If you’re a millennial in search of a good place to live, you might find what you’re looking for in Middle America.
Despite stabilizing rent prices in popular coastal markets like New York City, Boston, and San Francisco, these places remain unaffordable for the average millennial.
Cities in the Midwest and South, however, offer affordable housing, stable and well-paying jobs, and a good quality of life.
That’s according to a recent study by Apartment List, which evaluated the housing and job markets of popular US metro areas, as well as the satisfaction of residents there, to discover the best places for millennials to live.
To compile its ranking, Apartment List gathered the following metrics for the 75 largest US metro areas:
- Affordability: Median rents and the share of households that can afford the median-priced home. Based on data from Apartment List and Harvard JCHS 2017 State of the Nation’s Housing Report.
- Jobs: Median wages, wage growth, and the millennial unemployment rate. Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics and Census Bureau data.
- Livability: Renters’ satisfaction with weather; access to parks community activities, and nightlife; opportunities to date and make friends; and safety and low crime rates. Based on Apartment List’s annual survey of 24,000 renters.
Each of the categories was weighted equally to determine the final list. Below, take a look at the 10 best metro areas for millennials. On each slide, we’ve included the metro’s score for each category, as well as median income and median rent.
Read more: 31 US cities where you don’t have to earn 6 figures to live well
10. Minneapolis, Minnesota
Job score: 67
Median income: $43,170
Affordability score: 51
Median rent: $1,217
Livability score: 73
9. Houston, Texas
Job score: 76
Median income: $38,470
Affordability score: 59
Median rent: $1,015
Livability score: 55
8. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Job score: 71
Median income: $35,160
Affordability score: 90
Median rent: $819
Livability score: 34
7. Omaha, Nebraska
Job score: 69
Median income: $36,480
Affordability score: 83
Median rent: $940
Livability score: 43
6. Charleston, South Carolina
Job score: 66
Median income: $34,970
Affordability score: 34
Median rent: $1,134
Livability score: 96
Read more: The 10 hottest neighborhoods in the US right now
5. Columbus, Ohio
Job score: 55
Median income: $37,490
Affordability score: 76
Median rent: $964
Livability score: 66
4. San Antonio, Texas
Job score: 59
Median income: $33,890
Affordability score: 57
Median rent: $1,063
Livability score: 85
3. Madison, Wisconsin
Job score: 79
Median income: $40,540
Affordability score: 50
Median rent: $1,000
Livability score: 81
2. Provo, Utah
Job score: 69
Median income: $32,900
Affordability score: 62
Median rent: $885
Livability score: 84
Read more: Here’s the real reason millennials aren’t buying houses
1. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Job score: 69
Median income: $36,870
Affordability score: 94
Median rent: $837
Livability score: 53
This article originally appeared on BusinessInsider.com
