With Western Michigan University driving the local economy, “KZoo” (as the locals call it) also is home to two exceptional nationally known microbreweries – Arcadia and Bells. So, if you like education and beer, this might be the spot to call home.
- Overall cost of living index score: 79.2
- Population: 261,108
- Average household income: $58,836
- Owner-occupied median home value: $168,500
- Median rent: $846
14. Amarillo, Texas
"The Yellow Rose of Texas" offers the charms of state traditions like big steaks and a love of high school football, in addition to being very easy on the wallet. It’s also known as the "Helium Capital of the World" for having one of the country's most productive helium fields, not that you necessarily care about that for your home search.
- Overall cost of living index score: 80.1
- Population: 201,234
- Average household income: $52,941
- Owner-occupied median home value: $138,900
- Median rent: $876
15. Meridian, Mississippi
Although Meridian is the seventh-largest city in the state of Mississippi, you’ll still find small-town vibes and historic charm that create a welcoming environment. The city is known for delicious southern food. Plus, there are tributes to musical talents born here, like the town’s very own Jimmie Rodgers.
- Overall cost of living index score: 74.6
- Population: 34,424
- Average household income: $30,088
- Owner-occupied median home value: $84,300
- Median rent: $709
16. Tupelo, Mississippi
If you are looking for other affordable options in the Magnolia State, Tupelo doesn’t disappoint. As the birthplace of Elvis Presley, the town is steeped in musical history. Plus, the Natchez Trace Parkway, a scenic driving route in the state, is headquartered here.
- Overall cost of living index score: 78
- Population: 37,667
- Average household income: $54,691
- Owner-occupied median home value: $148,900
- Median rent: $795
17. Muskogee, Oklahoma
The city of Muskogee was originally named for the Creek Tribe. Over the decades, the town has blossomed into an affordable oasis for those seeking a lower cost of living.
- Overall cost of living index score: 71
- Population: 36,790
- Average household income: $38,218
- Owner-occupied median home value: $98,800
- Median rent: $683
18. Jackson, Mississippi
An affordable cost of living isn’t the only thing that Jackson, Mississippi, offers residents. Additionally, you’ll find ample opportunities to explore Civil War history and the roots of blues music. The city also hosts the USA International Ballet Competition every 4 years, which offers some extra spice for this robust city full of interesting activities.
- Overall cost of living index score: 80.5
- Population: 149,761
- Average household income: $40,064
- Owner-occupied median home value: $91,400
- Median rent: $856
19. Topeka, Kansas
As the state capital of Kansas, Topeka offers a wide range of useful services to residents. Beyond the relatively low cost of living, residents can explore the Mulvane Art Museum and Gage Park, which includes 160 acres of activities, including a zoo and carousel.
- Overall cost of living index score: 81.7
- Population: 125,963
- Average household income: $49,647
- Owner-occupied median home value: $105,700
- Median rent: $815
20. Richmond, Indiana
Richmond, or the Rose City, has been named an All America City twice, in 1987 and 2009. With four colleges and seminaries, there are many educational opportunities in this historic town. If you become a resident, expect cold winters and ample springtime weather.
- Overall cost of living index score: 67.6
- Population: 35,817
- Average household income: $40,871
- Owner-occupied median home value: $86,300
- Median rent: $704
21. Salina, Kansas
When driving across the Sunflower State, you’ll find Salina nestled in the middle. Although primarily built around the surrounding grain industry, Saline has served as an important stopping point for Americans heading west for centuries. The town is centered around family living. Most families will find plenty of activities to enjoy together.
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Big coastal cities, such as New York and San Francisco, are known for having notoriously high rent prices and an expensive cost of living. But in their smaller Midwestern counterparts, like Indianapolis, Indiana or Toledo, Ohio, life proves much, much cheaper.
And while a lower cost of living doesn't always equate to a higher quality of life, it can make a difference for those looking to stretch their paycheck.
Niche, a company that researches and compiles information on places to live, released its list of the US cities with the lowest cost of living in 2022.
The ranking focused primarily on the ratio of home values to income, median property taxes, median home values, median rent, and ratios of monthly housing cost to income for each place. It also took into account the price of gas, the price of groceries, and the ratio of the median rent to income into consideration. You can read a full breakdown of the methodology here.
Many of the top 25 cities fell within the Midwest and the South, with a city in Indiana earning the top spot.
Emmie Martin contributed to an earlier version of this article.
25. Jackson, Mississippi
Population: 163,778
Median rent: $856
Median home value: $91,400
Percentage of people who rent their home: 51%
Percentage of people who own their home: 49%
24. Odessa, Texas
Odessa, Texas.DenisTangneyJr/Getty ImagesPopulation: 122,630
Median rent: $1,104
Median home value: $159,700
Percentage of people who rent their home: 39%
Percentage of people who own their home: 61%
23. Lansing, Michigan
Lansing, Michigan downtown buildings.Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty ImagesPopulation: 117,488
Median rent: $847
Median home value: $87,700
Percentage of people who rent their home: 48%
Percentage of people who own their home: 52%
22. Kansas City, Kansas
Kansas City, KansasGetty ImagesPopulation: 153,014
Median rent: $882
Median home value: $101,300
Percentage of people who rent their home: 43%
Percentage of people who own their home: 57%
21. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.Andrea Evangelo-Giamou / EyeEmPopulation: 301,286
Median rent: $984
Median home value: $134,800
Percentage of people who rent their home: 53%
Percentage of people who own their home: 47%
20. Birmingham, Alabama
Population: 210,928
Median rent: $870
Median home value: $97,500
Percentage of people who rent their home: 54%
Percentage of people who own their home: 46%
19. McAllen, Texas
McAllen, Texas.Denis Tangney Jr/Getty ImagesPopulation: 142,557
Median rent: $829
Median home value: $131,500
Percentage of people who rent their home: 41%
Percentage of people who own their home: 59%
18. Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Cedar Rapids, Iowa.DenisTangneyJr/iStock/Getty ImagesPopulation: 133,125
Median rent: $791
Median home value: $144,500
Percentage of people who rent their home: 30%
Percentage of people who own their home: 70%
17. Wichita, Kansas
Wichita, Kansas.Getty ImagesPopulation: 390,566
Median rent: $821
Median home value: $138,100
Percentage of people who rent their home: 42%
Percentage of people who own their home: 58%
16. Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery, Alabama.Sean Pavone/ShutterstockPopulation: 199,054
Median rent: $905
Median home value: $121,100
Percentage of people who rent their home: 46%
Percentage of people who own their home: 54%
15. Abilene, Texas
Abilene, Texas.Grace MuseumPopulation: 124,691
Median rent: $918
Median home value: $131,300
Percentage of people who rent their home: 46%
Percentage of people who own their home: 54%
14. Amarillo, Texas
Amarillo, Texas.Gimas/ShutterstockPopulation: 199,225
Median rent: $876
Median home value: $138,900
Percentage of people who rent their home: 41%
Percentage of people who own their home: 59%
13. Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio.Yuanshuai Si/Getty ImagesPopulation: 383,331
Median rent: $735
Median home value: $73,400
Percentage of people who rent their home: 58%
Percentage of people who own their home: 42%
12. Topeka, Kansas
Topeka, Kansas.Henryk Sadura/shutterstockPopulation: 125,819
Median rent: $815
Median home value: $105,700
Percentage of people who rent their home: 41%
Percentage of people who own their home: 59%
11. Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie, Pennsylvania.Getty ImagesPopulation: 96,616
Median rent: $725
Median home value: $90,500
Percentage of people who rent their home: 48%
Percentage of people who own their home: 52%
10. Akron, Ohio
Akron, Ohio.ShutterstockPopulation: 197,375
Median rent: $795
Median home value: $83,500
Percentage of people who rent their home: 50%
Percentage of people who own their home: 50%
9. Beaumont, Texas
Texas road sign.Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesPopulation: 117,321
Median rent: $868
Median home value: $123,700
Percentage of people who rent their home: 45%
Percentage of people who own their home: 55%
8. Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New YorkWalter Bibikow/Getty ImagesPopulation: 255,805
Median rent: $801
Median home value: $101,000
Percentage of people who rent their home: 58%
Percentage of people who own their home: 42%
7. Evansville, Indiana
Evansville, Indiana.Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty ImagesPopulation: 118,414
Median rent: $797
Median home value: $98,600
Percentage of people who rent their home: 45%
Percentage of people who own their home: 55%
6. Toledo, Ohio
Toledo, Ohio.Michael Shake/ShutterstockPopulation: 275,116
Median rent: $737
Median home value: $83,600
Percentage of people who rent their home: 49%
Percentage of people who own their home: 51%
5. Dayton, Ohio
Dayton, Ohio.David Harmantas/ShutterstockPopulation: 140,444
Median rent: $724
Median home value: $69,400
Percentage of people who rent their home: 53%
Percentage of people who own their home: 47%
4. South Bend, Indiana
South Bend, Indiana.Chuck W Walker/ShutterstockPopulation: 102,686
Median rent: $814
Median home value: $88,600
Percentage of people who rent their home: 42%
Percentage of people who own their home: 58%
3. Brownsville, Texas
Brownsville, Texas.ShutterstockPopulation: 182,230
Median rent: $754
Median home value: $92,400
Percentage of people who rent their home: 40%
Percentage of people who own their home: 60%
2. Wichita Falls, Texas
Wichita Falls, Texas.DenisTangneyJr/Getty ImagesPopulation: 104,657
Median rent: $828
Median home value: $104,800
Percentage of people who rent their home: 43%
Percentage of people who own their home: 57%
1. Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne, Indiana.Deb Perry / Getty ImagesPopulation: 268,378
Median rent: $777
Median home value: $121,600
Percentage of people who rent their home: 37%
Percentage of people who own their home: 63%
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- 31 US cities where it's cheaper to buy a house than to rent a place
Erin McDowell
Reporter, Editorial Partnerships
Erin McDowell is a reporter on the Insider Inc. distribution team. She covers food, lifestyle, entertainment, retail, careers, and more for Insider, Business Insider, and Insider Inc.'s partners, including MSN.com and Yahoo. She graduated from Elon University in January 2019, where she studied strategic communications and digital art. She has written for V Magazine, Milk.XYZ, OUT.com, Brides Magazine, and more. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, and can be found on LinkedIn. Please send all inquiries, comments, or tips to emcdowell@businessinsider.com.
Read more Read lessErin Snodgrass
Reporter
Erin Snodgrass is a reporter for Insider. Before joining Insider, Erin was an intern with InvestigateTV and Česká televize. She graduated from Loyola University New Orleans in 2020. Her work has also been published in The Olympian and on Nola.com. She can be reached by email at esnodgrass@insider.com or on Twitter as @erinsnod.
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