Best Cities for Students (2026)
Find affordable housing near your school. These cities offer the cheapest rent for students on a tight budget.
Lowest Rent: $738/mo
Average: $902/mo
States Covered: 19
Budget-Friendly
Cheapest apartments for tight budgets
Student Community
Live among fellow students
Transportation
Bus routes to campus
Job Access
Part-time work opportunities nearby
Top 25 Cities for Students
Ranked by affordability and lifestyle fit
| Rank | City | State | Studio | 1 Bed | 2 Bed | 3 Bed | Income Needed | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
#1 | Cedar Rapids | Iowa | $738 | $816 | $1,071 | $1,490 | $29,520/yr | View → |
#2 | Fargo | North Dakota | $768 | $917 | $1,112 | $1,547 | $30,720/yr | View → |
#3 | Saginaw | Michigan | $770 | $851 | $1,117 | $1,440 | $30,800/yr | View → |
#4 | Lafayette | Louisiana | $779 | $898 | $1,019 | $1,301 | $31,160/yr | View → |
#5 | Wichita | Kansas | $782 | $849 | $1,099 | $1,444 | $31,280/yr | View → |
#6 | El Paso | Texas | $821 | $1,013 | $1,191 | $1,633 | $32,840/yr | View → |
#7 | Cleveland | Ohio | $850 | $940 | $1,233 | $1,584 | $34,000/yr | View → |
#8 | Lincoln | Nebraska | $855 | $926 | $1,141 | $1,587 | $34,200/yr | View → |
#9 | Appleton | Wisconsin | $858 | $960 | $1,236 | $1,701 | $34,320/yr | View → |
#10 | Lexington | Kentucky | $883 | $1,079 | $1,272 | $1,743 | $35,320/yr | View → |
#11 | Fort Wayne | Indiana | $892 | $916 | $1,113 | $1,381 | $35,680/yr | View → |
#12 | Rapid City | South Dakota | $921 | $1,018 | $1,336 | $1,743 | $36,840/yr | View → |
#13 | Dayton | Ohio | $928 | $1,009 | $1,273 | $1,651 | $37,120/yr | View → |
#14 | Augusta | Georgia | $939 | $1,114 | $1,261 | $1,627 | $37,560/yr | View → |
#15 | Oklahoma City | Oklahoma | $939 | $1,017 | $1,244 | $1,675 | $37,560/yr | View → |
#16 | St. Louis | Missouri | $955 | $995 | $1,218 | $1,568 | $38,200/yr | View → |
#17 | Laredo | Texas | $956 | $962 | $1,161 | $1,499 | $38,240/yr | View → |
#18 | New Orleans | Louisiana | $964 | $1,113 | $1,331 | $1,701 | $38,560/yr | View → |
#19 | Louisville | Kentucky | $966 | $1,047 | $1,272 | $1,625 | $38,640/yr | View → |
#20 | Tucson | Arizona | $967 | $1,081 | $1,402 | $1,950 | $38,680/yr | View → |
#21 | Little Rock | Arkansas | $984 | $989 | $1,147 | $1,540 | $39,360/yr | View → |
#22 | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | $1,001 | $1,077 | $1,299 | $1,661 | $40,040/yr | View → |
#23 | Fayetteville | Arkansas | $1,007 | $1,115 | $1,347 | $1,873 | $40,280/yr | View → |
#24 | Detroit | Michigan | $1,009 | $1,122 | $1,411 | $1,724 | $40,360/yr | View → |
#25 | Birmingham | Alabama | $1,024 | $1,155 | $1,266 | $1,583 | $40,960/yr | View → |
How We Selected These Cities
We evaluated cities across America to find the best options for students. Our selection criteria includes:
✓Lowest studio and 1BR rents
✓College town atmosphere
✓Student-friendly neighborhoods
✓Public transportation
✓Part-time job opportunities
Top 5 Picks for Students
Things to Consider Before Moving
•Check proximity to your specific campus
•Look into student housing options
•Verify lease terms match academic calendar
•Research public transit to campus