Most Affordable Places to Live in the U.S. in 2020-21
Settling down in one of the cities below could do wonders for your wallet. Based on the median gross rent and annual housing costs for mortgage-paying homeowners of each metro area, these are the cities with the lowest cost of living in the country. For more information on how we rank, read the Best Places to Live methodology.
View All 64 PhotosHuntsville, AL
#1 in Cheapest Places to Live
Once a sleepy farming town, Huntsville gained national recognition during the Space Race of the 1960s and is now the... Read More- Overall Score
- Overall Score
- 7.1
- Quality of Life
- Quality of Life
- 6.3
- Value
- Value
- 8.7
- Overall Score
- 7.1
- Quality of Life
- 6.3
- Value
- 8.7
View All 70 PhotosFort Wayne, IN
#2 in Cheapest Places to Live
With its low cost of living and quiet neighborhoods, Fort Wayne, Indiana, is an excellent place to buy a house, start a... Read More- Overall Score
- Overall Score
- 6.6
- Quality of Life
- Quality of Life
- 6.1
- Value
- Value
- 8.6
- Overall Score
- 6.6
- Quality of Life
- 6.1
- Value
- 8.6
View All 78 PhotosDes Moines, IA
#3 in Cheapest Places to Live
The capital of this so-called flyover state may not top your to-visit list, but Des Moines is a great place to live and... Read More- Overall Score
- Overall Score
- 7.3
- Quality of Life
- Quality of Life
- 7.3
- Value
- Value
- 8.4
- Overall Score
- 7.3
- Quality of Life
- 7.3
- Value
- 8.4
View All 54 PhotosFayetteville, AR
#4 in Cheapest Places to Live
Located in a region that's experiencing drastic growth, Fayetteville – together with Bentonville, Rogers and Springdale... Read More- Overall Score
- Overall Score
- 7.3
- Quality of Life
- Quality of Life
- 7.2
- Value
- Value
- 8.3
- Overall Score
- 7.3
- Quality of Life
- 7.2
- Value
- 8.3
View All 44 PhotosSouth Bend, IN
#5 in Cheapest Places to Live
Home to the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, boasts a low cost of living and an array of parks and other... Read More- Overall Score
- Overall Score
- 6.6
- Quality of Life
- Quality of Life
- 6.4
- Value
- Value
- 8.3
- Overall Score
- 6.6
- Quality of Life
- 6.4
- Value
- 8.3
View All 132 PhotosQuad Cities, IA-IL (Davenport-Bettendorf, IA & Moline-Rock Island, IL)
#6 in Cheapest Places to Live
Spanning two states over the Mississippi River, the Quad Cities area of Iowa and Illinois can feel smaller than it is... Read More- Overall Score
- Overall Score
- 6.5
- Quality of Life
- Quality of Life
- 6.7
- Value
- Value
- 8.3
- Overall Score
- 6.5
- Quality of Life
- 6.7
- Value
- 8.3
View All 198 PhotosPeoria, IL
#7 in Cheapest Places to Live
When people want to know whether something has wide appeal, they might ask “Will it play in Peoria?” But don’t let that... Read More- Overall Score
- Overall Score
- 6.3
- Quality of Life
- Quality of Life
- 6.4
- Value
- Value
- 8.3
- Overall Score
- 6.3
- Quality of Life
- 6.4
- Value
- 8.3
View All 118 PhotosHickory, NC
#8 in Cheapest Places to Live
With its moderate climate and sweeping mountain views, the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton area, sometimes known as the Catawba... Read More- Overall Score
- Overall Score
- 6.7
- Quality of Life
- Quality of Life
- 6.5
- Value
- Value
- 8.2
- Overall Score
- 6.7
- Quality of Life
- 6.5
- Value
- 8.2
View All 56 PhotosGrand Rapids, MI
#9 in Cheapest Places to Live
Grand Rapids has an affinity for public art, and its craft brewery scene is one of the best in the nation. A scenic spot... Read More- Overall Score
- Overall Score
- 7.1
- Quality of Life
- Quality of Life
- 7.6
- Value
- Value
- 8.1
- Overall Score
- 7.1
- Quality of Life
- 7.6
- Value
- 8.1
View All 54 PhotosPittsburgh, PA
#10 in Cheapest Places to Live
Known by nicknames like Blitzburgh and Steel City, Pittsburgh is on the verge of greater heights. Emerging from a dying... Read More- Overall Score
- Overall Score
- 6.5
- Quality of Life
- Quality of Life
- 6.3
- Value
- Value
- 8.1
- Overall Score
- 6.5
- Quality of Life
- 6.3
- Value
- 8.1