Where Do I Move?

Big cities on a budget (2026)

Metros of 500k+ people ranked by estimated monthly cost — urban depth without coastal prices. 20 cities qualify in the current dataset.

1
Austin, TX

est. cost: $3,505/mo · comfortable on $60,000/yr

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2
Oklahoma City, OK

est. cost: $3,637/mo · comfortable on $66,000/yr

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3
El Paso, TX

est. cost: $3,688/mo · comfortable on $63,500/yr

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4
Milwaukee, WI

est. cost: $3,720/mo · comfortable on $67,500/yr

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5
Louisville, KY

est. cost: $3,730/mo · comfortable on $70,000/yr

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6
Memphis, TN

est. cost: $3,783/mo · comfortable on $65,500/yr

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7
Albuquerque, NM

est. cost: $3,812/mo · comfortable on $69,000/yr

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8
Kansas City, MO

est. cost: $3,819/mo · comfortable on $70,500/yr

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9
Tucson, AZ

est. cost: $3,824/mo · comfortable on $68,000/yr

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10
San Antonio, TX

est. cost: $3,828/mo · comfortable on $66,000/yr

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11
Columbus, OH

est. cost: $3,854/mo · comfortable on $71,000/yr

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12
Indianapolis, IN

est. cost: $3,913/mo · comfortable on $73,000/yr

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13
Houston, TX

est. cost: $4,046/mo · comfortable on $70,500/yr

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14
Detroit, MI

est. cost: $4,078/mo · comfortable on $78,500/yr

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15
Charlotte, NC

est. cost: $4,096/mo · comfortable on $75,500/yr

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16
Nashville, TN

est. cost: $4,201/mo · comfortable on $74,000/yr

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17
Jacksonville, FL

est. cost: $4,212/mo · comfortable on $74,000/yr

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18
Las Vegas, NV

est. cost: $4,278/mo · comfortable on $75,500/yr

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19
Fort Worth, TX

est. cost: $4,280/mo · comfortable on $75,500/yr

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20
Chicago, IL

est. cost: $4,293/mo · comfortable on $81,000/yr

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Fit scores use the reference profile (single, default weights). Rankings refresh as the underlying data updates — methodology.

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