Relocating in the US

Relocating in the US

Leaving the country is not realistic for everyone.

Below are some helpful links, best cities, and information on other considerations when deciding when and where to move.

Relocating in the U.S.

  • “Shield” or “refuge” laws are intended to protect transgender people, their families, and their medical providers against ongoing attacks. Explore maps of states with shield laws HERE.

  • Advocates for Trans Equality has compiled a guide that “outlines steps that can help you protect yourself.” Explore the guide HERE

  • “The MEI examines how inclusive municipal laws, policies, and services are of LGBTQ+ people who live and work there. Cities are rated based on non-discrimination laws, the municipality as an employer, municipal services, law enforcement and leadership on LGBTQ+ equality.”

    Explore the Index HERE

affordable trans-friendly cities (not in CA)

can’t afford to leave the US? can’t afford the West Coast of NYC? No problem! Check out these smaller cheaper American alternatives.

Rochester, New York

Rochester has the second lowest cost of living on the list at 79.1% of the national average. Rochester has lots of accolades when it comes to transgender services and benefits. It has the highest MAP’s Gender Identity Policy Score. It was the winner for the most affordable, LGBTQ+-friendly city in New York on Queer Money® episode #419. NBC News highlighted Rochester, New York, for its inclusive services, including healthcare, at the city level for transgender folks. Population 207,282 (2024).

#1

Syracuse, New York

Syracuse came in the middle of the road for everything. It scored a 100 on the  HRC MEI. New York came in #5 for the Top 5 Most Affordable, LGBTQ+ Friendly Cities in Blue States, Queer Money® episode #497. Population 146,097 (2024).

#2

#3

Buffalo, New York

Buffalo was in the middle of the road for everything. It did not get a 100% on the  HRC MEI. It was missing an LGBTQ+ liaison in the Mayor’s office; however, it has all the other trans points we looked at. New York made it on the List of Most Protective States per Erin in the Morning. Population 276,617 (2024).

#4

Champaign, Illinois

Champaign came in the middle of the road for everything. Illinois made it on the list of the Most Protective State per Erin in the Morning. Champaign was the winner for the most affordable, LGBTQ+-friendly city in Illinois on Queer Money® episode #459. Population 91,961 (2024).

Rockford, Illinois

Rockford has the second lowest rent at $948 a month for a two-bedroom, two-bath apartment. It has the lowest home value at $145,000. Rockford has the lowest cost of living at 79% and the lowest median and lowest average incomes at $43,000 and $55,000 respectively. Illinois is on the list of the Most Protective State per Erin Reed of Erin in the Morning. Population 147,486 (2024).

#5

Baltimore, Maryland

 It has the highest rent on this list, at $1,595 a month for a two-bedroom, two-bath apartment. Baltimore is on the list of the Most Protective States, per Erin in the Morning. Population 568,271 (2024).

#6

#7

Racine, Wisconsin

Racine has the lowest rents in the top 10 at $932 a month for a two-bedroom, two-bath apartment.  Again, Wisconsin is the only state in the top 10 without a top rating by Erin in the Morning. It has been flagged as a low-risk state. Racine was the winner of the most affordable, LGBTQ+-friendly city in Wisconsin on the Queer Money® episode #385. Population 78,057 (2024).

Albany, New York

#9

Albany has the highest cost of living, at 104.1% above the national average. It also has the highest median and average incomes, at $63,000 and $77,000, respectively. New York has the highest state ranking for MAP’s Gender Identity Policy Score in our top 10. Population 101,317 (2024).

#8

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee has the highest home values at $288,000. It has the second-highest median and average incomes at $57,000 and $76,000, respectively. Population 560,124 (2025).

Duluth, Minnesota

#10

Duluth is a lower-cost city with above-average incomes. Minnesota ranks high on the Movement Advancement Project’s (MAP) Gender Identity Policy Score. Duluth is on the list of Most Protective States per Erin Reed of Erin in the Morning. Population 87,986 (2024).

Honorable Mention

  • Morgantown, West Virginia

    Morgantown has the most expensive rent for a two-bedroom, two-bath apartment at $1,291 monthly. Morgantown is tied for the highest cost of living at 90.3%. It came in at #5 for red states on our Queer Money® episode #501. Morgantown scored honorable mention for West Virginia on Queer Money® episode #387. Population 30,490 (2024).

  • Columbia, Missouri

    Columbia has the highest home values at $261,000. Columbia tied with Morgantown for cost of living at 90.3%. Columbia came in #4 for red states and is the runner-up for Missouri on Queer Money® episode #435. Population 130,900 (2024).

  • McMinnville, Oregon

    McMinnville, OR has been recognized as one of the top small towns for the queer community in the U.S.. It features a strong queer-friendly culture highlighted by the annual Wine Country Pride celebration, the Queer Wine Fest, and has a queer Mayor, Remy Drabkin

  • Bloomington, Indiana

    Bloomington, Indiana is widely considered one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly and inclusive, safe havens in the state, often earning perfect scores on the Municipal Equality Index. It has robust local, non-discrimination protections, supportive university resources, and has declared itself a safe haven for gender-affirming care despite statewide restrictions.