly for older folks.
Bay City, Michigan
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It’s a beautiful city along the shore.
This waterfront city has a population of about 34,000 and an average rent of about $558 for a one-bedroom, according to Apartment List. During the summer, locals say there’s always something to do, whether you go for a walk along the water or visit one of the new shops popping up. It’s also home to the Tall Ships Festival where large vessels go on display in the harbor.
Englewood, Florida
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Englewood is considered one of the best places to live in Florida.
The city has an overall great rating in terms of housing, nightlife, and being good for families. The average rent for a one-bedroom is $564, according to Apartment List. It also has a small beachfront and is calmer than the bigger cities in Florida. If you are looking for a calm, semi-coastal city with affordable rent, Englewood is for you.