What city has the lowest cost of living in the US 2022?

While rankings vary by source and factors considered (like housing vs. groceries), cities in Texas (like Brownsville-Harlingen, McAllen-Edinburg-Mission) and the Midwest/South (like Fort Wayne, IN, Wichita, KS, Decatur, IL, Detroit, MI) consistently ranked among the most affordable in 2022-2023, with Brownsville-Harlingen often cited as the absolute cheapest in various reports for that period due to low housing costs relative to income.

Which US city has the lowest cost of living?

1. Harlingen, Texas. Harlingen, Texas, clinches the title as the cheapest place to live in America, per Kiplinger. In this town situated on Texas' southernmost tip, the cost of living is 24.4 percent below average in the U.S.

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

The cheapest and safest places to live in the U.S. often blend low crime rates with affordable housing, with top contenders frequently including small cities in Ohio (like New Philadelphia), Georgia (Roswell, Johns Creek), Texas (Mission, Brownsville), Michigan (Grand Rapids, Bay City), and Oklahoma (Enid, Edmond), offering good cost of living, low property values, and stable economies, though "safest" and "cheapest" can vary by ranking source. 

What are the top 3 cheapest states to live in?

4. Top 10 Cheapest 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. Mississippi is another highly affordable state, particularly in terms of housing. ...
• Oklahoma. ...
• New Mexico. ...
• Missouri. ...
• Tennessee. ...
• Michigan. ...
• Texas.

Where is the cheapest rent in the US right now?

The cheapest rent in the U.S. is generally found in the Midwest and South, with West Virginia, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Iowa consistently ranking as the most affordable states, while cities like Toledo (OH), Wichita (KS), Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Shreveport (LA) offer the lowest average rents, often under $900 monthly for apartments. 

States With The Lowest Cost Of Living Index, Grocery, Housing, Utilities, And Transportation Index

What state has affordable rent?

The following states offer the most budget-friendly monthly average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: Oklahoma, $895; West Virginia, $914; Arkansas, $931; North Dakota, $935; Iowa, $955; Mississippi, $973; South Dakota, $974; Alabama, $1,040; Kentucky, $1,049; and Louisiana, $1,051.

Can I afford $1000 rent making $20 an hour?

*“If you're earning $20 an hour, you might be wondering — can I really afford $1,000 rent? 🤔 You're bringing in about $3,200 before taxes, and experts suggest keeping rent near 30% of your income — that's roughly $960. So yes, $1,000 rent is doable… but it's tight with other bills.

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

Explore Government Assistance Programs

Local state and federal programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provide housing that includes units with rents affordable to low-income tenants and vouchers that help offset rent payments at privately owned housing.

What is the easiest state to live in financially?

The easiest states to live in financially generally have low costs of living, especially for housing, and often feature low taxes, with Tennessee, Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, and Mississippi frequently topping lists for affordability and savings potential, driven by cheaper groceries, transport, and lower median home values compared to national averages. Southern and Midwestern states tend to offer more financial ease, while high-cost areas like Hawaii, California, and the Northeast are typically the hardest. 

What is the happiest state to live in?

According to WalletHub's 2025 study, Hawaii is the happiest state in the U.S., ranking first for its strong emotional/physical well-being, work environment, and community/environment factors, with residents showing high life satisfaction, low depression, and long life expectancy, followed by Maryland and Nebraska in the top three. 

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.

What are the cheapest states to retire in?

The cheapest states for retirement consistently include Southern and Midwestern states like Mississippi, West Virginia, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Missouri, Iowa, and Alabama, due to low housing costs, groceries, and overall living expenses, with West Virginia often topping lists for overall affordability and lower income needs. Other affordable contenders are Kansas, Ohio, South Carolina, and parts of Texas, known for low taxes or reasonable housing, though factors like taxes (no income tax in TX/FL) and healthcare costs vary. 

Where is the cheapest but safe place to live in the world?

10 of the cheapest and safest places to live in the world

• Albania.
• Portugal.
• Costa Rica.
• Panama.
• Mexico.
• Thailand.
• Malaysia.
• Vietnam.

What US city is selling homes for $1?

Louisville, KY, is trying a new approach to neighborhood revival: selling $1 homes in blighted areas. The city hopes new owners will restore the properties and bring life back to these communities. The program, run by Louisville's Landbank Authority, focuses on putting vacant and abandoned homes back into use.

What is America's happiest city?

According to recent studies, Fremont, California, is frequently named the happiest city in the U.S., noted for high life satisfaction, financial stability, low depression, strong community, and ample green space. Other cities like San Jose, Irvine, and Sioux Falls also rank highly, with happiness often linked to economic well-being, good mental health, strong social connections, and access to nature and recreation, though rankings vary slightly by study. 

Where is the cheapest place to start a new life?

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 is the cheapest but nicest place to live in the US?

The cheapest, best places to live in the U.S. often involve the Midwest and South, with cities like Wichita (KS), Fort Wayne (IN), Dayton (OH), and Knoxville (TN) offering low housing costs and good value, while states like West Virginia, Mississippi, and Oklahoma consistently rank as most affordable overall. Key factors are low housing prices and a cost of living significantly below the national average, with some top contenders being Decatur (IL), Enid (OK), and Brownsville (TX), but "best" depends on balancing budget with lifestyle needs like jobs, culture, and amenities. 

Where is the best state to start over in life?

The best state to start over depends on your priorities (jobs, affordability, lifestyle), but top contenders often include Texas, Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee for balance of growth and cost, while New Hampshire, Utah, and Virginia offer strong economies and opportunities, and Vermont or Wyoming suit those seeking slower, smaller-town living. Consider job markets (like tech in Utah/VA, diverse in TX/FL), cost of living (low in OK/TN), and lifestyle (outdoors in NC/UT/VT) when choosing. 

Where can Americans afford to live alone in 2025?

These are the U.S. cities where Americans can actually afford to live on a single person's income—and the ones out-of-budget for singletons

• Budget-friendly options came down to these locations. ...
• 1) Wichita, Kansas. ...
• 2) Baton Rouge, Louisiana. ...
• 3) Lincoln, Nebraska. ...
• 4) Des Moines, Iowa. ...
• 5) Akron, Ohio.

Where can you live on $1200 a month?

5 Best Countries Where You Can Live on $1,200 a Month

• Albania. If Mediterranean living without the high price tag is what you're seeking, check out Albania. ...
• Cambodia. Cambodia, located in Southeast Asia, is another country where expats can live on a limited budget. ...
• Peru. ...
• Colombia. ...
• Vietnam.

What to do if I have nowhere to live with no money?

Contact an organization in your local community who can help. Local agencies provide a range of services, including food, housing, health, and safety. Contact a national hotline or locate an organization near you. If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please dial 911.

What salary is $40 an hour?

$40 an hour is an annual salary of $83,200, calculated by multiplying $40 by 40 hours per week and then by 52 weeks in a year ($40 x 40 x 52). This breaks down to about $6,933 per month, $3,200 bi-weekly, and $1,600 weekly, before taxes and deductions. 

How much house will $1500 a month buy?

If you bring the national average down payment for first-time homebuyers of 9% to closing and have a 6.9% rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage, that's just shy of $1,500 a month in principal and interest for that $250,000 home.

What can I do if I have no money for rent?

Call 211 or search for state and local emergency rental assistance programs. Your state or local agency may refer you to a community or nonprofit organization that can help if you do not qualify for a government program.