Two Orange County cities recently ranked in the bottom three of a comprehensive study to determine the best and worst cities in the United States for singles to live in. The research evaluated nearly 100 cities and ranked them based on six factors crucial to single individuals’ quality of life.
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These six factors, significantly relevant to a single lifestyle, include:
Median rent price,
Percentage of single population,
Cost of living,
Median income,
Unemployment rate, and
Access to dining and entertainment.
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Methods for compiling the list of best U.S. cities for singles
Zumper, a rental platform, conducted the research. Their method for ranking these cities involved the utilization of various data sources and weightings, as follows:
% Single Population (20%): U.S. Census Bureau data was used to determine each city’s singles percentage.
1-BR median rent price (15%): Zumper provided median rent for one-bedroom apartments in each city.
Dating satisfaction (15%): Data from Zumper’s renter satisfaction survey provided invaluable insights into the dating experiences of singles in each city.
Entertainment & restaurant per capita (10% each): Open Street Map data was used to calculate entertainment and restaurant options per capita in cities, essential for singles seeking an active social scene and dining opportunities.
Composite (Cost of Living) (10%): Data from COLI.org was used to determine the affordability of each city, considering factors like housing, transportation, and groceries.
Non-family median income (10%): U.S. Census Bureau data was used to assess the median income of non-family households in each city to reflect singles’ financial well-being.
Unemployment rate (5%): The unemployment rate data from the Census Bureau was used to assess job opportunities for singles.
What the data sources revealed about the best city
The study results indicated that Bakersfield, California, was the worst city for singles, followed closely by Santa Ana and Anaheim in California. Santa Ana was found to have high living costs and limited entertainment options, while Anaheim struggled with low employment opportunities and high costs.
Photo bySDOC News/Zumper
On the other hand, the study identified Atlanta, Georgia, as the best city for singles, followed by St. Louis, Missouri; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Boston, Massachusetts; Madison, Wisconsin; Washington, District of Columbia; Orlando, Florida, Salt Lake City, Utah, Richmond, Virginia, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. These cities offer affordable living costs, good job opportunities, and a lively dining, entertainment, and cultural scene, essential for a fulfilling single life.
Atlanta, in particular, was ranked as the top city for singles due to its dynamic nightlife, affordable living costs, and robust job market. St. Louis ranked second due to its low living costs and numerous dining and entertainment options. Minneapolis and Boston ranked third and fourth due to their high percentage of single populations, affordable rent prices, and job opportunities.
Photo bySDOC News/Zumper
Zumper’s recent study provides valuable insights for singles looking to move to a new city. By offering detailed information on the best and worst cities to live in, the study can help single individuals make informed decisions about their choice of residence, ensuring a happier and more satisfying lifestyle.
