And California residents are starting to rethink their home state. Between 2007 and 2016, 2.5 percent of the population of California left for another state, with Texas attracting more than a quarter of them.
If you’re curious about which big cities don’t necessarily require renters to have a six-figure income or just want to find an affordable place to live, you’ve come to the right place.
Here are 10 ZIP Codes in some of the largest cities in America where you can find a place to live for an average of less than $800.
10. Houston, TX (77095)
Highly populated cities make for great job opportunities, as well as many activities. That often means high housing costs. But this area in Houston is one of the cheapest ZIP Codes in the country. Just northwest from Houston, the 77095 ZIP Code has lots of great entertainment.
There’s the Harris County Deputy Darren Goforth Park on Horsepen Creek, which features a lake, a dog park, trails, a playground, rope climbing and even fishing.
9. Jacksonville, FL (32211)
More than 1.5 million people live in Jacksonville and adopt the nicknames “Jacksonvillians” and “Jaxons.” Despite being on the East Coast, Jacksonville has only had one direct hit from a hurricane in almost 150 years. And though it rains more than 52 inches each year, Jacksonville has only had three days of recorded snow since 1911.
The 32211 ZIP Code lies by the St. John’s River. Downtown Jacksonville is just on the other side, meaning you just need to use Highway 115 to get downtown. It’s also home to Jacksonville University. This area provides a great mix of affordable living and big-city luxury.
8. Fort Worth, TX (76133)
Though 76133 is mainly residential living, it’s conveniently just five miles outside downtown Fort Worth. Just five minutes away is every large store you would want to shop — Target, Costco, The Home Depot, Sprouts and many more.
Plus, it’s close to Texas Christian University and the Fort Worth Zoo, which was named the top zoo in the nation by the Los Angeles Times, USA Today and Family Life magazine. It’s home to more than 7,000 native and exotic animals. It covers 64 acres and is home to a unique exhibit, The Museum of Living Art.
7. Houston, TX (77099)
Despite the low rent of $730 per month, 77099 has some good schools. The Harmony Science Academy, which is a high school with an emphasis on STEM curriculum, is in the 88th percentile for all public schools in Texas.
Combine that with the Urban Air Adventure Park near Sugar Land, and this ZIP Code is a very family-friendly place to live.
6. El Paso, TX (79930)
El Paso has a strong military presence and Memorial Park. Though most of El Paso’s military presence is outside of 79930, this ZIP Code is home to many parks and pools, including the El Paso Municipal Rose Garden, Newman Park and Grandview Park. It’s also home to McKelligon Canyon, which holds concerts throughout each summer.
5. Indianapolis, IN (46229)
Like several ZIP Codes on this list, 46229 is mainly residential. Though with sidewalks on most blocks, it’s very walkable from one house to the next. One set of apartments, the Lake Marina Apartments, is interesting because it completely surrounds a small lake. There’s also a semi-private, 18-hole golf course, Morningstar Golf Club.
4. Indianapolis, IN (46227)
The area of Indianapolis in the 46227 ZIP Code has many highways, making it easy to come to or from your home. You have easy access to interstates 65 and 465. There’s also the University of Indianapolis.
If you love animals, this part of Indianapolis may be the place for you. Just a couple of minutes away is the Indianapolis Zoo, the only one in the country to be accredited as a zoo, aquarium and botanical garden. It houses more than 3,800 animals and 320 species and subspecies and spans 64 acres.
3. Houston, TX (77034)
This part of Houston has a small-town, semi-rural feel. Because it’s mostly residential, you’ll need to drive to get most places.
The 77034 ZIP Code may be mainly residential, but it has a golf course and is not too far from three major suburbs of Houston — Pasadena, Pearland and League City.
2. Indianapolis, IN (46254)
The 46254 ZIP Code in Indianapolis is just a couple of minutes away from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which runs the annual Indianapolis 500. Each year, more than 35 drivers race 500 miles in front of a quarter-million spectators.
Plus, you have great access to Eagle Creek Park, which has 3,900 acres of woods, a 1,300 reservoir and 10 miles of hiking paths.
And if you like flying airplanes or want to learn to fly, there’s the Eagle Creek Airpark. There, you can rent out a plane or take flying lessons.
1. Columbus, OH (43227)
Only about nine miles from the thriving downtown Columbus area, the 43227 ZIP Code is the most affordable big city ZIP Code in America. A one-bedroom apartment here averages less than $500 a month.
The area is bordered by Interstate 70, so commuting into downtown is convenient, depending on traffic. Portions of the Big Walnut Park and Big Walnut Creek are located in this area, which is a great place for fishing, hiking and an afternoon with your dogs.
The 50 most affordable big city ZIP Codes
If these ZIPs don’t do it for you, consider one of these big city areas.
| Rank | Zip Code | City | State | Average 1-BR Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 43227 | Columbus | OH | $489.00 |
| 2 | 46254 | Indianapolis | IN | $677.75 |
| 3 | 77034 | Houston | TX | $689.12 |
| 4 | 46227 | Indianapolis | IN | $697.94 |
| 5 | 46229 | Indianapolis | IN | $708.25 |
| 6 | 79930 | El Paso | TX | $715.00 |
| 7 | 77099 | Houston | TX | $730.50 |
| 8 | 76133 | Fort Worth | TX | $752.50 |
| 9 | 32211 | Jacksonville | FL | $760.00 |
| 10 | 77095 | Houston | TX | $782.58 |
| 11 | 28212 | Charlotte | NC | $788.37 |
| 12 | 76112 | Fort Worth | TX | $830.91 |
| 13 | 76132 | Fort Worth | TX | $877.18 |
| 14 | 46250 | Indianapolis | IN | $892.75 |
| 15 | 46237 | Indianapolis | IN | $904.50 |
| 16 | 77081 | Houston | TX | $906.00 |
| 17 | 77077 | Houston | TX | $920.26 |
| 18 | 85053 | Phoenix | AZ | $924.10 |
| 19 | 78240 | San Antonio | TX | $963.70 |
| 20 | 78251 | San Antonio | TX | $968.91 |
| 21 | 85023 | Phoenix | AZ | $976.85 |
| 22 | 28226 | Charlotte | NC | $989.58 |
| 23 | 77042 | Houston | TX | $993.00 |
| 24 | 75214 | Dallas | TX | $996.57 |
| 25(t) | 46221 | Indianapolis | IN | $1,008.50 |
| 25(t) | 78257 | San Antonio | TX | $1,008.50 |
| 27 | 75231 | Dallas | TX | $1,013.79 |
| 28 | 77058 | Houston | TX | $1,017.13 |
| 29 | 77063 | Houston | TX | $1,027.50 |
| 30 | 28216 | Charlotte | NC | $1,033.78 |
| 31 | 78216 | San Antonio | TX | $1,044.93 |
| 32 | 76116 | Fort Worth | TX | $1,047.14 |
| 33 | 46222 | Indianapolis | IN | $1,049.00 |
| 34 | 75254 | Dallas | TX | $1,049.94 |
| 35 | 77057 | Houston | TX | $1,050.00 |
| 36 | 32224 | Jacksonville | FL | $1,052.71 |
| 37 | 37217 | Nashville | TN | $1,061.25 |
| 38 | 37211 | Nashville | TN | $1,063.50 |
| 39 | 78741 | Austin | TX | $1,073.50 |
| 40 | 32256 | Jacksonville | FL | $1,099.27 |
| 41 | 32221 | Jacksonville | FL | $1,110.00 |
| 42 | 78232 | San Antonio | TX | $1,123.67 |
| 43 | 75287 | Dallas | TX | $1,139.57 |
| 44 | 77040 | Houston | TX | $1,153.63 |
| 45 | 78745 | Austin | TX | $1,158.57 |
| 46 | 32225 | Jacksonville | FL | $1,172.10 |
| 47 | 46240 | Indianapolis | IN | $1,174.60 |
| 48 | 78727 | Austin | TX | $1,176.70 |
| 49 | 77075 | Houston | TX | $1,206.40 |
| 50 | 20019 | Washington | DC | $1,223.00 |
Methodology
To create this list, we calculated rental pricing for an average one-bedroom unit from all ZIP Codes in the 25 most populated cities in the United States according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2018 population estimates. Only ZIP Codes with at least five current rental units listed in the Apartment Guide and Rent. inventory were considered. For the terms of this process, the average is calculated as a weighted metric, which accounts for markets that have more or fewer units in the high or low price ranges.
The current rent information included in this article is based on October 2019 multifamily rental property inventory on Apartment Guide and Rent. and is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein do not constitute financial advice or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.
