10 of the cheapest places to live in the US
If you’re thinking of moving to the US for work or study, you’ll undoubtedly be considering the cost of living over there. On average the cost of living across the US for a family of 4 is 3,574.45 and for a single person it’s 1,003.28 USD, without rent.
But with costs spiralling upwards almost everywhere, you’ll want to be more specific and know where you might find the most affordable places to live in the US. That’s where we can help. We’ve looked at the Cost of Living Index, and put together a guide to the 10 of the cheapest cities to live in the US. And, on the same subject, you may also find our guide on how to survive the cost of living crisis very useful.
Table of contents
WorldRemit Content Team
• 13 mins read • Updated
Wichita
Wichita is the largest city in the state of Kansas and county seat of Sedgwick County. It has a population of 389. 942 and is located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas.
Its history lies in cattle, as it began on the Chisholm Trail in the 1860s and became a destination for cattle drives travelling north from Texas to Kansas, earning it the nickname "Cowtown". In the 1920s and 1930s, businessmen and aeronautical engineers established aircraft manufacturing companies in Wichita. It became an aircraft production hub known as "The Air Capital of the World". And it remains a major centre of the American aircraft industry today .
According to Numbeo- its cost of living without rent is:
Family of four: 3037.6USD
Single person: 874.7 USD
This is below the national average. The average rent is:
1 bedroom city centre: 1166.67 USD
1 bedroom outskirt: 785 USD
3 bedroom city centre: 1,700 USD
3 bedroom outskirt: 1,250 USD
The average to buy a home:
The average price per metre for an apartment in the city centre - 1,533.86 USD
The average price per metre for an apartment outside the city centre - 1,264.76 USD.
The average monthly net salary after tax is 4,408.33 USD.
Knoxville
Knoxville is a city in Tennessee and is the county seat of Knox county. As of the 2020 United States census, Knoxville's population was 190,740,making it the largest city in the East Tennessee Grand Division and the state's third largest city after Nashville and Memphis.
Sitting on the banks of the Tennessee River, Knoxville is home to the University of Tennessee and is a vibrant multicultural community. Affordability is a major incentive to move here. The cost of buying a home in Knoxville is less than in many other major metro areas around the country. Residents also enjoy the added benefit of proximity to major highways that connect Knoxville to places like Nashville, Atlanta and Chattanooga.
According to Numbeo - its cost of living without rent is:
Family of four estimated monthly costs are 3,126.1 USD without rent
A single person estimated monthly costs are 829.9 USD without rent
The average rent is:
City centre apartment (1 bed) - 1,218.75 USD
Outside centre apartment (1 bed) - 911.11 USD
City centre apartment (3 bed) - 2,120 USD
Outside centre apartment (3 bed) - 1,611.11 USD
The average to buy a home:
The average price per square metre for an apartment in the city centre - 3,767.37 USD
The average price per square metre for an apartment outside the city centre - 2,249 USD
The average monthly net salary after tax is 4,100.00 USD
Memphis
Memphis in the state of Tennessee and is the seat of Shelby County in the southwest part of the state. Sitting on the Mississippi River, it has a population of 633,104 at the 2020 U.S. census, and is the second most populous city in Tennessee, after Nashville. It’s also home to the state’s largest African-American population, Playing a prominent role in the American Civil Rights Movement. Martin Luthetr King was assassinated here in 1968. You’ll also find The National Civil Rights Museum here.
Memphis is one of the nation's leading commercial centres in transportation and logistics. The largest employer is FedEx which has its global air hub at Memphis International Airport - the busiest cargo airport in the world.
Globally renowned as a centre for media and entertainment - you’ll probably have heard of its historic music scene. While the city has been nicknamed the "Home of the Blues", it has also continued to be shaped by a multicultural mix of influences - from country to hip hop.
According to Numbeo - its cost of living is:
Family of four estimated monthly costs are 3,230.7 USD without rent
A single person estimated monthly costs are 921.1 USD without rent
The average rent is:
City centre apartment (1 bed) - 1,408.33 USD
Outside centre apartment (1 bed) - 969.29 USD
City centre apartment (3 bed) - 2,170.00 USD
Outside centre apartment (3 bed) - 1,632.00 USD
The average to buy a home:
The average price per square metre for an apartment in the city centre - 742.71 USD
The average price per square metre for an apartment outside the city centre - 1,980.56 USD
The average monthly net salary after tax is 5,054.76 USD
San Antonio
With a population of 1,434,625 the Texan city of San Antonio is the 12th most populous in North America and the largest majority Hispanic city in the US.
Its rich culture offers an authentic glimpse into early Spanish colonial life in the Southwest. As the first civilian settlement in Texas, San Antonio de Béxar was founded in 1718. Today, many of the city’s early architectural and cultural elements still remain. In fact, the city contains five 18th century Spanish frontier missions including The Alamo, which were designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites in 2015. It’s no wonder it attracts about 32 million tourists a year.
The US Armed Forces have numerous facilities around San Antonio. And the city is also home to four Fortune 500 companies and the South Texas Medical Centre - the only medical research and care provider in the South Texas region. It’s also one of the cheapest cities to live in the US.
According to Numbeo - its cost of living is:
Family of four estimated monthly costs are 3,303.5 USD without rent
A single person estimated monthly costs are 945.5 USD without rent
The average rent is:
City centre apartment (1 bed) - 1,496.53 USD
Outside centre apartment (1 bed) - 1,205.59 USD
City centre apartment (3 bed) - 2,522.5 USD
Outside centre apartment (3 bed) - 1,966.56 USD
The average to buy a home:
The average price per square metre for an apartment in the city centre - 4,176.70 USD
The average price per square metre for an apartment outside the city centre - 3,430.96 USD
The average monthly net salary after tax is 4,594.41 USD
Tulsa
Tulsa is proving a popular destination for those looking for job opportunities and an affordable place to live. It’s Oklahoma’s second city with a population of 413,066, as of the 2020 census. It’s the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 1,023,988 residents. It also serves as the county seat of Tulsa County, the most densely populated county in Oklahoma.
Historically, a robust energy sector fuelled Tulsa's economy. In fact, for most of the 20th Century, the city was known as ‘Oil Capital of the Year’. Today, the city has diversified into finance, aviation, telecommunications and technology. And so it offers a wide variety of job opportunities. The state’s unemployment rate (4%) is lower than the national average of 6%. And, even if you don’t work in oil and energy, there are opportunities in the agricultural and technology sectors.
According to Numbeo - its cost of living is:
Family of four estimated monthly costs are 3,072.13 USD without rent
A single person estimated monthly costs are 732.06 USD) without rent
The average rent is:
City centre apartment (1 bed) - 1,043.75USD
Outside centre apartment (1 bed) - 782.50 USD
City centre apartment (3 bed) - 1,962.50 USD
Outside centre apartment (3 bed) - 1,471.43 USD
The average to buy a home:
The average price per square metre for an apartment in the city centre - 1,466.58 USD
The average price per square metre for an apartment outside the city centre - 1,076.39USD
The average monthly net salary after tax is 5,036.78 USD.
Cincinnati (OH)
Cincinnati, in the state of Ohio, is the county seat of Hamilton County with a city population of 309,317. It’s located at the northern side of the confluence of the Licking and Ohio rivers, the latter of which marks the state line with Kentucky. The city is the economic and cultural hub of the Cincinnati Metropolitan Area. With an estimated population of 2,256,884, it’s Ohio's largest metropolitan area and 30th largest in the US.
It’s also one of the cheapest places to live in the US. Its cost of living is 6.2% less than the national average. Housing, utilities, and grocery items consistently rank lower than the national average, which makes it a very an affordable city
According to Numbeo - its cost of living is:
Family of four estimated monthly costs are 3,283.7 USD) without rent
A single person estimated monthly costs are 909.0 USD) without rent
The average rent is:
City centre apartment (1 bed) -1,473.33 USD
Outside centre apartment (1 bed) - 1,083.33 USD
City centre apartment (3 bed) - 2,925.00 USD
Outside centre apartment (3 bed) - 1,485.00 USD
The average to buy a home:
The average price per square metre for an apartment in the city centre - 2,421.88 USD
The average price per square metre for an apartment outside the city centre - 1,399.31 USD
The average monthly net salary after tax is 3.621.99 USD.
Kansas City (MO)
Kansas City is a large, prosperous, self-sufficient and vibrant rich city located on both sides of the Missouri River. It has a population of 497,159, the majority of whom live on the older Missouri side, filled with shaded neighbourhoods and mixed development. But, for the past 20 years the big growth has been on the Kansas side to the southwest in suburbs like Overland Park, Lenexa, and Shawnee. This more industrial side is changing its image fast.
The city grew up as an agricultural centre that provided commercial and industrial support to the huge agricultural area to the west. Food processing is still a major industry, but other industries have been established - such as greeting cards (Hallmark), telecommunications, publishing, and automobile manufacturers - and so offering many job opportunities.
When it comes to finding one of the cheapest places to live in the US - you’ll find that compared to the rest of the country, Kansas City's cost of living is 12.1% lower than the U.S. average.
Family of four estimated monthly costs are 3,430.0 USD without rent
A single person estimated monthly costs are 963.8 USD) without rent
The average rent is:
City centre apartment (1 bed) -1,320.75 USD
Outside centre apartment (1 bed) - 1,070.00 USD
City centre apartment (3 bed) - 2,857.14 USD
Outside centre apartment (3 bed) - 1,785.50 USD
The average to buy a home:
The average price per square metre for an apartment in the city centre - 3,408.57USD
The average price per square metre for an apartment outside the city centre - 2,287.33 USD
The average monthly net salary after tax is 4,033.33 USD.
Milwaukee
Milwaukee is a commercial and cultural centre for Wisconsin and has a population of 589,067 people, which has grown since 2020 by 1.6%.
A melting pot for 19th-century immigrants from northern Europe, the city has kept up its traditions, most notably in the brewing (and consumption) of beer. Following a period of decline - including the brewing industry - the city has revitalised some areas, particularly downtown, and created an area of lakefront parks and museums.
Today businesses include more financial services and retailing companies along with the traditional base of metal products, electrical equipment, and machine tools. If you’re thinking of a move there - it’s good to know that Milwaukee's cost of living is 15.3% lower than the U.S. average.
Family of four estimated monthly costs are 3,533.3 USD without rent
A single person estimated monthly costs are 1,007.7 USD without rent
The average rent is:
City centre apartment (1 bed) -1,499.50 USD
Outside centre apartment (1 bed) - 1,043.00 USD
City centre apartment (3 bed) - 2,364.22 USD
Outside centre apartment (3 bed) - 1,564.44 USD
The average to buy a home:
The average price per square metre for an apartment in the city centre - 5,274.32 USD
The average price per metre for an apartment outside the city centre - 3,208.92 USD
The average monthly net salary after tax is 5,000.00 USD.
Albuquerque
Albuquerque in New Mexico is located at the crossroads of the state’s travel routes. A lovely climate, attractive mountain landscape and mostly healthy economy make it a very attractive place to live. It also has a favourable tax climate, and the state’s fiscal health is among the best in the country. The area is a centre for the high-tech industry and especially research-oriented activities, centred on the giant Sandia Laboratories nuclear research facility south of town. There are over 100 mostly small and medium-size tech related companies.
With a population of 562, 540, Albuquerque has an unemployment rate of 7.4%. While the US average is lower at 6.0%, it has seen the job market increase by 3.3% over the last year. Future employment growth over the next ten years is predicted to be 34.5%, which is higher than the US average. And if you’re looking for affordability, Albuquerque's cost of living is 9.2% lower than the U.S. average - making it one cheapest places to live in the US
Family of four estimated monthly costs are 3,349.0 USD without rent
A single person estimated monthly costs are 938.6 USD without rent
The average rent is:
City centre apartment (1 bed) -1,472.31 USD
Outside centre apartment (1 bed) - 1,190.00 USD
City centre apartment (3 bed) - 2,488.33 USD
Outside centre apartment (3 bed) - 2,059.44 USD
The average to buy a home:
The average price per metre for an apartment in the city centre - 4,770.21 USD
The average price per metre for an apartment outside the city centre - 2,929.58 USD
The average monthly net salary after tax is 5,103.52 USD.
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City, the capital and largest city in the state of Oklahoma, is a major centre for the oil industry and related manufacturing. Since the last oil bust in the 1990s and the 1995 Murrah Federal Building bombing, the city has undergone a major renaissance, particularly in its downtown areas. It has a population of 662,314 people, which has grown by 11.6% since 2020.
Downtown is now clean and modern with lovely parks and a restored “Bricktown” historic residential and entertainment district with a canal and promenade. The University of Oklahoma in suburban Norman south of town brings a college town element.
The oil industry still dominates the local economy, but the state government and a growth in small manufacturers and service businesses are starting to balance things out. Its low cost of living is a big attraction for anyone looking for one of the cheapest cities in the US to live in.
Family of four estimated monthly costs are 3,463.1 USD without rent
A single person estimated monthly costs are 999.3 USD without rent
The average rent is:
City centre apartment (1 bed) -1,237.5 USD
Outside centre apartment (1 bed) - 1,250 USD
City centre apartment (3 bed) - 2,788.75 USD
Outside centre apartment (3 bed) - 1,270.00 USD
The average to buy a home:
The average price per square metre for an apartment in the city centre - 2,744.80 USD
The average price per square metre for an apartment outside the city centre - 1,668.41 USD
The average monthly net salary after tax is 3,055.18 USD.
Living abroad and sending money home
So, we’ve looked at some of the cheapest places to live in the US - but there are other aspects of life to consider when moving. You may, even, be considering a move to another country. If so, don’t forget to check out our blog for more resources and guides to living abroad, and how to send money back home to your family and friends with WorldRemit.
Cheapest places to live in the US: FAQs
Where is the cheapest place to rent in the US?
The cheapest place to rent in the US is Knoxville, where the average rent is:
City centre apartment (1 bed) - 1,218.75 USD
Outside centre apartment (1 bed) - 911.11 USD
City centre apartment (3 bed) - 2,120 USD
Outside centre apartment (3 bed) - 1,611.11 USD
What are the cheapest US states to live in?
According to the worldpopulationreview.com these are the states in the US with the lowest cost of living index:
Mississippi - 83.3
Kansas - 86.5
Oklahoma - 87.9
Alabama - 87.9
Georgia - 88.8
Tennessee - 89
Missouri - 89.8
Iowa - 89.9
West Virginia - 90.5
What is the number 1 safest city in the US?
According to Forbes.com the safest city in the US to live is Columbia, Maryland which is located between Washington D.C. and Baltimore.
The contents of this blog post does not constitute legal or financial advice and is provided for general information purposes only. If you require specific legal and / or financial advice you should contact a specialist lawyer or financial advisor. Information true at time of publishing.
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