21 U.S. Cities With Lowest Cost of Living

Each city in the U.S. has its own pulse and culture, and these differences carry right down to living costs. If you’re fancying a move due to high expenses in your current city, you’re in luck. Some cities help you save money just by living in them.

Our list of 21 U.S. cities with the lowest cost of living won’t be in order, as the information may vary depending on calculation methods. However, you may be surprised to learn that you already live in one of these cities.

U.S. Cities With Lowest Cost of Living

1. Fort Wayne, Indiana

In Fort Wayne, Indiana, the cost of living is 13.2% below the national average. This pleasant city is perfect for artistic people, as there are festivals and events all year round. In addition, the median home value is $143,800, making homes affordable.

Other than artsy people, those who love boating will find Fort Wayne a wonderful place to live. There are three rivers for such activities.

2. Temple, Texas

The city of Temple in Texas has experienced growth in recent years. Living here will help you save money, as the costs are 13% below average. In addition, as the growing population shows, it’s a relatively safe place to live.

The houses here aren’t too expensive either. At $246,717, it’s about 29% lower than the nation’s median home costs.

Companies such as Walmart and Pactiv Evergreen are Temple’s major employers.

3. Jackson, Mississippi

Jackson is a historically significant location, especially for Civil War enthusiasts. However, that’s not all the city offers. Blues lovers and ballet fans will love the various events that happen yearly. The USA International Ballet Competition is a great hit too.

Calculations reveal that the living costs of Jackson are 20.9% below average. As a result, many retirees gravitate towards Jackson, where homes cost $153,8000 on average.

4. St. Petersburg, Florida

Living in St. Petersburg is a pleasant experience all year round, as the weather is very mild. The cost of living is also relatively low at 7% below average. It’s likely why the city has seen a population increase of 8.2% in recent years.

A home in St. Petersburg costs around the same as one in Temple. The average is $245,358, only about $1,000 less. Even renting apartments here is considered inexpensive.

5. McAllen, Texas

Living in McAllen seems to be a downtrodden place due to higher poverty. However, it’s also one of the U.S. cities with the lowest cost of living at 22.3% under the national median.

What’s more, a home only costs $93,400 on average. There are also attractions such as a bird-watching route and the International Museum of Art & Science.

6. Springfield, Missouri

Springfield is famous for its friendly people, but that’s not the only reason. Living here is relatively affordable, thanks to lower housing expenses and Affordable Housing Programs. The average home here costs about $243,247.

As for the living costs, they’re 12% below average. Over the last 10 years, the population has indeed grown.

7. Kalamazoo, Michigan

Kalamazoo is another inexpensive place to live, with the cost of living at 22.9% under the national average calculations. A likely reason is the high poverty rate, which is alarming compared to many other cities. A home here costs $171,800 on average.

There are lots of swimming and hiking opportunities due to the area’s geographical features. So if you’re an outdoors person, Kalamazoo may be for you.

8. Evansville, Indiana

Evansville is perfect for those who prefer suburban life. The cost of living is currently 11% below the nation’s average. The median home price is also calculated to be $267,190.

Evansville has many recreational spots, such as museums, zoos, botanic gardens, and more.

9. Savannah, Georgia

Savannah is a popular tourist destination, famous for its landmarks and oak trees. However, the locals will also tell you that living here is affordable. The cost of living is 13.3% below the national average, a substantial number.

Owning a home here is also quite manageable, with the median price being $201,000. In addition, the utilities and groceries here are bargains compared to some cities.

You’ll also find the metro area rich with culture. The film, fashion, and art communities are all present here, with festivals and locations drawing many fans in.

It’s no wonder people call Savannah “The Hostess City of the South.”

10. Lynchburg, Virginia

Lynchburg is the home of Liberty University, but that’s not the only major employer. The job market in Lynchburg is very resilient, and many people have steady employment here. Thus, the cost of living has dropped to 13.4% under the national average.

Homes in this city cost $174,000 on average. However, you’ll see a tradeoff with the utilities and beer being pricier. Nevertheless, many people find this place an affordable place to live.

11. Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Winston-Salem is home to people from every demographic, single to retirees. Its Southern hospitality is likely why many people love this city. In addition, living here is highly affordable, costing 13.6% less than the national average.

The median home price is also pretty low at $164,800. So even though its household income median value isn’t high, the lower prices help mitigate the problem.

Winston-Salem is a bustling city, boasting six colleges and 75 parks. So you’ll always find somewhere new to visit. The 33 wineries around also provide excellent opportunities for exploration.

12. Brownsville, Texas

Brownsville’s real estate is 23% lower than the national average, costing around $265,455. Thanks to these lower costs, approximately 66% of the population owns a house.

As for the cost of living, it’s 15% under the average. However, tech companies are finding Texas a superb location. Brownsville may be a place for tech companies to expand operations in the future, so its low cost of living may not last for long.

13. Mobile, Alabama

Mobile is a culturally rich city with an exciting mix of Catholic, Creole, and African heritages. The arts are big in Mobile, too, as venues for symphonic orchestras, ballet, art museums, and opera are all present. The nation’s oldest Mardi Gras festival is also here.

The metro area boasts affordable living costs of at least 13.9% under the national average. A home here also costs only around $139,000. So you’ll find living here easier on your bank account.

14. Amarillo, Texas

Amarillo has both science and culture. The Don Harrington Discovery Center and Space Theater call the city home. Besides, the city has a rich cultural history.

The cost of living in Amarillo is 16% below average, and the median home price is currently at $257,821. These advantages have attracted people to the city, and its population has grown 16.5% over the past decade.

Healthcare is also very reasonable, a viable option for those who require constant medical aid.

15. Decatur, Illinois

Decatur has a reputation of being an agricultural and manufacturing hotspot. ADM still maintains operations here, and Caterpillar also has facilities in the area. Tate & Lyle, a UK-based food company, even has a corn processing plant in Decatur.

As ADM moved its headquarters, the cost of living dropped to 14.2% below the national average. Homes here are also inexpensive, with an average price of $105,500.

16. Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis can proudly declare how living within its borders is very affordable. The city’s cost of living is 14.6% under the national average, with houses here having a median value of $167,800.

The primary industry in Memphis is shipping and transportation. FedEx, International Paper, and AutoZone all have locations here. The city’s proximity to the Mississippi River is a significant reason.

You can also enjoy some delicious ribs when visiting the city.

17. Conway, Arkansas

Conway might not sound like an impressive city name, but it’s home to some high-tech firms such as Acxiom. Higher education opportunities are also prevalent here in Conway. However, the low cost of living is 14.7% below the national average, shocking news for many.

The homes here fall into the middle range, with a median value of $202,500. That said, other cities and states are at least double that number. Even the utilities in Conway are more affordable.

18. Florence, Alabama

The city of Florence is famed for being the birthplace of Helen Keller. It’s also significant to the music industry, as The Rolling Stones recorded several hit songs here. In addition, there’s a single house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the only one in Alabama.

Living in Florence is surprisingly affordable, with the cost being 15.2% below the national average. The median home value is also relatively low at $145,500.

The healthcare costs of Florence are also relatively inexpensive, a fifth less than most places.

19. Texarkana, Texas/Arkansas

Texarkana has some of the U.S.’s most affordable real estate prices. A home here costs $117,200 on average, among the lowest on our list, while the cost of living is 15.7% under the national average.

20. Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Hattiesburg has a lower population density and equally low cost of living at 16.3% under the national average. The median home value is currently $145,300 and $200 less than Florence, Alabama.

The city has several higher education facilities, such as the University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University.

The nation’s largest National Guard training base, Camp Shelby, is also close by.

21. Kokomo, Indiana

Kokomo is home to facilities of Chrysler, General Motors, and more. So you would be right in describing the city as an automotive hub. However, the living cost of Kokomo is 16.9% under the national average, thanks to how inexpensive transportation and groceries are.

The median home value of Kokomo is $109,800, very low compared to other cities on our list.

Realtors for Rentals and Homes

It’s crucial to look for a dependable realtor to help with your move. You can use several services online, such as Zillow, realtor.com, Realty, and Homes.com, to get a better picture of the housing market in your target area.

We Pay Lower Bills Here

These are some of the U.S. cities with the lowest cost of living. While there are many more, they wouldn’t fit on our list. However, you may be surprised to learn about our picks and add a few new viable moving options to your list.