• Salt Lake Metropolis is the perfect US metropolis for minimalists, adopted by Arlington, VA, and St. Paul, MN.
• Most cities that present the right combination of facilities for individuals keen on minimalism are situated within the Midwest and the Southern US.
• Curiosity within the minimalist way of life elevated within the US over the previous few years, from a mean of 194K minimalism-related month-to-month Google searches in 2019 to 239K month-to-month searches in 2022.

Minimalism is a notion that may put on many hats: it will probably confer with artwork, be adopted in structure and inside design, and never least will be integrated into our each day lives. The pattern, which has gained traction in recent times, is mostly characterised by stunning simplicity, utility and even spareness – all of which permit us to stay our greatest lives clutter-free and benefit from the issues we most worth.

Basically, with regards to making use of the idea to our each day routines, main a minimalist way of life includes limiting your possessions in addition to selecting free or less-expensive choices for all the pieces, with out shedding sight of the extra interesting and stylish sides of life. It will possibly imply switching to a smaller, cozier dwelling which requires much less maintenance and fewer issues to be able to be absolutely purposeful, turning to public transportation as a substitute of closely counting on automotive journey, jogging in a park as a substitute of paying for health club entry, selecting sensible items or experiences over flashy trinkets, and the listing can go on.

The advantages of adopting a minimalist way of life will be vital: not solely can followers of minimalism spend much less cash on day-to-day stuff – thus with the ability to save extra simply for engaging targets, together with holidays and an early retirement – however they will additionally focus extra on the pleasurable elements of life all whereas embracing sustainability.

There’s a lot to achieve from minimalism from each a wellbeing perspective and an environmental standpoint, little question. However except for the private alternative of whether or not that is the life-style for you, the place you reside could make it simpler or downright tough to stay to your choice to go small.

Ranging from the premise that minimalism includes limiting the consumption of sources, we’ve ranked 96 cities – these with populations of over 200K – to see which finest help the adoption of a minimalist way of life. We’ve thought of necessary elements akin to the next:

• Dwelling sizes, as dwelling in a smaller dwelling most frequently entails proudly owning much less stuff.
• Electrical energy payments as an indicator of the native consumption of pure sources.
• Embracing of eco-friendly practices akin to biking, strolling to work and utilizing public transit, plus working from dwelling, which helps scale back the necessity to purchase workplace clothes and niknaks.
• The pure panorama, which has a say in what number of issues we have to personal to be able to stay nicely, together with the native local weather and entry to parks and seashores.
• Google searches associated to minimalism in every location as an indicator of resident curiosity for the sort of way of life.
• Entry to self storage, as a spot for maintaining the stuff you want however don’t use so typically, will be extraordinarily helpful for having fun with a clutter-free dwelling.

Because it seems, there are beacons of minimalism throughout the nation – largely mid-sized city hubs akin to Salt Lake Metropolis, UT, Arlington, VA, St. Paul, MN, and Atlanta, GA. Total, it’s the Midwest and South that shine brightest as they fill many of the high 20 listing of locations that brim with alternatives for main an easier life.

Outside lovers’ paradise Salt Lake Metropolis, UT, ranks first nationally for supporting minimalist life, adopted by Virginia’s Arlington

Along with being a hotspot for tech jobs and outside points of interest, Salt Lake Metropolis, UT, emerges as the perfect metropolis for minimalists. The town was propelled to the highest by a mix of things together with the strongest curiosity in minimalism within the nation primarily based on Google searches, an energetic biking scene, easy accessibility to small-home dwelling and a quickly rising public transit community. Biking to work can be extremely popular in Salt Lake Metropolis, whereas the commute time, at underneath 18 minutes, is the third shortest among the many nation’s main cities. The comparatively low electrical energy payments, the big inhabitants working from dwelling – roughly 25% – and a excessive share of people that stroll to work solely add to the town’s friendliness towards a life-style that reduces additional consumption of sources.

Touchdown the second spot nationwide, Arlington, VA, additionally presents an incredible set of facilities that facilitate a minimalist way of life. The work-from-home scene is especially sturdy in Arlington, permitting residents to cut back automotive dependance for each day commutes and restrict the necessity for stuff together with workplace outfits and equipment. Largely supported by a well-performing public transit system and the town’s general walkability, solely 38% of residents use their automotive for each day commutes. Discovering a small dwelling or condo in Arlington shouldn’t be an issue both – nearly 69% of the native housing inventory is made up of two bedrooms or much less. With 766 sq. ft of park area per capita, Arlington residents can train outdoor as a lot as they want, and don’t essentially need to spend cash on health club memberships.

One other metropolis in Virginia that makes a very good vacation spot for these keen on a minimalist way of life is Richmond, rating 10^th nationally, as a result of stable scores throughout the board when it comes to public transportation, walkability, commute time, and do business from home alternatives. Greater than half of the homes in Richmond have 2 bedrooms or much less, and the residents present a excessive intent towards minimalism, primarily based on Google searches.

The Midwest is popping minimalist

A number of cities within the Midwest are nicely suited to minimalist dwelling, as a result of an city mannequin that favors walkability, small houses and outside areas the place residents can get pleasure from nature and numerous actions freed from cost.

Minnesota’s St. Paul ranks third within the nation when it comes to suitability for a minimalist way of life, surpassing its twin, Minneapolis, by two positions. Each cities carry out nicely for metrics akin to public transportation, walkability, and commute occasions. Nevertheless, St. Paul gives extra park area per capita – 787 sq. ft vs. 631 sq. ft in Minneapolis – which additionally leads to higher air high quality for the previous. Minneapolis, however, has barely extra houses with two bedrooms or much less: 62% vs. 55%. All in all, it’s secure to say that the Twin Cities present the precise atmosphere for People keen on a minimalist way of life – a lot in order that it balances out one of many space’s foremost downsides, the local weather.

Positioned in neighboring Wisconsin, Madison manages to rank because the fourth-best metropolis for minimalists – and its walkability and biking infrastructure are among the many strongest attributes working in its favor. Nearly 3% of Madison residents go to work by bike, the very best share among the many cities analyzed, and a further 8% stroll to their jobs. The commute time is underneath 19 minutes, the fifth finest general, whereas greater than half of the houses within the metropolis have two bedrooms or much less. Public parks are plentiful – the town’s residents get pleasure from 887 sq. ft of park area per capita, guaranteeing easy accessibility to free outside actions for households.

With its chill and pleasant vibe, Des Moines, IA, is turning into a real hotspot for younger individuals, as a result of comparatively low housing and dwelling prices and an increasing job market centered on the insurance coverage, monetary and publishing industries. The common age within the metropolis is round 34, in comparison with the nationwide common of 38. Not solely is Des Moines an incredible vacation spot for younger professionals, but it surely ought to undoubtedly be on the shifting dwelling radar for these in search of a positive setting for a minimalist way of life. Residents will get entry to an incredible atmosphere that fosters an easier lifestyle, together with a decrease price of dwelling and interesting outside areas. The commute time right here stands at a greater than affordable 18.7 minutes, and the common month-to-month electrical energy invoice, of round $135, is without doubt one of the most cost-effective among the many cities analyzed. Des Moines excels when it comes to public parks, with a formidable 1,385 sq. ft of area per capita.

Equally, Lincoln, NE, which comes 13^th general, gives a low price of dwelling and loads of outside area match for supporting an energetic, experience-oriented way of life. The common month-to-month electrical energy invoice in Lincoln is the fifth lowest among the many cities analyzed and the town has the third-shortest commute time general. Those that are intent on maintaining dwelling area to a purposeful minimal can have no drawback feeling at dwelling right here as nearly half of the native housing stock consists of two bedrooms or fewer. Moreover, Lincoln is surrounded by attractive state parks that present ample alternatives for excellent and cheap Midwestern enjoyable, akin to mountain climbing, fishing and tenting.

Cincinnati, OH, rounds out the Midwestern cities that made it into the highest 20 of the perfect cities for a minimalist way of life, with a mixture of options that embody a very good public transportation system, excessive walkability and small houses. Nearly two thirds of the housing stock in Cincinnati consists of homes which have two bedrooms or fewer. The common month-to-month electrical energy invoice is sort of inexpensive too, at round $140, whereas the quantity of park area per capita is nearly 820 sq. ft.

Atlanta is the Southern capital of minimalism – however different cities within the space rating excessive as nicely

Southern cities have an additional benefit with regards to minimalist dwelling – the local weather is mostly milder within the South. There’s no want for lots of winter garments or dwelling tools akin to snow blowers taking over closet and storage area, and the outside here’s a moderately nice atmosphere, so most of the issues we love doing will be taken outdoors. Though there are scorching summer time days when utilizing the AC is a should, the prices associated to heating up and cooling down a house are usually decrease than in different places.

One of the best-placed Southern metropolis within the minimalism rating is Atlanta, GA, touchdown on the fifth spot. Nearly 40% of the workers residing listed below are working from dwelling, which signifies that newcomers shouldn’t have main difficulties find a job that enables them to skip the workplace and the related commute {and professional} outfits. And, talking of attending to work, the common commute time in Atlanta is round 25 minutes, whereas about half of its residents make do with out a automotive each day. Discovering a comfortable dwelling shouldn’t be a difficulty both: 60% of the houses within the metropolis have two bedrooms or fewer.

New Orleans, LA, ranks 7^th among the many finest cities for minimalists, with price of dwelling and the climate engaged on its facet. Temperatures in New Orleans are usually reasonable (between 60- and 80-degrees Fahrenheit) permitting individuals to be outdoor and hold their AC and heating methods shut down for a very good portion of the yr. At round $102, the month-to-month common electrical energy invoice is the second most cost-effective among the many cities thought of for this analysis. And, even when working from dwelling will not be but widespread in New Orleans, the commute is an affordable 22 minutes.

Durham, NC, is nicely acknowledged as being the most effective mid-sized cities within the US, with its thriving job market, its top-notch academic system and its hip and funky vibe, enhanced by the presence of faculty college students and younger professionals. Durham is an efficient vacation spot for individuals who favor dwelling merely as nicely: working from dwelling is certainly a well-liked choice right here, and even when this isn’t attainable, the each day commute time is underneath 22 minutes. About 45% of the native housing stock is comprised of small houses, and there are various enjoyable actions to do across the metropolis that don’t contain spending cash. The 22-mile-long American Tobacco Path that goes by Downtown Durham and a few neighboring counties is a good spot for mountain climbing and biking. The Duke Forest and the spectacular neo-Gothic campus of Duke College are perfect for leisurely strolls as nicely.

One other North Carolina metropolis rating excessive for a minimalism-oriented way of life is Raleigh. A 3rd of the workers right here do business from home, the pleasant local weather reduces prices related to heating, cooling and looking for garments, whereas the over 1,100 sq. ft of park area per capita ensures that residents at all times have one thing agreeable to do outdoor.

Austin is the one Texan metropolis that makes it among the many high 20 finest cities for minimalism. What propels Austin to the highest is working from dwelling alternatives (nearly 40% of the workers dwelling right here do business from home) and the relative ease of dwelling with out a automotive (nearly half of the residents don’t use a automotive for his or her each day commute). Small houses also needs to be simple to search out, as 57% of the obtainable housing stock falls underneath the class of two bedrooms or fewer.

Residents of Orlando, FL, are very keen on minimalism, if we’re to guage primarily based on Google searches. Residents of this metropolis, which ranks 17^th general within the listing, are the second-most keen on discovering out extra about this way of life, with a mean of ten searches centered on minimalism per 1,000 residents. Different benefits of Orlando embody reasonable temperatures all year long, good air high quality and a constant inventory of small houses.

Portland carries the minimalist torch on the West Coast

4 cities on the West Coast managed to land among the many 20 finest minimalist cities. Portland, OR, will get main factors for biking and its share of individuals working from dwelling. Additionally, with its delicate climate, Portland makes it simple for residents to chop utility payments and revel in outside actions – talking of which, with a number of nationwide parks situated close by, Portland is without doubt one of the finest minimalist locations for nature lovers among the many high 20 cities.

Seattle, WA, scores very nicely throughout the board when it comes to public transportation, biking recognition and walkability. On high of that, nearly half of the native staff do business from home, and nearly two-thirds of the residents aren’t depending on vehicles. Spokane, WA, is a pleasant vacation spot for minimalists as nicely – and one which’s cheaper than Seattle. There’s nice native curiosity in outside actions in Spokane, so minimalists in search of easy and cheap methods to train and have enjoyable will certainly respect this metropolis.

San Diego, CA, rounds out the highest 20 of cities the place it’s simple to observe a minimalist way of life. Remarkably for a metropolis of its measurement, the common commute time in San Diego is just a little over 22 minutes, whereas over 1 / 4 of the native staff are literally working from dwelling. San Diego additionally scores some critical factors when it comes to local weather, and residential sizes – 55% of the homes within the metropolis have two bedrooms or fewer.

Self storage can help a minimalist way of life

Minimalism emphasizes the concept of proudly owning solely sensible issues. However even when we maintain on to this precept, there are issues that may nonetheless litter a small dwelling. That’s the place self storage is available in, for maintaining the issues we want with out taking over necessary dwelling area in our houses. Furthermore, self storage can show notably helpful for some classes of individuals, together with younger households who plan on rising their households, empty nesters who need to move a few of their possessions to kids and grandchildren, or digital nomads who journey for months at a time. In such instances, utilizing self storage can defend in opposition to additional bills, whereas additionally permitting individuals to stay comfortably in a small, minimalist dwelling – or it will probably enable them to surrender an condo lease throughout their travels, through the use of a self storage unit to maintain their necessities in as a substitute.

Naturally, the prices and availability of self storage range throughout the nation, so right here’s how the cities we analyzed for this text fare when it comes to self storage:

Self Storage Charges and Availability

Supply: RentCafe evaluation of U.S. Census Bureau and Yardi Matrix information
*The common self storage road charge is for a ten’x10′ non-climate managed storage unit.

Residing a staunch minimalist way of life won’t be for everybody – nevertheless, it undoubtedly pays off to take a few of its rules to coronary heart. Decreasing the quantity of stuff you personal, specializing in sensible dwelling and discovering methods to get pleasure from your free time with out spending cash units you up for higher monetary and psychological well being. And, contemplating the present international challenges we face associated to the provision of varied pure sources, dwelling an easier, much less consumerism-oriented way of life may be simply what all of us want.

Take a look at how all of the 96 cities in our evaluation rank when it comes to general and particular person metrics:

Professional Opinions

Mia Danielle, Dwelling Organizing Influencer

What sorts of individuals does minimalism enchantment to right this moment?

Whereas minimalism might have began out as considerably of a millennial curiosity, right this moment it appeals to a broader demographic of individuals with a standard curiosity in conscientious dwelling and productiveness.

What recommendation would you give to somebody trying to embrace minimalism of their houses?

You seemingly do not want as a lot as you assume you do. In fact, most of us do not even need as a lot as we predict we do – it is extra a matter of adhering to our private establishment. A apply of letting go typically proves to be a cathartic and stunning expertise of realizing what you really want and wish in your area and in your life.

What are the primary advantages of main a minimalist way of life?

A minimalist way of life is not a decor pattern however an answer to lots of right this moment’s high considerations, together with environmental and social points. Acutely aware consumption aids in monetary well being and diminished waste whereas dwelling with much less litter gives aid from overwhelm brought on by the usually busy and over-stimulated way of life.

Doug Ressler, Enterprise Intelligence Supervisor, Yardi Matrix

What are the primary advantages of main a minimalist way of life?

Whereas the US is experiencing considerably greater rates of interest, inflation and job layoffs, general, the financial system is stronger than in most nations globally. People are prone to search extra leisure time and way of life adjustments as a result of diminished spatial wants in housing models which will even enable for an financial benefit of their housing prices.

Methodology

This evaluation was performed by RentCafe, a nationwide condo and storage unit search web site.

The report goals to determine the perfect cities for a minimalist way of life. We analyzed the cities with a inhabitants of over 200K residents, primarily based on information from the U.S. Census Bureau, however excluded cities the place we had inadequate information.

We ranked these cities primarily based on a collection of metrics together with transportation (public transportation, commute time, share of individuals strolling and biking to work) prevalence of working from dwelling, measurement of houses in a metropolis, local weather and environmental elements, inhabitants density, entry to parks and seashores, electrical energy payments, self storage availability and prices, amongst others.

All of the metrics had equal weighting and the rating was calculated as a mean of particular person rankings. These are all of the metrics and their sources:

Truthful use and distribution

This examine serves as a useful resource for most of the people on problems with widespread curiosity and shouldn’t be considered funding recommendation. The info is true to the perfect of our information however might change if amendments to it are made. We conform to the distribution of this content material however we do require a point out in return for attribution functions.