50 Cheapest Places To Live for Millennials

Whether you’re fresh out of college or about a decade into your career, it never hurts to save more money — especially if you’re looking to get ahead of the game and retire earlier. One way you can keep more money in your bank account is to live in one of the best cities for millennials. Not only are these cities some of the cheapest places to live, but they also feature larger numbers of residents ages 25 to 39.

To determine the 50 most affordable cities for millennials, GOBankingRates analyzed over 700 cities with at least 50,000 residents and a millennial population of 21.6% or greater. Factors included the three-year change in each city’s millennial population, the overall cost-of living index, the median monthly rent and the median home list price.

Saving money in a cheaper city doesn’t have to be boring. For example, the place with the largest percentage of millennials on GOBankingRates’ list is one of southeast Michigan’s trendiest cities.

Data is accurate as of July 7, 2019, and is subject to change

50. Bryan, Texas

  • Percentage of millennial residents in 2017: 25.1%

  • 3-year change in millennial population: 0.7%

  • Median monthly rent: $1,285

  • Median list price: $224,900

Bryan has a cost of living that’s 11.5% below the national average — and the millennial population in the city is slowly increasing. In 2014, the percentage of millennial residents in Bryan was 24.4%, which is 0.7 percentage points lower compared to 2017. Additionally, the city’s median monthly rent is $201 below the national average of $1,486. The median list price for a home also comes in below the national average of $289,900.

49. Temple, Texas

  • Percentage of millennial residents in 2017: 22.1%

  • 3-year change in millennial population: 0.9%

  • Median monthly rent: $1,116

  • Median list price: $189,850

Temple has the 10th-most affordable cost-of-living expenses at 16.7% below the national average. The monthly median rent in this city is $370 below the national average of $1,486. However, homebuying is where millennials can really save. The median list price in Temple is approximately $100,000 less than the national average of $289,900.

48. Lawton, Oklahoma

  • Percentage of millennial residents in 2017: 23.9%

  • 3-year change in millennial population: -0.4%

  • Median monthly rent: $723

  • Median list price: $99,900

If you’re trying to save money on expenses, Lawton could be one of the best cities to live in due to its affordable cost of living, which is 21.6% below the national average. The city’s affordability can be partially attributed to Lawton having the lowest median rent of all the cities on GOBankingRates’ list, at $723 per month. The city also has the third-lowest median list price at $99,900, which comes in at $190,000 below the national average.