Berkeley, CA

Although Berkeley is best recognized as a hub for engineering, science, and technology thanks to UC Berkeley, the city also has a robust arts and cultural scene. This city of over 121,000 people has a very diverse population. And the university's presence attracts new, young brains from all over the world, fueling innovation and creativity. Berkeley is also influenced by the cultural vibrancy of the neighboring Bay Area and adjacent San Francisco.

However, living in the tech-heavy Bay Area is pricey. A Berkeley studio costs about $2,250 on average. As a result, it is the most costly of the top 10 cities. On the plus side, Berkeley is extremely walkable, making it simple to access the city's many artistic opportunities. Berkeley is particularly well-known for its performing arts. It is the home of the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, a Tony Award-winning regional theatre, as well as other prestigious theater and entertainment groups.

There are collectives like the ACCI Gallery and museums like the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive for visual artists. West Berkeley and North Shattuck are particularly popular artist communities.