What US city has the lowest cost of living?

There isn't one single city, as rankings vary, but top contenders for the lowest cost of living in the U.S. frequently include cities in the Midwest and South like Decatur, Illinois, Brownsville, Texas, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and McAllen, Texas, due to significantly lower housing costs and overall expenses compared to the national average. These areas offer substantial savings, often with housing prices well below the national median, making them budget-friendly for residents.

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 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 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 major city is one of the most affordable?

A similar analysis found that at today's mortgage rates, Pittsburgh is the nation's most affordable city, followed by Detroit and St. Louis, in allowing households to realistically spend no more than 30 percent of their paycheck on their mortgage.

TOP 10 CHEAPEST STATES to Live in America

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 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 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. 

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 is the cheapest place to live not in the US?

Ecuador for Expats

You can rent an apartment easily for $400 to $1,000 in a nice area, the latter being at the luxury building end of the scale. Restaurant prices can be a low as a few dollars, transportation is cheap, and domestic help is super affordable.

Where can I retire on $2000 a month in the United States?

You can retire comfortably on $2,000 a month in the U.S. by focusing on affordable Midwest and Southern cities, with top contenders including Fort Wayne, Indiana, Fargo, North Dakota, Knoxville, Tennessee, Oklahoma City, Cincinnati, Ohio, and several locations in Texas (like Brownsville, Abilene) and Florida (like Tallahassee, Fort Myers), which offer lower costs for housing, groceries, and healthcare while still providing good livability and amenities. 

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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 is $200,000 a year hourly?

$200,000 a year is approximately $96.15 per hour, calculated by dividing the annual salary by 2,080 working hours (40 hours/week * 52 weeks/year). This is a standard conversion, but your actual hourly rate could vary if you work more or fewer than 40 hours weekly, have significant paid time off (PTO), or other benefits, notes Reddit user. 

What is the happiest place to live in the USA?

The happiest places to live in the U.S. often include California cities like Fremont, San Jose, and Irvine, due to strong economies, good weather, and community, alongside Midwestern gems like Sioux Falls (SD), Overland Park (KS), Lincoln (NE), and Madison (WI), known for affordability, low depression rates, and outdoor access, with other consistent contenders being Scottsdale (AZ), San Francisco (CA), and Seattle (WA), focusing on lifestyle, purpose, and overall well-being. 

What is the safest state to live in?

The safest states to live in consistently rank high for low crime (violent and property), strong financial health, and good emergency preparedness, with Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine frequently appearing at the top of 2025 lists from sources like WalletHub and World Population Review. Other top contenders often include Massachusetts, Utah, Idaho, and Connecticut, while factors like cybercrime rates and road safety also play a role in overall safety scores. 

Where is the prettiest place in America to live?

The most beautiful places to live in the U.S. offer diverse scenery, from coastal gems like Santa Barbara, CA, and Portland, ME, to mountain paradises in Aspen, CO, Jackson, WY, and Asheville, NC, with vibrant cities like Seattle, WA, and charming historic towns like Hudson, NY, and Savannah, GA, also ranking high for natural beauty, quality of life, and outdoor access. The "best" choice depends on preference for mountains, beaches, desert landscapes, or vibrant city life, with options like Hawaii, Oregon, and Utah also frequently cited for stunning states.
 

Can I legally sell my house for $1?

Selling a house for $1 is legal but it can trigger significant tax implications. The difference between the fair market value and sale price is treated as a gift by the IRS.

Where is the cheapest place in the USA to buy a house?

The cheapest places to buy a house in the U.S. are generally found in the Midwest and South, with West Virginia, Mississippi, Arkansas, Ohio, Indiana, and Alabama frequently topping lists for low median home prices and high affordability ratios, though specific cities like Pittsburgh, PA, and Toledo, OH, offer particularly low entry points. Factors like lower property taxes, rural settings, and a slower job market contribute to these low costs, but it's essential to balance affordability with local income opportunities. 

How much money do you need to buy a $1 m house?

To afford a $1 million house, you generally need an annual income of $225,000 to $300,000+, depending on your down payment (aim for 20% or $200k), current mortgage rates, property taxes, insurance, and other debts, using the common guideline of spending no more than 28-36% of your gross income on housing. A smaller down payment or higher interest rates will increase your required income, potentially necessitating a jumbo loan.