Looking to stretch your dollar a little further this year? We hear you. What if you could live in a city where you paid less rent than the average American and got to keep more of your paycheck – essentially earning more than you would in a city where rent was steeper?
The good news is it can be done – if you live in one of these 10 cities where you'll get the most bang for your rental buck.
To determine where your dollar will go the farthest, we did some serious number crunching. First, we looked at Apartment Guide rental prices and measured them against the national average – $1,142 for a one-bedroom as of January 2019.
Next, we considered the salary stats from The Creative Group's 2019 Salary Guide. The cities that made our list have the best salary average when compared to the average cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment. In other words, the greatest gap in what you'll make compared to how much you'll have to pay for rent.
Ready to see where you should settle down? There's a lot of diversity on our list, with only one state earning two top slots. We're looking at you, Hawkeye State.
While “Steel City" is a major producer of the namesake metal, there's much more to this outdoor-loving city located less than an hour from Colorado Springs. Beyond steel, you'll find ample employment opportunities in the local school districts and medical centers. When the weekend rolls around, hike, bike, stroll the Pueblo Riverwalk or carve up the nearby ski slopes like Breckenridge and Monarch.
But the best part about living in Pueblo? Rent prices that are 46 percent below the national average, coming in at a modest $612 for a one-bedroom apartment.
Salary vs. rent gap: 29 percentage points
The first of two Iowa cities on our top 10, Davenport is just across the river and a quick 15-minute stint from the world headquarters of John Deere, the area's top employer. The U.S. Army Rock Island Arsenal defense manufacturer and Genesis Health System are the second and third largest employers in the Quad Cities region, which includes Davenport.
Low cost of living is a major draw here, and a one-bedroom will only set you back $743 – a solid 35 percent below the national average. From the Figge Art Museum to the Davenport Skybridge suspended over the Mississippi River, you'll find plenty of fun to fill your free time.
Salary vs. rent gap: 30 percentage points
If you work in the medical field or higher education, Toledo likely has a job for you. And let's not forget the manufacturing biz that gave “The Glass City" its name. Wondering what to do (aside from work) in Toledo? From arts to parks, there's a lot to offer here. In fact, even millennials are starting to take notice of this Midwestern gem.
And for good reason, starting with affordable rent. A one-bedroom here will only cost you $624, leaving plenty of room in your budget to take advantage of downtown's exciting urban renewal.
Salary vs. rent gap: 30 percentage points
Aerospace and military technology are big business in “Rocket City," where the U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center are the biggest employers, followed by The Boeing Company. Huntsville is also home to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, but the cost of living keeps this friendly Southern city firmly on the ground.
The average one-bedroom here will cost you around $711 per month or 38 percent below the national average – which will boost the power of your paycheck to new heights.
Salary vs. rent gap: 32 percentage points
There are ample employment opportunities in education and healthcare throughout Greensboro, which is home to two colleges – University of North Carolina, Greensboro and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. You can expect all of the perks of living in a college town, from arts and events to good restaurants – plus plenty of outdoor activities.
Student-friendly rent prices keep one-bedrooms right around $761 per month – 33 percent below the national average.
Salary vs. rent gap: 33 percentage points
From soaking up the city's art deco architecture to exploring the Ozark Mountains, this underrated city has a lot going on. Interested in aerospace? The industry is booming in Tulsa, home of the world's largest commercial airplane maintenance facility (American Airlines Maintenance and Engineering Center), where more than 5,200 Tulsans work.
This metropolitan city is also super affordable. You can expect to pay around $674 for a one-bedroom pad – 41 percent less than the national average. Plus, Tulsa will pay you up to $10,000 to live there if you're working remotely.
Salary vs. rent gap: 34 percentage points
Named the country's fourth-fastest growing city less than two years ago, Greenville boasts a strong job market, low cost of living and a vibrant downtown. Oh, and yes, you'll also find ample green space – hence the name.
Manufacturing is a big part of the city's strong economy, with companies like Michelin North America and GE Energy leading the job sector. Bon Secours St. Francis Health System is another major employer.
Expect your paycheck to get plenty of mileage here in Greenville, where you'll pay around $683 for a one-bedroom apartment.
Salary vs. rent gap: 34 percentage points
Home to two-dozen Fortune 500 companies and nearly 300 manufacturing plants, Cedar Rapids is known for its low cost of living and high quality of life. Collins Aerospace, Transamerica insurance company and St. Luke's Hospital are among the city's biggest employers, along with ample companies rooted in agriculture.
So, what does it cost to live in this charming corner of the Midwest? How does $681 for a one-bedroom apartment sound?
Salary vs. rent gap: 34 percentage points
Home of the University of Arkansas and the first home of Bill and Hillary Clinton, Fayetteville is located in the Ozark Mountains. Beyond hiking, biking and more outdoor fun, you'll find a thriving economy anchored by employers including the university, Tyson Foods and Walmart Optical Lab.
Living in the second best city to stretch your rental dollar will only set you back around $647 per month.
Salary vs. rent gap: 38 percentage points
With 350 days of sunshine a year, this Southwestern city is surrounded by five mountain ranges and all the outdoor adventure that comes with them. The massive University of Arizona is one of the city's top employers, along with Raytheon Missile Systems and the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
So, what makes Tucson the best city to get the most bang for your rental buck? Locals who live here earn 7 percent more than the average American, and pay 41 percent less on rent – an average of $676 each month for a one-bedroom apartment. How's that for a sweet spot?
Salary vs. rent gap: 48 percentage points
Still looking for a city that speaks to you? Consider these top 50 cities for stretching your rental dollar. The cities at the top of this chart have the greatest gap between the average salary rate and the average rental rates.
Felix is an SEO Analyst specializing in demographics, rent trends, economic data and measuring user intent. He primarily focuses on the retail, transportation and real estate industries, and his work has appeared in the Stanford Undergraduate Economics Journal. Felix holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Michigan.