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Top 10 Cheapest places to live in the US with the Best quality of life – 2023

Last updated on: August 2, 2023

The United States, a land of opportunity and liberty. This multicultural country has one of the most diverse natural landscapes in the world. From beautiful beaches to mountains, the country has many National Parks that are perfect for outdoor activities. However, the cost of living in the U.S. can be expensive as home prices are rising all around the country. At MovingWaldo, we understand that you might be looking for ways to maximize your money. Here are some of the cheapest and safest places to live in the U.S.! These places were chosen based on their quality of life, access to essential facilities nearby and the average house and apartment prices.

1. Wausau, Wisconsin

Home of best parks

Population: 39,575
Average monthly cost of living: $1,429

The city of Wausau is situated near the Wisconsin River in central Wisconsin. Some of the facilities in the city include the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum and the Yawkey House Museum. If you are a nature lover, The Rib Mountain State Park is one of Wausau’s best parks. In winter, people living in Wisconsin also love to go sliding in the Sylvan Tubing Hill with their friends. The average home price in Wausau is around $198,446 and for an apartment, the average price of rent in Wausau is $1,100 per month. This city has some of the most affordable housing in America.

(*AreaVibes, TripAdvisor, Census.gov & Living Cost Org)

Wausau, Wisconsin

2. Midland, Michigan

Best place of excellent schools

Population: 42,472
Average monthly cost of living: $1,480

Situated near the Dow Gardens and the Chippewa Nature Center, Midland is a perfect city if you enjoy walking in nature. Also, if you have children, you should know that the schools are excellent in Midland. According to the Public School Review, the district’s average testing ranking is 10/10 making it in the top 10% of public schools in Michigan. The average home price in Midland is $144,000. As for an apartment, the average price of rent in Midland is $877 per month. This is indeed the one of the cheapest places to live in the US.

(*AreaVibes, Census.gov and Living Cost Org)

Midland, Michigan

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3. Lynchburg, Virginia

Best for young individuals and families

Population: 79,009
Average monthly cost of living: $1,562

From galleries to urban trails, you won’t get bored in the city, as it is full of history. With the University of Lynchburg, this city is perfect for young people and young families as it is one of the safest and cheapest places in the U.S. If you plan to live in the area, the average home price in Lynchburg is around $185,300. As for an apartment, the average price of rent in Lynchburg is around $905 per month.

(*AreaVibes, Census.gov and Living Cost Org)

Lynchburg, Virginia

4. Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Best place for kayaking

Population: 31,931
Average monthly cost of living: $1,960

With a total of 650 acres, we can say that there are plenty of parks in the city of Elizabethtown. In summer, Freeman Lake Park is one of the favorite destinations of people living in this area to go kayaking, swimming and boating. If you plan to live in the area, the average home price in Elizabethtown is around $164,800, which makes it one of the cheapest places to live in America. As for an apartment, the average price of rent in Elizabethtown is around $977 per month.

(*AreaVibes, Census.gov and Living Cost Org)

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

5. Portland, Maine

Best for beach lovers

Population: 68,313
Average monthly cost of living: $2,444

If you love going to the beach, Portland is the perfect city for you. There are plenty of beautiful beaches near Portland such as Old Orchard Beach and Crescent Beach. With an estimated population of 65,645 in 2022, it is one of the most populated cities among the 10 cheapest places to live in America. It is the perfect city if you are looking for affordable housing but still want to enjoy all the advantages of the city. If you plan to live in the area, the average home price in Portland is around $248,000. As for an apartment, the average price of rent in Portland is around $969 per month.

(*AreaVibes, Census.gov and Living Cost Org)

Portland, Maine

6. Logan, Utah

Home of Utah State University

Population: 54,436
Average monthly cost of living: $2,641

From the golf course to the aquatic center and parks, this city is perfect for young families because you will find many facilities. If you don’t have a vehicle, Logan has a great transportation system. The Cache Valley Transit District (CVTD) is the main transportation system in the city. However, there is also an airport shuttle and the Aggie Shuttles fare free services provided by Utah State University. The university is situated in the middle of the city and has an excellent reputation. If you plan to live in the area, the average home price in Logan is around $372,450. As for an apartment, the average price of rent in Logan is around $1,239 per month.

(*AreaVibes, Movoto, Census.gov and 24/7 Wall St)

Logan, Utah

7. Wenatchee, Washington

Best for young active families

Population: 35,405
Average monthly cost of living: $2,906

Wine tastings and unique markets are one of the many things the city has to offer. With its historical downtown and its beautiful landscape, this city is perfect for young active families. Biking, hiking, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming are some of the activities you can enjoy during summer time in Wenatchee. In winter you can go skiing in the Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort which is only 30 minutes away from the city. If you plan to live in the area, the average home price in Wenatchee is around $466,000. As for an apartment, the average price of rent in Wenatchee is around $1,425 per month.

(*AreaVibes, Movoto, Census.gov and 24/7 Wall St)

Wenatchee, Washington

8. Glens Falls, New York

Ideal place to hang out with friends and family

Population: 14,722
Average monthly cost of living: $3,144

This small city is in Warren County, has plenty of little shops and restaurants. If you want to enjoy a nice slice of pizza with your friends and family, the Downtown City Tavern is the place to go. Moreover, there are a lot of parks in the city. If you plan to live in the area, the average home price in Glen Falls is around $189,900. As for an apartment, the average price of rent in Glen Falls is around $1,005 per month.

(*AreaVibes, Census.gov and 24/7 Wall St)

Glens Falls, New York

9. Holtville, California

Best place for summer vibes

Population: 5,582
Average monthly cost of living: $3,315

Situated in the state of California which is known for its beautiful temperature all year round, Holtville is near the Mexican border. Bombay Beach Marina is about one hour away from the city. It is one of the favorite places of people living in Holtville to refresh in the summer. If you plan to live in the area, the average home price in Holtville is around $150,900, which makes it one of the cheapest places to live in California and in the U.S. As for an apartment, the average price of rent in Holtville is around $716 per month.

(*AreaVibes, Holtville, Neighborhoodscout & Census.gov)

Holtville, Californialifornia

10. State College, Pennsylvania

Best place for coffee lovers

Population: 39,525
Average monthly cost of living: $3,317

If you are looking for a city with plenty of restaurants, coffee shops and parks, State College is a great city for you and your family. The public schools in the city are also highly rated. You will also find Penn State University in State College. If you plan to live in the area, the average home price in State College is around $332,100. As for an apartment, the average price of rent in State College is around $1,316 per month.

(*AreaVibes, Niche, Census.gov and 24/7 Wall St)

State College, Pennsylvania

Affordable Housing Options in the U.S.

Even though we’ve looked at some of the cheapest places to live in the U.S., you might want to know other affordable housing options. To avoid breaking the bank, check out the affordable housing options below.

Tiny Houses in U.S.

Tiny houses are small houses of around 400 sq ft. that are usually on wheels so they can easily be parked and transported. Tiny houses on wheels are considered a recreational vehicle in the United States. If you want this type of tiny house, you will have to register your home as a recreational vehicle and figure out a place to park it. However, you can also have a tiny house on a foundation. A tiny house can cost anywhere from $10 000 to $150 000 depending on who built it, the materials used and how big it is. In the U.S., tiny houses regulation and laws are dictated by the state and by the country. You should look out for the specific requirements of your state and county if you want a tiny house.

(*Tiny House Society)

Some of the tiny house communities and movements in the United States:

Getting Roommates in U.S.

Depending on which states you are living in, rent can be expensive if you live on a tight budget. The rent price is particularly high in California and Hawaii. Getting roommates is a wonderful way to reduce your housing costs each month. Students in the U.S. mostly get roommates so they can be near their university without having to overspend on their rent or travel far.

How Much Mortgage Can I Afford in the United States?

Mortgages given to you by a bank depend on the amount of money you earn, debts incurred, and your general living expenses. The higher mortgage you can afford, the more expensive a home you can afford to purchase.

The price of homes can vary depending on which states you are living in the United States. However, you might want to find out how much mortgage you can afford with this mortgage calculator based on your household income, debts, and down payment amount.

Household Income before taxes, no debts	Down Payment	Maximum Mortgage You Can Afford in U.S. Term length: 30 years fixed Interest rate: 3.500%
$70,000	$20,000	$256,983
$100,000	$30,000	$396,668
$120,000	$40,000	$493,125

Why Do People Move to the U.S.?

People move to the U.S. for the following reasons:

Career opportunities
Stunning nature views
Investment opportunities
Outdoor recreational activities: skiing, hiking, fishing, mountain biking and more!
Cultural diversity
Top-notch educational institutions

Conclusion

The U.S. is home to many lakes, mountains, and natural parks, making it perfect for nature lovers. The country also offers excellent career opportunities. With this list of the 10 cheapest places to live in the United States, you should be able to make a choice after determining what type of housing you can afford based on your income and lifestyle. If you are moving across the U.S. soon, you might also want to check out America’s best long distance moving companies.

Last year's ranking (2022)

1. Wausau, WI
2. Midland, MI
3. Lynchburg, VI
4. Glens Falls, NY
5. Holtville, CA
6. Elizabethtown, KT
7. Logan, UT
8. Wenatchee, WA
9. Portland, MN
10. State College, PA

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The expert

Mathieu Paquette

The author of this article also acts as MovingWaldo’s booking agent. Matt, is an accomplished relocation specialist with over 6 years of experience in the industry. Matt has earned a CAM certification (Canadian Association Of Movers), Tariff Certification (Atlas Van Lines), and has an extensive business background. Before handing off everything you own, do your due diligence… or let Matt do it for you.

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