What is the 3rd cheapest state to live in?

As of late 2025/early 2026 data, Alabama is often cited as the 3rd cheapest state to live in, following Oklahoma (1st) and Mississippi (2nd), due to low housing, healthcare, and transportation costs, though rankings can shift slightly by source. West Virginia is also a consistent contender, sometimes ranking 3rd or 4th depending on the specific cost of living metric used, like housing affordability or overall index.

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.

What is the 3rd best state to live in?

• Utah. #1 in Best States Overall. ...
• New Hampshire. #2 in Best States Overall. ...
• Idaho. #3 in Best States Overall. ...
• Minnesota. #4 in Best States Overall. ...
• Nebraska. #5 in Best States Overall. ...
• Florida. #6 in Best States Overall. ...
• Vermont. #7 in Best States Overall. ...
• South Dakota. #8 in Best States Overall.

What state has the lowest cost of living right now?

Mississippi is consistently ranked as the cheapest state to live in the U.S., primarily due to the nation's lowest housing costs, very affordable groceries, and low utility expenses, with other Southern states like Alabama, West Virginia, and Oklahoma also offering significantly lower living costs than the national average. These states offer strong affordability through low median home prices, lower rents, and often favorable tax environments for retirees, balancing modest wages with low overall expenses. 

What is the cheapest but safest state to live in?

For the best combination of cheap and safe, consider states like Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, West Virginia, and Arkansas, which consistently rank high in affordability (low housing, groceries, overall cost of living) while also offering manageable safety, with Vermont and New Hampshire often topping pure safety lists, though they are pricier. The ideal balance depends on whether you prioritize the lowest cost (Mississippi) or strong safety (Vermont), with Midwestern/Southern states generally offering lower expenses and Northern/New England states often leading in safety metrics. 

25 U.S Towns Where Home Prices Are So Low… You’ll Think It’s a Scam

What is the #1 crime state in America?

Alaska consistently ranks as the state with the highest violent crime rate, followed closely by New Mexico, with Tennessee and Arkansas also having very high rates, according to 2024 data from sources like USAFacts and WorldAtlas. These figures reflect crimes per 100,000 residents, showing Alaska at over 724 incidents, significantly above the national average. 

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.

Which state is rent the cheapest?

West Virginia consistently ranks as the state with the cheapest rent in the U.S., followed closely by states like Mississippi, Arkansas, South Dakota, and Kentucky, with Oklahoma also often appearing on the most affordable lists, though prices can vary by data source and specific city. These states offer significantly lower average rental costs, sometimes with median prices below $900 for various apartment sizes. 

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. 

What is the best state to move to if you are poor?

• New Hampshire. #1 in Low Poverty Rate. #2 in Best States Overall. ...
• Utah. #2 in Low Poverty Rate. #1 in Best States Overall. ...
• Minnesota. #3 in Low Poverty Rate. ...
• Colorado. #4 in Low Poverty Rate. ...
• Maryland. #5 in Low Poverty Rate. ...
• Vermont. #6 in Low Poverty Rate. ...
• New Jersey. #7 in Low Poverty Rate. ...
• North Dakota. #8 in Low Poverty Rate.

What state is #1 in quality of life?

There isn't one single answer, as it depends on the study, but recent reports often name Massachusetts, Vermont, or New Jersey as #1 for Quality of Life, with Massachusetts leading in overall metrics (health, education) and Vermont shining in specific areas like low crime and natural environment. Other top contenders include Idaho, Minnesota, and New York, highlighting that rankings vary based on whether they emphasize healthcare, economy, safety, or environment. 

What are the top 3 safest states?

The top 3 safest states consistently ranking high in 2025 reports are Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, followed closely by Maine, with these Northeast states leading due to low crime, good economic factors, and overall personal security, according to analyses from WalletHub and other sources. 

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 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 state has the friendliest people?

While subjective, studies and surveys consistently rank Minnesota, Tennessee, and South Carolina as some of the friendliest U.S. states, often followed by Texas and Wyoming, with general "Southern hospitality" and Midwest politeness often cited, though perceptions of "niceness" (like Minnesota's reserved style) can vary.
 

What is the most stressful state to live in?

New Mexico tops the list of most stressed states in the U.S. as of 2025, with a stress score of 60.52 out of 100. This ranking considers stress factors related to work, money, family, and health and safety.

What is the #1 happiest country?

Finland is the world's happiest country, holding the top spot for the eighth consecutive year in the 2025 World Happiness Report, followed by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and the Netherlands, with high rankings attributed to strong social support, freedom, low corruption, and high living standards.
 

What is the most relaxed state to live in?

For the most relaxed state, rankings vary slightly by study, but South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Vermont, and Hawaii consistently appear as top contenders with low stress, good work-life balance, strong health/safety, or low anxiety rates, often highlighting the Midwest, New England, and the island state for peaceful living. 

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.

What state has a low cost of living?

States with a low cost of living consistently include Mississippi, Arkansas, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Alabama, driven by significantly lower housing, transportation, and general goods costs compared to the national average, though economic factors can vary. Mississippi often tops lists for overall affordability, especially housing, while other states like South Dakota offer strong purchasing power despite some higher healthcare costs. 

Which states have the worst tenant rights?

What States Have the Highest Eviction Rates?

• Virginia. In Virginia, 13 out of every 100 renter households face the possibility of losing their homes – the highest eviction rate in the nation. ...
• Delaware. Delaware has the second-highest eviction rate in the country. ...
• Indiana. ...
• Texas. ...
• South Carolina.

Where can you live on $1200 a month?

Varna, Bulgaria—one of the cities highlighted in a new report on the world's most affordable places to live or retire for as little as $1,200 a month. That financial reality has more people exploring the idea of moving abroad—whether for retirement, remote work or a lifestyle change.

What city in the US is 70 degrees year-round?

What city is 70 degrees year-round in the U.S.? San Diego consistently hovers around 70 degrees year-round, making it one of the most comfortable places to live in the U.S.

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

There's no single #1 best place; it depends on what you value, but recent studies highlight Johns Creek, GA (U.S. News 2025-26 for overall quality/value), Naperville, IL (Forbes 2025 for affordability/family), and Fremont, CA (happiest city) as top contenders, alongside states like Massachusetts for quality of life, with mid-sized metros like Green Bay, WI, and Raleigh, NC, also praised for balance.