Covering all the expenses like rent, mortgage, utilities, daycare or school, becomes more and more challenging all across America. According to the recent moving statistics, pandemic, and near-unbearable expenses (including taxes), inspired millions of Americans to move cross country. In search of a better quality of life, lower taxes, and costs of life, many people started to wonder what state is the easiest to live in financially? This question was interesting to us too, so we did detailed research which will reveal the answer and help you decide where to live.
6 States With the Lowest Cost of Living
Life in the US is not always affordable. Depending on the location, the expenses can dramatically vary and affect your quality of life. For that reason, we decided to present to you the states with lowest cost of living in the US, so you could stop the hamster wheel of working and paying bills.
#1 What State Is the Cheapest to Live In? Welcome to Magnolia ST., a Place With the Lowest Expenses in America
According to the Cost of living index report provided by The Council for Community and Economic Research, Mississippi is a spot with the lowest cost of life all across America, by far. The data says it all.
Expenses Are 11% Lower than the National Average
If you choose to relocate to Jackson, the capital of MS, you’ll find considerably low expenses. Groceries, transport, utilities, daycare – everything is cheaper in Mississippi. This will help you not only improve the quality of life but deal with moving stress much easier since there will be fewer bills on your plate to worry about.
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What State Has the Lowest Home Prices? Mississippi Is the Correct Answer Again
The possibility of buying a home is, undeniably, the most important factor to help you decide whether to relocate somewhere else. The average housing price in MS is $144,000, which is way under the national avg. ($ 303.200), and depending on the city, it could go even lower. Even if you choose to relocate to Jackson, the housing will be 25% more affordable than the median price in the United States.
Let’s See How Much Does It Cost to Rent Property in the Capital City, Jackson Combined With Bills
Depending on the location and apartment size, the prices are lower from 10-50% in Jackon compared to the national avg. Here is the accurate comparison based on the data from the Numbeo website.
| Expenses and Salary | National Average | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment in the city center | $1,340 | $1,010 |
| 1-bedroom apartment outside of the center | $1,090 | $835 |
| 3-bedroom apartment in the city center | $2,180 | $1,185 |
| 3-bedroom apartment Out of center | $1,770 | $1,130 |
| Childcare | $936 | $775 |
| Utilities | $170 | $265 |
| Public Transportation (Monthly Pass) | $65 | $50 |
| Salary (After-tax) | 3,575 | $2,442 |
Another thing that is good to know when relocating to MS – Retirement income is tax-free in MS, including security benefits, which makes it one of the best places in America to spend retirement.
#2 With the Living Index of 87.1, Kansas Is the Second Least Expensive Place in the US
There are more factors that could positively influence the quality of life, like short commute times or less pollution. And this is exactly what Kansas has to offer! Still, the thing you will love most when it comes to the Sunflower ST. are bills that are very close to the national avg., and considerably affordable housing prices.
Typical Property Price in Kansas Is 40% Lower Than in the Whole US
Moving to a new state is only worth it if you’re going to improve your life overall. Lower bills are, for certain, the most important part of the story because nobody wants dollars to flee out of their pockets. And the same can be said when it comes to housing options.
The typical house price in Kansas is $180,914, and for around that price, you can get a 4-bedroom house with three bathrooms. If you move to the suburbs, the prices can go even lower, so there is another idea to consider! Especially if you’re moving with kids. All in all, here is how much money you should set aside to cover all other expenses.
| Expenses and Salary | National Average | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment in the city center | $1,340 | $1,200 |
| 1-bedroom apartment outside of the center | $1,090 | $800 |
| 3-bedroom apartment in the city center | $2,180 | $1,645 |
| 3-bedroom apartment Out of center | $1,770 | $1,200 |
| Childcare | $936 | $940 |
| Utilities | $170 | $170 |
| Public Transportation (Monthly Pass) | $65 | $50 |
| Salary (After-tax) | 3,575 | $4,010 |
#3 Sweet Home Alabama Will Look Even Sweeter When You Learn How Low Are Expenses
The Yellowhammer States’ gorgeous nature will be enough reason to move there, if not followed by the fact it is one of the most affordable places to relocate all across the United States. With a living index of 88.8, organizing the whole process of long-distance moving to Alabama is definitely worth every effort.
House Hunting Will Be a True Pleasure With These Prices
Analyzing the real estate market before starting the search for a perfect residence is one of the best house hunting tips to follow, and one of the most common moving mistakes to avoid. This time, we shared a secret with you!
The median price of a 3-bedroom house with two bathrooms in Alabama is $175,500, which is 42% lower than the national avg. Of course, the prices vary depending on the micro-location, size of the property, and amenities. But, still, knowing the situation on the market is essential when planning a move to another city.
Apartment Rental Prices Are Considerably Lower than National Average
In case you are moving out for the first time, maybe the property rental will be a better solution. So, here is how the rental prices range, as well as expenses on a monthly basis if you choose to rent your home in Birmingham (the largest metropolitan area in Alabama).
Bonus tip: Don’t forget to check what you need to rent an apartment and prepare documentation accordingly.
| Expenses and Salary | National Average | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment in the city center | $1,340 | $880 |
| 1-bedroom apartment outside of the center | $1,090 | $805 |
| 3-bedroom apartment in the city center | $2,180 | $1,385 |
| 3-bedroom apartment Out of center | $1,770 | $1,205 |
| Childcare | $936 | $780 |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 |
| Public Transportation (Monthly Pass) | $65 | $75 |
| Salary (After-tax) | 3,575 | $2,840 |
#4: Welcome to Arkansas, One of the States With the Lowest Cost of Living
The marvelous landscape encompassing mountains, lakes, valleys, and streams will be even more appealing once you acknowledge how financially friendly Arkansas is. For all those who look for an opportunity to move to a new home surrounded by gorgeous nature but still very affordable, Arkansas is definitely the perfect choice. Let’s see what the numbers say!
Houses in Arkansas Are Almost 50% Cheaper Than the National Average
According to the Zillow report, the median housing price in AR is $153,000, which is even half of the worth of properties on the national scale. This amount of money should be enough to get a 3-bedroom house with two bathrooms, and if you choose to move to a smaller home, the price will go down.
Little Rock Literally Rocks With the Low Prices
With a living index of 89.1, AR still makes it in the top five most affordable American states. When moving cross country to Arkansas, check out a detailed comparison of prices based on the national avg. vs the capital of AR.
| Expenses and Salary | National Average | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment in the city center | $1,340 | $800 |
| 1-bedroom apartment outside of the center | $1,090 | $700 |
| 3-bedroom apartment in the city center | $2,180 | $1,380 |
| 3-bedroom apartment Out of center | $1,770 | $1,100 |
| Childcare | $936 | $530 |
| Utilities | $170 | $165 |
| Public Transportation (Monthly Pass) | $65 | $35 |
| Salary (After-tax) | 3,575 | $3,325 |
#5: A Home of the King of Rock and Roll Can Be Yours Too – Welcome to Tennessee
With a living index of 89.6, TN is one of the top ten places where your budget won’t suffer from enormous expenses. High quality of life will be even greater since Tennessee’s capital is known as Music City. After all, TN is a place where Elvis Presley was born, and that’s why music here has special meaning. So, let’s see how much you should set aside so your life can become a song!
Elvis Rockin’
The World’s Tallest Treehouse Is Built In Tennessee, But You Won’t Have to Live in Tree, Since Housing Options Are Broad and Affordable
Compared to other cities we mentioned here, the median price of the property is higher. To buy a new house (which is on the ground, not on a tree) you’ll need around $241,000. For this amount of money, it is most likely you’ll get a two, or three-bedroom house in Memphis or Nashville.
The reason for slightly higher real estate prices is the growing economy since TN is currently ranked 13th in the US by economic performance. Here are how the expenses look in the most affordable metropolis in TN.
| Expenses and Salary | National Average | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment in the city center | $1,340 | $1,085 |
| 1-bedroom apartment outside of the center | $1,090 | $900 |
| 3-bedroom apartment in the city center | $2,180 | $1,750 |
| 3-bedroom apartment out of center | $1,770 | $1,420 |
| Childcare | $936 | $670 |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 |
| Public Transportation (Monthly Pass) | $65 | $50 |
| Salary (After-tax) | 3,575 | $3,060 |
Good to know: When you are wondering what is the cheapest and safest state to live in? It is usually misinterpreted that affordable places are unsafe. To break this common belief, try using some tools to help you check how safe is your neighborhood. This is the best way to check if everything is up to your expectations.
#6: Missouri Is Mother of the West Ready to Welcome Everybody
Another budget-friendly place at the banks of the Mississippi river! Welcome to Missouri, and to the midwest. This place could easily become your new home since all the expenses are easy to bear.
Owning House In Missouri Is a Realistic Option
Less than $200,000 will be enough to get the keys to your very own three-bedroom residence. If you’ve got a job in a new city, and are ready for this next big step, then the very next task should be finding perfect real estate and scheduling a relocation day with long-distance movers.
In case you think you’ll need some time to adjust to a new country after moving or need more time to pick the property, renting an apartment will be the perfect solution. Here are the prices that could help you set a budget and the cost related to utilities valid both for a house or a flat in the most prosperous city of Missouri – St. Louis.
| Expenses and Salary | National Average | Saint Louis |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment in the city center | $1,340 | $1,060 |
| 1-bedroom apartment outside of the center | $1,090 | $715 |
| 3-bedroom apartment in the city center | $2,180 | $1850 |
| 3-bedroom apartment out of center | $1,770 | $1,330 |
| Childcare | $936 | $995 |
| Utilities | $170 | $185 |
| Public Transportation (Monthly Pass) | $65 | $80 |
| Salary (After-tax) | 3,575 | $4,340 |
No Matter What Destination You Choose Ease the Relocation Process
Are you starting to feel anxious about moving out? This is absolutely something to be expected. Faced with all the facts and data that will help you with the choice that will impact your life can not pass without stress. The solution to reducing stress is to hire reliable cross-country movers who will help you move as efficiently as possible.
This will provide you with enough time to handle some essential tasks, like buying or selling a residence. So, don’t hesitate to contact a cross-country moving company and ask for a quote. Don’t forget that combining a few different cross-country moving services implies better conditions like more affordable quotes for auto-shipping or free usage of the storage facility. So, once you find a reliable long-distance moving company, don’t skip going through all details regarding their long-distance moving services, and book everything you find helpful and necessary to organize the move.
