What is the best state to live in if you are poor?

For broke individuals, the best states are generally in the South and Midwest, like West Virginia, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kansas, due to significantly lower costs for housing, groceries, and utilities, though it's crucial to balance affordability with job opportunities and support systems. These areas offer lower rents and home prices, making your income stretch further, but consider factors like income tax (some states like Tennessee have none) and job availability in your field.


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

No single ``best'' state fits everyone. For the absolute lowest expenses, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma and West Virginia top the lists. For a better balance of low cost plus jobs, taxes, and services, consider Tennessee, Missouri, Texas, or New Mexico.

What is the cheapest but best state to live in?

The best affordable states to live in consistently include Southern and Midwestern options like Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Ohio, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and West Virginia, known for low housing costs, low taxes (sometimes), and lower overall cost of living indexes compared to the national average, though job opportunities and specific amenities vary, with some states offering strong sectors in manufacturing, healthcare, or logistics. 


What is the best state to live in Broke?

Check out the most affordable states like Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and West Virginia. These states offer low housing costs, job opportunities, and plenty of attractions.

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.


10 Best States to be Poor.



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.

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.


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. 

What is the #1 happiest state in the US?

Hawaii consistently ranks as the happiest and least stressed state in the United States, characterized by high levels of emotional and physical well-being among its residents.

Which state is worth moving to?

The study found the best states to move to are Utah, New Hampshire, Idaho and Virginia. According to the list, worst states to move to are California, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oregon.


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. 

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.

Where can I retire on $1200 a month?

You can retire comfortably on $1,200 a month by moving to affordable countries in {!nav}Southeast Asia (Bali, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia), {!nav}Latin America (Colombia, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Peru), or {!nav}Eastern Europe (Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Portugal), where low rents, cheap food, and inexpensive living costs cover basic needs, while some U.S. cities with low cost of living (like {!nav}Blacksburg, VA, {!nav}Rochester, NY, or parts of {!nav}Mexico) might also work, but generally require very frugal living or finding subsidized housing. 


How to move when you are poor?

To move with little money, downsize heavily by selling unneeded items, find free packing supplies (boxes from stores, using suitcases), recruit friends for help (offer pizza), use public transport or rideshare for local moves, find temporary housing (couch surfing, cheap motels), and secure a job before you move or immediately after, focusing on side hustles to build funds quickly, using services like 211 for local aid.
 

What state has the best quality of life?

There isn't one single "best" state for quality of life, as it depends on priorities, but Massachusetts and Vermont consistently rank high, with Massachusetts often topping overall lists due to strong healthcare, education, and economy, while Vermont excels in environment, safety, and outdoor access, according to recent studies by WalletHub and CNBC. Other top contenders frequently include Idaho, New Jersey, Minnesota, and New Hampshire, balancing factors like affordability, opportunity, and well-being. 

Which state pays you to move there?

Yes, several U.S. states and cities offer financial incentives to attract new residents, primarily targeting remote workers or those filling local jobs, with popular programs in West Virginia (Ascend WV), Alabama (Remote Shoals), Kansas (Topeka), Oklahoma (Tulsa), Michigan (Jackson), Maryland (Baltimore), and Georgia (Columbus), offering cash, housing assistance, or other perks for relocating, though usually with conditions like a minimum stay.
 


What is the #1 state people are leaving?

Key Points (2025)

Top outbound states by volume: New York lost the most residents from 2020 to 2024 with 446,814 people leaving, followed by California with 530,886 net outbound, and Illinois with 139,399 departures, representing the largest absolute population losses in the nation.

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. 

What is a $1 dollar house in the US?

The One-Dollar Homeownership Program is an unprecedented partnership between NACA and cities and towns across the nation to create affordable homeownership for low to moderate income homebuyers in underserved communities. Community residents can purchase a vacant house or lot from the city for only one dollar.


What US state is safest and cheapest 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. 

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 can I live in $800 a month in the US?

10 Big City ZIP Codes Where You Can Rent For Under $800
  1. Columbus, OH (43227)
  2. Indianapolis, IN (46254) ...
  3. Houston, TX (77034) ...
  4. Indianapolis, IN (46227) ...
  5. Indianapolis, IN (46229) ...
  6. El Paso, TX (79930) ...
  7. Houston, TX (77099) ...
  8. Fort Worth, TX (76133) ...


Where is the absolute cheapest place to live in America?

West Virginia tops the list of the cheapest places to live in the U.S., with a cost of living 15.9% below the national average. Southern and Midwestern states like Oklahoma, Kansas and Mississippi consistently offer low-priced housing.

Can a single person live on $2000 a month?

That's well below the median income for someone living in the United States, which is about $60,000 in gross income, according to Fidelity. The bottom line is that you can bring home $2,000 or more per month. And you can live comfortably on that income.