Affordable Cities: 10 US Metro Areas With Underrated Livability, Walkability and Transit

"Which city should I move to?" This is a question people are increasingly asking themselves as the challenge of finding affordable living in coastal and sun belt cities continues to spiral out of reach. Now, we're all for fighting the good fight to get more housing built in the places where people want to live...but for some people, you just can't wait for solutions. Today's video is here to help!

There's a staggering difference in cost of living between the sought-after cities of California (and even skyrocketing cities like Austin and Nashville), and established, legacy cities in other parts of the US. So this video tackles the question of not only what are the most affordable places to live in the US, but where good prices intersect with things city-lovers care about: public amenities, culture, sports, walkability, bike-ability, and transit service.

This is CItyNerd's guide to the ten most underrated cities to move to in the US. Your results may vary, so let me know what you think I overrated or underrated down in the comments!

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Twitter: @nerd4cities
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Image Credits:
- Generic stonks graphic Video by Tomislav Jakupec from Pixabay
- Equations Video by Derpy CG from Pixabay
- LA weather Video by William Sevilla from Pixabay
- St Paul snow Image by David Mark from Pixabay
- Chicago loop Image by David Mark from Pixabay
- Downtown LA traffic Image by Maxx Girr from Pixabay
- Philadelphia Skyline for thumbnail Image by Pierre Blaché from Pixabay

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Music:
CityNerd background: Caipirinha in Hawaii by Carmen María and Edu Espinal (YouTube music library)

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[CityNerd]

This is one where, going into it, I had strong opinions about cities I though would show up when I did the "analysis." Most of them did, but two didn't, and I'm going to explain why.

1. Baltimore. The Zillow Home Value Index for the Baltimore MSA is $366, 129, which I thought was surprisingly high. It's still a good value, but just not as good a value (i.e. differential between what I think it's worth and what the going price is) as the ten that made this list.

2. Cincinnati. The ZHVI is pretty low ($250, 986), but the transit supply (metro area per capita) is significantly worse than any of the ten cities that made this list. It's like half of what Cleveland is -- and they're in the same state!

[neolithictransitrevolution]

Absolutely worth mentioning that Pennsylvania, with two of the top 3, is the only state to use a split land/property tax regime that taxes vacancy and lower density usage higher.

[ShadowCrashed]

"I'd rather be cold than be bored"

This resonated with me especially since I came back from my first trip to NYC. I used to love my small town. But ever since coming back melancholy washes over me during the weekend. This must be what FOMO is

[stevenlloyd]

How about a video on cities that are transforming from car centric to being more bike, transit, and pedestrian friendly?

[jimslancio]

4:32 New York
5:28 the Twin Cities
6:08 St. Louis
7:27 Milwaukee
8:03 Buffalo
8:31 Cleveland
9:50 New Orleans
12:10 Pittsburgh
12:44 Philadelphia
13:31 Chicago
In general, cities that have existing infrastructures and cultural amenities, and aren't fully metastasized with poorly planned suburban sprawl and chintzy construction.

[meng-hsuanlee]

I moved to Chicago in 2015 from Taiwan and fell in love almost immediately. As a person who depend on transit, need some density (I'm from Asia after all), crave culture, history, and art, enjoy great architecture, Chicago just has everything. The people are nice. It's very affordable. The lake is beyond gorgeous. For about 4-5 months in a year the lakefront is basically Miami, with 20+ public beaches and you don't get all salty taking a dive into the lake. Yes, the winter is cold but as a person from subtropical Taiwan I actually really enjoy the change of seasons. Yes, there are crime and gang activity in chronically underinvested neighborhoods, but that's the "original sin" that a lot major US cities all have to deal with. All of my friends and family who come to visit are amazed at how under the radar Chicago is before they visit.

[kurtg]

As a foreigner and having lived in various cities all over the US, Chicago attracted me at first visit like no other city did. I absolutely love NYC that being the only other city that I didn't find underwhelming compared to the hype and reputation. Apart from the cleanliness, beautiful architecture, culture and food scene, there is a certain small city vibe in what is actually a big city that I enjoyed and found unique to Chicago.

[anthonydpearson]

Philly is 1.5 hours to NY or DC on Amtrak. It has trams. It has a subway. Its food scene is phenomenal. It's arts and culture are amazing. It's got 3 major universities, including an Ivy League in UPenn. It's green, it's dense, it's walkable, it's got riverfront. It's got a young, well educated workforce. It's got all the pieces - what Philly needs though is just one great mayor to pull all the pieces together. Once that happens, it won't be underrated anymore.

[chelmrtz]

I moved from Silicon Valley to Chicago last summer. Best decision I ever made. Winter is actually manageable here because the snowplows keep the streets clear, everyone has heating in their homes, and you can wear layers. Far and away better than losing your home or life in the inevitable wildfire season that starts earlier every year in Northern California

[Mark_LaCroix]

As a Minneapolitan and year-round bike commuter, I always thought our super high bike ratings were a little overblown... until I started renting bikes while visiting other cities. Some places that should be great for bikes, like Austin, San Diego, and Seattle, seem to be missing out on a easy win against Minneapolis. Considering that all our bike lanes get completely covered in a 3-foot high snow/dirt mix every winter, and the potholes in bike lanes are the last to get patched in the summer, it really shows how low the ceiling is.

[alisaishere]

Thank you for the Chicago love and support. There are plenty of us who live here (city and burbs) that fully realize how amazing Chicago is. We have a food scene that is amazing and even Gordon Ramsey says it's the best (and you can find out what real Chicago pizza is, because it's not deep dish). We have so much art and cultural opportunities that your brain will be overwhelmed. The museums are top of the line and host free days for Chicago residents all the time. And during the summer there's at least one festival going on if not two or three, thanks to all of the neighborhoods, especially those that still attract certain nationalities and ethnicities. Our music scene is top notch and includes free concerts during the warmer months. You will find city and suburban residents doing the touristy things, because they're so unique and fun (I always recommend the architecture boat tour). And the public transport is really good. Even the suburbs have train lines that will take you into the Loop where you can get a bus, L, or taxi and go from there.

[aaronkazda]

Yes! Chicago is so underrated, as are most Midwest cities! I grew up in Chicago wanting to run away to a warm climate and found the people in the warm climate not the best and pretty boring, the community you find is what’s most important I think that’s another reason Chicago is so underrated!!

[edgarrv]

We are moving out of Cleveland in the next few weeks and I am struggling. I have absolutely loved it. Stellar city, world class museums, orchestras, parks. Very diverse for its size. A true gem. Winter is nothing (I used to live in Chicago)

Shout out to Cleveland! You are a true gem.

[zionklinger]

As a New Orleans native currently living in Ohio (for now), this video felt so good! A lot of city channels act like New York is the only halfway decent city on the continent, so I appreciate you highlighting why someone might live not in there, or one of the other mega-expensive cities

[cockybalboa]

I live in the West Loop neighborhood of Chicago, and I absolutely love this city. It's very underrated by most people.

[cjthorp]

One more thing to keep in mind when talking about crime: it's important to look at crime rates of *people who didn't already know each other*. I learned this while working for Houston's downtown district and it's changed my understanding of crime rates. The majority of assaults, etc happen between people who already know each other: gangs, feuds, domestic violence, etc. For example, I think in downtown Houston last year there only around 5 cases of assault by someone the victim didn't already know.

[JoshKablack]

"Pittsburgh is basically a transportation Shangri-la". As a car free Pittsburgher, this made me despair for the rest of the country.

[Steve-nmdm]

Wow, found this video to be spot on. I've lived in DC, Boston, SF, and St. Louis. It amazes me how people cannot see the value of St. Louis. I hope to go back to St. Louis someday because it is a rare combination of culture, architecture, urban fabric, and inexpensive real estate.

[eddiechase]

I grew up in a corn field, I have lived in all 4 contiguous time zones, and in cities from the millions to the thousands, including Chicgo for eight years. You nailed it! My eight years in Chicago started with a constant headache finding parking for six months, and then 7 1/2 years of absolute bliss after I got rid of my car. It was the best 7 1/2 years of my life!

[dr.casebolt]

I want to genuinely thank you for these videos. One of my young adult kids has medical reasons for needing to live car-free, and some of the information you've provided in a number of videos (like this one) has been very helpful for helping her considering job options. We appreciate it!