Where is the cheapest place to live in USA?

The cheapest places to live in the U.S. are often found in the Midwest and South, with Brownsville, TX, frequently cited as the most affordable city due to low housing costs and overall living expenses, while West Virginia often leads as the cheapest state overall. Other budget-friendly spots include cities in Illinois, Oklahoma, Indiana, and Texas, offering low rents and home prices, but affordability can vary, with some rural areas having fewer resources.

Which US city has the lowest cost of living?

1. Harlingen, Texas. Harlingen, Texas, clinches the title as the cheapest place to live in America, per Kiplinger. In this town situated on Texas' southernmost tip, the cost of living is 24.4 percent below average in the U.S.

Where is the cheapest 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. 

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 cheapest housing?

The state with the cheapest housing depends slightly on the metric (median price vs. affordability ratio), but West Virginia, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Iowa, and Indiana consistently rank among the most affordable for buying a home, often featuring median home prices well below the national average, with West Virginia frequently cited as having the lowest median sale prices.
 

TOP 10 CHEAPEST STATES to Live in America

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. 

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 #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.

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.

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 are the cheapest states to retire in?

The cheapest states for retirement consistently include Southern and Midwestern states like Mississippi, West Virginia, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Missouri, Iowa, and Alabama, due to low housing costs, groceries, and overall living expenses, with West Virginia often topping lists for overall affordability and lower income needs. Other affordable contenders are Kansas, Ohio, South Carolina, and parts of Texas, known for low taxes or reasonable housing, though factors like taxes (no income tax in TX/FL) and healthcare costs vary. 

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 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 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 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 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. 

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. 

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.
 

What is the no. 1 state to live in?

• Utah. #1 in Best States Overall. ...
• New Hampshire. #2 in Best States Overall. ...
• Idaho. #3 in Best States Overall. ...
• Minnesota. #4 in Best States Overall. ...
• Nebraska. #5 in Best States Overall. ...
• Florida. #6 in Best States Overall. ...
• Vermont. #7 in Best States Overall. ...
• South Dakota. #8 in Best States Overall.

What is the friendliest state in the USA?

There's no single "friendliest" state, as it depends on the study, but Minnesota often tops lists for its "Minnesota Nice" politeness, while Tennessee, South Carolina, Texas, and Wyoming consistently rank high, often due to Southern hospitality or sparse populations. Other states like Hawaii, New Jersey, and California are also noted as welcoming, particularly for visitors, but some data suggests Midwestern/Southern states excel in general warmth. 

Can I legally sell my house for a dollar?

Property Tax Reassessment: In states like California, transferring property, even for a nominal amount, can trigger a reassessment at the current market value. However, family transfers may be excluded from reassessment if proper documentation is filed.

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.

What is the cheapest form of housing?

13 Cheap Housing Alternatives

• Renting a Guest House. ...
• Living in a Mobile Home. ...
• Moving into a Tiny Home. ...
• Living in a Shipping Container Home. ...
• Living as a Live-In Caretaker. ...
• Being an On-Site Property Manager. ...
• Renting Out a Room in Your Home. ...
• Move in with Friends or Family.