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: $723/mo
Average: $847/mo
States Covered: 17
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 | Saginaw | Michigan | $723 | $850 | $1,020 | $1,318 | $28,920/yr | View → |
#2 | Fort Wayne | Indiana | $765 | $900 | $1,080 | $1,395 | $30,600/yr | View → |
#3 | Laredo | Texas | $765 | $900 | $1,080 | $1,395 | $30,600/yr | View → |
#4 | Wichita | Kansas | $765 | $900 | $1,080 | $1,395 | $30,600/yr | View → |
#5 | Appleton | Wisconsin | $808 | $950 | $1,140 | $1,473 | $32,320/yr | View → |
#6 | Cedar Rapids | Iowa | $808 | $950 | $1,140 | $1,473 | $32,320/yr | View → |
#7 | Dayton | Ohio | $808 | $950 | $1,140 | $1,473 | $32,320/yr | View → |
#8 | El Paso | Texas | $808 | $950 | $1,140 | $1,473 | $32,320/yr | View → |
#9 | Fargo | North Dakota | $808 | $950 | $1,140 | $1,473 | $32,320/yr | View → |
#10 | Jackson | Mississippi | $808 | $950 | $1,140 | $1,473 | $32,320/yr | View → |
#11 | Macon | Georgia | $808 | $950 | $1,140 | $1,473 | $32,320/yr | View → |
#12 | Cleveland | Ohio | $850 | $940 | $1,233 | $1,584 | $34,000/yr | View → |
#13 | Fayetteville | Arkansas | $850 | $1,000 | $1,200 | $1,550 | $34,000/yr | View → |
#14 | Lafayette | Louisiana | $850 | $1,000 | $1,200 | $1,550 | $34,000/yr | View → |
#15 | Lincoln | Nebraska | $850 | $1,000 | $1,200 | $1,550 | $34,000/yr | View → |
#16 | Little Rock | Arkansas | $850 | $1,000 | $1,200 | $1,550 | $34,000/yr | View → |
#17 | Rapid City | South Dakota | $850 | $1,000 | $1,200 | $1,550 | $34,000/yr | View → |
#18 | Augusta | Georgia | $893 | $1,050 | $1,260 | $1,628 | $35,720/yr | View → |
#19 | Des Moines | Iowa | $893 | $1,050 | $1,260 | $1,628 | $35,720/yr | View → |
#20 | Baton Rouge | Louisiana | $935 | $1,100 | $1,320 | $1,705 | $37,400/yr | View → |
#21 | Corpus Christi | Texas | $935 | $1,100 | $1,320 | $1,705 | $37,400/yr | View → |
#22 | Lexington | Kentucky | $935 | $1,100 | $1,320 | $1,705 | $37,400/yr | View → |
#23 | Omaha | Nebraska | $935 | $1,100 | $1,320 | $1,705 | $37,400/yr | View → |
#24 | Tucson | Arizona | $935 | $1,100 | $1,320 | $1,705 | $37,400/yr | View → |
#25 | Oklahoma City | Oklahoma | $939 | $1,017 | $1,244 | $1,675 | $37,560/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