Want a change of air and move to a new city? Before you decide a city that you’d want to live in, you first check whether it’s affordable for you. You might research about the housing costs and see if it suits your budget. But there are other aspects to consider before you hit the road and move to a new city.
There may be so many things that may influence you to move to a new city. Be it the culture, job opportunities, weather or the kind of people living there. While you’re thinking about these things, we want to remind you that you shouldn’t overlook the cost of living in your desired destination. But don’t worry, we’ve made a list of some of the best U.S cities in the country with the lowest cost of living.
Top 7 U.S. Cities With The Lowest Cost Of Living
1. Wichita
Wichita or ‘The Air Capital of the World’ resides in Sedgwick county in the state of Kansas. The city is home to Beechcraft, Cessena and Stearman Aircraft and hence the nickname. The Old Cowtown Museum will draw you to explore the various historical exhibits of the history of the city. Speaking of education, several students across the country come to explore Wichita State University which is the third largest post secondary institution in Kansas.
When it comes to housing costs, the housing costs here are almost 29% lower than the U.S national average as stated by Payscale. Let’s not forget the other essential utilities in the city that you will have to take care of. In order to keep the current flowing in your house, you will have to pay an average of $184.09 per month for your energy bill. You definitely don’t want to lose touch with your friends and family and so you’ll have to keep aside around $196.23 per month for your phone bill.
Don’t worry about spending extra on your other expenses like groceries as the city has grocery prices 7% lower than the U.S national average according to Payscale. Your basic breakfast items like a gallon of milk will cost you around $1.81 while a carton of eggs will cost you around $1.69. If you enjoy having a toast, then you will have to pay around $3.10 for a loaf of bread while a bunch of bananas will cost you around $3.13. Go ahead and grab a hamburger on your cheat days for around $3.95.
Advantages Of Moving To Wichita
The cost of living in the city is almost 17.9% lower than the U.S national average (as per the data shared by Best Places).
Disadvantages Of Moving To Wichita
The unemployment rate in Wichita is around 4.2% which is a little higher than the U.S national average of 3.7% (as per the data shared by Best Places).
Population: 389,938
Median Home Value: $246,717
Median Home Rent: $772.86
Median Household Income: $45,907
Tax Rate: Your Sales and Income tax rate in the city will be 7.5% and 5.7% which is more than the U.S national average of 7.3% and 4.6% (as per the data shared by Best Places).
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents): 11.41 for Violent Crime and 53.24 for Property Crime (More than the National Median of 4 and 21 respectively).
See Also: Least Livable U.S. Cities For Minimum Wage Earners
2. Louisville
You may recognize the city as the birthplace of the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali. Louisville is located in Jefferson county in the state of Kentucky. The city boasts in its shipping industry as it’s home to the Louisville International Airport and Jefferson Riverport International. Speaking of some of the important landmarks in the city, you definitely wouldn’t want to miss out on the entertaining plays and concerts at the Kentucky Center. To greet the rolling hills and beautiful lawns, you will have to go to the banks of the Ohio River where you’ll find the beautiful Louisville Waterfront Park.
When it comes to housing costs, the city has 20% lower costs compared to the U.S national average as stated by Payscale. Apart from that, you will also have to save some bucks for other daily needs. You definitely don’t want to miss out on your favorite television shows and so you better pay your energy bills which will cost you around $157.94 per month. If you move to a new city, you’d want to be in touch with your friends and family, for which you will have to keep aside around $168.35 as your phone bill.
In terms of groceries, your basic breakfast items like a gallon of milk will cost you around $1.73 while a carton of eggs will cost you around $1.62. To make your sandwich, a loaf of bread will cost you around $2.98 while a bunch of bananas will cost you around $3.00. When you crave outside food, you can always grab a hamburger for $3.79.
Advantages Of Moving To Louisville
Your cost of living in the city will be almost 11.6% lower than the U.S national average (as per the data shared by Best Places).
Disadvantages Of Moving To Louisville
The unemployment rate in Louisville is almost 5.7% which is higher than the U.S national average of 3.7%.
Population: 617,638
Median Home Value: $276,559
Median Home Rent: $866.34
Median Household Income: $44,806
Tax Rate: Your Sales and Income Tax rate in the city will be around 6.0% and 8.0% which is higher than the U.S national average of 7.3% and 4.6% (as per the data shared by Best Places).
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents): 7.22 for Violent Crime and 40.83 for Property Crime (More than the National Median of 4 and 21 respectively).
Also Read: Moving to Louisville KY | Moving To Kentucky
3. Tulsa
Tulsa resides in the state of Oklahoma near the Arkansas River. The city has a diverse economy with several industries of finance, aviation, energy, telecommunications and technology. Because of the leading headquarters of oil companies like the Gulf Oil, you may recognize the city as the ‘Oil Capital of the World’. Apart from a strong economy, the city has some amazing landscapes like the 45 acre Woodward Park with lots of botanical gardens.
Speaking of the housing prices, the city has almost 35% lower housing costs compared to the U.S national average, as stated by Payscale. You probably don’t want to miss an episode of F.R.I.E.N.D.S on your television especially on a weekend. So make sure you pay your energy bills which would cost you around $197.84 per month. In order to stay connected with your close friends and family, you will have to pay around $210.89 per month as your phone bill.
Let’s not forget your other basic utilities that you’ll need everyday. Your basic breakfast items like a gallon of milk will cost you around $1.84 while a carton of eggs will cost you around $1.71. To enjoy a nice sandwich for breakfast, you will have to pay around $3.15 while a bunch of bananas will cost you around $3.18. You can always get a hamburger on your cheat days for around $4.01.
Advantages Of Moving To Tulsa
The city has seen an increase in the job market of almost 1.5% in the past year. Aslo, the future prediction of the job market in the city is around 38.3% which is higher than the U.S national average of 33.5% (as per the data shared by Best Places).
Disadvantages Of Moving To Tulsa
The city has an unemployment rate of almost 5.0% which is higher than the U.S national average of 3.7% (as per the data shared by Best Places).
Population: 401,190
Median Home Value: $225,203
Median Home Rent: $705.46
Median Household Income: $55,517
Tax Rate: Your Sales Tax and Income Tax rate in the city will be around 6.0% and 8.0% which is higher than the U.S national average of 7.3% and 4.6% (as per the data shared by Best Places).
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents): 9.89 for Violent Crime and 53.31 for Property Crime (More than the National Median of 4 and 21 respectively).
Also Read: Moving to Arkansas – Relocation Guide | 5 Best Moving Companies In Tulsa
4. Memphis
Memphis or ‘Home of the Blues’, resides in Shelby county along the Mississippi River in the state of Tennessee. Apart from being famous for its music and a landscape for some major films, the city takes pride in its commerce, transportation and shipping industry. The Memphis International Airport and FedEx Express are two most important cargo and shipping centers in the city.
You will be glad to know that the housing costs in Memphis are almost 34% lower than the U.S national average as stated by Payscale. In order to keep your house lightened up, you will have to pay your energy bill which will cost you around $173.03 per month. To be in touch with your friends you’ll need to pay your phone bill which will cost you around $184.44 per month.
Let’s not forget the other essential utilities you’ll need on a day to day basis. For example, your typical breakfast items like a gallon of milk will cost you around $1.77 while a carton of eggs will cost you around $1.65. For making a sandwich, you will have to pay around $3.03 for a loaf of bread while a bunch of bananas will cost you around $3.06. You can always grab a hamburger if you feel like eating from outside for around $3.86.
Advantages Of Moving To Memphis
The city has had an increase in the job markets of almost 2.1% in the past year. Also, the future prediction of job markets is around 36.6% which is higher than the U.S national average of 33.5% (as per the data shared by Best Places).
Disadvantages Of Moving To Memphis
The city has an unemployment rate of around 5.5% which is higher than the U.S national average of 3.7% (as per the data shared by Best Places).
Population: 651,073
Median Home Value: $228,326
Median Home Rent: $715.25
Median Household Income: $37,099
Tax Rate: Your Sales Tax rate in the city will be around 9.3% which is higher than the U.S national average of 7.3%. But the city does not charge you any Income Tax (as per the data shared by Best Places).
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents): 19.01 for Violent Crime and 62.13 for Property Crime (More than the National Median of 4 and 21 respectively).
See Also: Moving To Memphis
5. Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is one of the largest cities in the state of Oklahoma. The city’s economic assets include various sectors of technology, healthcare and administration. Chesapeake Energy and Devon Energy are two of the Fortune 500 companies that have their headquarters here. In downtown Oklahoma City, you will find the beautiful Myriad Botanical Gardens where you will witness the amazing Crystal Bridge and a huge urban park. You can also enjoy various theater shows, films and museum exhibits at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.
One of the best things about staying in Oklahoma city is that your housing costs will be almost 29% lower than the U.S national average according to Payscale. Let’s not overlook other day to day necessities that you will have to pay for. In order to keep the appliances working, you will have to pay your energy bill which will cost you around $154.08 per month. For the technology at your fingertips, you need to pay your phone bill which will cost you around $164.24 per month.
Your basic breakfast items like a gallon of milk will cost you around $1.76 while a carton of eggs will cost you around $1.64. If you need bread to make yourself a toast or a sandwich, a loaf of bread will cost you around $3.02 while a bunch of bananas will cost you around $3.05. Go ahead and fulfill your craving for a hamburger on your cheat days for $3.85.
Advantages Of Moving To Oklahoma
The unemployment rate in the city is only 3.4% which is less than the U.S national average of around 3.7% (as per the data shared by Best Places).
Disadvantages Of Moving To Oklahoma
You will experience really hot summers especially in the months of July and August where the average temperature in the city is around 199.94 degree fahrenheit.
Population: 655,057
Median Home Value: $247,758
Median Home Rent: $776.12
Median Household Income: $46,235
Tax Rate: Your Sales and Income Tax rate in the city will be around 8.4% and 5.0% which is higher than the national average of 7.3% and 4.6% (as per the data shared by Best Places).
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents): 7.27 for Violent Crime and 41.36 for Property Crime (More than the National Median of 4 and 21 respectively).
Related: Moving To Oklahoma City
6. Brimingham
Brimingham or ‘The Magic City’ as you may recognize it, resides in Jefferson county in the state of Alabama. The city is home to various educational institutions that cater to medicine, nursing, law and engineering. To name a few, the University of Alabama and Birmingham School of Law are some of the prominent institutes here. The city’s economic assets are rooted in several steel, manufacturing, biotechnology, finance and insurance companies. You can visit the Alabama Theatre to experience the city’s dynamic culture. If you like sightseeing, you should definitely go see the Vulcan Statue at the Vulcan Park which is on top of the Red Mountains.
You will be glad to know that Brimingham’s housing costs are almost 14% lower than the U.S national average according to Payscale. Let’s not forget the other essential things you’ll have to pay for. To begin with, your energy bill will cost you around $169.00 per month while your phone bill will be around $180.15 per month. Speaking of your other utility bills, your basic breakfast items like a gallon of milk will cost you around $1.85 while a carton of eggs will cost you around $1.73. To enjoy your toast in the morning, you will have to pay around $3.18 for a loaf of bread while a bunch of bananas will cost you around $3.21. You can always go out and grab a hamburger for around $4.05.
Advantages Of Moving To Birmingham
Birmingham has an unemployment rate of only 3.7% (as per the data shared by Best Places).
Disadvantages Of Moving To Birmingham
As a resident in the city, your individual average income will be around $19,640 annually which is lower than the U.S national average of around $28,555 a year (as per the data shared by Best Places).
Population: 209,403
Median Home Value: $299,808
Median Home Rent: $939.17
Median Household Income: $31,217
Tax Rate: Your Sales and Income Tax rates in the city will be around 10.0% and 6.0% which is higher than the U.S national average of 7.3% and 4.6% (as per the data shared by Best Places).
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents): 18.93 for Violent Crime and 62.17 for Property Crime (More than the National Median of 4 and 21 respectively).
7. EL Paso
EL Paso or ‘The Sun City’ is located in the state of Texas. You will see a diverse economy in the city with various oil, service, military, trade, tourism and healthcare sectors. It won’t come to you as a surprise that the city’s metropolitan area hit a GDP of as much as $29.03 billion in the year 2017. If you want to explore the city’s culture, you should visit the Plaza Theatre to enjoy the amazing musical concerts and film festivals. But that’s not all, the city also offers you various activities like mountain biking and hiking at the Franklin Mountains State Park with an amazing scenic beauty.
Speaking of your housing costs, the housing costs here are almost 22% lower than the U.S national average according to Payscale. Don’t forget the other essential utilities that you’ll need on a daily basis. For instance, in order to keep your appliances working you will have to pay your energy bill which will come up to $155.25 per month, while your phone bill will cost you around $165.49 per month.
Your basic breakfast items like a gallon of milk will cost you around $2.02 while a carton of eggs will cost you around $1.88. To enjoy your morning toast a loaf of bread will cost you around $3.47 while a bunch of bananas will cost you around $3.50. For your cheat days, you can grab a hamburger for around $4.41.
Advantages Of Moving To EL Paso
The cost of living in the city is almost 18.6% lower than the U.S national average (as per the data shared by Best Places).
Disadvantages Of Moving To EL Paso
The city has an unemployment rate of almost 3.9% which is higher than the U.S national average of 3.7% (as per the data shared by Best Places).
Population: 681,728
Median Home Value: $271,701
Median Home Rent: $851.12
Median Household Income: $42,037
Tax Rate: Your Sales Tax rate in the city will be around 8.2% which is higher than the U.S national average of 7.3%. The city does not charge you any Income Tax (as per the data shared by Best Places).
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents): 3.60 for Violent Crime and 15.70 for Property Crime (Lower than the National Median of 4 and 21 respectively).
See Also: 5 Best Moving Companies in El Paso
Conclusion
All of the above mentioned cities have particularly low cost of living compared to other states in the country. You also need to look at other things like the city’s culture and employment opportunities and see if it suits you. So carefully examine which city best suits your needs and budget and then decide and plan your move.
Read Also: Most Affordable Moving Companies in the US | 10 Most Affordable Cities In The U.S. | Cities for Empty Nesters
