The Best U.S. Cities to Start Your Life Over

Whether it's the start of a new year, a change in life circumstances, or a desire to shake things up, sometimes you just need a fresh start. And while many people have big city dreams, some locations are better than others for "starting over."

To discover some of the best cities in the U.S. to start over, FinanceBuzz collected data from 75 of the largest U.S. cities and scored them according to the peer population, employment and income, social scene, housing, and lifestyle each city offers.

Key findings

• Combining a low cost of living, a bustling social scene, and job opportunities, St. Louis, Missouri, is the top-rated city in the U.S. for people looking to start over a new life.
• By contrast, New York City is the most difficult city to move to for a fresh start.
• The cost of living is highest in San Francisco, California, and lowest in Toledo, Ohio.

How we determined the best cities to start over

To create our rankings, we identified metrics that would make a city more or less appealing to someone looking for a fresh start. These metrics were weighted by overall importance, then added together to create an overall score for each broader category related to starting over. We then weighted and added the category scores together to create a final score for each city on a 0-100 scale.

The categories used are:

• Peer population: For many people, the best time to get a fresh start is when they are young adults, which is easier to do if they can relate to others living near them. Metrics in this category include how many people in each city are between the ages of 19-34, how many singles live in each city, and more.
• Lifestyle: The kind of life someone can lead varies greatly across the country, with cities where things are more expensive making it harder to enjoy the kind of fun and adventurous lifestyle many people envision when starting over. Metrics in this category include cost of living, quality of life, and the income needed to make a living wage in each city.
• Employment and income: Moving to a new city can be expensive, and often requires finding a new job in the city where you are starting over. Metrics in this category include income data, job diversity, job growth, and the unemployment rate in each city.
• Social scene: Starting over in a new city is a chance to create a new social life, complete with new friends and romantic partners. Metrics in this category include per capita measures of popular social gathering spaces such as bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and more.
• Housing: Finding someplace to live should be step one for anyone looking for a fresh start in a new city. Metrics in this category include average rent costs, home sale prices, and more.

The best cities in the U.S. to start over

After accounting for things like living costs, opportunities for socializing with peers, the job market, and more, these are the best U.S. cities for people looking to start over.

1. St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis takes the cake as the best city in the country for young people looking to start over, thanks to a combination of affordability and robust social opportunities. The cost of living in St. Louis is one of the 10 lowest in the country, while on a per capita basis, the Gateway to the West has the most bars (193.1) and nightlife establishments (305.2) per 100,000 people of any city in the country.

2. Cincinnati, Ohio

Cincinnati is similar to St. Louis, another affordable Midwestern city with a strong social scene. The living wage (a measure of how much money is needed to live comfortably) in the Queen City is one of the 15 lowest in the country, while Cincy ranks in the top 10 for the number of community centers per capita and has the third-most nightlife options per 100,000 people (248.2) of any city.

3. Lincoln, Nebraska

Lincoln is home to the University of Nebraska, and nearly a quarter of the city's population, 24.8%, is between the ages of 19 and 34, the highest rate in the country. Additionally, 11.6% of people in Lincoln are currently enrolled in college, the second-highest rate of any city.

Those factors make Lincoln a great place for young people looking to connect with peers, and the fact that rent costs for a downtown apartment in the city are the second-lowest in the country doesn't hurt either.

4. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh has one of the five highest social scene scores in the country, thanks to high concentrations of bars, nightlife establishments, and gyms and fitness centers per capita. Pittsburgh is also more affordable than most of the country, with a cost of living that is more than 8% below the national average.

5. Hartford, Connecticut

Hartford is a great place for people who want to use education to turn over a new leaf, as the 7.5 colleges and universities per 100,000 people in the city is the sixth-most in the country. Hartford also has a relatively diverse employment environment, and ranks in the top five in the country for the number of restaurants (896.6), community centers (46.0), and sport and social clubs (96.9) per capita.

6. Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Multiple colleges and universities call Baton Rouge home, including Louisiana State University, with an enrollment of over 40,000. In fact, Baton Rouge has the third-most colleges and universities per capita of any city in this evaluation. That, coupled with the fact that 57.5% of people in the city are single (the fifth-highest rate in the country), makes Baton Rouge a great place to connect with other young people starting their own adult lives.

7. Little Rock, Arkansas

Little Rock is one of the most affordable and enjoyable cities in the country. It has the second-lowest cost of living among the places we looked at and the fifth-highest quality of life. Little Rock is also a great place to put down more permanent roots, as mortgage costs and home sale prices are the third-lowest in the country.

8. Lexington, Kentucky

While Lexington has a pretty sparse social scene, nearly a quarter of residents (22.6%) fall in the 19 to 34 age range, and almost 1 in 10 (9.5%) are enrolled in college, both of which are among the 10 highest rates in the country. Lexington is also an affordable place to live, with a cost of living nearly 10% lower than the national average.

9. Des Moines, Iowa

Des Moines' quality-of-life score is the third-highest in the nation, and affordability is a big part of that. The cost of living in Des Moines is one of the 15 lowest of any city, and it is one of just 15 places where rent for a non-downtown apartment costs less than $1,000, and one of just 10 where an apartment in the city center rents for less than $1,200.

10. Toledo, Ohio

Toledo's cost-of-living score of 77.4 is the lowest in the country, as is the amount required to make a living wage in the city ($40,559). Toledo also has the lowest rent, mortgage, and home sale costs of any city. What it lacks, however, is a lot of social options, though it is just a few hours from other major cities with stronger social scenes, such as Detroit, Cleveland, and Cincinnati.

Why choose one of the top cities?

These cities can help your money stretch further, and that's an important consideration when you're considering a relocation. You can also stretch your money by wisely using one of the best cash back credit cards for your relocation costs. You can use the cash back as soon as it's available to help offset costs.

And once you're settled in, you can take advantage of the affordability by adding savings to your 401(k), IRA, and emergency savings account.

The worst cities in the U.S. to start over

When it comes to the worst places to start over, affordability (and the lack thereof) plays a significant role, as the living wage, cost of living, and housing costs in many of the lowest-ranking cities are among the highest in the country.

1. New York, New York

Starting a new life in New York City can be prohibitively difficult, especially for a young person. Cost of living is a key reason for that. The cost of living in New York is 72.5% higher than the national average, and the city has the nation's highest average rent cost for a downtown apartment at a mind-boggling $4,464 per month. That total is over $1,000 per month higher than the next-most-expensive city (San Francisco's $3,442), and is equivalent to five months of rent in Toledo, Ohio.

2. Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles earns a bottom-three ranking thanks to the same reason New York City finished last on this list — how expensive it is to live there. While apartments are more affordable in LA than in NYC, they are still some of the most expensive in the country. LA also has one of the three lowest quality-of-life scores in the country and the second-highest unemployment rate.

3. Honolulu, Hawaii

While beautiful, Hawaii is generally an expensive place to live. The amount needed to make a living wage in Honolulu, $62,451, is even higher than in New York and Los Angeles, and the city is one of just five places across the country where the median sale price for a single-family home is more than $1 million.

4. San Jose, California

San Jose has the second-highest cost of living of any city in the country at a remarkable 131% higher than the national average, and the $73,375 annual income required to make a living wage is the highest in the country. Beyond how much it costs to live there, San Jose also has a mediocre social scene, as the number of bars (20.9) and nightlife establishments (62.2) per 100,000 people both rank in the 15 lowest in the nation.

5. Sacramento, California

The unemployment rate in Sacramento is 5.4%, the fifth-highest in the country, so finding a new job may be hard, especially for someone looking for a fresh start. California's state capital also has a relatively paltry social scene, and rent costs exceed $2,000 per month for a downtown apartment.

6. Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix lands on this list thanks to the city's low scores in social scene and peer population. Phoenix has 2.5 colleges and universities per 100,000 people, one of the 15 lowest rates in the country, and also ranks in the bottom 25 for the number of bars and community centers per capita.

7. Las Vegas, Nevada

Finding somewhere to work in Sin City may prove difficult for anyone looking for a fresh start, as Las Vegas has the worst employment environment in the country. The median income in the city is $52,314, the second-lowest in the country, while the unemployment rate of 5.6% is the fourth-highest. Las Vegas also has one of the least diverse job markets in the country, as hospitality work dominates the tourism mecca.

8. San Diego, California

Finding an affordable place to live can be difficult for someone looking to start fresh in San Diego. The average monthly rent for an apartment on the outskirts of the city, $2,715, is the highest in the country, while renting a downtown apartment in San Diego comes with the third-highest price in the country ($3,155). The median sale price for a single-family home in the city also exceeds the $1 million mark.

9. San Francisco, California

When it comes to the cost of living, nowhere is worse than San Francisco, where costs are 145.5% higher than the national average. The City by the Bay also has the second-highest living wage in the country ($64,286), while also having some of the most expensive housing costs, ranking either first or second in rent, mortgage, and home sale costs.

10. Jacksonville, Florida

Making friends and finding romantic partners in Jacksonville may prove challenging for young people starting over. Just 19.2% of the city's population is aged 19-34, the seventh-lowest rate in the country, and Jacksonville has the 10th-smallest percentage of single residents of any city.

Finding something to do with anyone you do meet might be difficult as well, as Jacksonville's 16.9 bars per 100,000 people is the 8th-lowest in the country, while the number of nightlife establishments, gyms, community centers, and sport and social clubs per capita are all among the 20 lowest in the country.

What to do if you've landed in one of the worst cities

Cities like New York and LA are tough to get started in, but they also have a lot to offer. If you've landed in one of these cities, budgeting is absolutely key. Budgeting apps can make budgeting a lot less painful. Just be sure to keep it realistic. If you hate to cook, it wouldn't be realistic to not budget anything for dining out, for example, even if you need to minimize your spending. You might choose to cut back in another area instead. Libraries offer a host of free entertainment these days, often including streaming services.

Cash back credit cards can also be a tool to make the most of your budget. While 2% to 5% might not sound like a lot, it adds up. If you're looking to increase your travel budget, travel credit cards could be a good choice. Lots of those cards have an annual fee, so make sure the benefits outweigh what you pay to own the card.

Cities with the highest and lowest cost of living

When someone is looking for a fresh start in life, money is a big factor.

For overall affordability, Toledo, Ohio, has the lowest total cost of living, with a cost of living index score of 77.4. No other city has a score lower than 80, as Little Rock, Arkansas, is second at 80.7.

On the flip side, two different California cities feature cost-of-living scores more than double the national average of 100.0. San Francisco's score of 245.5 and San Jose's 231.0 are the two highest in the country.

A third California city, Oakland, is close to doubling the national average, but with a cost-of-living index of 195.5, it is "only" 95.5% more expensive than the nationwide average.

Cities with the best and worst nightlife

Adventuring out and experiencing a city's nightlife is a great way to meet new people, so we looked at how many different "nightlife" establishments, such as bars, restaurants, and clubs each city has to offer, relative to population size.

St. Louis offers the widest range of nightlife activities of any city, with 305.2 nightlife establishments for every 100,000 people. No other city has more than 300 such establishments per capita, though three cities (Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and New Orleans) boast at least 225 nightlife establishments per 100,000 people.

Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Anchorage, Alaska, aren't thought of as major nightlife hotspots, and for good reason. Albuquerque's 36.6 nightlife options per 100,000 people is the lowest rate in the country, while Anchorage has the second-fewest at 38.8. One other city, Los Angeles, has fewer than 40 nightlife options per 100,000, though LA's large population plays a role in this kind of per capita measurement.

Do you need a fresh start?

While there are many reasons someone might want to start over in a new city, people generally seek a fresh start when their current life situation no longer aligns with their personal goals, values, or finances. For some, moving to a new city is a chance to meet new people and try new things, while others may be seeking ways to grow and advance their job and career opportunities.

Achieving those kinds of goals is easier in some cities than in others, whether someone is looking for a strong social culture, a place with a low cost of living that can help people pay off debt and save money for the future, or somewhere with employment opportunities that would allow them to make more money. By looking at factors tied to those goals, our research team has identified cities across the country where the mix of affordability, socialization opportunities, and job prospects provides fertile ground for anyone looking to "start over."

A city-by-city breakdown of America's best cities for starting over

Money moves to make when starting over

If you're considering a move to one of the best cities to start over, here are some helpful tips for smart financial decisions:

• Save up for your move. Learn how to save money so a big move doesn't derail your personal finances.
• Maximize your savings rate. When saving money, open one of the best savings accounts to make sure you're getting a good rate.
• Use a personal loan to cover costs. Apply for one of the best personal loans to consolidate debt or access funds for your move.
• Use a credit card for purchases. Use one of the best credit cards for young professionals to earn rewards while you pay for moving essentials.

Ask the experts

Starting over is easier in some cities than in others. To understand why, we asked economists and behavioral experts to evaluate affordability, job access, and overall quality of life. Here's what they had to say:

What monetary trade-offs do people often underestimate when relocating — such as taxes, insurance differences, or the cost of transportation in a different city?

Sheida Babakhani Teimouri, Ph.D.

Professor of Economics | University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

When people think about relocating, they usually compare housing costs and salaries, but there are some major financial hits they don't see coming or think about before making a decision. Here's a big one: if you bought or refinanced your home when rates were around 3%, you could be looking at 6-7% or higher on a new mortgage no matter where you relocate to, that's a massive jump in your monthly payment for the same size house, even if you move to a place with similar housing market and prices.

Then there's state taxes. Move from Florida or Texas to somewhere like California or New York, and suddenly you're handing over a chunk of every paycheck to state income taxes. It adds up fast, we're talking thousands of dollars a year. Insurance is another surprise. Your car insurance could easily double depending on where you land, and if you're moving to hurricane or wildfire state/county, your homeowners insurance will reflect that risk. Transportation costs can swing either way; ditching your car in a walkable city sounds great until you realize monthly metro or subway passes can rival a car payment, and if you're moving to the suburbs or a rural area, you might need to buy an additional vehicle and deal with higher gas costs and longer commutes.

All these costs stack up quickly, and what looked like a smart financial move on paper can actually strain your budget in ways you didn't plan for.

Steven Swidler, Ph.D.

Walter E. Hanson/KPMG Professor of Business and Finance | Lafayette College

It is often difficult to compare municipal taxes from one area to another. One area might have low property taxes, but it might not include certain city services like garbage collection that need to be paid separately. Additionally, low property taxes might not be enough to fund local schools, so there may be a municipal wage tax taking 1% or 2% of all wages earned in the city.

Furthermore, property tax on the home might not cover taxes on all real property. The state may levy an ad valorem tax on automobiles, boats and planes. Thus, when moving to a new area, check into a variety of possible taxes at the state and local level and also inquire as to the services provided by the city, county and state.

Onyumbe E. Ben Lukongo, Ph.D.

Tenured Full Professor of Public Policy | Department of Public Policy Ph.D. Program | Nelson Mandela College of Government and Social Science | Southern University and A&M College

The end of the year comes with several resolutions. Relocation shall be one of the items for Christmas and new year resolutions for obvious reasons — monetary trade-offs or opportunity costs of every dollar to be spent from personal finance perspective. Relocating to a new city often feels like a fresh start, but the financial reality can be more daunting than many people expect. While housing and closing costs usually get the most attention, the true trade-offs often lie beneath the surface, that is, differences in state and local taxes (sales, property, income…), higher or lower insurance premiums be it auto, health, homeowners or renters, and daily expenses. I consistently point out that transportation and auto insurance costs can quietly reshape a household budget, especially in cities with heavier traffic, higher accident rates, or longer commutes. Scholars on traffic safety and consumer finance reinforce this, showing that where you live can influence not just your stress levels, but also how much you spend on fuel, vehicle maintenance, insurance, taxes, and lost time.

In which ways can individuals leverage the new year to strengthen their finances before a move?

Onyumbe E. Ben Lukongo, Ph.D.

Tenured Full Professor of Public Policy | Department of Public Policy Ph.D. Program | Nelson Mandela College of Government and Social Science | Southern University and A&M College

The new year offers a natural opportunity to get ahead of these realities: reviewing your budget, strengthening your credit, paying down outstanding debt balances, and researching cost-of-living and transportation data can turn a move from a financial gamble into a strategic decision. With the right preparation, relocation becomes less about unexpected expenses and more about aligning your finances with the life you want to build next. Failure to do so, more likely paves the way to hardship, grievance, and unnecessary stress. Be wise and make strategic and informed decisions on your finances — to smooth your move and enjoy your new home.

How can people assess whether a city is a good fit for a fresh start?

Eric Weiser, Ph.D.

Chair & Professor, Psychology | Curry College

I think it's vital, at some point, to first do a "reconnaissance" of the city: spend several days (or, ideally, a full week or more) exploring the city as if you already lived there. Walk the neighborhoods, try the local grocery stores, gyms, and restaurants, and pay attention to how people interact. What is the general vibe? Are people friendly and open? Do strangers greet you, or do people seem closed off? Are residents around your age or at a similar life stage? 

 Of course, practical indicators matter as well, such as cost of living, job opportunities, weather, crime statistics, and overall quality of life. I also think it's especially important to look closely at local voting patterns to get a sense of the community's values and whether they align with your own. Ultimately, the goal is to see whether the everyday rhythms of the place match your lifestyle, personality, and long-term goals.

Marty A. Cooper, Ph.D., LMHC, NCC

Interim Program Director/Associate Professor, Mental Health Counseling Program | SUNY Old Westbury

Assessing whether a city is right for a fresh start requires evaluating both external realities and internal motivations across the lifespan. Younger adults may prioritize educational opportunities, peer networks, and early-career markets; adults with children often look closely at schools, childcare, and communal safety; older adults may focus on healthcare access, transportation, and social connectedness. 

 Vocationally, it's essential to consider whether the local professional ecosystem supports long-term growth. Equally important are culturally relevant needs: whether a city offers meaningful access to religious communities, ethnic or cultural enclaves, LGBTQ+ resources, or other forms of identity-based belonging. 

Working with a therapist can help clarify whether a move truly aligns with one's developmental and cultural needs, or whether aspects of the desired change, connection, authenticity, creativity, could be cultivated in one's current environment. Attending to both the emotional "fit" and sociocultural landscape of a city leads to more grounded decision-making.

What steps can help someone prepare emotionally and mentally for an upcoming move?

Eric Weiser, Ph.D.

Chair & Professor, Psychology | Curry College

I've long believed that the way we view and respond to life's transitions has far more influence on our well-being than the transitions themselves. Obviously, an upcoming move to a new city (especially if it's far away) is a major life transition, so it helps to frame it as the beginning of a new and exciting chapter rather than simply leaving something behind. This might sound strange, but you can even think of it as a spin-off to a popular show: your life before the move was the original series, and your new life after move will be the spin-off, with a new cast of characters, new storylines, and a new version of you. 

It's also helpful to reflect on what you hope to gain, such as new routines, relationships, and opportunities. Once you've moved, establish small anchors of stability such as maintaining daily routines while also experimenting with new ones (new city, so why not try new routines?). Make an effort to get out and meet people. Join a local gym. Try new restaurants. Say "yes" to every reasonable social opportunity that comes your way. 

When it comes to big transitions like a new move, emotional uncertainty will always be part of the territory. However, taking intentional steps like this helps build a sense of control and reduces the uncertainty that comes with starting over.

Marty A. Cooper, Ph.D., LMHC, NCC

Interim Program Director/Associate Professor, Mental Health Counseling Program | SUNY Old Westbury

Preparing for a move involves acknowledging it as both a rupture and an opening. Younger adults may use the transition to consolidate emerging identities; adults with children can support the family's emotional pacing and create rituals that preserve continuity; older adults may need space to grieve long standing attachments and proactively build a future support network.

Vocational preparation, clarifying how the move supports one's work life, helps reduce anxiety and strengthens a coherent narrative of change. Across ages, it can be stabilizing to investigate whether the new location will support one's cultural, linguistic, religious, or LGBTQ+ needs, as these factors strongly shape belonging. Therapy can be invaluable throughout this process: it offers a space to explore ambivalence, examine fantasies about what the move will resolve, and differentiate between practical needs, cultural longings, and symbolic desires. This reflective work ensures the transition is rooted in authentic growth rather than escape, making a fresh start emotionally sustainable.

Methodology

FinanceBuzz collected data on 75 of America's biggest cities.

Data for five major categories related to "starting over" were collected and weighted for each city. Those categories were peer population, employment and income, social scene, lifestyle, and housing. Each of those categories was created using individual data points, listed below. Each data point was indexed using a 0-5 scale. Those scores were then weighted and added together to create a score of 0-20 for each category and added together to give each city an overall score on a 0-100 scale.

For both individual data points and overarching categories, a weight of 1.00 is standard, with weights above 1.00 having a larger impact on a category's score and those below 1.00 having a lesser impact. The weights and sources for the individual metrics used in each category are as follows:

In all cases where population was used to create a "per 100,000 people" calculation, population data came from the United States Census Bureau.

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