Fall isn’t just pumpkin spice and leaf piles; it’s one of the smartest times to move. Rents drop, the weather cools, and the summer moving frenzy fades. If you’re looking for a new city, choose one that gives you autumn beauty and affordable rent. That way, you get the crisp mornings and the savings.
Here are 12 affordable cities famous for their stunning fall foliage:
Chattanooga, TN: Scenic and Affordable
- Average rent: $1,249 per month
- Best leaf-peeping location: Signal Mountain
- Peak fall foliage: Late October to early November
Chattanooga knows how to do fall. Hike Stringer’s Ridge for sweeping city views, wander the trails along the Tennessee River, or explore Lula Lake and Enterprise South Nature Park when the leaves hit peak color. Every October weekend, Rock City’s Rocktoberfest brings live music, craft beer, and Bavarian flavor to the mountainside. And with average rent below the national average of $1,639 per month, you can enjoy all the fall color without draining your wallet. Explore Chattanooga rentals and get ready to enjoy sweater weather.
Charlottesville, VA: History Meets Fall Colors
- Average rent: $1,700 per month
- Best leaf-peeping location: Shenandoah National Park
- Peak fall foliage: Early to late October
Home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Monticello and the University of Virginia, and framed by Shenandoah National Park, Charlottesville shines brightest in the fall. Explore more than 40 wineries along the Monticello Wine Trail, go apple-picking in the orchards, or spend crisp weekends hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains. With average rent of $1,700 per month, Charlottesville offers historic charm, autumn color, and affordability in one package. Rent your Charlottesville apartment and claim a front-row seat to history and hillsides.
Portsmouth, NH: Coastal Fall Charm
- Average rent: $2,283 per month
- Best leaf-peeping location: Piscataqua River
- Peak fall foliage: Late October
From mid-September through October, fall river cruises glide past fiery foliage along the New Hampshire coast and into Maine, scenery best enjoyed from the deck with nothing to break the view. Portsmouth itself is steeped in history as the nation’s third-oldest city, where colonial homes and cobblestone streets make every stroll feel timeless. And while rent here runs higher than the national average, it’s still on par with other New England gems, giving you history, charm, and autumn color in one coastal package. Browse Portsmouth rentals and anchor yourself in New England charm.
Portland, ME: Seaside Storybook Setting
- Average rent: $1,639 per month
- Best leaf-peeping location: Cathedral Park
- Peak fall foliage: October 21- 27
In Portland, fall comes with a coastal twist. Cruise Casco Bay to see foliage from the water or drive an hour inland to the White Mountains for panoramic views. Stay local and explore wineries on the Maine Wine Trail, celebrate the season on the 40-mile Pumpkin Trail, or wander the cobblestone streets of the Old Port District where history meets autumn color. For post-worthy selfies, head to Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth, where the lighthouse rises against a backdrop of fiery leaves. If the laidback, coastal vibe fits you best, browse Portland rentals and start enjoying life in a postcard setting.
Asheville, NC: Mountain Town Energy
- Average rent: $1,467 per month
- Best leaf-peeping location: Grandfather Mountain
- Peak fall foliage: Late September to early November
Fall in Asheville rolls in by elevation. Color starts in late September at the peaks and lingers into early November in the valleys. Tackle Grandfather Mountain’s famously tricky “chutes and ladders” trail (ladders, cables, and the Mile High Swinging Bridge) for jaw-dropping autumn views or opt for the shorter Craggy Pinnacle Trail with scenery just as photo-worthy.
Beyond the mountains, Asheville thrives on local character. Its shops, cafes, and art spots are as unique as its fall colors. With average rent 10 percent below the national average, this is a mountain town where renters can truly afford to stay. Browse Asheville rentals today and make the Blue Ridge your backyard.
Pittsburgh, PA: Gritty Meets Golden
- Average rent: $1,379
- Best leaf-peeping location: Point State Park, Mount Washington overlook, and the Laurel Highlands
- Peak fall foliage: Mid to late October
Steel City turns golden in the fall. With three rivers carving through hillsides of red and orange, Pittsburgh is a leaf-lover’s dream. Stroll Point State Park, take the incline up Mount Washington, or head into the Laurel Highlands for peak color. And the kicker? Average rent is about $1,379/month, well below the national average. That means you get fiery fall views without setting your budget on fire. Find a Pittsburgh rental where city edge meets fall color.
Bend, OR: Outdoor Adventures Everywhere
- Average rent: $1,750 per month
- Best leaf-peeping location: Silver Falls State Park
- Peak fall foliage: Mid-September to Mid-October
In Bend, waterfalls and foliage go hand in hand. Silver Falls State Park offers ten cascades surrounded by fiery autumn color, and that’s just the start. Explore the Columbia River Gorge, hike the Deschutes River Trail, or sip your way through Oregon’s wine country while the vineyards glow gold. All of that beauty and you get to stay on budget! Find a Bend rental and get it all.
Milwaukee, WI: Midwest Value
- Average rent: $1,185 per month
- Best leaf-peeping location: Holly Hill
- Peak fall foliage: Third week of October
While Milwaukee loves its beer, fall here is more than brewery tours. Climb North Point Lighthouse for lakefront views, hike 17 miles of fiery trails at Lapham Peak, or wander Boerner Botanical Gardens where waterfalls glow under autumn leaves. With the average rent around $1,185/month, 28 percent below the national average, Brew City serves up golden foliage and savings in equal measure. Browse Milwaukee rentals today and tap into fall for less.
Louisville, KY: Fall Festivals and Forests
- Average rent: $1,120 per month
- Best leaf-peeping location: Cherokee Park
- Peak fall foliage: October 5-21
Louisville isn’t just about the Derby; fall here races into full color. Wander beneath the canopy at Bernheim Arboretum, chase waterfalls at Clifty Falls State Park, or explore 6,500 acres of Jefferson Memorial Forest. With average rent around $1,120/month, you can enjoy every season without betting the house. Browse Louisville rentals today and make this fall your winning run.
Dawsonville, GA: Waterfalls and Festivals
- Average rent: $1,495 per month
- Best leaf-peeping location: Amicalola Falls State Park
- Peak fall foliage: Late October to early November
Cozy like fall in flannel, Dawsonville is famous for its moonshine festival and mountain views. This hideaway sits just 60 miles north of Atlanta; close enough for city perks, far enough for crisp mountain air. At its heart is Amicalola Falls, a 729-foot cascade and the third-highest waterfall east of the Mississippi. It’s breathtaking year-round, but in autumn it’s framed in fiery color. With average rent below both the national and Atlanta averages, Dawsonville proves small-town charm doesn’t have to come at big-city prices. Move to Dawsonville and keep waterfalls close (no chasing required).
Salt Lake City, UT: Affordable Adventure
- Average rent: $1,459 per month
- Best leaf-peeping location: Big Cottonwood Canyon
- Peak fall foliage: Late September to early October
From the golden aspens to the deep reds of Gambel oaks, Utah blazes with color in the fall. Drive the Big Cottonwood Canyon Scenic Byway or hike its trails for mountain views that peak with the season. Salt Lake City is built for adventure, with camping, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, and more, but it’s also budget-friendly, with average rent around $1,459/month, 11 percent below the national average. Browse Salt Lake City rentals and put fall’s best backdrop at your doorstep.
Denver, CO: Mile-High Autumn
- Average rent: $1,653 per month
- Best leaf-peeping location: Rocky Mountain National Park
- Peak fall foliage: Mid September to Early November
Set in the foothills of the Rockies, Denver is stunning year-round but fall takes it to another level. Golden aspens light up Guanella Pass, the Georgetown Loop Railroad rolls past fiery hillsides, and the Cherry Creek Bike Trail delivers 40 miles of color on two wheels. Just outside the city, Rocky Mountain National Park bursts with September hues at high elevations and glows into November down below. Migrating elk even weave through golden valleys as the season peaks. For about the national average rent, an apartment in Denver gets you a front-row seat to aspens, elk, and Rocky Mountain sunsets.
Ready to Find Your Fall City?
As autumn colors sweep across the country, these twelve affordable cities shine as more than seasonal getaways, but as year-round places to call home. From New England charm in Portsmouth and Portland to mountain escapes in Chattanooga, Bend, and Salt Lake City, there’s a rental for every style of living. Whether it’s Louisville’s southern hospitality or Pittsburgh’s steel-city grit wrapped in golden hillsides, each city proves you can find character, scenery, and affordability in one place.
This article was originally published on October 2, 2023, and has been updated to reflect current rent prices.
