Top 10 cities for newlyweds
The folks at Rent.com have identified the 10 following cities as the perfect nesting spot for newlyweds. They offer competitive costs of living, high mean annual incomes, low unemployment rates, and good selections of rental property.
Top 10 cities for newlyweds
Austin, Texas
If you're planning to move before getting married, count on spending near the national average -- the average cost of a wedding in Austin is $26,722. Rents are competitive, according to RentRange.com. The average cost of a two-bedroom, two-bathroom home is $1,065 a month.
Top 10 cities for newlyweds
Raleigh, N.C.
Raleigh, N.C., and neighboring Durham, N.C., are popular both with young professionals and new families. It's affordable and offers the perks of a big city and charm of a small town.
The cost to tie the knot in Raleigh is below the national average. Couples typically spend around $24,200 on their weddings. Rents, on the other hand, are well below big-city averages. Rent for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom home averages $843 to $853 a month, according to RentRange.com.
Top 10 cities for newlyweds
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the perfect place for active couples. Whether you're watching a Dallas Cowboys game or enjoying some outdoor recreation, there's always something to do in this bustling metropolis. Jobs are plentiful, too -- the city is home to the third-largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies.
They say everything's bigger in Texas, but that's not true for wedding costs. The average cost of a wedding in Dallas is $23,866 -- more than $3,000 below the national average. Rents are less pricey than in some other major cities, with a two-bedroom, two-bathroom home averaging $998 to $1048 a month, according to RentRange.com.
Top 10 cities for newlyweds
Kansas City, Mo.
Kansas City has it all -- a vibrant arts culture, plenty of history, and the warmth of a small town. Though it offers all the perks of a big city, the cost of living is surprisingly affordable.
That lower cost of living translates to below-average wedding costs. Brides and grooms can expect to spend around $20,120 on a wedding, more than $6,000 below the national average. According to RentRange.com, rents are low, too -- the average cost of a two-bedroom, two-bathroom home ranges from $738 to $841 a month.
Top 10 cities for newlyweds
Houston, Texas
Houston is the third and final Texas city to make the list, and it's no surprise -- the city is one of the most culturally rich metropolises in the nation. From museums to farmers' markets and everything in between, Houston has something to offer everyone. That's probably why it's so popular with newlyweds.
Rents are on the lower end of rates for a big city. The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,324, according to RentJungle.com. Unmarried Houston couples looking to tie the knot this year should expect to spend an average of $21,622 on their weddings.
Top 10 cities for newlyweds
Denver, Colo.
This Colorado city is popular with newlyweds for many reasons. It offers an active lifestyle, plenty of job opportunities and, according to Rent.com, brews more beer than any other city in the U.S. That means residents can play just as hard as they work.
Rents are reasonable, with a two-bedroom apartment running an average of $1,216 per month, according to RentJungle.com. Weddings, on the other hand, are expensive and near the top of the national average. Couples should expect to spend $25,702 on their nuptials.
Top 10 cities for newlyweds
Minneapolis, Minn.
Named "America's fittest city" by the American Fitness Index, Minneapolis draws active newlyweds from all over the country. It's the most bike-friendly city in the nation and has all the perks of a large metropolis.
It's also surprisingly affordable, with two-bedroom rentals averaging $1,091 a month. The money you save on rent can be put toward a wedding -- Minneapolis couples typically spend between $16,820 and $28,034 on their ceremonies.
Top 10 cities for newlyweds
Phoenix, Ariz.
Phoenix was hit hard by the foreclosure crisis, but that doesn't stop newlyweds and young families from moving to this desert city. The weather is perfect for those who like it hot, and the deserts and mountains are great for active couples looking for things to do.
Home prices in Phoenix have fallen dramatically since the housing bubble burst, and rents are still low, too. The average two-bedroom apartment costs just $788 a month, according to RentJungle.com. Unfortunately for soon-to-be married couples, wedding costs are high. Couples spend an average of $21,214 on their weddings.
Top 10 cities for newlyweds
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., offers everything a newlywed couple could want: plenty of job opportunities, cultural activities, and loads of history. With something for everyone, it's no surprise recently married couples love to call this city home.
The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $2,308 per month, according to RentJungle.com. That's high, but the city also offers the highest average income in the U.S. Wedding costs are well above the national median, too, with couples spending an average of $36,513 to exchange vows.
Top 10 cities for newlyweds
Baltimore, Md.
Baltimore is the perfect blend of small-town charm and urban living. The lively waterfront scene is a great place for newlywed couples to enjoy some quality time, while the city's geographic location makes it an economic hub.
Rental rates are great compared to other East Coast cities. On average, two-bedroom apartments rent for $1,075 a month, according to RentJungle.com. Weddings are affordable, with couples spending an average of $18,062 to tie the knot.