Great Startup Cities That Don’t Have an Outrageous Cost of Living

When it comes to beginning your own startup, one of the best things that you can do is to make sure you get started in the right city. While you can technically run a startup in any city that you want, there are certain areas that are known for being better for startups than others. However, some of the most notable startup-centric towns, such as Silicon Valley can be expensive. The good news is, there are a few great cities out there that are not only perfect for startups but that actually have a low cost of living.

Cities like this can make it much more manageable for new business owners to start their own business without being overwhelmed by the cost of living in their area. Starting a business from scratch can be an expensive undertaking as it is, especially when cost of living is so high. Having a more affordable place to live can counterbalance some of the expenses that come with running a startup. Here are three great cities to consider that not only have a great startup community but that also have an affordable overall cost of living.

Houston, Texas

While some people think of Austin as the startup hub of Texas, Houston has one of the most successful startup scenes in the state. The stable economy, the large prevalence of investors and a variety of programs for entrepreneurs make Houston a great place for startups to thrive. The Kauffman Index For Entrepreneurial Activity has constantly ranked Houston as one of the top cities for entrepreneurial activity thanks to the number of demo days, incubators, accelerators and hackathons in the city.

Houston also has a relatively affordable cost of living, especially when compared to other Texas cities. For a 900 square foot furnished apartment in an average area of Houston, renters can expect to pay around $1,194 per month with utilities for two people costing around $153 per month.

Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta is one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Not only for the entertainment world but for startups as well. Lately, the tech industry in Atlanta has been growing rapidly, and several startups have been growing with it. Atlanta has its own Atlanta Tech Village, the Advanced Technology Development Center and the Opportunity Hub, which provides entrepreneurs with lots of great spaces to build their startups.

Most importantly, the cost of living in Atlanta is relatively cheap when compared to other similar-sized large cities. The average cost of a 900 square foot apartment in an average area of Atlanta is just $1203 per month, and the average utility bill for two people is $186 per month.

Charlotte, North Carolina

Charlotte, North Carolina has an emerging startup culture that is giving the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Triangle a run for its money. Charlotte is the biggest city in the state and has its own innovation community known as Packard Place, a startup hub and incubator that allows entrepreneurs to work next to one another in a collaborative environment. Plus, with plenty of investors and major companies within the area, many startups are able to get the support they need to get their company off the ground.

In Charlotte North Carolina cost of living is pretty affordable for those running their own startup. Utilities for a month for two people are around $152 per month, while the average for monthly rent of a 900 square foot apartment is around $1,194.

Keep these cities in mind if you are looking for a new place to jump into the startup scene. The available resources, mixed with an affordable cost of living can make all of these cities great places for fresh entrepreneurs to call home.