For anyone who’s ever wandered the riverfront, grabbed lunch at Ray’s Place or spent a Friday night at the Zephyr — usually followed by Taco Tontos — the idea of Kent, Ohio, ranking as a top college town would come as no surprise.
But this summer, MoneyLion, the personal finance and digital banking platform, released its list of the 20 Best College Towns in America in 2026 — and Kent made the cut, ranking No. 8 nationally. The rankings evaluated cities across a range of livability factors, including the percentage of residents ages 20 to 24, average monthly rent and expenses, median household income and annual cost of living. Of the more than 400 cities studied, only 20 made the final list.
Kent was the only Ohio city to appear on the national list, making it the state’s top college town.
The city’s numbers tell the story: nearly 39% of Kent’s population falls in the 20-24 age range — among the highest of any city on the list — with an average monthly rent of $1,518 and a total annual cost of living of $40,127, making it one of the more affordable destinations on the list. Locations were ranked by livability index, which MoneyLion calculated using cost-of-living data sourced from Sperling’s BestPlaces and rental data from the Zillow Observed Rental Index.
But what else makes Kent feel like home? Where do people take their friends when they visit? We asked four Kent State University Golden Flashes to walk us through their perfect day in Kent to show why it is such a special place to live.
The Iconic Kent Experience
Graduate student Mackenzie Savage takes friends to Mike’s Place.
Transcript
Hi, I'm Mackenzie, and this is my perfect day in Ohio's best college town.
My perfect day includes coffee, shopping, sushi, a river walk, tacos, live music, and the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
My favorite coffee shop is Tree City, and I love getting anything on their seasonal menu, so today it's an iced oatmeal cream pie latte.
After I get my coffee, I'm going up Acorn Alley into Off the Wagon and Red Letter Days and probably buying a couple pens that I don't need, but I really want.
After shopping, I'm going down to Pacific East and I'm getting the two-roll combo. I'm getting a sweet potato roll, and I'm getting a shrimp tempura roll with an extra side of spicy mayo.
Down by the Riverwalk Park, I love sitting on the rocks, listening to music, journaling, working on homework. It's so relaxing no matter what season it is.
For dinner, I'm going to call and place my order to Tacotanos to pick up through the window, and then I'm going to sit with my friends and listen to live music on the Zephyr patio.
After dinner, we're going to walk up the street and get in line to wait for the doors to open at midnight at the Kent Stage. If it's the Rocky Horror Picture Show, we dress up, we get to interact with them, and it's an absolute blast. If you've never gone, you have to go.
The moment that I remember falling in love with Kent was my freshman year. We would go downtown, and I just remember feeling so safe and so comfortable, having so much fun with my friends, seeing all these small businesses. It made Kent really stand out.
What is your perfect day in Kent?
My perfect day in Kent would include getting coffee at Tree City, shopping at Off the Wagon, Red Letter Days and Leaf, some Pacific East sushi for lunch, chatting with friends, then enjoying some Taco Tontos and watching live music on the Zephyr patio in the evening!
What is your favorite spot on campus?
My favorite spot on campus is the Behind the Brain Plaza (behind Merrill Hall). As a criminology and sociology major in undergrad, I was always relaxing in there between classes and enjoying the calm view.
What is your favorite coffee shop?
I love Tree City for all their fun little concoctions and yummy sweet treats!
What is your favorite restaurant?
Definitely Pacific East. I love, love, love sushi.
Where do you like to shop in Kent?
Red Letter Days and Off the Wagon are always stops anytime I go downtown.
Where do you go for arts or culture?
I love going to the Kent Stage, especially for “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”!
What’s your favorite Saturday night spot?
1,000% Zephyr. Live music, outdoor patio games, a walk-up window to Taco Tontos, a beautiful outdoor atmosphere and super fun music inside. It is always my favorite place to be.
Where is your favorite place to be outdoors?
I adore going down to the Franklin Mills Riveredge Park and sitting on the rocks down by the water, especially in the summer, and dipping my feet in the cool water. No matter the time of year, it is so calm and relaxing and nice to just get out of the house.
If someone’s visiting Kent for the first time, where’s the one spot they should go?
I always tell people they have to go eat at Mike’s Place. The crazy fun decor. The massive menu. It is such a fun experience and is always where I offer to take friends and family for that iconic Kent experience.
What do you think is iconic to Kent?
I think our fall downtown atmosphere is so iconic. All the beautiful changing colors of the leaves and florals. The fun nightlife. Nice, cool weather in the evenings with plenty of people out and about shopping and chatting and having fun. Those fall evenings/nights downtown and around campus are such a core memory for me that I always look forward to and will miss so much when I graduate.
Where Culture Comes Alive
Eboni Pringle, Ph.D., thinks the Kent Stage is iconic.
What is your perfect day in Kent?
My perfect day in Kent is to walk the esplanade from campus to downtown and eat at any of the tasty restaurants, then grab dessert at Good Golly.
What is your favorite spot on campus?
The shaded walking path behind science row, where there are art sculptures and you can typically find students, faculty and staff catching a quiet moment.
What is your favorite coffee shop?
Scribbles!
What is your favorite restaurant?
I have so many; it is hard to choose. It is a toss-up between Laziza and Troy Grille.
Where do you like to shop in Kent?
Flourish Plant Mkt. and Kent Food Co-op.
Where do you go for arts or culture?
Main Street Kent offers so many fun activities and events. My favorite is the Kent Historic Homes Tour.
What’s your favorite Saturday night spot?
Honestly, my house in Kent! I do get out for Main Street Kent events or university student organization events.
Where is your favorite place to be outdoors?
Riveredge Park.
If someone’s visiting Kent for the first time, where’s the one spot they should go?
Ray’s.
What do you think is iconic to Kent?
The Kent Stage.
Saturday Night Staple
Devin Paschall thinks Ray’s Place is the gift that keeps on giving.
What is your perfect day in Kent?
My perfect day in Kent would start by heading to the Cleveland Bagel Cafe to get breakfast and then going downtown to shop and explore. In the afternoon, I would stop at the Fruit Stand for a smoothie bowl and then walk down to the riverbank. As the sun starts to fade and the evening rolls around, I would head to dinner with some friends at Barrio to fill my stomach with chips, queso and a margarita. After dinner, of course, we’d have to stop at Insomnia for some dessert before heading back home. To end the night, we’d all sit together around a fire, listening to music. We would end up going back to downtown to have a few drinks at some of our favorite bars and make memories that will last a lifetime.
What is your favorite spot on campus?
My favorite spot on campus would have to be the Newman Center. Great people, an awesome study spot and an awesome place to grow in faith and community.
What is your favorite coffee shop?
My favorite coffee shop is either Tree City or Scribbles.
What is your favorite restaurant?
When it comes to restaurants in Kent, my favorite would be the Lake House.
Where do you like to shop in Kent?
I love nothing more than when small markets do pop-ups in downtown. If those aren’t going on, I will shop at Kent Sportswear and attend the farmers market when in season. Looking through antique shops, such as City Bank Antiques or Einstein’s Attic, is also very enjoyable for me.
Where do you go for arts or culture?
Arts and culture exist all around the Kent, Ohio, area, especially through student film screenings and downtown music festivals.
What’s your favorite Saturday night spot?
In my opinion, and I am sure many others’ as well, Ray’s Place is the gift that keeps on giving. The prices, the people and the location are so unbeatable.
Where is your favorite place to be outdoors?
My favorite space to spend my time outdoors is at Franklin Mills Riveredge Park.
If someone’s visiting Kent for the first time, where’s the one spot they should go?
If it is your first time at Kent State, I believe you should definitely check out the Memorial Athletic and Convocation (MAC) Center and read through and/or see some Kent State history.
What do you think is iconic to Kent?
We all know what is iconic to Kent State: a Ray’s Long Island, a Hulk from the Loft and, most importantly, the tallest building in Portage County, Ohio. Jokes aside, between the history of this institution and the diversity this city offers, Kent will always be a staple of what a true college town is.
Fashion Meets History
Sarah Spinner, Ph.D., J.D., knows of a world-class museum to check out in Kent.
What is your perfect day in Kent?
My perfect Kent day would start with a stroll down East Main Street. First stop: the bridge for a beautiful view of the Cuyahoga River below. Then I’d pop into the School of Art’s Downtown Gallery to catch the latest exhibition, head next door to Leaf (I’m obsessed with their flower bar!), stop at the Kent Historical Society for a little local history, grab a coffee at Cleveland Bagel and then head to work at the amazing Kent State University Museum!
What is your favorite spot on campus?
The swinging bench outside the Kent State University Museum. Peaceful green space, beautiful flowers in sight, great people-watching and a world-class museum just steps away. What more could I want?
What is your favorite coffee shop?
Cleveland Bagel. Because coffee is always better with a bagel!
What is your favorite restaurant?
My fave lunch spots: Nineteen10 at the Kent State Hotel (always light-filled, always happy to see me!), River Merchant (if I can snag a coveted table by the water) or Bell Tower Brewing (preferably on the patio!). For dinner, Laziza for the win. It’s my go-to for dinners with special guests, including “Wicked” costume designer Paul Tazewell and Moroccan fashion designer Hicham Oumlil.
Where do you like to shop in Kent?
Indie Kent! I bought the cutest “Support Your Local EVERYTHING” tee there. Pretty much sums up my philosophy!
Where do you go for arts or culture?
I’m biased, but the Kent State University Museum is a world-class museum right on campus. Our collection includes more than 30,000 objects, ranging from ancient Roman glass to Queen Victoria’s underwear, plus special exhibitions that change throughout the year. For student exhibitions and holiday art sales, I love the School of Art galleries in the Center for the Visual Arts. Our students are seriously talented!
Where is your favorite place to be outdoors?
Anywhere in sight of the river!
If someone’s visiting Kent for the first time, where’s the one spot they should go?
Walk East Main Street from campus through downtown, or vice versa. It’s the perfect introduction to Kent!
What do you think is iconic to Kent?
Kent has all the warmth, charm and walkability of a small town and all the culture, ideas, creativity and energy of an incredible public research university. It’s a dream college town!
