What is the cheapest most affordable state to live in?

Asked by: Mr. Luciano Funk  |  Last update: February 14, 2026
Score: 5/5 (57 votes)

The cheapest states to live in consistently rank as Mississippi, Oklahoma, Alabama, Arkansas, West Virginia, and Kansas, due to low housing costs, affordable groceries, utilities, and taxes, with Mississippi often cited as #1 overall because of extremely low housing and good retirement tax breaks. Oklahoma stands out for its low housing index, while Missouri, Iowa, and Indiana also offer significant savings on everyday expenses.

Which US state has the lowest cost of living?

Mississippi is consistently ranked as the cheapest state to live in the U.S., primarily due to extremely low housing costs (significantly below the national average), low transportation expenses, and minimal property taxes, although it has lower average incomes, notes Extra Space Storage, Money | HowStuffWorks, Forbes, and World Population Review. Other very affordable states often listed include West Virginia, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Kansas, offering low housing and general living expenses. 

Which state is the cheapest and safest to live in?

Finding the absolute cheapest and safest state involves trade-offs, but Mississippi, Kansas, and West Virginia consistently rank high for affordability (low housing, groceries), while New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont are top for safety (low crime rates), though they often have higher costs; the best balance might be found in states like Arkansas or Alabama, which offer lower costs and decent safety, with factors like specific cities and personal needs heavily influencing the ideal choice. 

Where is rent the cheapest in the US?

The cheapest rent in America is typically found in Midwestern and Southern cities, with Wichita, Kansas, Toledo, Ohio, Akron, Ohio, and El Paso, Texas consistently ranking as most affordable for one-bedroom apartments, often under $800/month, while states like Oklahoma, Arkansas, and West Virginia offer the lowest state averages, well below the national trend.
 

What state is the easiest to get housing?

West Virginia ranks highest with a Homeownership Opportunity Score of 90.3, making it the easiest state for renters to move into homeownership, while Montana scores lowest at 40.9. Hover over any state to see its score.

10 Most Cheapest States to live in America in 2026

20 related questions found

Where do I go if I have nowhere to stay?

If you have nowhere to stay, your immediate first step is to contact your local homeless hotline (often 211, 311 in NYC, or a community "CoC") for emergency shelter referrals, connecting with services like the Salvation Army, local churches, or government agencies (HUD, VA for veterans) that offer immediate beds, meals, and support for crisis intervention, with options ranging from emergency shelters to temporary housing assistance. 

What is the happiest state to live in?

Hawaii is the happiest state in America for the second year in a row. Hawaii landed the top spot on WalletHub's list with an overall score of 65.50. It ranked third for emotional and physical well-being, 16th for work environment and 13th for community and environment.

Can I afford $1200 a month rent?

You can likely afford $1200/month rent if your gross monthly income is around $4,000, following the common 30% rule, but it depends heavily on your other debts, savings goals, and location; for a more comfortable budget, use the 50/30/20 rule or ensure you have significant savings for emergencies. 

What is the #1 best place to live in the US?

There's no single "#1 best place," as it depends on your priorities (e.g., affordability, job market, safety, lifestyle), but recent studies highlight places like Johns Creek, Georgia, praised for safety and schools; Brookline, Massachusetts, for quality of life and high incomes; and Flower Mound, Texas, for affordability, health, and economy, while Fremont, CA, often tops "happiest" lists, showing diverse top contenders. 

Which town has the cheapest rent?

There isn't one single "cheapest" town, as it varies, but Wichita, Kansas, Toledo, Ohio, and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, consistently rank as having some of the lowest rents in the U.S., often with average rents well below $1,000 for a 1-bedroom. Other very affordable cities include Fort Wayne, Indiana, Akron, Ohio, El Paso, Texas, and smaller cities in the Midwest and South like Bismarck, North Dakota, and Lawton, Oklahoma, with some 1-bedroom rents potentially under $700. 

Where can I live that is warm and cheap?

Best affordable warm states with soaring home prices

  • Texas. Texas is ideal for millennials and Gen Z buyers who want affordable housing, strong job opportunities, and a good quality of life without the sky-high prices of coastal cities. ...
  • Florida. ...
  • Arizona. ...
  • Georgia. ...
  • South Carolina.

What state is #1 in crime in the USA?

Alaska often ranks #1 for violent crime rates per capita, followed closely by New Mexico, while Louisiana frequently tops lists for overall danger or homicide rates, though figures vary slightly by source and specific metrics (violent vs. property crime) for 2024/2025 data. 

Which state is very cheap?

The most economical city to live in India is Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of the serene state of Kerala. With its low cost of living, it provides an ideal setting for those looking to retire and lead a tranquil life.

What is the best state to move to if you are poor?

According to the Index, the Top 5 most affordable US states are: Mississippi, Arkansas, West Virginia, Tennessee, and South Dakota. Don't plan your move without us!

Where can a single person afford to live?

These are the U.S. cities where Americans can actually afford to live on a single person's income—and the ones out-of-budget for singletons

  • Budget-friendly options came down to these locations. ...
  • 1) Wichita, Kansas. ...
  • 2) Baton Rouge, Louisiana. ...
  • 3) Lincoln, Nebraska. ...
  • 4) Des Moines, Iowa. ...
  • 5) Akron, Ohio.

What state has the lowest taxes and cost of living?

  • South Dakota. #1 in Low Tax Burden. #8 in Best States Overall. ...
  • Florida. #2 in Low Tax Burden. #6 in Best States Overall. ...
  • New Hampshire. #3 in Low Tax Burden. ...
  • Tennessee. #4 in Low Tax Burden. ...
  • Wyoming. #5 in Low Tax Burden. ...
  • Missouri. #6 in Low Tax Burden. ...
  • Texas. #7 in Low Tax Burden. ...
  • Oklahoma. #8 in Low Tax Burden.

Where is the cheapest but nicest place to live in the US?

The cheapest, best places to live in the U.S. often blend very low housing costs with decent quality of life, with top contenders frequently including Brownsville, TX; Wichita Falls, TX; Evansville, IN; and cities in states like Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi. These areas offer significantly lower living expenses, particularly for housing, while providing cultural attractions, job markets, and access to nature, with locations like Oklahoma City, Omaha, and Kansas City also frequently appearing due to their affordability and amenities. 

What is the friendliest state in the USA?

While subjective, recent studies and surveys frequently name Minnesota the friendliest U.S. state, known for "Minnesota Nice," followed by Southern states like Tennessee, South Carolina, and Texas, with Wyoming also ranking high due to its trusting residents; however, Hawaii is also often praised for its welcoming, community-focused culture. Different studies highlight varying aspects, from general politeness to tourist experience, but Midwestern and Southern states often dominate these lists.
 

Can I afford a 300K house on a $70K salary?

You might be able to afford a $300k house on a $70k salary, but it will likely be tight and depends heavily on your low debt, good credit, a significant down payment (5-20%), current mortgage rates (around 6-7%), and manageable property taxes/insurance; lenders look for your total housing costs (PITI) to be under 28-36% of your gross income ($1,750-$2,100/month), so a low-debt borrower with a good down payment might qualify, but others may find homes in the $210k-$280k range more comfortable. 

What is the minimum the government says you can live on?

A single person needs to earn £30,500 a year to reach a minimum acceptable standard of living in 2025. A couple with 2 children needs to earn £74,000 a year between them. April 2025 saw an inflation-based increase in benefits of 1.7%, pegged to the CPI rate in September 2024.

How to survive with low income?

Here are 17 ways that can make it easier to survive on a minimum wage salary and even set aside some money for savings:

  1. Evaluate Your Overall Spending. ...
  2. Create and Stick to a Budget. ...
  3. Put Some Money Towards Savings. ...
  4. Look Into Government Benefits. ...
  5. Save on Food. ...
  6. Find Additional Ways to Increase Your Income.

What is the happiest state in Canada?

Last Updated July 11, 2025 5:40 pm. Turns out, happiness isn't just a feeling — it is also a place. And it's here in Quebec, according to Léger's latest happiness survey. In fact, Quebec doesn't just make the list, it beats out the rest of Canada, securing it's spot in first place.

What state is #1 in quality of life?

There isn't one single answer, as different studies use different metrics, but Vermont often ranks first for quality of life due to factors like air quality, healthcare access, and low crime, while Massachusetts leads in overall "Best States to Live" lists by WalletHub, excelling in education, health, and safety, and Hawaii is noted for natural environment quality. Other top contenders include Idaho, New Jersey, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, depending on the specific ranking. 

What is the safest state to live in?

The safest state to live in is consistently ranked as Vermont, followed closely by Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine, according to recent analyses by WalletHub, Visual Capitalist, and World Population Review. These rankings consider factors like personal safety (crime), financial safety, road safety, workplace safety, and emergency preparedness, with New England states dominating due to low crime and strong public institutions.