Looking for the most affordable cities in America? Start your search in Texas. The Lone Star State is home to the two cheapest places to live in the U.S. But before you pack your bags, weigh the pros and cons that come with such super-low living costs.
1. McAllen, Texas
City Population: 140,269
Cost of Living: 23.7% below U.S. average
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Median Household Income: $44,254 (U.S.: $53,889)
Median Home Value: $115,400 (U.S.: $178,600)
Average Monthly Rent: $629 (U.S.: $1,004)
Unemployment Rate: 7.8% (U.S.: 4.9%)
Highlight: Quinta Mazatlan birding center
2. Harlingen, Texas
City Population: 65,774
Cost of Living: 20.6% below U.S. average
Median Household Income: $34,466 (U.S.: $53,889)
Median Home Value: $80,600 (U.S.: $178,600)
Average Monthly Rent: $662 (U.S.: $1,004)
Unemployment Rate: 7.2% (U.S.: 4.9%)
Highlight: A short drive to South Padre Island
3. Kalamazoo, Mich.
City Population: 76,041
Cost of Living: 20.0% below U.S. average
Median Household Income: $33,009 (U.S.: $53,889)
Median Home Value: $96,600 (U.S.: $178,600)
Average Monthly Rent: $671 (U.S.: $1,004)
Unemployment Rate: 4.2% (U.S.: 4.9%)
Highlight: Western Michigan University
See the full list of the cheapest U.S. cities to live in.
-
What Happens Financially When You Work One More Year?The impact of saving more, spending less later and benefiting from an extra year or more of compounding can be truly staggering.
-
Seven Ways to Spend Your Tax RefundYou may want to splurge, but using your tax refund to save for the future or pay down debt is a much better idea — even if not as fun.
-
Rent or Buy? Which Is Best in Retirement?Making Your Money Last Renting isn't right for all retirees, but it does offer flexibility and it frees up cash.
-
Debit Cards vs Charge Cardscredit & debt Whether sticking to a budget or reaping big rewards, understand whether debit cards vs charge cards are right for you.
-
Four Smart Steps To Take Before Buying Your First Homehome Buying your first home can be daunting. Here are four things you need to do years before you start house-hunting to prepare financially for the biggest purchase of your life.
-
Five Big Steps to Buying Your First Homereal estate We told you how to prepare years ahead of your first home purchase. Now here is how to close the deal.
-
The 25 Cheapest Places to Live: U.S. Cities Editionplaces to live Have a look at the cheapest places to live in America for city dwellers. Is one of the cheapest places to live in the U.S. right for you?
-
Sharing His Path to SuccessStarting Out: New Grads and Young Professionals This Native American studied tech in the Air Force and landed his dream job. Now he’s giving back.
-
How Big Should My Emergency Fund Be?Brandon Copeland NFL linebacker and Kiplinger contributing editor Brandon Copeland discusses the importance of building an emergency fund.
-
PODCAST: How to Find a Job After Graduation, with Beth Hendler-GruntStarting Out: New Grads and Young Professionals Today’s successful job applicants need to know how to ace the virtual interview and be prepared to do good old-fashioned research and networking. Also, gas prices are high, but try a little global perspective.
