What cities have the lowest cost of living?

Cities with the lowest cost of living are generally in the South and Midwest, with Brownsville, TX, and Harlingen, TX, often topping lists due to extremely low housing costs, while Fort Wayne, IN, Hickory, NC, and Dayton, OH, are frequently cited for overall affordability, offering budget-friendly living, especially housing, compared to national averages. Other contenders include McAllen, TX, Wichita Falls, TX, and cities in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Illinois.

Which major city has the lowest cost of living?

The cheapest big cities to live in the U.S. consistently feature Midwest and Southern locations, with Detroit, Cleveland, Memphis, Oklahoma City, and Indianapolis often topping lists due to low housing costs, with other strong contenders including Akron, Tulsa, El Paso, Dayton, Pittsburgh, and Houston. These cities offer significantly lower living expenses, especially for housing, compared to national averages, making them great for affordability. 

Where is the safest and cheapest place to live in the US?

The cheapest and safest places to live in the U.S. often balance low crime rates with a low cost of living, with recent reports highlighting cities in Ohio (like New Philadelphia), Georgia (Roswell, Johns Creek), Texas (Mission, Eagle Pass, Brownsville), Michigan (Bay City, Grand Rapids), and Illinois (Decatur, Springfield) as strong contenders, often featuring affordable housing and good quality of life. Specific standout locations include New Philadelphia, OH for its excellent combination of low crime and housing costs, and Brownsville, TX, for extremely low living expenses and diverse jobs. 

Where's the cheapest place to live in GA?

The cheapest places to live in Georgia consistently include Albany, known for extremely low housing costs, and Macon, offering a great balance of affordability and amenities, with other strong contenders being Rome, Columbus, and smaller towns like Moultrie, Valdosta, and Warner Robins, all featuring costs well below national averages, especially for housing. 

What's the cheapest place to live in TX?

The cheapest places to live in Texas are often in the Rio Grande Valley (like Harlingen, Mission, Brownsville) or West Texas (Amarillo, Wichita Falls, Laredo), with exceptionally low housing costs and overall living expenses, but affordability can also be found in North Central Texas (Breckenridge, Wichita Falls) and some East Texas areas, with Harlingen frequently cited for its low cost and amenities. Cities like Harlingen, Mission, Brownsville, Wichita Falls, and Beaumont consistently rank high for affordability due to significantly lower housing prices and cost of living compared to the national average. 

12 Cheap U.S Towns You Can Retire For $1,000 A Month

What is the #1 safest city in Texas?

There isn't one single "number 1" safest city, as rankings vary by source and metrics (like violent vs. property crime), but Frisco, Allen, McKinney, and smaller towns like Fair Oaks Ranch, Hutto, and Southlake consistently appear at the top for safety, often praised for low crime rates and family-friendly environments, especially in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. 

What is the #1 cheapest state to live in?

Below is a detailed breakdown of the ten most affordable states to live in 2025:

• Arkansas. Arkansas continues to be one of the most affordable states in the U.S., especially for those looking to buy property. ...
• Mississippi. ...
• Oklahoma. ...
• New Mexico. ...
• Missouri. ...
• Tennessee. ...
• Michigan. ...
• Texas.

Where is housing the cheapest right now?

The cheapest places to buy a house right now are generally in the Midwest and Southern U.S., with West Virginia often topping lists for the lowest median home prices, followed closely by states like Ohio, Arkansas, Iowa, and Mississippi, with cities like Toledo (OH), Wichita (KS), and Memphis (TN) offering significant affordability due to lower demand and regional economics. 

Is Georgia or Florida more affordable?

Generally, Georgia is cheaper than Florida, primarily due to significantly lower housing costs, although Florida's lack of state income tax is a major draw, potentially offsetting costs depending on your income and location within each state. Georgia offers more affordable housing, groceries, and transportation, while Florida's higher demand drives up home prices and insurance. 

What is the safest small town to live in Georgia?

Johns Creek ranks #1, with violent-crime odds of just 1 in 1,560, making it nearly 10× safer than the Georgia average.

What city has the cheapest rent?

The cheapest cities for rent often include Midwestern and Southern locations like Wichita (KS), Toledo (OH), Akron (OH), Springfield (MO), and Oklahoma City (OK), with average rents significantly lower than the national average, often under $1,000 for a one-bedroom, though prices fluctuate, with cities like Bismarck (ND) and Sioux Falls (SD) also appearing on affordability lists.
 

What is the #1 safest city in the US?

There's no single #1 safest city; it depends on the study's metrics, but Warwick, Rhode Island, was named #1 by WalletHub (considering natural disaster, financial, and home/community safety), while San Jose, California, topped SmartAsset's list for major cities (focusing on violent/property crime, vehicular deaths). Other top contenders include Johns Creek, GA, and Overland Park, KS, highlighting that "safety" covers various factors like crime, financial stability, and natural disaster risk.
 

Where can I live that is warm and cheap?

Best affordable warm states with soaring home prices

• Texas. Texas is ideal for millennials and Gen Z buyers who want affordable housing, strong job opportunities, and a good quality of life without the sky-high prices of coastal cities. ...
• Florida. ...
• Arizona. ...
• Georgia. ...
• South Carolina.

Where is the nicest but cheapest place to live in the USA?

The cheapest best places to live in the U.S. often combine low housing costs with good amenities, with consistently affordable areas in states like Mississippi, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio, featuring cities such as Decatur (IL), Enid (OK), Fort Wayne (IN), Brownsville (TX), and Dayton (OH), offering lower expenses and decent quality of life, though "best" depends on lifestyle needs like job markets and culture. 

What US city is selling homes for $1?

Yes, some US cities, notably Louisville, KY and Baltimore, MD, sell vacant, blighted homes for $1 through land bank programs, aiming to revitalize neighborhoods by requiring buyers to renovate the properties, but these come with significant repair commitments, often costing tens of thousands of dollars, and aren't for the faint-hearted.
 

What is America's happiest city?

While "happiest" is subjective, Fremont, California consistently ranks #1 in major studies like WalletHub's for 2024/2025 due to high life satisfaction, financial stability, good mental health, and strong communities, alongside other Bay Area cities like San Jose and Irvine. Other top contenders often cited include Plano, TX (SmartAsset), and cities excelling in green spaces like Minneapolis, MN (Happy City Index).
 

What salary is needed to live comfortably in GA?

For a single adult, to live "comfortably" in Georgia you need to be making $99,590, the report says. That ranks the Peach State as the 17th highest in the country. Things get a little "better" for a family of four.

What is the best state to live in financially?

The best state for you financially depends on your priorities, but top contenders for affordability and low taxes include Mississippi, West Virginia, Alabama, and Tennessee, while Wyoming, Texas, and Florida shine for tax-free retirement, and Utah leads in overall fiscal stability. States like Massachusetts offer higher wages but higher costs, balancing overall financial health versus pure low-cost living. 

Can you live comfortably on $50,000 a year in Florida?

You can live on $50,000 a year in Florida, but "comfortably" depends heavily on where you live and your lifestyle, as coastal and tourist areas like Miami are very expensive (requiring much higher incomes), while cheaper inland towns or smaller cities allow for more breathing room, though high housing costs and insurance are consistent factors. Budgeting is essential, but for a single person, it's generally feasible in more affordable areas, while families or those seeking coastal living might struggle significantly. 

What is the #1 best place to live in the US?

There's no single "#1 best place," as it depends on your priorities, but Johns Creek, Georgia topped U.S. News & World Report's 2025-2026 rankings for its strong job market, desirability, and quality of life, followed by cities like Carmel, Indiana, Pearland, Texas, and Fishers, Indiana. Other top contenders often cited for affordability, safety, or outdoor access include Cary, North Carolina, Boulder, Colorado, and Fargo, North Dakota, highlighting that the "best" spot varies greatly by individual needs. 

Is it better to buy or rent?

Renting offers flexibility, lower upfront costs, and less maintenance responsibility, while buying provides long-term investment, equity building, stability, and tax benefits, but comes with significant expenses like repairs, property taxes, and higher initial costs. The "better" choice depends on your financial readiness, how long you plan to stay in one place, your lifestyle goals (stability vs. mobility), and local market conditions, with buying generally favored if you stay 5-7+ years and renting often better for short-term needs or financial flexibility. 

What states are cheap to live in?

Most Affordable Places to Live in the U.S. in 2025-2026

• Decatur, IL.
• Enid, OK.
• Springfield, IL.
• Mission, TX.
• Bay City, MI.
• Eagle Pass, TX.

Where am I supposed to live if I can't afford rent?

If you can't afford rent, explore government assistance like Section 8 vouchers or public housing via HUD.gov, contact 211 for local help, consider shared housing, find work-exchange roles (caretaker, farmhand), or look into alternatives like tiny homes, RVs, or hostels. Focus on low-cost strategies like finding a roommate, renting a room, or live-in caretaking to significantly reduce expenses. 

Which state is worth moving to?

Top states to move to often include Utah, New Hampshire, Idaho, Massachusetts, and Florida, depending on your priorities, with Utah shining for job growth, New Hampshire and Massachusetts for overall quality/family, and Florida for retirement, but affordability varies, with places like North Dakota and Iowa offering lower housing costs. The "best" state depends on your needs: strong economy (Utah, North Carolina), affordability (North Dakota, Iowa), family life (Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire), or retirement (Florida, Wyoming, New Hampshire). 

Which states have no state income tax?

As of 2025, there are nine states that don't collect any state income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.