Single Americans now bear a significantly higher housing cost burden than couples, spending 36.3% of their income on housing, according to the recent Bureau of Labor Statistics, making it more difficult to build an independent life. A recent study by Rocket Moving analyzed over 50 cities across the country to identify the best U.S. cities for singles. The research focused on affordability and career opportunities, as the best basis for an independent solo-living. The data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Census Bureau, and Zillow was collected to calculate the final score, ranking cities from the best to worst for single life.
Here is the summary of the findings:
| City, State | Rent ($) | 1-Bedroom Rentals | Job Growth | Jobs (M) | Score |
| Orlando, FL | 1,899 | 6,526 | 4.60% | 9.68 | 100 |
| Reno, NV | 1,571 | 1,235 | 5.10% | 1.54 | 98 |
| Austin, TX | 2,225 | 19,592 | 4.60% | 13.83 | 96 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 1,286 | 1,708 | 2.70% | 1.73 | 94 |
| Fargo, ND | 1,015 | 1,186 | 2.50% | 0.43 | 92 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 1,602 | 8,986 | 2.60% | 3.15 | 90 |
| Nashville, TN | 2,052 | 8,325 | 3.20% | 3.31 | 88 |
| Kansas City, MO | 1,359 | 2,695 | 2.00% | 2.96 | 86 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 1,138 | 1,380 | 2.30% | 0.46 | 84 |
| Cheyenne, WY | 1,075 | 154 | 2.10% | 0.29 | 82 |
You can find the full research findings by following this link.
The best U.S. city for singles is Orlando, Florida, offering many work opportunities and affordable living. The city offers over 9 million open job positions, and Orlando has one of the fastest-growing job markets in the top 10. The rent in Orlando is one of the highest in the ranking at $1,899 on average, but there are over 6.5K 1-bedroom rentals to choose from across the city.
Reno, Nevada, ranks 2nd on the list of the best cities for singles. The city has the fastest job growth in the top 10, with 5.1%, offering many career opportunities. The rent here is much cheaper than in Orlando, with an average of $1,500.
Austin, Texas, takes third place, with a score of 96. As the biggest city on the list, Austin offers the most jobs, with 13.8 million, and the most housing options. At the same time, the rent in Austin is the highest on the list, averaging $2,225.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, holds fourth place, earning a score of 94. One of the most affordable cities in the list, the rent here costs $1,286 on average, and there are 1.7K one-bedroom rentals to choose from. The city also offers more jobs than Reno, with 1.7 million.
Fargo, North Dakota, is fifth in the ranking of the best U.S. cities for singles, with a score of 92. The most affordable city on the list, it offers rent at $1,015 as well as 1.1K one-bedroom rentals. At the same time, there are fewer job opportunities than in other cities in the top 10, but there are still 430K open positions to choose from.
Phoenix, Arizona, follows closely behind Fargo with sixth place and a score of 90. The city is a little pricier than Reno, with rent averaging $1.6K. Phoenix also has a large job market, totalling 3.1 million jobs, with a stable growth rate of 2.6%.
Nashville, Tennessee, gets seventh place and a score of 88. This is the second priciest city on the list, with rent costing $2K. The housing market in Nashville is similar to Phoenix, and over 8.3K 1-bedroom homes are available for rent. The job market in Nashville also grows faster than in Fargo or Phoenix, at 3.2%.
Kansas City, Missouri, is eighth, getting a score of 86. The city has over 2.9 million open job positions, making it a great hub for career-oriented single people. The rent is also one of the most affordable on the list, with an average cost of $1,359.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, earns ninth position, scoring 84. Another city with affordable single living, it offers rentals for $1,138 on average, and 1.3K homes to choose from. The job market in Sioux Falls is smaller, compared to other cities on the list, with 460K open job positions.
Cheyenne, Wyoming, closes the ranking of the best U.S. cities for singles in tenth place and a score of 82. The city is the second most affordable on the list, closely following Fargo with rent at $1,075.
Christopher Vardanyan, CEO at Rocket Moving, commented on the study: “The rise of single living as a lifestyle choice is reshaping America’s urban landscapes, with mid-sized cities increasingly attracting solo residents through a powerful combination of job opportunities and housing affordability. This trend highlights how economic factors, rather than just entertainment options or dating scenes, are now the primary drivers of where singles choose to establish their lives. Cities that successfully balance career growth potential with reasonable living costs are positioning themselves as magnets for this growing demographic.”
