Most affordable cities in the US

Studying in the US is a dream for many but can be very expensive. While it is true that the cost of living in many of the larger cities is very high and tuition fees can really add up when attending a world-famous university, there are some cheaper options for students to explore which will allow the American university experience without breaking the bank. 

The QS Best Student Cities 2024 rankings look at a variety of factors which may make a city a popular study destination: student view, student mix, employer activity, desirability, affordability, and university rankings.  

Here we look at the affordability indicator to find out the most cost-effective study locations. To learn more about our methodology behind the rankings, see the methodology page on our website. 

Read on to discover the top 10 most affordable cities in the US. 

QS Best Student Cities 2024 – Top 10 most affordable cities in the US
National Rank	Global Rank	City
1	91	San Diego, California
2	123	Albany, New York
3	=131	Baltimore, Maryland
4	134	Durham, North Carolina
=5	=135	Dallas, Texas
=5	=135	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
7	138	Houston, Texas
8	140	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
9	144	Seattle, Washington
10	145	Atlanta, Georgia

10. Atlanta, Georgia

In 10th is Atlanta which is the capital and the largest city in the state of Georgia, found in the south-east of the US. It’s a cosmopolitan and diverse city with a rich history and plenty of local attractions such as the childhood home of civil rights activist Martin Luther King, the Georgia aquarium and the Atlanta Botanical Garden.  

The culinary culture in Atlanta is also second to none with five Michelin star restaurants and countless other places to dine and experience the city and its food. 

There are three QS top universities found in Atlanta. The highest-ranked of these is Georgia Institute of Technology which ranks 26th in the US and 97th in the world. Additionally, Georgia is also home to Emory University which ranks 38th in the US and Georgia State University which ranks joint 126th. 

9. Seattle, Washington

Seattle is a city on the west coast of the US, found in the state of Washington and ranks as the ninth most affordable city in the US. It has plenty of historic districts with artistic venues, nightlife and lots of cafes and coffee houses, including the flagship store of the Starbucks Reserve brand. Seattle is home to many boutique shops and brands meaning that students can find something new and exciting in every neighbourhood. 

Seattle’s top-ranking university is the University of Washington which ranks within the top 25 nationally at 21st. However, it is also home to Seattle University which ranks joint 174th. 

8. Philidelphia, Pennsylvania

Ranked eighth, Philidelphia is the most densely populated city in the state of Pennsylvania, making it a hub of activity and a great place to experience life in a big city without breaking the bank.  

Philadelphia has a rich political history as it was the city where the declaration of independence was signed as well as plenty of galleries, museums, theatres and music venues. It’s also the home of the Philly Cheesesteak, a cheese and meat dish that is very popular locally. 

Philadelphia is home to one of the Ivy League universities: University of Pennsylvania, which is ranked sixth in the country and 12th in the world and earns a perfect score for employer outcomes as well as an almost perfect score for academic reputation, faculty student ratio, international faculty ratio and sustainability.  

It is also home to three other QS top universities: Drexel University (96th), Temple University (109th) and Swarthmore College (112th). 

7. Houston, Texas

Houston is the largest city in Texas and the fourth largest in the US and ranks seventh in the country for affordability. It received the nickname the ‘space city’ as it is the mission control base for NASA, the US’s national space station.  

It also has a nightlife district with plenty of theatres, bars and restaurants, a China Town and ‘Little India’ district with plenty of restaurants and cafes which display the diversity of the city, and a world-famous blues music festival. 

The city’s highest-ranking institution is Rice University which ranks 34th in the US and joint 145th in the world. The city is also home to the University of Houston (joint 100th in the US). 

=5. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

In joint fifth is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh is a city with a large student population making it a great place to socialise and study on a budget. It is found on the west side of the state, on the border of Ohio.  

The city is known for its natural beauty with the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers flowing throughout. It is also well known for its thriving steel industry as well as its cultural focus on sporting events such as American football, ice hockey and basketball. 

The city is home to two QS top universities. The highest-ranked of these is Carnegie Mellon University which ranks in the US top 20 at 17th. There is also the University of Pittsburgh which ranks 43rd. 

=5. Dallas, Texas

Dallas is a metropolis city found in the north-east of the state and is joint fifth in our affordability rankings. It is best known for its sports teams: five-time Superbowl champions Dallas Cowboys as well as the Mavericks and the Rangers.  

The city is also well-known for its shopping outlets, arts district, which was named the best of its kind by Readers Choice in 2024, and its nightlife with plenty of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs to maintain a great social life. 

There are two QS-ranked universities in the city of Dallas. The highest-ranked of these is the University of Texas Dallas which receives its highest score in citations per faculty indicating how the university’s work contributes to the wider research community. It ranks 86th in the US and joint 520th in the world. There is also the Southern Methodist University which ranks joint 143rd. 

4. Durham, North Carolina

Durham is a progressive and diverse city in the state of North Carolina which ranks fourth for affordability. It has a rich historical background and played an important role in the civil rights movement as it was the first city where Martin Luther King advocated for the peaceful defiance of Jim Crow laws.  

It also played a significant role in railway trade following the civil war. Today, Durham is known for being a hub of business startups and is the home of black Wall Street. 

There is only one university from Durham featured on our list of top universities: Duke University. Despite this, it ranks within the top 20 universities in the US at 18th and in the top 100 worldwide at 57th and receives a perfect score in faculty student ratio as well as very high scores in international research network and sustainability. 

3. Baltimore, Maryland

Kicking off the top three most affordable cities in the US is Baltimore in the north-eastern state of Maryland. The city has a rich history in international trade with a large harbour that was originally used for importing and exporting goods.  

Today, water sports are a very important part of Baltimore’s culture with kayaks and sailboats frequently seen on the water. There are also many museums in Baltimore showcasing various elements of American history and art.  

World-famous Johns Hopkins University is the top-ranked university in Baltimore at 12th nationally and 28th globally. It earns a perfect score for faculty student ratio and a very good score for international student ratio and international research network. There is also the University of Maryland, Baltimore County which ranks 108th.

2. Albany, New York

New York City is one of the most expensive cities in the US to live and study in but in the same state is Albany, which ranks second for affordability. Originally a small Dutch settlement, the city is now known for its culinary culture with plenty of restaurants, bars, and cafes to choose from.  

It is especially well-known for its craft alcoholic drinks with plenty of breweries, distilleries and wineries and a craft beverage trail where residents, visitors and students over the age of 21 can try all the city has to offer. 

There is one QS-ranked university in Albany, New York. This is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute which ranks 82nd in the country. 

1. San Diego, California

San Diego has been named the most affordable city to live and study in the US. San Diego is a waterfront city on the west coast of the US. There are many popular attractions in San Diego, including Mission Bay Aquatic Park, San Diego Zoo, the Japanese Friendship Garden, the Timken Museum, the Fleet Science Centre, and the Museum of Us.  

There are plenty of beaches in San Diego where surfing is a very popular pastime as well as plenty of cafes and restaurants for students to enjoy. 

There are three top universities that can be found in San Diego. The highest-ranked of these is University of California San Diego which ranks 20th in the US:. It received its highest score for international research network. There is also San Diego State University (joint 143rd) and University of San Diego (joint 174th).