These Are the 50 Best Cities for Gen Z To Live Well on a Budget
Generation Z is coming of age. The oldest among this generation born from 1997 to 2012 are now considered adults — which means they’re striking out on their own. As they move out of their parents’ homes and into the real world, they’ll have an opportunity to choose the city where they want to live.
Of course, that decision could be largely influenced by the college they attend or the job they get. But members of Gen Z would be smart to consider cities where they can live well on a budget so they can get ahead financially — and not have to rely on support from their parents as many millennials have.
To help Gen Zers find the best places to live, GOBankingRates analyzed the 200 largest U.S. cities based on several criteria. The study considered the population of 18- to 24-year-olds in those cities to determine whether they would be desirable places to live for young adults. In addition, the average cost of rent, groceries, healthcare, utilities and transportation were examined. GOBankingRates added up the cost of those necessities then subtracted that amount from $29,920 — the average after-tax income of Americans ages 25 and younger — to see how much money would be left over each month after covering costs in those cities.
Each factor was scored, with average rent weighted triple, population and percentage of population ages 18 to 24 weighted double, leftover income weighted double and livability weighted double. The higher the score, the less affordable and desirable a city was.
Some clear trends emerged. For the most part, the analysis revealed that cities in the South and Midwest tend to be where Gen Zers can save more money on monthly expenses.
Last updated: Sept. 11, 2020
50. Topeka, Kansas
Percentage of population 18-24: 9.5%
Average monthly rent: $795
Annual cost of groceries: $2,310.42
Annual cost of healthcare: $1,091.62
Annual cost of transportation: $2,309.73
Annual cost of utilities: $1,893.95
Annual cost of necessities: $17,145.72
Money left over after necessities: $12,774.28
Livability: 63
49. Louisville, Kentucky
Percentage of population 18-24: 9.4%
Average monthly rent: $1,047
Annual cost of groceries: $2,245.76
Annual cost of healthcare: $978.73
Annual cost of transportation: $3,366.59
Annual cost of utilities: $1,704.74
Annual cost of necessities: $20,859.81
Money left over after necessities: $9,060.19
Livability: 67
48. Austin, Texas
Percentage of population 18-24: 10.9%
Average monthly rent: $1,595
Annual cost of groceries: $2,205.97
Annual cost of healthcare: $1,011.61
Annual cost of transportation: $3,710.35
Annual cost of utilities: $1,820.47
Annual cost of necessities: $27,888.39
Money left over after necessities: $2,031.61
Livability: 83
47. Pittsburgh
Percentage of population 18-24: 17.2%
Average monthly rent: $1,258
Annual cost of groceries: $2,362.65
Annual cost of healthcare: $973.25
Annual cost of transportation: $3,443.29
Annual cost of utilities: $1,879.25
Annual cost of necessities: $23,754.44
Money left over after necessities: $6,165.56
Livability: 72
Save Even More Money: How You Can Prepare For Rising Gas Prices
46. Tucson, Arizona
Percentage of population 18-24: 16%
Average monthly rent: $1,178
Annual cost of groceries: $2,375.09
Annual cost of healthcare: $923.93
Annual cost of transportation: $3,127.94
Annual cost of utilities: $1,825.98
Annual cost of necessities: $22,388.93
Money left over after necessities: $7,531.07
Livability: 65
45. Cincinnati
Percentage of population 18-24: 13.6%
Average monthly rent: $1,160
Annual cost of groceries: $2,312.91
Annual cost of healthcare: $946.94
Annual cost of transportation: $3,082.49
Annual cost of utilities: $1,800.26
Annual cost of necessities: $22,062.60
Money left over after necessities: $7,857.40
Livability: 68
44. Augusta, Georgia
Percentage of population 18-24: 11.9%
Average monthly rent: $851
Annual cost of groceries: $2,285.55
Annual cost of healthcare: $1,047.78
Annual cost of transportation: $2,741.57
Annual cost of utilities: $1,914.15
Annual cost of necessities: $18,201.05
Money left over after necessities: $11,718.95
Livability: 64
43. Cleveland
Percentage of population 18-24: 11.2%
Average monthly rent: $925
Annual cost of groceries: $2,312.91
Annual cost of healthcare: $902.01
Annual cost of transportation: $2,983.05
Annual cost of utilities: $1,743.31
Annual cost of necessities: $19,041.28
Money left over after necessities: $10,878.72
Livability: 61
42. Greensboro, North Carolina
Percentage of population 18-24: 12.4%
Average monthly rent: $894
Annual cost of groceries: $2,322.86
Annual cost of healthcare: $1,189.16
Annual cost of transportation: $2,429.06
Annual cost of utilities: $1,754.34
Annual cost of necessities: $18,423.41
Money left over after necessities: $11,496.59
Livability: 67
41. Little Rock, Arkansas
Percentage of population 18-24: 8.8%
Average monthly rent: $855
Annual cost of groceries: $2,228.35
Annual cost of healthcare: $953.52
Annual cost of transportation: $2,704.63
Annual cost of utilities: $1,746.99
Annual cost of necessities: $17,893.49
Money left over after necessities: $12,026.51
Livability: 61
40. Madison, Wisconsin
Percentage of population 18-24: 21.3%
Average monthly rent: $1,372
Annual cost of groceries: $2,205.97
Annual cost of healthcare: $1,026.95
Annual cost of transportation: $2,784.18
Annual cost of utilities: $1,974.78
Annual cost of necessities: $24,455.88
Money left over after necessities: $5,464.12
Livability: 70
39. Oklahoma City
Percentage of population 18-24: 9.3%
Average monthly rent: $922
Annual cost of groceries: $2,228.35
Annual cost of healthcare: $1,298.76
Annual cost of transportation: $3,130.78
Annual cost of utilities: $1,783.73
Annual cost of necessities: $19,505.62
Money left over after necessities: $10,414.38
Livability: 76
38. Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Percentage of population 18-24: 17.6%
Average monthly rent: $1,280
Annual cost of groceries: $2,245.76
Annual cost of healthcare: $1,157.38
Annual cost of transportation: $3,377.95
Annual cost of utilities: $1,813.12
Annual cost of necessities: $23,954.21
Money left over after necessities: $5,965.80
Livability: 79
Invest Your Extra Money: How To Buy Stocks Online
37. Spokane, Washington
Percentage of population 18-24: 10.9%
Average monthly rent: $1,215
Annual cost of groceries: $2,439.75
Annual cost of healthcare: $898.72
Annual cost of transportation: $2,914.87
Annual cost of utilities: $1,436.53
Annual cost of necessities: $22,269.87
Money left over after necessities: $7,650.13
Livability: 69
36. Lafayette, Louisiana
Percentage of population 18-24: 13.1%
Average monthly rent: $1,098
Annual cost of groceries: $2,310.42
Annual cost of healthcare: $1,065.31
Annual cost of transportation: $3,380.79
Annual cost of utilities: $1,611.05
Annual cost of necessities: $21,543.57
Money left over after necessities: $8,376.43
Livability: 73
35. Des Moines, Iowa
Percentage of population 18-24: 10.6%
Average monthly rent: $1,110
Annual cost of groceries: $2,310.42
Annual cost of healthcare: $1,212.18
Annual cost of transportation: $2,457.47
Annual cost of utilities: $1,645.95
Annual cost of necessities: $20,946.02
Money left over after necessities: $8,973.98
Livability: 75
34. Richmond, Virginia
Percentage of population 18-24: 13.6%
Average monthly rent: $1,207
Annual cost of groceries: $2,549.18
Annual cost of healthcare: $1,023.66
Annual cost of transportation: $2,704.63
Annual cost of utilities: $1,816.79
Annual cost of necessities: $22,578.26
Money left over after necessities: $7,341.74
Livability: 76
33. Clarksville, Tennessee
Percentage of population 18-24: 12.6%
Average monthly rent: $925
Annual cost of groceries: $2,245.76
Annual cost of healthcare: $1,183.68
Annual cost of transportation: $2,653.49
Annual cost of utilities: $1,842.51
Annual cost of necessities: $19,025.45
Money left over after necessities: $10,894.55
Livability: 70
32. Raleigh, North Carolina
Percentage of population 18-24: 12.9%
Average monthly rent: $1,269
Annual cost of groceries: $2,322.86
Annual cost of healthcare: $1,124.50
Annual cost of transportation: $2,843.84
Annual cost of utilities: $1,820.47
Annual cost of necessities: $23,339.66
Money left over after necessities: $6,580.34
Livability: 78
31. Roanoke, Virginia
Percentage of population 18-24: 8%
Average monthly rent: $1,005
Annual cost of groceries: $2,285.55
Annual cost of healthcare: $1,131.07
Annual cost of transportation: $2,383.60
Annual cost of utilities: $1,803.93
Annual cost of necessities: $19,664.16
Money left over after necessities: $10,255.84
Livability: 74
30. Columbia, South Carolina
Percentage of population 18-24: 27%
Average monthly rent: $1,015
Annual cost of groceries: $2,285.55
Annual cost of healthcare: $1,143.13
Annual cost of transportation: $2,576.79
Annual cost of utilities: $2,000.49
Annual cost of necessities: $20,185.96
Money left over after necessities: $9,734.04
Livability: 63
29. Lakeland, Florida
Percentage of population 18-24: 10.8%
Average monthly rent: $1,200
Annual cost of groceries: $2,554.15
Annual cost of healthcare: $1,032.43
Annual cost of transportation: $2,744.41
Annual cost of utilities: $1,800.26
Annual cost of necessities: $22,531.25
Money left over after necessities: $7,388.75
Livability: 81
28. Corpus Christi, Texas
Percentage of population 18-24: 10.3%
Average monthly rent: $1,292
Annual cost of groceries: $2,176.13
Annual cost of healthcare: $1,126.69
Annual cost of transportation: $2,650.65
Annual cost of utilities: $1,857.21
Annual cost of necessities: $23,314.67
Money left over after necessities: $6,605.33
Livability: 80
27. Shreveport, Louisiana
Percentage of population 18-24: 9.6%
Average monthly rent: $847
Annual cost of groceries: $2,176.13
Annual cost of healthcare: $1,037.91
Annual cost of transportation: $2,937.59
Annual cost of utilities: $1,710.25
Annual cost of necessities: $18,025.88
Money left over after necessities: $11,894.12
Livability: 66
26. Fayetteville, North Carolina
Percentage of population 18-24: 27.2%
Average monthly rent: $838
Annual cost of groceries: $2,322.86
Annual cost of healthcare: $1,275.74
Annual cost of transportation: $2,556.90
Annual cost of utilities: $1,807.61
Annual cost of necessities: $18,019.11
Money left over after necessities: $11,900.89
Livability: 63
25. McKinney, Texas
Percentage of population 18-24: 7.7%
Average monthly rent: $1,461
Annual cost of groceries: $2,310.42
Annual cost of healthcare: $1,062.02
Annual cost of transportation: $2,960.32
Annual cost of utilities: $1,840.67
Annual cost of necessities: $25,705.44
Money left over after necessities: $4,214.56
Livability: 90
24. Houston
Percentage of population 18-24: 10.2%
Average monthly rent: $1,364
Annual cost of groceries: $2,310.42
Annual cost of healthcare: $1,028.05
Annual cost of transportation: $4,011.49
Annual cost of utilities: $1,772.71
Annual cost of necessities: $25,490.67
Money left over after necessities: $4,429.33
Livability: 79
23. Plano, Texas
Percentage of population 18-24: 7.9%
Average monthly rent: $1,505
Annual cost of groceries: $2,310.42
Annual cost of healthcare: $1,062.02
Annual cost of transportation: $2,841
Annual cost of utilities: $1,844.35
Annual cost of necessities: $26,117.80
Money left over after necessities: $3,802.21
Livability: 91
22. Toledo, Ohio
Percentage of population 18-24: 11%
Average monthly rent: $829
Annual cost of groceries: $2,255.71
Annual cost of healthcare: $940.37
Annual cost of transportation: $2,769.98
Annual cost of utilities: $1,785.56
Annual cost of necessities: $17,699.62
Money left over after necessities: $12,220.38
Livability: 63
21. Columbus, Georgia
Percentage of population 18-24: 11.8%
Average monthly rent: $779
Annual cost of groceries: $2,285.55
Annual cost of healthcare: $1,013.80
Annual cost of transportation: $2,590.99
Annual cost of utilities: $1,910.48
Annual cost of necessities: $17,148.83
Money left over after necessities: $12,771.18
Livability: 62
20. Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Percentage of population 18-24: 9.4%
Average monthly rent: $960
Annual cost of groceries: $2,414.88
Annual cost of healthcare: $1,019.28
Annual cost of transportation: $2,420.53
Annual cost of utilities: $1,770.87
Annual cost of necessities: $19,145.56
Money left over after necessities: $10,774.44
Livability: 73
19. Boise, Idaho
Percentage of population 18-24: 10.8%
Average monthly rent: $1,361
Annual cost of groceries: $2,263.17
Annual cost of healthcare: $1,007.22
Annual cost of transportation: $2,662.02
Annual cost of utilities: $1,653.30
Annual cost of necessities: $23,917.71
Money left over after necessities: $6,002.29
Livability: 80
18. Edmond, Oklahoma
Percentage of population 18-24: 10.8%
Average monthly rent: $1,061
Annual cost of groceries: $2,228.35
Annual cost of healthcare: $1,298.76
Annual cost of transportation: $3,099.53
Annual cost of utilities: $1,829.65
Annual cost of necessities: $21,188.30
Money left over after necessities: $8,731.71
Livability: 89
17. Laredo, Texas
Percentage of population 18-24: 11.3%
Average monthly rent: $1,052
Annual cost of groceries: $2,392.49
Annual cost of healthcare: $991.88
Annual cost of transportation: $3,201.81
Annual cost of utilities: $1,802.10
Annual cost of necessities: $21,012.28
Money left over after necessities: $8,907.72
Livability: 80
16. Lincoln, Nebraska
Percentage of population 18-24: 16%
Average monthly rent: $1,023
Annual cost of groceries: $2,310.42
Annual cost of healthcare: $1,313.01
Annual cost of transportation: $2,457.47
Annual cost of utilities: $1,695.55
Annual cost of necessities: $20,052.45
Money left over after necessities: $9,867.55
Livability: 80
15. Columbus, Ohio
Percentage of population 18-24: 11.8%
Average monthly rent: $1,121
Annual cost of groceries: $2,312.91
Annual cost of healthcare: $977.63
Annual cost of transportation: $2,948.96
Annual cost of utilities: $1,875.58
Annual cost of necessities: $21,567.08
Money left over after necessities: $8,352.92
Livability: 76
14. Indianapolis
Percentage of population 18-24: 9.9%
Average monthly rent: $987
Annual cost of groceries: $2,255.71
Annual cost of healthcare: $948.04
Annual cost of transportation: $2,948.96
Annual cost of utilities: $1,656.97
Annual cost of necessities: $19,653.68
Money left over after necessities: $10,266.32
Livability: 70
13. Springfield, Missouri
Percentage of population 18-24: 19.3%
Average monthly rent: $706
Annual cost of groceries: $2,248.25
Annual cost of healthcare: $1,125.59
Annual cost of transportation: $2,767.13
Annual cost of utilities: $1,772.71
Annual cost of necessities: $16,385.68
Money left over after necessities: $13,534.32
Livability: 65
12. Evansville, Indiana
Percentage of population 18-24: 10%
Average monthly rent: $826
Annual cost of groceries: $2,205.97
Annual cost of healthcare: $882.28
Annual cost of transportation: $2,465.99
Annual cost of utilities: $2,002.33
Annual cost of necessities: $17,468.57
Money left over after necessities: $12,451.43
Livability: 69
11. Lexington, Kentucky
Percentage of population 18-24: 14.2%
Average monthly rent: $1,043
Annual cost of groceries: $2,245.76
Annual cost of healthcare: $980.92
Annual cost of transportation: $2,869.41
Annual cost of utilities: $1,669.83
Annual cost of necessities: $20,281.92
Money left over after necessities: $9,638.08
Livability: 75
10. Gainesville, Florida
Percentage of population 18-24: 34.8%
Average monthly rent: $1,128
Annual cost of groceries: $2,404.93
Annual cost of healthcare: $1,102.58
Annual cost of transportation: $2,599.52
Annual cost of utilities: $1,936.20
Annual cost of necessities: $21,579.22
Money left over after necessities: $8,340.78
Livability: 71
9. Akron, Ohio
Percentage of population 18-24: 11.7%
Average monthly rent: $790
Annual cost of groceries: $2,312.91
Annual cost of healthcare: $921.74
Annual cost of transportation: $2,608.04
Annual cost of utilities: $1,695.55
Annual cost of necessities: $17,018.24
Money left over after necessities: $12,901.77
Livability: 69
8. San Antonio
Percentage of population 18-24: 11%
Average monthly rent: $1,184
Annual cost of groceries: $2,205.97
Annual cost of healthcare: $999.55
Annual cost of transportation: $3,321.13
Annual cost of utilities: $1,743.31
Annual cost of necessities: $22,477.96
Money left over after necessities: $7,442.04
Livability: 80
7. Greenville, South Carolina
Percentage of population 18-24: 28.1%
Average monthly rent: $1,121
Annual cost of groceries: $2,285.55
Annual cost of healthcare: $1,083.94
Annual cost of transportation: $2,500.08
Annual cost of utilities: $1,780.05
Annual cost of necessities: $21,101.63
Money left over after necessities: $8,818.37
Livability: 73
6. Amarillo, Texas
Percentage of population 18-24: 9.4%
Average monthly rent: $800
Annual cost of groceries: $2,176.13
Annual cost of healthcare: $1,162.86
Annual cost of transportation: $2,460.31
Annual cost of utilities: $1,721.27
Annual cost of necessities: $17,120.56
Money left over after necessities: $12,799.44
Livability: 78
5. El Paso, Texas
Percentage of population 18-24: 11.1%
Average monthly rent: $933
Annual cost of groceries: $2,176.13
Annual cost of healthcare: $971.06
Annual cost of transportation: $3,056.92
Annual cost of utilities: $1,783.73
Annual cost of necessities: $19,183.82
Money left over after necessities: $10,736.18
Livability: 79
4. Fort Wayne, Indiana
Percentage of population 18-24: 10.1%
Average monthly rent: $940
Annual cost of groceries: $2,205.97
Annual cost of healthcare: $882.28
Annual cost of transportation: $2,642.13
Annual cost of utilities: $1,666.16
Annual cost of necessities: $18,676.54
Money left over after necessities: $11,243.46
Livability: 76
3. Lubbock, Texas
Percentage of population 18-24: 19.1%
Average monthly rent: $998
Annual cost of groceries: $2,176.13
Annual cost of healthcare: $1,147.51
Annual cost of transportation: $2,332.46
Annual cost of utilities: $1,717.60
Annual cost of necessities: $19,349.69
Money left over after necessities: $10,570.31
Livability: 78
2. Killeen, Texas
Percentage of population 18-24: 12.5%
Average monthly rent: $819
Annual cost of groceries: $2,176.13
Annual cost of healthcare: $1,023.66
Annual cost of transportation: $2,573.95
Annual cost of utilities: $1,844.35
Annual cost of necessities: $17,446.08
Money left over after necessities: $12,473.92
Livability: 79
1. Brownsville, Texas
Percentage of population 18-24: 12%
Average monthly rent: $858
Annual cost of groceries: $2,176.13
Annual cost of healthcare: $984.21
Annual cost of transportation: $2,826.80
Annual cost of utilities: $1,679.02
Annual cost of necessities: $17,962.15
Money left over after necessities: $11,957.85
Livability: 80
More From GOBankingRates
Methodology: GOBankingRates determined the best cities for Generation Z to live well on a budget by analyzing the 200 largest cities in the U.S. along the following criteria: 1) population ages 18 to 24 years old, sourced from the Census Bureau’s 2017 American Community Survey; 18- to 24-year-olds were used to be representative of Gen Z based on Pew Research’s age ranges for Gen Z — ages 22 and under — while those younger than 18 are excluded because they’re largely children living within their parents’ homes; 2) percentage of the population ages 18 to 24 years old, sourced from the Census Bureau’s 2017 American Community Survey; 3) average rent, based on Zillow’s median monthly rent from January 2019 to July 2019; itemized costs of living for necessities, sourced from Sperling’s Best Places, such as 4) groceries; 5) healthcare; 6) utilities; 7) transportation; 8) amount of income leftover after paying for necessary costs of living, which is the sum of rent, groceries, healthcare, utilities and transportation subtracted from $29,920, the mean after-tax income of Americans ages 25 and under, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Expenditure Survey; 9) livability scores, sourced from AreaVibes. Each factor was scored, with average rent weighted triple, population and percentage of population ages 18 to 24 weighted double, leftover income weighted double and livability weighted double. All data compiled on Aug. 26, 2019.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: These Are the 50 Best Cities for Gen Z To Live Well on a Budget
