5 Affordable US Cities With Invigorating Arts Scenes
Written by
Jennifer Taylor
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
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Living in an artsy city doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Sure, cities like New York and Los Angeles might be out of reach for many, but they’re not the only options.
Plenty of mid-size and smaller U.S. cities are also bursting with creative energy. Filled with performance venues, museums, galleries and more, they’re rich in culture, but you don’t actually have to be wealthy to thrive in them.
The average rent in the U.S. is $2,000 per month, according to Zillow. For those looking to buy, the median home sale price in the U.S. is $368,300, according to Zillow.
Keep reading to discover five U.S. cities with vibrant arts scenes, that also boast housing costs below the national average. All housing data is sourced from Zillow.
Pittsburgh
More than just the “Steel City,” Pittsburgh is the birthplace of many famed creatives, including Andy Warhol and August Wilson, according to VisitPittsburgh. The city is home to more than 500 arts organizations, including museums and galleries, performing arts and theaters, music venues, cultural institutions and more.
Some of these include the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden, Heinz History Center, Andy Warhol Museum and the Byham Theater. The Pittsburgh Citiparks Department also hosts a variety of cultural events throughout the year.
Cleveland
When it comes to arts and culture, Cleveland rocks. The city boasts everything from chic independent galleries to historic cultural institutions, according to Destination Cleveland.
If you’re indie arts scene, the Tremont neighborhood has dozens of galleries and hosts Walkabout Tremont, an art walk on the second Friday of each month. Of course, the city is also home to famed spots like the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, The Cleveland Museum of Art and the Cleveland Play House.
Kansas City, Missouri
More than 400 local artists live and work in Kansas City’s Crossroads Arts District, according to Visit KC. This includes over 100 independent studios, including the Buttonwood Art Space, Sherry Leedy Contemporary Art and the Jones Gallery.
The city also hosts many art festivals throughout the year, such as the Kansas City Chalk & Walk Festival and the Kansas City FilmFest International. Live music fans can also take in shows at a variety of venues, including the Green Lady Lounge, Starlight Theatre and The Midland Theatre.
Detroit
It shouldn’t be a surprise that Motown is bursting with arts and culture. The city is home to several artsy areas, including the Mexicantown neighborhood, the Heidelberg Project, murals around Eastern Market, Z Lot parking garage and Sugar Hill Arts District, according to Visit Detroit.
Yet another spot, Little Village — in Detroit’s East Village neighborhood — is a fast-growing community focused on the arts. There’s also a ton of museums and theaters, such as the Detroit Institute of Art, Motown Museum, the Fox Theatre and Fisher Theatre.
New Orleans
The only surprising thing about New Orleans being on this list is its affordability. In addition to museums like New Orleans Museum of Art, the city’s Arts District and Magazine Street are filled with galleries, per New Orleans and Company.
You can also find local artisans at spots like the French Market, Dutch Alley Artist’s Co-op and Jackson Square. Additionally, the city has a variety of theater companies and performance spaces like the Orpheum, Civic and Music Box Village, according to New Orleans and Company.
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