Top 10 Most Affordable Places to Live in the US

If you’re looking for a new town to put down roots and raise a family, you might want to move to one of the most affordable places to live in the United States.

There are some incredible extremes in our country. The average rent price in New York City is more than $5,500 per month, but in some areas of the country, that might cover almost an entire year’s rent or mortgage cost. When you want to live somewhere that allows you to enjoy your income and not become “house poor,” you’ll want to check out these ten cities.

10. You’ll Find Lots to Do in Youngstown, Ohio

Do you want to live in a city that feels like it’s growing without becoming too big? Would you like to make your salary stretch further? Youngstown offers you a great place to live where you can experience all four seasons and see that lovely green color in your wallet more often. With an average annual salary of $43,000 and only 20.64% of that salary spent on living expenses, your dollar goes pretty far in this Ohio town.

9. Peoria, Illinois is an Affordable Midwestern Metropolis

One of the most affordable places to live is Peoria, Illinois. This town offers the big city feeling while keeping things reasonable. Leave it to Midwesterners to know how to make a dollar go a lot farther. The average annual income in this city is $54,330, but only 20.59% of that income goes to living expenses. Peoria is ranked among the top 50 best places to live, which makes it easy for you to enjoy a town that has a lot to offer.

8. Enjoy the Affordable College Town of Fayetteville, Arkansas

The local college campus offers you the escape you desire back into the world of being a young adult, while the city of Fayetteville, Arkansas, makes it easy for you to afford your lifestyle. This city grew by 6.3% in the past few years because people have found out that this is a great place to live. In fact, it’s ranked seventh on that scale. The average salary in Fayetteville is $50,470, and only 20.56% of that should be needed for living expenses.

7. You Could Change the Trend in Beaumont, Texas

Beaumont, Texas, is one of the most affordable places to live and it’s situated on the Texas/Louisiana border. This town is a bit peculiar in that many residents are leaving rather than coming to Beaumont. You could start the wave toward changing that trend. This town has an average annual salary of $50,110, and only 20.55% of that is necessary for living expenses. You can easily find plenty to enjoy and do in this wonderful little Texas town.

6. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is a Surprise Entry on this List

Not only can you experience all four seasons, but you can have a large metro area to live in when you choose Pittsburgh. This city has it all, and it’s also affordable. The average annual income for the Steel City is $54,300, and only 20.4% of that is necessary for you to live. The rest could go toward attending various activities in this city. Pittsburgh is ranked 26 on the best places to live and offers something for everyone.

5. Fort Wayne, Indiana is City You Might not Know

Another amazing city where you can catch a show, a ballgame, or head to a zoo for some fun is Fort Wayne, Indiana. There’s a lot to do in this city, and you don’t have to spend a lot to live here. This is the fifth among the most affordable places to live. The average annual salary is $48,060, and only 20.32% of that is required to cover living expenses. Fort Wayne is growing but it’s doing so slowly, which makes this a good place to raise a family.

4. Four Midwestern Cities Take This Spot

There’s a metro area that encompasses four cities and crosses the state line between Iowa and Illinois. This area is called the Quad Cities, and it includes Davenport and Bettenford in Iowa, along with Moline and Rock Island in Illinois. The average annual salary in this area is $50,160, and only 20.24% of that is necessary to cover living expenses. This low cost of living could be exactly what you’re looking for in your next home.

3. Huntsville, Alabama Does Affordable the Right Way

Huntsville, Alabama, is ranked as the top place to live in the United States. The average annual income is above the norm at $58,730, and this city has a low living expense rate of 20.12%. This is easily one of the most affordable places to live in the country. Huntsville is a gorgeous city with lots going on. Because you keep so much of your salary, you can easily experience everything this city offers.

2. You’ll Find More than the Packers in Green Bay, Wisconsin

Green Bay, Wisconsin, is ranged as the third best place to live in the United States. It’s the runner-up for affordability with an average annual salary of $50,020 and living expenses at 20.03% of that income. The area is beautiful, situated on the bay where you can watch a sunset or spend some time on your boat. There’s a lot of things to do in Green Bay, but only one thing to do when the Packers are in town for a home football game.

1. The Most Affordable Place to Live is Hickory, North Carolina

If you want a quiet town with mountains around you, Hickory is an amazing place to live. This small town is only a short drive from both Charlotte and Asheville. Hickory offers an average annual salary of $43,630, and of that, only 19.3% is required for living expenses. This little town is truly affordable and is ranked 31 on the list of best places to live. You’ll keep a lot more of your money when you live in Hickory.

Did you find the place you want to live on this list? If you’re looking for some of the most affordable cities in the country, this is the list for you.