What is the best state to live in with the lowest cost of living?

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 cheapest but best 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.


What state has the lowest average cost of living?

Cost of living per state: Lowest to highest list
  • Arkansas (most affordable)
  • Mississippi.
  • Alabama.
  • West Virginia.
  • South Dakota.
  • Oklahoma.
  • Kentucky.
  • North Dakota.


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. 

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.


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



Where is the safest and most affordable place to retire?

The safest and most affordable places to retire blend low cost of living with low crime, often found in smaller U.S. cities or abroad, with top contenders including Fargo, ND (tax-friendly, low housing), Jonesborough, TN, Brandon, MS, and Midland, MI, while international options like Cuenca, Ecuador, or Coimbra, Portugal, offer vibrant cultures and big savings, but consider factors like healthcare access, taxes, and personal lifestyle preferences. 

What is the #1 state people are moving to?

While it varies slightly by source, North Carolina and South Carolina are consistently ranked as the #1 or #2 most popular states people are moving to in 2024-2025, often followed by Tennessee, Florida, and Alabama, driven by affordability, job growth, lower taxes, and quality of life, especially in the Southeast. 

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 best state to retire in if you want your money to last?

For your money to last in retirement, focus on states with low taxes (especially no state income tax), low cost of living (housing, groceries, utilities), and good healthcare access, with top contenders often including Mississippi, Tennessee, Florida, Texas, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Missouri, offering benefits like tax-free Social Security, affordable homes, and general affordability for retirees. 

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. 

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. 


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.

What is the #1 state to live in the US?

1. Massachusetts. According to WalletHub's study, Massachusetts is the best state to live in, excelling in all key factors—and earning the top spot in the ranking. It has the lowest premature death rate in the US, and residents earn a cushy median household income of over $101,000.

Which state has the lowest cost of living retirement?

Cheapest States to Retire In
  • Mississippi. Cost of Living: Lowest in the U.S. ...
  • Alabama. Cost of Living: Significantly lower than the national average. ...
  • Arkansas. Cost of Living: Among the lowest in the nation. ...
  • Oklahoma. Cost of Living: Lower healthcare and housing costs. ...
  • West Virginia. ...
  • Tennessee. ...
  • South Carolina. ...
  • Kentucky.


Where is it cheapest to buy a house?

It's cheapest to buy a house in states like West Virginia, Mississippi, Arkansas, Ohio, and Iowa, which consistently rank for low median home prices, often driven by lower demand and rural economies, with West Virginia frequently topping lists due to very low property costs and outdoor appeal, while cities in Texas (McAllen), California (Blythe, Clearlake), and affordable metros like Pittsburgh also offer significant savings. 

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.


Can I afford a house making $70,000 a year?

If you earn $70,000 per year, you can typically afford a home priced between $260,000 and $360,000.

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 states are losing the most people?

California, New York, and Illinois consistently lose the most people in absolute numbers, driven by domestic migration away from high-cost areas to the South and West, though recent data also shows significant losses in states like West Virginia and Mississippi, with factors including birth rates, deaths, and migration patterns changing post-pandemic.
 


What state is everyone moving to in 2025?

According to Atlas, the top inbound states for 2025 were:

Idaho. North Carolina. Hawaii. Washington, D.C.

Where can I retire with $2000 a month?

25 Cities Where You Can Retire in Great Weather for $2,000 a...
  • Tallahassee, Florida. Livability: 85. ...
  • Fort Myers, Florida. Livability: 85. ...
  • Raleigh, North Carolina. Livability: 84. ...
  • Jacksonville, Florida. Livability: 84. ...
  • Pensacola, Florida. Livability: 83. ...
  • Greenville, South Carolina. ...
  • Las Vegas. ...
  • Providence, Rhode Island.


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

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. 


What is the $1000 a month rule for retirement?

The $1,000 a month retirement rule is a simple guideline stating you need about $240,000 saved for every $1,000 of monthly income you want from your investments in retirement, based on a 5% annual withdrawal rate ($240k x 0.05 / 12 = $1k/month). It's a motivational tool to estimate savings goals (e.g., $3,000/month needs $720k), but it's one-dimensional, doesn't account for inflation, taxes, or other income like Social Security, and assumes steady 5% returns, making a personalized plan essential.