When you think of the top cities in America to promote your music, chances are, you immediately think of New York, Los Angeles, and Atlanta.  (Or maybe Nashville, if you’re country.)

Unfortunately, these cities all have one major problem in common: they’re ridiculously expensive to live in.  Unless you already have steady employment in one of those cities, you probably couldn’t afford them.

Let’s talk about cities that are good for new musicians, combining a thriving music scene with a cost-of-living that’s affordable for starving artists.

Three Cities Where You Can Afford To Promote Your Music

1 – Austin, Texas

Often known by locals as the island of blue in a sea of red, Austin has long been Texas’s capitol for the liberal arts, as well as for government.

Austin’s annual South-by-Southwest (SXSW) festival is quite possibly the best music festival in the country that doesn’t require baking your brains in the desert.  The Austin City Limits Festival is also quickly gaining cache.  So, there’s loads of opportunity to promote your music.

Further, having Dallas and Houston nearby means you have loads of potential gigs.  It’s probably the single best city for a new artist today.

2 – Chicago, Illinois

While there are definitely areas in the Windy City, like Lincoln Park, which no mere mortal can afford, there are still sever

al affordable neighborhoods scattered around the city.

And while Chicago may not be known for a particular style of music, like Austin, you can find virtually any kind you want.  Plenty of legends in virtually every style of music have come out of Chicago.  It’s still a great town for musicians.

3 – Portland, Oregon

Portland may be known in pop culture for its “quirky-even-for-hipsters” local sensibilities, but that same bohemian spirit means that the music scene is thriving, innovative, and usually unpredictable.  If you’re looking for new sounds, Portland is it.

Get yourself a job at a co-op, and find a garage band to join.   You might not have the same resources as in LA, but you won’t be alone on your quest to stardom.