Best Cities for Newlyweds

The vows are spoken and the ceremony is over. Next step: a move to Texas?

According to a survey from Rent.com, three different Texas cities – Austin, Dallas and Houston – are among the Top 10 places in the country for newlyweds. The thriving art scene in Austin ranks it at No. 1, with Dallas at three and Houston at five.

The list was made with creativity in mind. Cities like Kansas City, Mo., and Washington, D.C., made the cut for their cultural significance, while cities like Minneapolis, the “Fittest City in America,” and Denver, the No. 1 city for beer brewing, are there for a target crowd.

Factors like cost of living and household income helped compile data for the list, with the unemployment rate in the city given double weight to the other statistics.

Raleigh/Durham, N.C., Phoenix and Baltimore rounded out the list, citing their affordability, scenic and lifestyle opportunities and laid-back attitudes.

The survey also compiled data about the cohabitation of newly married couples, with 75 percent of respondents saying their overall quality of life has improved since moving in with their significant other, and 62 percent saying their financial situation got better.

But stress is still a factor. In fact, 25 percent of respondents found living with their spouse to be stressful, with many citing the lack of personal space as the source of that stress. The shared space also means downsizing: 19 percent of those surveyed said they got rid of almost everything they previously owned before moving in.