Where is the cheapest place to live in the United States?

The cheapest places to live in the U.S. are generally found in the South and Midwest, with states like Mississippi, West Virginia, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas consistently ranking as most affordable due to very low housing costs, notes Ramsey Solutions. Specific budget-friendly cities often cited include Brownsville, Texas; Fort Wayne, Indiana; Wichita Falls, Texas; Hickory, North Carolina; and Anniston, Alabama, offering low overall expenses and affordable housing.

What city in America has the lowest cost of living?

The cheapest cities to live in the U.S. often feature low housing costs and affordable daily expenses, with recent lists highlighting places like Hickory, NC; Brownsville, TX; Fort Wayne, IN; Dayton, OH; and Sioux Falls, SD as top contenders. Texas and the Midwest frequently appear, with Harlingen, TX, and Decatur, IL, also noted for extremely low living costs, though affordability rankings shift based on whether income potential is factored in. 

What is the cheapest and safest place to live in the USA?

The cheapest and safest places to live in the U.S. often blend low crime rates with affordable housing, with top contenders frequently including small cities in Ohio (like New Philadelphia), Georgia (Roswell, Johns Creek), Texas (Mission, Brownsville), Michigan (Grand Rapids, Bay City), and Oklahoma (Enid, Edmond), offering good cost of living, low property values, and stable economies, though "safest" and "cheapest" can vary by ranking source. 

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. 

Which state has the lowest cost of living right now?

• Arkansas. #1 in Cost of Living. #44 in Best States Overall. ...
• Mississippi. #2 in Cost of Living. #48 in Best States Overall. ...
• South Dakota. #3 in Cost of Living. ...
• Oklahoma. #4 in Cost of Living. ...
• Louisiana. #5 in Cost of Living. ...
• North Dakota. #6 in Cost of Living. ...
• Iowa. #7 in Cost of Living. ...
• West Virginia. #8 in Cost of Living.

TOP 10 CHEAPEST STATES to Live in America

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 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.

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. 

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 is the cheapest state to retire too?

The cheapest states for retirement generally include West Virginia, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Ohio, Kansas, and Missouri, thanks to low housing, taxes, and overall cost of living, with West Virginia often topping lists as most affordable. These states allow retirement with Social Security to stretch further, though factors like housing costs (e.g., in Mississippi) and healthcare (e.g., Utah, Colorado) also influence overall affordability. 

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.

Is it better to rent or buy affordably?

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in California? In most cities, renting has a lower monthly cost, but homeownership can be more cost-effective in the long term due to equity growth and tax benefits. The decision depends on your budget and plans.

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 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.

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 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 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. 

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.

How to find a cheap place to live?

1. 10: Look in Other Neighborhoods/Cities. ...
2. 9: Know Your Budget. ...
3. 8: Use Networking. ...
4. 7: Apply for Section 8. ...
5. 6: Find a Roommate You Can Trust. ...
6. 5: Go Through a Local Affordable Housing Authority. ...
7. 4: Use a Referral Service or Broker. ...
8. 3: Negotiate with the Landlord.

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.

Where to move to restart your life?

Dive into our city-by-city guide to discover which of these 12 destinations could be the launchpad for your new life's journey.

• Austin, Texas. ...
• Boulder, Colorado. ...
• Nashville, Tennessee. ...
• Raleigh, North Carolina. ...
• Portland, Oregon. ...
• Minneapolis, Minnesota. ...
• Madison, Wisconsin. ...
• Asheville, North Carolina.

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.