Which US city has the lowest cost of living? Mississippi has the lowest cost of living in the country, 15.6% lower than the national average.
The cheapest places to live United States
What is the cheapest place to live in the US?
Harlingen, Texas has one of the lowest housing costs in the nation, especially when it comes to housing.
Located on the border with Mexico, it keeps the cost of living low and attracts people looking for an affordable place to live.
What is the cheapest and safest place to live in the US?
Harlingen Texas is considered one of the safest places to live in the United States, as its crime rate is among the lowest in the country. Additionally, housing costs are very affordable in the area, with average property prices well below the national average.
Are you looking for some of the cheapest places to live in the US?
You should weigh the pros and cons of moving to the location with the lowest cost of living. The allure of low prices can fade if jobs are hard to find, wages are low, or the area offers few activities.
Consider an extended visit to find the cheapest place to live.
Here is a list of the cheapest places to live in the US:-
#10 Conway, Arkansas
Conway, an affordable suburb in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway metropolitan area, is home to a number of high-tech companies including Insight Enterprises.
Located near the Arkansas River and Lake Conway, the city is a perfect place for fishing and water sports. The state capital of Little Rock is within a half hour drive.
Rent is lower, taxes are lower, and food, transportation, and utilities are cheaper. Conway, housing in AR is 26% cheaper than the US average, while utilities are about 10% cheaper.
Military retirement income and Social Security benefits are tax-free in Arkansas.
So if you’re looking for a place to retire on a budget, Conway is the place!
#9 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
It’s almost impossible to believe how convenient Oklahoma City is for its size.
Located within a region rich in natural resources, Oklahoma City is a desirable location for business due to the low cost of goods and services.
Additionally, the city’s thriving arts scene and renowned music festivals offer residents a wide variety of entertainment.
Residents take advantage of the low cost of living, with house prices significantly below the national average.
The city has a large and well-educated workforce, which helps keep wages low.
Housing costs are 27% lower than the national average, based on the cost of living index, which includes both house prices and rental rates.
The city also has no state income taxes, and the job market is growing, which has helped keep wages competitive and utilities, groceries, and transportation costs low.
Healthcare is also slightly more expensive than the average American can afford.
The Oklahoma City metropolitan area had an average annual unemployment rate of 2.9% in 2022, which was the third lowest unemployment rate in modern history (1990 to 2022).
So, if you’re looking for a place to live with low unemployment and expensive healthcare, Oklahoma is the place!
#8 Augusta-Aiken, Georgia/South Carolina
The historic Masters tournament is Augusta’s most famous attraction, but there’s more to this city than meets the eye.
Locals are lucky enough to live in one of the cheapest cities in the country, despite the presence of so many well-paying jobs.
Aiken, South Carolina and surrounding Gordon County. Augusta-Aiken is a hub for cybersecurity companies due to the presence of the Army Cyber Command at nearby Fort Gordon.
It is relatively cheap to live in Augusta-Aiken, with the cost of living being lower than the national average.
Housing costs in Aiken are 22% lower than the national average, and utility costs are 16% lower than the national average.
Residents pay 12% less for utilities and health care and nearly 22% less for transportation.
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park offers 14 miles of hiking trails just minutes from downtown Augusta. South Carolina Aiken University and the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum are located in Aiken.
It does not end here! Georgia is also one of the most tax-friendly states for retirees.
#7 Joplin, Missouri
Due to its status as a regional medical center, the city and surrounding metropolitan area recovered from the costliest tornado in modern US history.
In the aftermath of the tornado, the city spent heavily rebuilding infrastructure, health services, and businesses. You’ll find a variety of restaurants, shops, and recreational activities in town.
Additionally, the city has a strong labor market, with plenty of job opportunities, which helps keep the cost of living down.
Housing in Joplin is 37% cheaper than the US average. Utilities are about 2% higher while transportation costs are 6% lower.
Schools, hospitals, and health systems are major employers in the city, including Mercy Hospital and the Joplin School District.
Despite Missouri’s relatively average tax rates, they recently decreased from 5.4% to 5.3%. In 2023, the rate will drop to 4.95%, with further reductions planned.
It seems that Joplin is really trying to make taxpayers feel like they are getting their money’s worth!
#6 Cellphone, Alabama
French colonists founded Mobile, Alabama in 1702, and then became a French, English, and Spanish colony for the next century.
The city has one of the most distinctive cultures of any American city, thanks to its colonial past and African, Creole and Catholic heritage.
The low cost of living, steady job growth, and a strong housing market have made Mobile one of the most affordable cities in the country.
Employment opportunities in healthcare, engineering, and high-tech are plentiful.
Compared to what the average American pays, housing costs here are 42% lower. The cost of living in Mobile, Alabama is 2% lower than the state average and 14% lower than the national average.
Transportation and miscellaneous goods and services are also great deals.
As an added bonus, the city features a vibrant, culturally diverse lifestyle and plenty of leisure activities, making it an attractive place to live.
#5 Topeka, Kansas
Located on the prairie along the Kansas River, Topeka is characterized by dense suburban development, parks and cafes.
Kansas’s low taxes and its wide variety of land allow for many housing opportunities.
Topeka’s housing costs are 23% lower than the national average, transportation costs are 6% lower, and grocery prices are 15% lower.
The cost of living in Kansas City is 4% higher than the state average, but 6% lower than the national average. Housing in Kansas City is 3% cheaper than the US average, while utilities are about 2% cheaper.
#4 Kalamazoo, MI
Kalamazoo offers an affordable cost of living even compared to other midwestern cities. However, Michigan is not the most tax-friendly state for middle-class families.
The city has a lower cost of housing, transport and public services than the national average.
The cost of living in Kalamazoo is 16% lower than the state average and 24% lower than the national average.
Housing in Kalamazoo is 51% cheaper than the average cost in the United States, while utilities are only 1% more expensive.
Western Michigan University, Pfizer, Stryker Corp., Consumers Energy and Western Michigan University are among the city’s major employers.
However, keep in mind that since Kalamazoo is a small city with a low cost of living, wages may not be as high as in other cities.
Despite the lower cost of living, Kalamazoo may still have a higher budget due to the lower wages, even if the cost of living is lower.
#3 Decatur, Ill
Agriculture and manufacturing are the most important industries in Decatur, Illinois. As a result, housing costs have been low due to an abundant supply of homes.
Furthermore, the city offers numerous services, such as parks, museums and a lively city centre.
The cost of living in Decatur is significantly lower than the national average, due in part to relatively low housing costs and low taxes.
Housing costs here are 39% lower than the national average and utility costs are 5% lower. Food, clothing and groceries cost 12% less than in the rest of the country.
The city also has a fairly high median household income, which helps offset some of the cost of living.
#2 Jackson, Mississippi
A surprisingly eclectic city, Jackson attracts Civil War fans, blues music fans, and even ballet fans.
Jackson has a lower cost of living than the national average and is home to several colleges and universities that offer low tuition fees.
Additionally, housing costs are relatively low due to a wide variety of housing options, from single-family homes to apartments.
The Hattiesburg metropolitan area has the lowest average rent in Mississippi. The cost of living in Mississippi is 16% lower than the national average, while housing costs are 34% lower.
#1 Harlingen, Texas
Located on the southern tip of Texas between the Gulf of Mexico and the Rio Grande, Harlingen ranks as the cheapest place to live in the United States among cities.
With over 50,000 citizens, Harlingen has one of the lowest costs of living in the United States.
Housing is affordable, taxes are minimal, and the city offers a wide range of services for residents.
Additionally, the city boasts low costs for utilities, groceries and transportation, making it an extremely attractive option for those looking for an affordable place to live.
The cost of housing in Harlingen is 55.38% lower than the national average, and the overall cost of living is 57.20% lower than the national average.
The median listing home price in Harlingen, Texas was $245.5,000 in January 2023, and the median listing home price per square foot was $135.
However, if you thought Harlingen was cheap, wait until you hear the prices in nearby Harland – they’re so cheap you could go out to eat and get change on a $5 bill!
