The 10 best and 10 worst US cities for living alone, ranked by how much a studio costs

Tulsa, Oklahoma.Sean Pavone/Getty ImagesHow much money you need to make to afford a studio apartment varies widely across the country.The Economist's "Carrie Bradshaw index" ranks cities by how affordable they are for single renters.Coastal cities are the least affordable, while Sun Belt and Midwestern cities are more livable.Living with roommates is a good way to save some cash, often while enjoying the added social benefits of cohabitating. But sometimes, you need your space. Where you can afford to live alone largely depends on which city you choose.The Economist ranked major US cities based on its "Carrie Bradshaw index," or how affordable they are to live in alone.The publication took each city's typical studio apartment rent price and calculated the salary needed to live there without spending more than 30% of one's gross income — a common recommendation to spend on housing.Dividing the median wages of each city by the threshold wages provides The Economist's "Bradshaw score." Scores with a value of over one mean most people can afford a studio apartment in that city. Nearly two-thirds of cities, 59, scored above a one — the number was 62 last year. The Economist used data from the Bureau of Labour Statistics and Zumper.Unsurprisingly, cities like New York and Jersey City were some of the least affordable, but some cities with newly changing demographics crept into the top 10."For the third year running, New York remains the most unaffordable city, squeezed by high demand and record low vacancy rates," The Economist research reporter Lizzy Peet told Business Insider. "Other cities in the top ten include those that have experienced a surge in population in recent years, and those that have historically struggled to build new housing, such as Boston and Charleston."Cities like Lincoln, Nebraska, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, finished in the top 10 of most affordable, even though their wages hover near or below national numbers.Here are the cities that are most and least affordable for renting a studio apartment.The least affordable citiesNew York City.phototrip2403/Shutterstock10. San Diego, CASan Diego, CA.Jeremy Poland/Getty ImagesBradshaw score: 0.74Affordable studio wage: $76,800Dollars more than median wage: $20,220August median studio rent: $1,9209. Anaheim, CAAnaheim, California.NANCY PAUWELS/Getty ImagesBradshaw score: 0.71Affordable studio wage: $75,600Dollars more than median wage: $22,110August median studio rent: $1,8908. Orlando, FLOrlando, Florida.George Dodd/Getty ImagesBradshaw score: 0.69Affordable studio wage: $65,600Dollars more than median wage: $20,190August median studio rent: $1,6407. Santa Ana, CASanta Ana, California.MattGush/Getty ImagesBradshaw score: 0.69Affordable studio wage: $77,600Dollars more than median wage: $24,110August median studio rent: $1,9406. Fort Lauderdale, FLTHEPALMER/Getty ImagesBradshaw score: 0.67Affordable studio wage: $72,000Dollars more than median wage: $24,080August median studio rent: $1,8005. Boston, MABoston, Massachusetts.Sean Pavone/ShutterstockBradshaw score: 0.65Affordable studio wage: $100,000Dollars more than median wage: $35,380August median studio rent: $2,5004. Charleston, SCCharleston, South Carolina.Ayrton Rojo Arango/ShutterstockBradshaw score: 0.64Affordable studio wage: $74,000Dollars more than median wage: $26,380August median studio rent: $1,8503. Jersey City, NJJersey City, New Jersey.Artem Onoprienko/Getty ImagesBradshaw score: 0.60Affordable studio wage: $101,200Dollars more than median wage: $40,740August median studio rent: $2,5302. Miami, FLMiami, FloridaBilanol/ShutterstockBradshaw score: 0.56Affordable studio wage: $85,600Dollars more than median wage: $37,680August median studio rent: $2,1401. New York, NYNew York.pidjoe/Getty ImagesBradshaw score: 0.40Affordable studio wage: $151,600Dollars more than median wage: $91,140August median studio rent: $3,790The most affordable citiesSt. Louis, Missouri.Art Wager/Getty Images10. Aurora, COAurora, Colorado.Jacob Boomsma/Getty Images/iStockphotoBradshaw score: 1.46Affordable studio wage: $42,000Dollars less than median wage: $19,110August median studio rent: $1,0509. Albuquerque, NMAlbuquerque, New Mexico.Dee Liu/Getty ImagesBradshaw score: 1.49Affordable studio wage: $31,600Dollars less than median wage: $15,340August median studio rent: $7908. St. Louis, MOSt. Louis, Missouri.LSmith/Getty ImagesBradshaw score: 1.49Affordable studio wage: $32,400Dollars less than median wage: $15,890August median studio rent: $8107. Tulsa, OKTulsa, Oklahoma.Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphotoBradshaw score: 1.51Affordable studio wage: $30,000Dollars less than median wage: $15,460August median studio rent: $7506. Tucson, AZTucson, Arizona.DenisTangneyJr/Getty ImagesBradshaw score: 1.55Affordable studio wage: $30,000Dollars less than median wage: $16,450August median studio rent: $7505. Akron, OHAkron, Ohio.John Coletti/Getty ImagesBradshaw score: 1.58Affordable studio wage: $30,000Dollars less than median wage: $17,530August median studio rent: $7504. Des Moines, IADes Moines, Iowa.Alex Potemkin/Getty ImagesBradshaw score: 1.64Affordable studio wage: $30,800Dollars less than median wage: $19,650August median studio rent: $7703. Lincoln, NELincoln, Nebraska.John Coletti/Getty ImagesBradshaw score: 1.65Affordable studio wage: $29,600Dollars less than median wage: $19,260August median studio rent: $7402. Baton Rouge, LABaton Rouge, Louisiana.Jacob Boomsma/Getty ImagesBradshaw score: 1.71Affordable studio wage: $28,000Dollars less than median wage: $19,940August median studio rent: $7001. Wichita, KSWichita, Kansas.Jacob Boomsma/ShutterstockBradshaw score: 1.77Affordable studio wage: $26,400Dollars less than median wage: $20,250August median studio rent: $660Read the original article on Business Insider

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