Prefer Living Alone? 5 Popular Cities That Offer the Most Affordable Options
Written by
Ellie Diamond
Edited by
Molly Sullivan
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Living alone isn’t easy in today’s economy, but there are places in the U.S. where a single person can thrive. The Economist publishes a list of these cities every year in what it calls its “Carrie Bradshaw index.”
The index’s fiercely independent namesake, a New York City writer, is the lead character on the hit series “Sex and the City.” The list bears her name because, as one Economist researcher told CNBC, today’s economy would probably price her out of her West Village apartment.
Fortunately for the Carries of the world, however, there are still U.S. cities where a moderate-income earner can live alone. Using median income data and typical rental rates, The Economist identified several cities where it’s feasible to live solo, based on the benchmark that Americans should spend no more than 30% of their income on rent.
1. Wichita, Kansas
The Economist ranked Wichita as the most affordable city on the Bradshaw index. In October 2025, CNBC quoted the average rent for a studio in Wichita at $580, which had increased to $595 by December.
Still, $595 per month is well within the 30% affordability range for a median earner in Wichita, where per capita income is $36,071, according to the most recent available data. That breaks down to a typical monthly income of around $3,000, which would make a $900 apartment affordable.
2. Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge ranks second for affordability on the 2025 Bradshaw Index. The median rent for a studio is $735, as of December 2025, a slight increase over the $700 quoted in Quartz in October. World Population Review puts the median individual income at $34,023, which would make $850 affordable.
That’s less of a difference than the $47,940 salary Quartz quotes, likely a reference to household income. Still, if you’re looking for a brunch-filled lifestyle like Carrie’s, an extra $100 a month is nothing to sneeze at.
3. Lincoln, Nebraska
As the third-most-affordable city on the list, Lincoln offers studio apartments at a median rent of $747 per month. That’s an 8% decrease from the past year, according to Zumper.
World Population Review reports a median individual income of $45,018 per year, or $3,751 per month. That income puts affordable rent at $1,125, which means a median earner could afford a two-bedroom apartment. That’s a lot more space than Carrie Bradshaw had in her West Village studio.
4. Des Moines, Iowa
The fourth-place finisher on this year’s Bradshaw index is Des Moines, where the median rent for a studio is $750 per month. That’s a 10% decrease over the past year, according to Zumper.
The individual median income in Des Moines is $47,400, which translates to nearly $4,000 a month. Given the maximum affordable rent on that income, $1,185, the legendary Miss Bradshaw would have an extra $435 a month by renting an average studio. Even a typical one-bedroom at $850 would leave plenty for nights out with friends.
5. Akron, Ohio
You may not have heard of Akron, Ohio, but it’s a top-five finisher on the 2025 Bradshaw index. Zumper reports a median rent of $725 for a studio, while World Population Review puts the median individual income at $34,046.
Those may not be Des Moines- or Lincoln-level earnings, but it still makes an $851-a-month apartment affordable. Aspiring Carrie Bradshaws in Akron have a choice: They can put the extra $126 monthly into savings or investments, spend it on a Carrie-style night out or upgrade to a one-bedroom.
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