10 Most Attractive Cities to Move to If You’re Single (and Renting)

Are you single and looking for love? Where you live can make all the difference in your success at finding romance.

While TV shows and movies tell you gigantic cities are where it's at — the Sex and The City franchise makes Manhattan appear to be the epicenter of the singles universe — our recent index ranking appears to show that you may have more success as a single in a significantly smaller metro. Our economists ranked the 100 largest metros in the United States using Zillow housing metrics and data from the U.S. Census Bureau, analyzing how many rental listings there were in an area per single person, the percentage of the area’s population who's single, typical rent price and share of affordable rental housing based on a single person’s income. Get this: Wichita, Kansas, comes out on top of our list of best places to be single.

Yes, Wichita, Kansas. Population 648,000.

Why Wichita?

The reason it comes out on top: Wichita has an ample supply of affordable rental housing. Not paying exorbitant rent means more money left over for nights out at a club and dinner dates. A single person can rent a place in Wichita for just $966 a month. Compare that to the average rent in Carrie Bradshaw's Manhattan, where the average apartment rent is near $4,045 a month.

Carrie might have snagged a husband a lot sooner had she moved to Kansas. She could have afforded more Manolos and cosmos, for sure.

Despite not having one of the largest singles populations, Kansas' main metropolitan area rose to the top of the ranking largely because of its incredible affordability. Of all metros analyzed, it has the highest share of rental units affordable to singles, leaving single residents with more disposable income to spend on dating and social activities, which can increase the likelihood of finding a match.

'Remote work has opened up housing possibilities all over the country,' said Amanda Pendleton, Zillow home trends expert. 'If untethered from an office, singles can move to places that offer more affordability and a vibrant singles scene. Metro areas like Wichita, where your housing dollar stretches further, are particularly appealing at a time when, nationally, rents are nearly 16% higher than last year.'

Read on to see what other singles-friendly cities made our list.

10. Boston, Massachusetts

The Boston metro area, with a population of more than 4 million, is home to dozens of colleges and universities, hence its reputation for being a giant college town with all of the vibrancy that comes with so much youth. There are also a ton of singles in the metro, of course, so this lovely old city is a fertile place to look for love. The only downside is that Boston is the least affordable city on our Top 10 list, with a median rent of $3,478. If that blows your budget, there's always Wichita.

9. Washington, D.C.

There's a slew of places to live and people to date in the nation's capital, with a metro area population of 6.4 million. D.C. is among the top 20 metros with the highest percentage of singles of all the locations on our list. The average rent is $2,400, so you'll have money left over for dates with waterfront views at the Wharf or dinner at Dupont Circle.

8. Seattle, Washington

Fun fact: Seattle was the setting of the 1992 movie Singles, a rom-com about the dating adventures of Gen X. A generation later, this Pacific Northwest metro of more than 3.5 million people is still a hot spot for singles. You'll pay $2,265 for the average rental, making Seattle the second-most expensive metro on our list. But the metro that's home to Amazon, Starbucks, Microsoft and Boeing also has the second highest median income for singles. Is Seattle right for you? Learn about the pros and cons of living in Seattle.

7. Dallas, Texas

First, the good news: Dallas has the most single residents of any metro on our top-10 list. You can't swing a cowboy hat without hitting another single person in this metro area of more than 7.6 million. Now, the not-so-good news: The median monthly rent in Dallas is $1,979, while the median income for single people is just $40,000. That means you'll need to look for cheap places for a date.

6. Houston, Texas

This sprawling Gulf Coast city is sixth on our list and No. 4 for share of affordable rentals per single person. In this metro of 6.6 million, you'll pay an average rent of $1,575. Houston is the fourth biggest city in the nation, so you can get urban living at a lower cost than you'd pay in the cities on the East and West coasts. Considering a move to Houston? Learn more about the pros and cons of living in Houston.

5. San Antonio, Texas

Known for its Riverwalk entertainment district of bars, brewpubs and restaurants, San Antonio is relatively affordable, with an average monthly rent of $1,695. San Antonio is one of four Texas cities on our list, making the Lone Star State the singles mecca of the country.

4. Denver, Colorado

The Mile High City has breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains, a rich foodie and brew pub scene, legal marijuana and a high percentage of singles. This metro of more than 3 million also has an average rent of just $1,988 a month. So pull on your polar fleece jacket and hiking boots and go looking for love.

3. Milwaukee, Wisconsin

This Midwestern metro is home to the largest percentage of singles on the top 10 list. Combine that with the metro’s wealth of breweries and an average monthly rent of $1,186, and you've got a good shot of finding love over an IPA.

2. Austin, Texas

Rounding out the top of our list after Wichita, the capital of Texas is home to a vibrant music and cultural scene, the University of Texas and a roaring tech-fueled job market. There are a ton of singles in the metro of more than 2.4 million. Rents run around $1,995 a month.

Ready to get serious about your rental search among the best metros for dating? Check out these resources for finding a perfect match.