Cost of Living Has Been Getting Out of Hand
With inflation at an all-time high, most Americans are facing a cost of living crisis at the moment. In light of this, they are choosing to move to a place that is more affordable and offers a better quality of life. Here’s your guide to the most affordable cities in the US.
Mission, TX
With a cost of living about 21% lower than the national average, Mission is a Texas town that is worth your investment. With roots stretching back to the early 1900s, Mission has played an important role in the area’s citrus-fruit-producing industries.
Weirton, WV
Although Weirton has roots dating back to the pilgrims, the town is named for its largest employer in the 1900s, Weirton Steel. It’s a former steel town that contributed to America’s industrial expansion. Today, it has a cost of living 13% below the national average, with housing being especially affordable.
Katy, TX
A suburb of Houston, Katy has an extremely high per capita income of $46,522. This is because the town’s main industry is oil and gas, with ExxonMobil being one of its primary employers. Despite this, the city has a cost of living about 6-10% less than the national average.
Springfield, IL
The home of President Lincoln, Springfield has a long and illustrious history in business and in politics. Today, the city is a centre for government activity, which also drives its economy. The cost of living in Springfield for an adult is around $2,300, about 10% lower than the national average.
Eagle Pass, TX
A border town with deep military roots, Eagle Pass is becoming an increasingly attractive place for Texans to settle down. It offers residents extremely affordable housing, with the median rent in the area being only about $1,000.
Decatur, IL
Once known as the “Soybean capital of the world”, Decatur’s history stretches back to the mid-1800s. The current population of the city is around 100,000 people, and manufacturing, trade, and government are some of its largest industries. Housing costs in the area are about half the national average.
League City, TX
Part of the greater Houston metropolitan area, League City is located right by Galveston Bay and Clear Lake, making it almost idyllic. Despite being on the slightly higher side on this list (median rent is around $1,200), the city offers an exceptional standard of living to its residents.
Bay City, MI
Bay City, like its name suggests, is a river port city that once served as a major shipping and lumbering hub. Now, the economy is mostly driven by manufacturing, auto parts, sugar processing, and tourism. The city’s also affordable, with a cost of living 9% less than the national average.
Cedar Rapids, IA
Named for the rapids on the Cedar River, the city was originally a milling town. Currently, the area has a population of more than 270,000 and a diverse local economy. Housing costs in Cedar Rapids are about 30% less than the national average, making it a great choice for residents.
Enid, OK
Enid was originally a wheat and grain storage town, but its current economy is more diverse, supported by agriculture, transportation, and emerging energy sectors. The cost of living in Enid is 8% lower than the national average.
Anniston, AL
Initially a privately owned mining town, Anniston was known as the “Model City”, with a strong temperance movement and strict morality codes. Now, though, the city is more known for its affordability, with the median cost of living for a single adult being around $1,700 per month.
Midland, MI
The historic headquarters of the Dow Chemical Company (which is still the major employer in the city), Midland is a robust city with a high median household income and a low poverty rate. It’s also incredibly affordable, with the average spending for a single adult being only $1,100 per month.
Fort Smith, AR
Established in 1817 as a military post, Fort Smith gained prominence in the 1870s as a railroad town. The city is affordable, largely due to the low housing costs—average rent is only $664 a month, and the cost of living is 25$ lower than the national average.
Broken Arrow, OK
Steeped in Native American history, Broken Arrow is a diverse city, the fourth largest in Oklahoma. With a median household income of $97,000 and a cost of living around 15% less than the national average, it is also one of the more affordable cities in the state.
Laredo, TX
One of the oldest towns in Texas, Laredo was founded in 1755 as a Spanish colonial outpost. Although historically a ranching town, its current fuel is the oil and natural gas industry. It is one of the most affordable places in the US, with an annual cost of living of $36,000.
Wichita Falls, TX
An agricultural town that gained prominence in the mid-1800s thanks to the railroad expansion, the Wichita Falls of today is a city of economic prosperity. With a high median family income and a cost of living 10% under the national average, the city is an ideal place to live.
St. Joseph, MO
Also called the “Gateway to the West”, St. Joseph is an important town with agricultural roots stretching back to the days of the Old West. The town is 6% cheaper than the national average, making it a desirable location.
Harlingen, TX
Once a military town, post-WW2, Harlingen has transformed into a hub for trade and transportation. Recently, capital investments have been made in the airport and ports of the city, further boosting the local economy. Still, it is one of the most affordable cities in the US with an incredibly low cost of living ($1,726).
Johnstown, PA
Johnstown is a small town of about 18,000 people with a relatively high median income and low unemployment rates. The cost of living here is around $2,200 for a single person.
Dothan, AL
For about $750 a month, you can rent a decent apartment in this Alabama town. Originally called Poplar Head, Dothan is often called the “Peanut capital of the world” because of its importance in the peanut processing industry. The town was originally a lumber and farming settlement that grew to gain prominence in the agriculture sector.
Battle Creek, MI
A proper Gilded Age industrial town, Battle Creek today has about 52,000 people living in the city. It has a cost of living of about $2,300 per month (15% below the national average) and a historically rooted, robust cultural community.
McAllen, TX
McAllen is a former cotton hub that transformed into a tourist centre because of its proximity to the Mexican border. The city offers housing at more than 40% below the national market, making it incredibly affordable. The emphasis on tourism also makes it ideal for those interested in the hospitality sector.
Joplin, MO
A stop on the famous Route 66, Joplin has a rich history dating back to the early 1870s. A mining town that has shifted its gears to manufacturing, the median household income in the city is $51,000. It’s also home to the Missouri Southern State University, which helps to make it culturally diverse.
Florence, SC
In 2024, Florence attracted $154 million in capital investments, which have helped to significantly boost the city’s economy and job market. Despite this, the cost of living here has remained consistently low (13% below the national average), making it a great up-and-coming city to turn to.
Florissant, MO
Florissant is a city with a rich history influenced by French, German, and Spanish colonial settlers dating back to the 1700s. In modern times, it has grown to become a diverse suburb of St. Louis, with strong ties to the retail and construction industries. The cost of living here is 14% less than the national average.
