During these rough economic times, prospective medical students consider many factors when it comes to deciding on which medical school to apply to. 

Here’s our list of cities which offer medical students the best overall experience outside of the classroom. Affordable housing, free activities, and a low cost-of-living may make the list of places where medical students who wish to pursue their dreams of becoming a doctor can still enjoy the perks of city life without the hefty price tag. Here are 10 U.S. cities that may offer students everything they need to stretch their student income (or lack thereof) and make their four years of medical school as enjoyable as possible. And of course, all of the cities on the list are home to at least one medical school.

We began our search using the criteria which ranked a very important factor for many prospective medical students: money. And not money, in terms of salary like many of these types of lists generally account for, but how much money prospective medical students would be able to save. So we looked at cities across the country which offered the lowest cost-of-liv-ing for its residents. We then refined our search by looking at factors of interest to the medical student population, such as rent affordability, access to public transportation (since owning a car is not such a budget-friendly idea), and number of free activities (when time permits to lower stress levels without spending much). Take a look. And let us know what you think with a reader comment. 

You told us your ideal city to attend medical school is affordable, fun, and easy to get around. We found 10 that fit the bill.

Over the past 10 years, this city has transformed itself into a vibrant town that offers cheap cost of living, without skimping on the amenities. From free jazz and free movies to community theaters and small clubs, Omaha is bustling with tons cheap or free entertainment. Students who may wish to take a break from their studies don't have to worry about digging in their pockets to enjoy a quality event. And don't worry about not having a car, the city's extensive trail system, which runs throughout the city, is perfect for walkers, runners, and bicyclists, who besides getting from place to place, may take advantage of this perk to burn off steam or stay in shape. The city's transit authority provides pubic bus services to hundreds of locations throughout the metro area.

Cost-of-living: 
90.3 (national average 100) 

Avg 1br rental:
$625/month 

Public transportation:

Free activates/events:

Medical schools located in this city: 
Creighton University School of Medicine, University of Nebraska College of Medicine

The city that is ranked year after year as one of the most desirable places to live and work, made our list for one of the best cities for medical students to study too! Super friendly people brimming with Southern hospitality are just one of the perks that come along with attending medical school in Nashville. The city's cost of living is about 10% below the national average and the housing costs are even lower than the average, 28%. The city's low cost of living has attracted many and even as medical students graduate, the opportunities available through top employers like Vanderbilt University and Hospital Corporation of America, are making them stay put after graduation. And we must not forget to mention the city's free bus service called The Music City Circuit, which operates in downtown Nashville. While Nashville is best known for country music, the metro area offers many perks that go far beyond what many may think.

Cost-of-living: 
90.7 (national average 100) 

Avg 1br rental: 
$736/month 

Public transportation:

Free activates/events:

Medical schools located in this city:
Meharry Medical College Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

While the pace of this city may be a bit slower than other cities, Little Rock can offer a little bit of everything. For the culturally apt student, this city has quite a trendy art scene and various venues offer year round performances of opera, cabaret, and jazz, as well as seasonal festivals and events. Residents can also take advantage of the largest park dedicated to the performing arts in the South and the city's zoo. The city has public bus service and downtown streetcars which service the downtown areas of Little Rock and North Little Rock. Oh, and for all of you who are interested, Little Rock was named the second cleanest city in America in 2011 by Forbes magazine.

Cost-of-living: 
94.1 (national average 100)

Avg 1br rental: 
$640/month 

Public transportation:

Free activates/events:

Medical schools located in this city: 
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine

With a cost-of-living about 6% less than the national average, Cincinnati can offer students small-town affordability with big-city perks. Aside from its zoo, two major sports teams, and more than 5,000 acres of parks, the city also offers free music six days a week beginning in May and lasting through September each year. For students looking to spend time outdoors, the city's Web site claims that any city resident is within 1 mile of a park - how nice is that?

Cost-of-living: 93.3 (national average 100) 

Avg 1br rental: 
$590/month 

Public transportation:

Free activates/events:

Medical schools located in this city:
 University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

Voted many times by Money Magazine as "the best place to live in the southeast," Johnson City is considered an economic hub which is largely fueled by East Tennessee State University and what's called the medical "Med-Tech" corridor, linked by the Johnson City Medical Center, Franklin Woods Community Hospital, ETSU's Gatton College of Pharmacy and ETSU's Quillen College of Medicine. And all of that nice medical stuff makes it an even better place for medical students to flock to. Add nice climate, affordable housing, and low cost of living - what more can a student ask for? Johnson City also has all of that good stuff plus the city can offer some of the nice perks that come along with living in the city like free art and music festivals. The city's public transportation system operates the BucShot, which is a system that serves the greater ETSU campus.

Cost-of-living: 
88.1(national average 100) 

Avg 1br rental: $577/month 

Public transportation:

Free activates/events:␣

Medical schools located in this city:
 East Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine

Ranked as one of the top 10 best big cities in the country to relocate, for medical students looking to begin their medical career, Columbus is another attractive place for future doctors. Far from just a place for kids, this city his home to a science museum which features interactive exhibits and IMAX movies, which we're sure some medical students might find interesting as well. And don't worry about needing a car to get around, bicycling as transportation is steadily increasing in the city with its relatively flat terrain and off-road bike paths. The city has a large student population so for all of the medical students fresh out of college, it may be nice to see others around the same age group as yourself. When summertime rolls around, residents can take advantage of the free Shakespearean plays at the amphitheater in Schiller Park or the annual festivities at the Ohio State Fair.

Cost-of-living: 90.1(national average 100) 

Avg 1br rental: $666/month 

Public transportation:

Free activates/events:

Medical schools located in this city:
Ohio State University College of Medicine

Both stable and affordable, Oklahoma City has experienced tremendous renovation. For those of you looking to go into biomedicine, the city has seen many life-science start-ups, including the Presbyterian Health Foundation Research Park, a 700,000 square foot space which has attracted an influx of innovative biomedical firms. If you can get over it being one of the most tornado-prone cities in the nation, Oklahoma City, boasts the second lowest media rent among large U.S. metro areas. If you do plan on driving, apparently the city's freeways are rarely congested with the "stop and go" commuter patterns of other major cities, and it is often said that one can get from any part of the metro area to downtown in 30 minutes or less by freeway. The city also features a bus and rail transit system from those looking to get around the area by ways other than driving.

Cost-of-living: 89(national average 100) Avg 1br rental: $544/month Public transportation:Free activates/events:

Medical schools located in this city:
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine

Although you may not think of Birmingham when you think city, this is a place that you may not want pass judgement. As money continues to be invested into reconstructing the down- town area into a 24-hour mixed-used district, Birmingham has consistently been rated as one of America's best places to work and earn a living based in part on the relatively low living expenses. Aside from that, the city offers numerous activities when students may need something to do to relax like visit a gallery or museum in the area. And if you're looking for more artsy things to do to stimulate your brain after you've bombarded it with the sciences, the state is also home to a major ballet, opera, and symphony organizations. After graduation, medical students may just want to stay put - one study determined that Birmingham was second in the nation for building personal net worth, based on local salary rates, living expenses, and unemployment rates. 

Cost-of-living: 
89.6(national average 100) 

Avg 1br rental: 
$645/month 

Public transportation:

Free activates/events:

Medical schools located in this city:
University of Alabama School of Medicine

For students looking to spend as little as they can in medical school, one of the most attractive features of this city is how cheap it is to live there. "Memphis has, in other words, all the amenities that come with being the 20th-largest city in the U.S. but at a cost of living nearly 14% below the national metro average," according to the city's Web site. "For the majority of newcomers, that means more money for travel, leisure and hobbies, or putting away for a rainy day." From a vibrant downtown scene to a handful of bioscience assets, Memphis has plenty to offer to students attending medical school in the area. The major mode of public transportation used in Memphis operates both buses and trolleys - yes trolleys. And on the last Friday of each month, the trolley is free from 6-9pm and includes live entertainment and complimentary drinks as well as stops at fifteen different galleries. You can't top that.

Cost-of-living: 
87.3(national average 100) 

Avg 1br rental: 
$574/month 

Public transportation:

Free activates/events:

Medical schools located in this city:
University of Tennessee Health Sciences College of Medicine

The "Horse Capital of the World" is also one of the best places for students looking to go to medical school in a city. The diverse cityscape and vibrant downtown area put Lexington on the map as a place that accounts for it landing in the 5th spot for the best city for Young Professionals in 2008. And if after moving there find yourself needing stick up for the lesser known city, for any students who move here, they'll be proud to say that Lexington was ranked 10th in a list of America's most educated cities with a population of more than 250,000, so there! In addition to the city's normal bus routes, the transit authority offers campus shuttle service on the University of Kentucky. The city's newest form of transportation, Colt Trolleys, is free and has a route which runs from the University of Kentucky. Can you say, bang for your buck?

Cost-of-living: 
89.1(national average 100) 

Avg 1br rental: 
$595/month 

Public transportation:

Free activates/events:

Medical schools located in this city:
 University of Kentucky College of Medicine