โ Best places to live
Best cities for students in North America
Affordable, walkable, well-connected cities with fast internet โ ranked for students and young movers on a budget.
The Best cities for students in North America, ranked by Student score across 29 cities we track in the region. New York leads with 70/100, ahead of Boston and San Francisco.
- 1New YorkUnited States70/100
- 2BostonUnited States70/100
- 3San FranciscoUnited States69/100
- 4ChicagoUnited States69/100
- 5MontrealCanada69/100
- 6WashingtonUnited States68/100
- 7PhiladelphiaUnited States68/100
- 8MinneapolisUnited States68/100
- 9PortlandUnited States67/100
- 10TorontoCanada67/100
- 11SeattleUnited States66/100
- 12DenverUnited States66/100
- 13ColumbusUnited States65/100
- 14VancouverCanada65/100
- 15San DiegoUnited States64/100
- 16AustinUnited States64/100
- 17HoustonUnited States64/100
- 18CharlotteUnited States64/100
- 19San AntonioUnited States64/100
- 20Los AngelesUnited States63/100
- 21MiamiUnited States63/100
- 22DallasUnited States63/100
- 23AtlantaUnited States63/100
- 24Las VegasUnited States63/100
- 25PhoenixUnited States62/100
- 26DetroitUnited States62/100
- 27NashvilleUnited States61/100
- 28GuadalajaraMexico61/100
- 29Mexico CityMexico55/100
? Frequently asked questions
Which cities top this ranking?
New York leads at 70/100, followed by Boston and San Francisco. The full ranking of 29 cities is listed above.
How is this ranking calculated?
We sort all 29 cities in our index by Student score. Figures are calibrated estimates, refreshed as we expand coverage โ a practical guide, not official statistics.
Can I compare these cities in detail?
Yes. Open any city for its cost of living, rent, taxes, visas and quality of life, or use CostTrekโs side-by-side comparison to weigh two cities against each other.