The 25 Cheapest Places to Live: U.S. Cities Edition

25. Decatur/Hartselle, Alabama

• Cost of living: 13.8% below U.S. average 
• Metro population: 157,425 
• Median household income: $60,663 (U.S.: $74,580)
• Median home value: $187,700 (U.S.: $342,685)
• Unemployment rate: 1.9% (U.S.: 3.7%)

Decatur and Hartselle are two northern Alabama cities with an abundance of outdoor activities, cultural diversions and low costs of living. Decatur's economy benefits from being one of the busiest ports on the Tennessee River, and from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in nearby Huntsville. Tourism is another driver of the local economy, thanks to the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, the Carnegie Visual Arts Center and festivals such as the Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic.

Nearby Hartselle, about 10 miles south, shares the charms of its neighbor to the north. Residents can cool off in the summer at the city's sprawling aquatic center, which includes a water slide and diving platform. And Southern history buffs will want to stroll through the Hartselle Downtown Commercial Historic District, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Residents can enjoy all this and more without breaking the bank. Decatur's housing-related costs, including mortgages and rents, are about 30% cheaper than the national average. Prices on a wide range of goods and services, from pizza to haircuts to dry cleaning, are less expensive too.

24. Charleston, West Virginia

• Cost of living: 13.9% below U.S. average
• Metro population: 250,554 
• Median household income: $53,157 
• Median home value: $128,400 
• Unemployment rate: 3.8% 

Charleston is located at the junction of the Elk and Kanawha rivers and is West Virginia’s capital city. The West Virginia Capitol Complex is a trip back in time. Clustered here are several landmarks to be toured, including the Capitol building, whose gold-leaf dome is taller than the U.S. Capitol’s. This city’s small scale and well-defined districts and neighborhoods make it easy to walk or bike around.

Charleston makes it easy to get out into nature. Head to Kanawha State Forest or Coonskin Park for hiking and biking (the forest even has a pool). In the middle of the river and connected to land, you’ll find Magic Island, a park that offers beach volleyball and other fun. And within an hour’s drive, you have access to mountain biking, skiing and canoeing.

There is no shortage of fine arts in Charleston. You can be a culture vulture at a discount. This city is home to the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Charleston Light Opera Guild and the The Charleston Ballet, which offers classes in addition to performances. Tickets to the ballet are $35 and that is considerably cheaper than the price of admission to see the American Ballet Theater at the Kennedy Center where the cheapest ticket is $121.

Getting ready for a night out in Charleston is a bit more expensive than most places. A trip to the beauty salon will typically cost you $46.67 and that is 3% more than the average. Going to the barber will cost a bit less on average and is 9% less than the average price of $24.42. 

West Virginia took second place on Kiplinger’s 13 States With the Lowest Property Taxes. Median real estate taxes paid were just over $750 and homeowners age 65 and older may qualify for a homestead exemption of up to $20,000.   

23. Rockford, Illinois

• Cost of living: 13.9% below U.S. average
• Metro population: 335,342 
• Median household income: $65,805 
• Median home value: $167,800 
• Unemployment rate: 6.1% 

Nicknamed the Forest City, Rockford is the largest city in Illinois outside of the Chicago metropolitan area. It's located in Winnebago county and is home to the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County, which include 11,500 acres of woods, wetlands, rivers, prairies, ponds and 100 miles of hiking trails.

Museum enthusiasts and fledgling paleontologists can visit the Burpee Museum of Natural History to see Jane, the most complete juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton in the world.

The museum hosts an annual PaleoFest. It has become the premier paleontology event that brings the general public together to mingle and listen to talks by world renowned paleontologists from across the globe.

Retirement in Rockford has some perks. Illinois exempts all retirement income. But there is an estate tax in Illinois, which has a $4 million exemption. Estates exceeding that value are taxed between 0.8% and 16%.

Illinois also has high property taxes when compared with the rest of the country, but at least there is no personal property tax. The higher property taxes might not hit as hard in Rockford because housing costs are 36% less than average. A home typically costs around $289,333 and that is significantly less than the average of $489,847.

22. Knoxville, Tennessee

• Cost of living: 14% below U.S. average
• Metro population: 906,674 
• Median household income: $67,801 
• Median home value: $281,900 
• Unemployment rate: 3.3%  

Thrifty types should volunteer to check out Knoxville and its greater metro area, one of two Tennessee cities to make the list for inexpensive living. The city is notable for its across-the-board affordability for everything from food to transportation, according to the Cost of Living Index.

The biggest savings, as per usual, come from the city's especially low housing costs, which run more than a quarter below the U.S. average. Indeed, the mean price of a Knoxville home is $106,000 lower than the national average. Apartment rents are about a third less expensive.

Tennessee comes in as the second most tax-friendly state to live out your retirement. It also has no estate and inheritance taxes. The Volunteer State also earned a spot on Kiplinger's list of States With the Lowest Property Taxes. 

Consider Knoxville, the original state capital before Nashville, a good mix of city and country living. It is home to the University of Tennessee and the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, but Knoxville is also the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains. The Tennessee River runs through downtown.

Major employers include the U.S. Department of Energy, Alcoa (AA) and Covenant Health.

The city was a strategic objective in the Civil War, so history buffs can visit a number of battlefields nearby, too.

21. Amarillo, Texas

• Cost of living: 14.1% below U.S. average
• Metro population: 271,480 
• Median household income: $65,090 
• Median home value: $200,100  
• Unemployment rate: 2.9% 

Amarilloans are known for their love of high school football, hot sauce and thick steaks. They also enjoy savings on a wide range of goods and services. Need to get your eyes checked? An appointment with an optometrist is 38% less expensive in the city known as "The Yellow Rose of Texas." Dry cleaning bills are about a third cheaper than the national average. And you'll save about 16% getting your washer repaired after it inevitably breaks down.

But the biggest way folks in this part of the Texas Panhandle save money is by what they shell out for housing.

Metro-area residents spend 36% less on housing-related costs vs the national average. The average house price of $290,338 is $199,500 below the national average. Apartment rents are 20% cheaper than what the typical American pays every month.

It's also encouraging that Amarillo's economy has bounced back well since the short-but-sharp recession of 2020. For example, the metro area's unemployment rate of 2.9% stands below the national rate of 3.7%. Major employers include Tyson Foods (TSN), CNS Pantex and BSA Health System.

However, despite having no state income tax, Texas's tax picture for middle-class families is fairly mixed 

20. Waterloo/Cedar Falls, Iowa

• Cost of living: 14.1% below U.S. average
• Metro population: 167,889 
• Median household income: $65,061 
• Median home value: $185,600  
• Unemployment rate: 3.2%

The Waterloo/Cedar Falls, Iowa, metro area is a manufacturing and agricultural center. And while entertainment and nightlife options might be minimal, outdoor and cultural activities abound.

Sportier types can take advantage of the many waterfront parks and a 67-mile bike trail running to Cedar Rapids. For a lazier afternoon, residents can enjoy the 40-acre Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens. The area also hosts two noted science museums and the highly regarded Waterloo Center for the Arts.

As for higher education, Cedar Falls is home to the University of Northern Iowa, which is where NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner played during his college days.

Major employers include agricultural machinery manufacturer Deere (DE) and Tyson Foods (TSN), which helps keep the unemployment rate under wraps.

All in all, it's a Midwestern setting with typically affordable Midwestern prices. The metro area's cost of living is 14% below the national average, led by a 23% savings on housing costs.

Be forewarned, however, that Iowa is one of the least tax-friendly states for middle-class families 

19. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

• Cost of living: 14.2% below U.S. average
• Metro population: 1,459,380 
• Median household income: $66,301 
• Median home value: $224,400 
• Unemployment rate: 3.2%

The largest city in Oklahoma offers remarkably affordable prices for its size. The biggest reason: Housing costs run 33% below the national average, according to the Cost of Living Index, which takes into account both home prices and apartment rents. 

Drilling down into those categories, home prices in Oklahoma City average $337,190 vs a national average of $489,847. Renters also do quite well on a relative basis. Average apartment rent comes to $894 a month compared with a U.S. average of $1,518.

Utilities, groceries and transportation also cost appreciably less in Oklahoma City. Healthcare, however, is slightly pricier than what the typical American pays. 

And, yet, as a metro area with 1.45 million people, Oklahoma City offers a lot of big-city attractions, from a philharmonic orchestra to the National Softball Hall of Fame and Museum. At the professional sports level, the Oklahoma City Thunder represents the metro area in the NBA. 

Meanwhile, a well-rounded metro-area economy helps folks find jobs in a wide range of industries. Major employers include the U.S.A.F.'s Tinker Air Force Base, the University of Oklahoma and Amazon.com (AMZN). 

Be forewarned, however, that Oklahoma is not tax-friendly for middle-class families and presents a mixed tax picture for retirees. 

18. Anniston, Alabama

• Cost of living: 14.2% below U.S. average
• Metro population: 115,788 
• Median household income: $52,819 
• Median home value: $148,100 
• Unemployment rate: 2.6% 

About an hour's drive east from Birmingham sits the Anniston metro area. The city's proximity to the Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge makes it a good jumping-off point for hikers, mountain bikers and other outdoorsy types. The city also has its quirks. It's home to the world's largest office chair — a 33-foot-tall seat that was once recognized by Guinness World Records.

Major employers include the Anniston Army Depot and Alabama Regional Medical Center.

Anniston's low cost of living puts it among the 20 cheapest places to live, but it comes alongside a median income that's a third lower than the national median. That said, household incomes and home values are higher in other parts of Calhoun County, of which Anniston is the county seat.

Either way, overall housing costs in the Anniston area are 40% lower than what the average American pays. Utilities, however, are relatively pricey, running 29% above the national average.

Alabama also happens to be a fairly tax-friendly state. 

Although the income picture could be brighter, Anniston has its charms, including Victorian homes and historic churches among other architectural gems

17. Winston-Salem, North Carolina

• Cost of living: 14.3% below U.S. average
• Metro population: 688,471 
• Median household income: $61,556 
• Median home value: $231,200 
• Unemployment rate: 3.5% 

The Winston-Salem metro area — and its enclave of Thomasville-Lexington, in particular — packs tons of Southern hospitality at a price everyone from singles to families to retirees will like.

Not only do living costs run over 14% below the national average, but the Tar Heel State doesn't tax Social Security benefits. Winston-Salem doesn't lack things to do, either: Six colleges, 75 recreational parks and 33 wineries call the region home, and Winston-Salem's theater and visual arts heritage earned it the nickname "The City of the Arts." It also boasts a huge healthcare sector, so doctors and specialists are not hard to find.

Meanwhile, the median home value is about two-thirds that of the U.S. level. Indeed, in Thomasville-Lexington, overall housing costs are 36% lower than what the typical American pays. Transportation, meanwhile, is almost 30% less expensive.

Indeed, being among the cheapest U.S. cities to live in means residents of Thomasville-Lexington will find deals on all manner of other goods and services. Sugar is about 20% less expensive, cooking oil costs 17% less and you'll save a big bundle having your tires balanced.

16. Great Falls, Montana

• Cost of living: 14.3% below U.S. average
• Metro population: 84,864 
• Median household income: $58,272 
• Median home value: $247,100  
• Unemployment rate: 2.9% 

Great Falls straddles the Missouri River and is known as the "Electric City" because of its numerous dams and power plants. It is often referred to as Montana’s basecamp as the city is centrally located and home to an international airport. Nestled in between four mountain ranges, three rivers, two wilderness areas and one wildlife refuge, adventure is easily accessible in every direction. 

Outdoor enthusiasts will find that there is a world to explore just outside their front door. Hiking, skiing, mountain biking and kayaking adventures are just minutes away. Glacier National Park and  Yellowstone National Park  are just a few hours’ drive and make excellent weekend getaways.

The tax picture for Montana is mixed. The state recently repealed the partial exemption on qualified retirement income. Instead, in 2024, taxpayers 65 and older can subtract $5,500 of taxable income. Montana doesn’t have death taxes, and legislation passed last year provides long-term property tax relief to homeowners in the state. 

Income tax rates in Montana aren’t as high as in some states, but they aren’t the lowest in the country, either. That might help to offset the lower-than-average household income in Great Falls: income is $58,272, or 22% lower than the national average of $74,580. 

Great Falls is home to the C.M. Russell Museum, the artist known for images of the American West. The Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art shows contemporary work in a landmark Romanesque Revival building. On the Missouri River, the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center has exhibits on the explorers’ route through the adjacent Giant Springs State Park. And downtown Great Falls throws a hootenanny after the annual Independence Day parade. 

The annual Little Shell Veteran’s and Elder’s Pow Wow draws members from all over the state and parts of Canada to the event. The Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana is a federally-recognized tribe of Ojibwe people in Montana. 

15. Morristown, Tennessee

• Cost of living: 14.5% below U.S. average
• Metro population: 146,172 
• Median household income: $59,099 
• Median home value: $203,500 
• Unemployment rate: 3.7%

Morristown is a city in and the county seat of Hamblen County and is centrally located between eight counties. This location allows Morristown to be the regional hub for employment, shopping, recreation, healthcare and educational opportunities in the area. The city lies within the Ridge and Valley of the Appalachians and is considered part of a region known as the "Lakeway Area", consisting of a land area surrounding Cherokee and Douglas lakes.

The Cherokee’s 400 miles of shoreline is dotted with a variety of public access areas, county and municipal parks, commercial boat docks, Panther Creek State Park, and a state wildlife management area. And, with a temperate climate, anglers can enjoy fishing nearly every day of the year. So, grab your rod, boat, kayak or canoe and set sail for a fun day on the water at Cherokee Lake. With over 400 miles of shoreline, beautiful Cherokee Lake, a fisherman’s haven, was recently ranked No. 12 on BASSMASTERS’ list of 100 Best Bass Lakes in the United States.

Tennessee is one of the few states to earn a spot on Kiplinger’s 10 Most Tax-Friendly States for Retirees and Best States for Middle-Class Families Who Hate Paying Taxes. It may be no surprise that the cost of living in Morristown is easy on your pockets. Housing and transportation costs are well below average, coming in at 32.5% and 16.5% less than the mean. 

There is plenty of free entertainment in the summer. The Downtown Green located in Morristown’s historic district is the home of a monthly summer concert series as well as the popular Morristown Craft Beer Festival, held on the fourth Saturday in September. And if you prefer to indulge in some wine, you’ll pay 15% less for the vino. 

If you need one more reason to get outside, the city boasts four championship disc golf courses, which has made it the premier destination in Tennessee for competitors of all skill levels. If yoga is more your speed, you are in luck. Your zen comes at a heavily discounted price. Classes are a whopping 61% cheaper than average. 

14. Springfield, Missouri

• Cost of living: 15% below U.S. average
• Metro population: 484,613 
• Median household income: $57,822 
• Median home value: $223,900  
• Unemployment rate: 2.9% 

Springfield, Missouri, is in the heart of the Ozarks and is known as the birthplace of Route 66. The city has been called the "Buckle of the Bible Belt" due to its association with evangelical Christianity.

Missouri was named “Best Trails State” by American Trails. That's especially true in Springfield and the surrounding area. Whether you are biking or hiking, the Ozark Greenways in Springfield has a variety of trails packed with breathtaking scenery. The 140-mile system contains a variety of multi-use trails that comprise a network of connected streams, parks, businesses and neighborhoods.

Housing expenses in Springfield are 25% cheaper than the average and the cost of utilities will set you back 20% less than the norm. In Missouri, the average effective property rate is 0.98%, which is lower than in most other states.

Missourians pay a hefty tax on gasoline. They pay an additional 14 cents per gallon compared to the average costs. Getting your tires balanced is a bargain. It is 25% cheaper to get this fuel saving service performed in Springfield.

Springfield is home to the original and largest of the Bass Pro Shops. The almost 500,000 square feet store includes waterfalls, aquariums, a firing range and a boat showroom. Johnny Morris started Bass Pro Shops with 8 square feet of space in the back of his father’s liquor store. 

He also built the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium in Springfield. To get a sense of its scale, It is larger than the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and houses over 35,000 live animals. There you can visit Penguin Cove, which is home to a colony of Gentoo penguins. Locals get a discount on admission through the “Just for Neighbors” offer. 

13. Monroe, Louisiana

• Cost of living: 15.1% below U.S. average
• Metro population: 202,869 
• Median household income: $44,507 
• Median home value: $166,000  
• Unemployment rate: 3.7%

Monroe is situated along Louisiana’s Ouachita River in the northeast of the state. The climate is subtropical and average summer temperatures reach up to the high 90s and humidity levels often reach over 80%. Residents of Monroe pay 20% less for utilities and that will help offset the cost of using their air conditioners and fans. Winters tend to be mild.

The generally warmer temperatures make outdoor activities a must. You can kayak in Lake D'arbonne State Park or take hikes on the grounds of the gorgeous Biedenharn Museum & Gardens. There you can enjoy a walled English garden and a Coke museum. That might seem like an odd combination but the house was built by Joseph A. Biedenharn, the first bottler of Coca-Cola.

Home ownership is more attainable in Monroe than most places. Housing costs are  substantially less here than most places. That’s one of the reasons this city is 13th on this list of cheapest cities. Your domicile will run you only 75% of the average costs in other cities. 

Louisiana imposes low taxes in many areas. For example, there are no death taxes, and homeowners pay some of the lowest property taxes nationwide. The average effective property tax rate is 0.56%, which is currently one of the lowest property tax rates in the U.S. 

12. Benton Harbor, Michigan

• Cost of living: 15.2% below U.S. average
• Metro population: 152,900    
• Median household income: $61,333
• Median home value: $193,100 
• Unemployment rate: 4.0%

Benton Harbor calls itself “The Port of Opportunities” and is located inland from Lake Michigan and near the PawPaw River. Benton Harbor was mainly wetlands bordered by the Paw Paw River, through which a canal was built, hence the "harbor" in the city's name. 

Euchre is a staple of Michigan card tables and family events and it’s easy to find euchre tournaments at the breweries across Benton Harbor. If you decide to grab a brew and some pizza while playing, you’ll pay 15% less for your beer and 26% less for your slice than your counterparts around the country.

The unemployment rate of 4% is higher than the national average or 3.7%. Whirlpool corporation, the world's largest manufacturer of major home appliances, has its corporate headquarters in nearby Benton Charter Township. 

Benton Harbor co-hosts the annual Blossomtime Festival with St. Joseph. The Blossomtime Festival is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the general public as to the value and contribution of agriculture to Southwest Michigan. The event draws 250,000 spectators and includes about 125 units of floral & animated floats.

11. Kokomo, Indiana

• Cost of living: 15.2% below U.S. average
• Metro population: 83,574 
• Median household income: $55,297 
• Median home value:  $158,300  
• Unemployment rate: 4.5% 

Kokomo was founded  in 1844 as the county seat for what is now Howard County. It was originally home to the Miami Indians that lived along the waterways and the valley of the Wabash River in north central Indiana.

I’m guessing droughts in Kokomo are a rare occurrence. This patch of Indiana gets 42 inches of rain and 30 inches of snow per year, on average. The US average is lower at 38 inches of rain and 28 inches of snow per year. 

Although the median household income is about three-quarters of the amount in the U.S., the housing costs are 40% below the national average. Indiana currently has a flat tax rate of 3.15% that is applied to state adjusted gross income after modifications. Starting with the 2024 tax year, all military income will be exempt from state income tax.

Getting around the city of Kokomo is easy and can be free. The city offers residents and visitors free public transportation through City Line Trolley providing coverage to most of the education, retail and medical areas and services with over 250 specific stops. The KokoGo Bike Share facility offers a free bike share program during the spring, summer and fall months. Overall transportation costs are about 10% below the national average.  

10. Augusta-Aiken, Georgia/South Carolina

• Cost of living: 15.4% below U.S. average
• Metro population: 622,829 
• Median household income: $64,581 
• Median home value: $217,500  
• Unemployment rate: 3.9% 

While most sports enthusiasts associate Augusta with the storied Masters Tournament, there's much more to this city than golf. The metro area, which includes Aiken, South Carolina, is a major center for cybersecurity companies thanks to the presence of the U.S. Army Cyber Command at nearby Fort Gordon.

Augusta is also a regional hub for medicine and biotechnology, supported by Augusta University  the state's only public health sciences graduate university — and the allied Medical District of Augusta.

Happily for locals, the area remains among the country's cheapest cities to live in despite the presence of so many well-paid occupations. Augusta-Aiken's cost of living runs 15.4% below the U.S. average, helped by housing costs that are 30% less than what the typical American pays. Folks pay about 16% less than the national average for utilities and healthcare, and get a nearly 11.5% break on transportation.

And older citizens catch yet another break: Georgia happens to be one of the more tax-friendly states for retirees.

As much as the Masters dominates outsiders' imagination about this city, which sits a two-and-a-half-hour drive from downtown Atlanta, it has much more going on than golf. Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, minutes from downtown Augusta, offers 14 miles of hiking trails. Aiken is home to the University of South Carolina Aiken and the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum.

9. Jonesboro, Arkansas

• Cost of living: 15.7% below U.S. average
• Metro population: 135,512 
• Median household income: $59,582 
• Median home value: $193,100 
• Unemployment rate: 2.5%  

The Jonesboro Metro area consists of two counties, Craighead and Poinsett, and is anchored by the city of Jonesboro. It’s located in northeast Arkansas and a short 50 mile drive to Memphis, Tennessee. Jonesboro has a small town vibe with facets of a college town as it is home to Arkansas State University. 

Arkansas State University is host to the ASU museum that strives to serve the community at large. On Saturdays, the museum’s Tinkering Studio teaches children how circuits work, how to use math to create art and how to create their own animations.

Birding is a popular pastime in Arkansas. Inside the 692 acre Craighead Forest Park is the Craighead Forest Trails Loop. This trail is about 7.4 mi long and is a popular destination for ornithologists and twitchers. Or enjoy year-round fishing for bream, catfish, crappie and bass at Lake Frierson State Park, a short 10 miles north of downtown Jonesboro.

There are plenty of local corporate employers in Jonesboro including Frito-Lay, Unilever, and General Mills — so you can get a good job and enjoy an affordable lifestyle all in one place.

Owning a home is more attainable here than in most places. Arkansas's property taxes are among the lowest in the nation. Housing costs are 36% cheaper than the national average and utilities are 10% less. The average commute is 20 minutes and gassing up your car to get to work costs only 89% of the national average. 

8. Lawton, Oklahoma

• Cost of living: 16% below U.S. average
• City population: 128,081 
• Median household income: $55,148 
• Median home value: $143,000
• Unemployment rate: 4.2% 

Lawton is a military town located in southwest Oklahoma and only 40 miles north of the Texas border. It is home to Fort Sill and anyone who EVER shot artillery in an American war, from WW on, was trained at Fort Sill. 

The Lawton metropolitan area in Oklahoma is one of 23 U.S. metro areas where almost one in every five people live below the poverty line. The 19.3% poverty rate in Lawton is the 22nd highest of the 386 U.S. metro areas. And while health care costs are about 5% less than the national average, there are only 180 physicians per 100,000 population in the Lawton Metro Area. The average in the U.S. is 210 per 100,000 people.

Housing costs are 39% below the national average, with the average price of a home $302,250. Oklahoma homeowners pay some of the lowest property tax bills in the country, with a median tax bill of $1,351 and an average effective property tax rate of 0.9%.

Preparing breakfast in your kitchen will cost less too. The price of a dozen eggs is 15% below the mean price. Margarine and bread are both 8% cheaper than the norm.

Notable employers in Lawton include Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Great Plains Technology Center and Cameron University.

Visitors can explore attractions like the Museum of the Great Plains or take a leisurely stroll through Elmer Thomas Park, where you can see prairie dogs and enjoy a Christmas light show during the holidays.  

7. Joplin, Missouri

• Cost of living: 16.2% below U.S. average
• Metro population: 184,080 
• Median household income: $54,041 
• Median home value: $171,000  
• Unemployment rate: 3.2% 

It used to be that Joplin, at least to outsiders, was probably best known as a place where Depression-era bank robbers Bonnie and Clyde hid out for a time. Today, sadly, Joplin is perhaps better known for tornadoes, such as the deadly storm that destroyed about 30% of the city in 2011.

The city and greater metro area has since recovered from the costliest single tornado in modern U.S. history, helped by its status as a regional medical center. Its two major hospitals serve a four-state area that includes Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

Meanwhile, other key employers include General Mills (GIS), Schaeffler Group (SFFLY) and Leggett & Platt (LEG).

Housing-related costs, which run about 41% below the national average, help secure Joplin's place among the top ten cheapest places to live for U.S. city dwellers. Expenses for groceries and healthcare are comparatively low, as well. Utilities are an outlier and run almost 5% above the national average. 

From a tax perspective, Missouri is pretty average, but the state did recently lower its top income tax rate to 4.95% from 5.3% for 2023. 

6. Florence, Alabama

• Cost of living: 16.9% below U.S. average
• Metro population: 153,911 
• Median household income: $56,563 
• Median home value: $178,400 
• Unemployment rate: 2.6% 

Florence and the Florence-Muscle Shoals metro area, which encompasses the birthplace of Helen Keller, sits in the northwest corner of Alabama on the Tennessee River. It's about a two-hour drive from Birmingham.

In addition to a low cost of living, Florence — and the surrounding area known by locals as The Shoals — boasts a number of attractions and a rich history of music. Florence native W.C. Handy's legacy as the "Father of the Blues" is celebrated with an annual summer festival. And it's no coincidence The Rolling Stones recorded the hit songs "Wild Horses" and "Brown Sugar" at the nearby Muscle Shoals Sound Studio.

Florence claims Alabama's only house designed by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The city also hosts the University of North Alabama.

Best of all, the city's distinctive sites and southern charm come at a reasonable price. Housing-related expenses are 36% lower than what the average American pays. Healthcare, meanwhile, costs about 15% less. While the state has one of the lowest property tax rates in the nation, it also has one of the highest sales tax rates in the U.S.

All other major expenses tracked by the Cost of Living Index likewise take a smaller bite of folks' paychecks, securing Florence's place among the 25 cheapest places to live for U.S. city dwellers.

5. Kalamazoo, Michigan

• Cost of living: 17.2% below U.S. average
• Metro population: 261,173 
• Median household income: $69,584 
• Median home value: $236,300  
• Unemployment rate: 3.8%  

Kalamazoo annually ranks among the cheapest places to live in the U.S. Sadly, low costs are very much a necessity for too many of its residents.

In the city of Kalamazoo proper (pop. 72,833), nearly 26.8% of residents live below the poverty line. At the metro level, which includes Portage, Michigan, the figure comes to 11.8%. The U.S. and Michigan state poverty rates are 12.6% and 13.4%, respectively.

Another downside? Michigan is among the least tax-friendly states for middle-class families.

On the brighter side, Western Michigan University, with its multiple campuses and research facilities, is a major driver of the local economy. Medical equipment maker Stryker (SYK) is headquartered in the city, and Pfizer (PFE), the drug company, maintains its largest manufacturing site in Kalamazoo. In late 2022, the pharma giant committed to investing $750 million into its Kalamazoo facility.

As for recreational activities, the Kalamazoo Nature Center hosts free daily activities. Nearby parks offer a combined 140 miles of trails and three swimming beaches. If you want to get away to the big city, Chicago is less than three hours by car if traffic is merciful.

4. McAllen, Texas

• Cost of living: 18.2% below U.S. average
• Metro population: 888,367 
• Median household income: $49,142 
• Median home value: $123,700  
• Unemployment rate: 5.2%

McAllen might be one of the cheapest places to live in the U.S., but it comes at a price. The poverty rate in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission metro area is 27.6%. That's more than double both the Texas rate of 13.9% and the U.S. rate of 12.6%. 

On the plus side, McAllen is famous for bird watching because of its location on a major migration route. The Quinta Mazatlan, a luxury birdhouse with more than 15 acres of birding habitat, is not to be missed. The city also features the International Museum of Art & Science, which has a specific focus on Latin American art.

And McAllen is indeed one of the cheapest places to live in the U.S. for city dwellers. Housing costs are 41.5% lower than the national average, healthcare expenses are 26% cheaper and grocery items are around 5% less than what the typical American pays. One of the few things residents pay a little extra for is utilities (+6.4%), which isn't surprising given that temperatures routinely soar into the high 90s during the summer months.

But surprisingly, Texas isn't a great place when it comes to taxes. How does a state with no income tax at all not end up on the "most tax-friendly" list? It starts by having the seventh-highest median property tax rate in the country. However, voters recently approved a new Texas property tax relief measure that might give the state a more favorable ranking in the future.

3. Conway, Arkansas

• Cost of living: 18.4% below U.S. average
• Metro population: 67,616 
• Median household income: $61,898 
• Median home value: $236,400  
• Unemployment rate: 2.8%

The city of Conway — an affordable enclave in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway metro area (pop. 757,945) – is home to a number of high-tech companies, including information technology firm Insight Enterprises (NSIT).

At the same time, a large proportion of younger residents helps keep costs in check. Known as "The City of Colleges," Conway hosts three post-secondary educational institutions: the University of Central Arkansas, Hendrix College and Central Baptist College.

Close proximity to the Arkansas River and Lake Conway makes the city ideal for fishing and water sports, and there's ample space for hunting. Yet you can drive to the state capital of Little Rock in a half-hour or so.

Not that Conway is without its own more aspirational cultural attractions. The city is home to the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre, the state's only professional Shakespeare company.

Although Conway's median home value is among the highest on the list of the 25 cheapest U.S. cities, it's still well below the U.S. median, and housing-related costs run 32% below the national average. Groceries, transportation and healthcare costs are also comparatively modest.

Arkansas also isn't terribly tax-burdensome to retirees. And there are no estate or inheritance taxes when you die.

2. Harlingen, Texas

• Cost of living: 20.4% below U.S. average
• Metro population: 425,208 
• Median household income: $50,649 
• Median home value: $133,400  
• Unemployment rate: 4.9%

Harlingen sits at the southernmost tip of Texas, with the Rio Grande to the south and the Gulf of Mexico to the east. The Brownsville-Harlingen metro area is a hardscrabble place where 22.3% of residents live below the poverty line. That's about one-and-a-half times the poverty rate for Texas as a whole. Comparatively low median household income and high unemployment are other grim aspects of the metro area's economy.

However, just about everything, from groceries to gasoline, costs less in Harlingen. Locals save about 13% on a good cut of steak compared to the national average (this is Texas, after all). The average home price in Harlingen is a striking $178,000 less than the U.S. average. The average apartment rents for $806 per month — or 45% lower than the national average of $1,440.

Texas ranks 10th on Kiplinger's Best States for Middle-Class Families Who Hate Paying Taxes. They don't have a state income tax, but do have one of the higher property tax rates. This may change after a property tax relief bill was approved by voters in 2023.

As with not-too-distant neighbor McAllen, utility bills run a bit high, or 7% above the national average.

Although agriculture remains central to Harlingen's local economy, the healthcare and telecommunications industries are rapidly gaining importance. 

Lastly, it would be negligent to forget one of the area's biggest selling points: Harlingen is only about an hour's drive to the beaches of South Padre Island.

1. Decatur, Illinois

• Cost of living: 22% below U.S. average
• Metro population: 70,396 
• Median household income: $49,714 
• Median home value: $92,200  
• Unemployment rate: 6.1%  

Decatur currently ranks as the cheapest place to live in the U.S. among cities with metro areas with at least 50,000 inhabitants.

Decatur, Illinois, and its surrounding metro area is probably best known as an agricultural and manufacturing center. Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) moved its headquarters to Chicago in 2013 but maintains operations in this central Illinois city. Caterpillar (CAT), the world's largest maker of construction and mining equipment, has facilities in the area, as well. Decatur likewise lays claim to a massive corn-processing plant owned by U.K.-based food ingredients company Tate & Lyle (TATYY).

Archer Daniels Midland's departure following a price-fixing scandal was a blow to the local economy, and Decatur struggles with elevated unemployment to this day. A cost of living that's nearly a fifth lower than the national average is partly a symptom of ADM's exit, but at least it's also something of a salve.

Housing costs are 45% lower than the national average in metro Decatur, and healthcare, utilities and transportation are much cheaper too. Those savings help make up for the fact that Illinois is among the least tax-friendly states for middle-class families.

Decatur's status as one of the cheapest places to live in the U.S. is no doubt appreciated by its significant student population, which includes Millikin University's approximately 1,875 students and the roughly 2,075 people studying at Richland Community College.