Image via Complex Original
The cap has been ceremoniously thrown into the air, you've hung up your gown, and it's time to figure out your next move. After spending years in the same place looking at the same people, it's time for a change of scenery. While a lot of college graduates dream of moving to major metropolitan areas to start their careers, the harsh reality is that the the cost of their loan payments isn't conducive to affording the cost of living.
Just because you have to postpone your big city dreams until you're financially secure doesn't mean that relocation is completely out of the picture. In every region of the U.S., there are cities where the cost of living is relatively low compared to the national average. Your entry-level salary will be enough to get you through the early stages of your professional life while you revel in the joys of complete independence. If you're okay with living outside of Boston, New York City, and Seattle, these 10 Cheap Cities to Move to After Graduation may work for you.
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[Statistics via Living Wage, Numbeo, Forbes]
10. Worcester, MA
Typical Monthly Housing Expenses (1 Bedroom Outside of City Center): $625
Typical Monthly Utilities (Electric, Heating, Water, Garbage): $133
Monthly Public Transportation Expenses: $48
Annual Income Needed for a Living Wage Before Taxes: $20,384
For recent college graduates who have some experience in the healthcare field and would like to live in the Northeast, Worcester might be your relocation destination. The two top employers are UMass Memorial Healthcare and University of Massachusetts Medical School, so don your scrubs, get to work, collect your paycheck, and shell out less than $700 a month for rent. Your time in Worcester doesn't have to be all work and no play, though. The city houses plenty of art museums, performing art theaters, and historical sites.
9. Memphis, TN
Typical Monthly Housing Expenses (1 Bedroom Outside of City Center): $600
Typical Monthly Utilities (Electric, Heating, Water, Garbage): $139.09
Monthly Public Transportation Expenses: $50
Annual Income Needed for a Living Wage Before Taxes: $20,306
Although Graceland and excellent barbecue have made Memphis a popular tourist destination in the U.S., it isn't an expensive place to call home. The "City of Good Abode" is known for its copious amounts of Southern hospitality; maybe that's why more musicians have recorded songs about the place than any other city in the world. Memphis isn't all about Elvis and ribs, though. Beale Street is the go-to spot for live music, entertainment, and shopping, so if you choose to call Memphis home, mosey on down the street and soak up the Southern charm.
8. Ann Arbor, MI
Typical Monthly Housing Expenses (1 Bedroom Outside of City Center): $600
Typical Monthly Utilities (Electric, Heating, Water, Garbage): $100.64
Monthly Public Transportation Expenses: $58
Annual Income Needed for a Living Wage Before Taxes: $19,738
Ann Arbor, MI has received so many accolades for being a great city, you'd think that people would be flocking to this place in droves. This year, Kiplinger claimed that Ann Arbor was the second best city for new graduates and MSN Travel called it one of the 10 coolest cities in the Midwest. Apart from all of the critical acclaim Ann Arbor continuously receives, the fact that you can survive on less than $20K a year makes this place an awesome option for post-grad living.
7. Austin, TX
Typical Monthly Housing Expenses (1 Bedroom Outside of City Center): $775
Typical Monthly Utilities (Electric, Heating, Water, Garbage): $181.59
Monthly Public Transportation Expenses: $64
Annual Income Needed for a Living Wage Before Taxes: $19,609
SXSW put this live music capital on the map, but Austin is good for a lot more than great shows. Move to Austin and enjoy an average of 300 days of sunshine a year while you relive your college days and party with the students at UT Austin. When you take into consideration the fact that it is a huge college town, it only makes sense that Forbes rated Austin as the fifth drunkest city in the country. Hook 'em and pour it up.
6. Buffalo, NY
Typical Monthly Housing Expenses (1 Bedroom Outside of City Center): $705
Typical Monthly Utilities (Electric, Heating, Water, Garbage): $181.59
Monthly Public Transportation Expenses: $75
Annual Income Needed for a Living Wage Before Taxes: $18,458
It isn't quite New York City, but if want to be in New York and around a lot of people, Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state. Consider this upstate city because the rent in the Big Apple is too damn high. Years ago, Buffalo was named the friendliest city in the nation by USA Today. While we don't know if it still holds true to the title, this is the place where buffalo wings were created, so there's no doubt that very good people live here.
5. Colorado Springs, CO
Typical Monthly Housing Expenses (1 Bedroom Outside of City Center): $450
Typical Monthly Utilities (Electric, Heating, Water, Garbage): $200
Monthly Public Transportation Expenses: $63
Annual Income Needed for a Living Wage Before Taxes: $18,077
You may not be ready to enter the workforce immediately after graduation, so if plan on moving, make sure to choose a city that will suit both your educational and financial needs. With housing expenses being so low in Colorado Springs, your student budget will take you far in Colorado's second biggest city. You'll also be in the same town as four graduate schools, including the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, which was ranked as the ninth best public school in the country.
4. St. Louis, MO
Typical Monthly Housing Expenses (1 Bedroom Outside of City Center): $550
Typical Monthly Utilities (Electric, Heating, Water, Garbage): $220.62
Monthly Public Transportation Expenses: $72
Annual Income Needed for a Living Wage Before Taxes: $18,065
Apart from the 630-foot Gateway Arch that the city is known for, St. Louis has a very successful hospitality industry. Outside of the nation's capital, STL has more free major attractions than any other U.S. city. Make your savings account happy and spend your free time at the St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis Art Museum, or the Anheuser-Busch Inbev Brewery.
3. Pittsburgh, PA
Typical Monthly Housing Expenses (1 Bedroom Outside of City Center): $700
Typical Monthly Utilities (Electric, Heating, Water, Garbage): $153
Monthly Public Transportation Expenses: $97.50
Annual Income Needed for a Living Wage Before Taxes: $17,244
Lovers of the McDonald's Big Mac have Pittsburgh to thank for its creation. While the city contributed a not-so-healthy food into the cultural framework of the nation, it also strives to promote environmental consciousness by having the most green buildings in the country. If you were cooped up in the library throughout college and would appreciate some fresh air, you'll enjoy the Great Allegheny Passage—a bike and running trail that when completed, will connect Pittsburgh to Washington, DC.
2. Dayton, OH
Typical Monthly Housing Expenses (1 Bedroom Outside of City Center): $550
Typical Monthly Utilities (Electric, Heating, Water, Garbage): $167.79
Monthly Public Transportation Expenses: $55
Annual Income Needed for a Living Wage Before Taxes: $16,732
If your student loans haven't put a severe dent in your credit score and you hope to actually settle down and join the real world shortly after graduation, Dayton is a pretty good option. Known as one of the most affordable places to buy a house, this Midwest city is also one of the top metropolitan U.S. areas for education. The fact that Dayton is the birthplace of aviation, the black light, space food, and the ice cube tray gives it a few extra cool points as well.
1. Spokane, WA
Typical Monthly Housing Expenses (1 Bedroom Outside of City Center): $520
Typical Monthly Utilities (Electric, Heating, Water, Garbage): $200
Monthly Public Transportation Expenses: $45
Annual Income Needed for a Living Wage Before Taxes: $15,318
The "sunny side" of Washington state, Spokane is the largest city between Seattle and Minneapolis. It's home to the "Hot Zone"—a 100-block area where residents can access free wireless internet. Not only is the cost of living in Spokane just over 9 percent lower than that of the U.S. average, but minimum wage is $1.19 above Spokane's living wage. It may not be sunny California, but with more money in your pocket, weekend trips to the Golden State won't be too far out of reach.