What state is cheapest to live?

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 state has the lowest cost of living?

The state with the lowest cost of living often varies slightly by report, but Mississippi, Arkansas, West Virginia, Oklahoma, and Kansas consistently rank as the most affordable, with Mississippi frequently topping lists due to extremely low housing and transportation costs, though it also faces high poverty rates. Southern and Midwestern states generally dominate the top affordable spots, offering significantly lower expenses for housing, groceries, and utilities compared to the national average.
 

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. 

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.

TOP 10 CHEAPEST STATES to Live in America

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 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.

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.

What is the #1 best state to live in?

There's no single "best" state, as it depends on priorities, but recent studies from WalletHub (Aug 2025) and U.S. News (May 2025) frequently place Massachusetts, Idaho, New Jersey, and Utah at the top for overall quality of life, balancing strong economies, good education, healthcare, and low crime. Massachusetts excels in education/healthcare, while Idaho and Utah are praised for economic growth and stability, and New Hampshire for safety. 

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.

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.

Where is rent the cheapest in the US?

Rent is cheapest in states like West Virginia, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Kansas, often found in the Midwest and South, with cities like Wichita (KS), Toledo (OH), Oklahoma City (OK), and Cedar Rapids (IA) offering some of the lowest averages, especially for smaller apartments, driven by lower demand and ample land for development. 

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 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. 

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 to move to live a simple life?

10 great places to find the simple life

• By Sarah Sekula, published in USA Today.
• Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill. Harrodsburg, Ky. ...
• Grafton, Vt. ...
• Block Island, R.I. ...
• Finger Lakes, N.Y. ...
• Grand Teton National Park. ...
• The Willamette Valley. ...
• Molokai, Hawaii.

Can you buy a house with 100 dollars?

Available exclusively for the purchase of HUD homes, this specialty FHA program allows for a down payment of just $100. In the standard FHA loan the minimum down payment for a purchase is 3.5 percent.

Who is eligible for a NACA loan?

Low-to moderate-income Members (i.e., borrowers and co-borrowers) whose combined income is equal to or less than the median family income for the MSA where they are purchasing a home.

Is it legal to sell a house for a dollar?

Keys to Selling Below Market Value

Selling a house for $1 is legal but it can trigger significant tax implications.

What state is #1 in homelessness?

California has the largest homeless population by sheer numbers, with over 187,000 people in early 2024, followed by New York, but states like Hawaii and New York often rank highest when homelessness is measured as a rate per capita (per 100,000 residents). So, while California has the most, Hawaii and New York can lead in prevalence relative to their total population.
 

Where can I sleep if I have no money?

The government offers programs that can help you find short-term housing.

• Dial 211 to find emergency housing. In most areas of the U.S., you can dial 211 to connect with local social services and get referrals for emergency housing.
• Find shelters and temporary housing near you. ...
• Emergency housing for teens and youth.

Did California give homeless people $750 a month?

$750 a month was given to homeless people in California. What they reported spending it on is more evidence that universal basic income works.