25 Most Affordable Places to Live in the United States in 2022

Inflation has put pressure on households around the world, including in the United States. As the cost of gas, groceries, housing and everyday essentials continues to rise, many Americans are looking for cities where their money goes further.

For some, that means moving south or west in search of a lower cost of living, milder weather and more space. For others, remote work has made it possible to leave expensive major markets and settle in smaller, more affordable metro areas. Affordable housing, reasonable rents, job opportunities and quality of life all play a role in deciding where to move.

Based on U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 rankings, these are 25 of the most affordable places to live in the United States, along with the key factors that make each city stand out.

25. Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Desirability: 5.7

Value: 7.7

Job Market: Not listed

Quality of Life: 5.6

Overall Score: 6.2

Data is based on U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 list.

What Makes Baton Rouge So Affordable

Baton Rouge benefits from Louisiana’s relatively tax-friendly environment and housing prices that sit below the national average. As the state capital and home to Louisiana State University, the city offers government jobs, college-town energy, dining, music and cultural events throughout the year.

Its location about an hour north of New Orleans adds to its appeal, giving residents access to one of the country’s most distinctive cultural destinations. The main trade-offs are hot, humid summers and the risks that come with hurricane season.

24. Syracuse, New York

Desirability: 5.7

Value: 7.7

Job Market: 6.5

Quality of Life: 7.1

Overall Score: 6.6

What Makes Syracuse So Affordable

Syracuse is a Central New York college town with affordable housing and a strong quality-of-life score. Located between Albany and Buffalo, it offers arts, entertainment, minor-league sports and the energy of Syracuse University.

The biggest reason costs remain low is the weather. Syracuse is known for long, snowy winters, which can discourage some people from living there year-round. For those who can handle the cold, the city offers a lot of value for the money.

23. Kansas City, Missouri

Desirability: 5.6

Value: 7.7

Job Market: 7.2

Quality of Life: 6.0

Overall Score: 6.7

What Makes Kansas City So Affordable

Kansas City offers big-city amenities at a much lower price than many larger Midwestern metros. Its metro area spans two states and includes more than 2 million people, yet median rents and housing costs remain more affordable than in many comparable markets.

The city has professional sports, barbecue, museums, music and a strong job market score. Its combination of size, affordability and culture helps explain why Kansas City continues to attract new residents.

22. St. Louis, Missouri

Desirability: 5.5

Value: 7.7

Job Market: 7.0

Quality of Life: 5.4

Overall Score: 6.3

What Makes St. Louis So Affordable

St. Louis is a large metro area with housing costs that remain below the national median. That gives residents access to major-city amenities without the housing burden found in many other urban markets.

The city has strong industry, a well-known food scene, cultural institutions and major-league sports. Safety concerns affect its quality-of-life score, but affordability and job opportunities help keep St. Louis on the list.

21. Youngstown, Ohio

Desirability: 5.1

Value: 7.8

Job Market: 5.0

Quality of Life: 6.3

Overall Score: 6.1

What Makes Youngstown So Affordable

Youngstown’s biggest advantage is its extremely low housing cost. In 2022, median housing prices were under $100,000, making it one of the most budget-friendly places to buy a home in the country.

The city sits between Pittsburgh and Cleveland, which gives residents regional access to larger job and entertainment markets. Winters can be cold, and the job market score is modest, but the low cost of living is a major draw.

20. Louisville, Kentucky

Desirability: 6.3

Value: 7.8

Job Market: 6.6

Quality of Life: 5.8

Overall Score: 6.6

What Makes Louisville So Affordable

Louisville combines affordability with a distinctive local identity. The city is known for museums, universities, bourbon culture, historic neighborhoods and horse racing. Despite these attractions, median home prices remain well below the national average.

Its winters are milder than many northern cities on this list, and the city offers enough entertainment and employment options to make it appealing for people who want urban amenities without extreme housing costs.

19. Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky

Desirability: 5.9

Value: 7.8

Job Market: 6.8

Quality of Life: 6.9

Overall Score: 6.9

What Makes Lexington-Fayette So Affordable

Lexington-Fayette is home to the University of Kentucky and offers the benefits of a college town, including sports, culture and a steady local economy. It also has a low unemployment rate and affordable rent compared with many similar metro areas.

The city is growing, which has pushed some costs upward, but it remains affordable when measured against national housing and rental averages.

18. Spartanburg, South Carolina

Desirability: 5.9

Value: 7.8

Job Market: 6.4

Quality of Life: 6.5

Overall Score: 7.0

What Makes Spartanburg So Affordable

South Carolina has become popular with retirees and people relocating from higher-cost states. Spartanburg stands out because its median home price remains far below the national average, while the region continues to grow quickly.

The city offers a lower cost of living, access to the Upstate region and proximity to Greenville. Its affordability may not last forever, making it attractive to buyers looking for value.

17. Buffalo, New York

Desirability: 6.6

Value: 7.8

Job Market: 5.9

Quality of Life: 6.8

Overall Score: 6.6

What Makes Buffalo So Affordable

Buffalo is known for harsh winters and heavy lake-effect snow, which can be a challenge for residents. However, those weather conditions help keep housing demand and prices lower than in many other New York markets.

Even with New York’s higher taxes, Buffalo remains affordable because of below-average rents, relatively low housing prices and reasonable everyday costs for groceries, gas and other essentials.

16. Greenville, South Carolina

Desirability: 6.1

Value: 7.9

Job Market: 6.7

Quality of Life: 6.3

Overall Score: 6.9

What Makes Greenville So Affordable

Greenville sits about 30 miles from Spartanburg and has become one of South Carolina’s most attractive relocation markets. While its median home price is higher than Spartanburg’s, it is still below the national average.

The city has drawn major employers, including Michelin and GE, and offers a lively downtown, restaurants, outdoor access and a family-friendly atmosphere. Median salaries are lower than average, but the overall cost of living remains appealing.

15. Omaha, Nebraska

Desirability: 5.6

Value: 7.9

Job Market: 7.6

Quality of Life: 6.8

Overall Score: 7.0

What Makes Omaha So Affordable

Omaha offers a strong job market, universities, culture and relatively affordable housing. Creighton University and the University of Nebraska Omaha add energy to the city, while rent and home prices remain below national averages.

Car ownership taxes and fees can affect the cost of living in Nebraska, but Omaha’s average annual salary of about $50,000 helps balance those expenses compared with many similarly sized cities.

14. Kalamazoo, Michigan

Desirability: 5.4

Value: 7.9

Job Market: 6.4

Quality of Life: 7.0

Overall Score: 6.7

What Makes Kalamazoo So Affordable

Kalamazoo has cold winters and a higher unemployment rate, but it offsets those drawbacks with very affordable rents and home prices that are roughly half the national average.

Michigan’s income and sales taxes are relatively low, which helps the city remain budget-friendly. Kalamazoo can be especially attractive to renters and single residents looking for lower monthly expenses.

13. Cincinnati, Ohio

Desirability: 5.6

Value: 8.0

Job Market: 6.9

Quality of Life: 6.6

Overall Score: 6.7

What Makes Cincinnati So Affordable

Cincinnati is one of Ohio’s most appealing cities, offering jobs, dining, cultural attractions, entertainment and professional sports. Even with these amenities, both median home prices and rent remain below the national average.

As a top-30 U.S. market, Cincinnati gives residents the experience of a major city at a more manageable cost than many comparable metros.

12. Indianapolis, Indiana

Desirability: 5.4

Value: 8.1

Job Market: 7.0

Quality of Life: 5.8

Overall Score: 6.6

What Makes Indianapolis So Affordable

Indianapolis offers many of the same advantages as Cincinnati, including professional sports, a sizable job market and a broad range of entertainment options. Housing prices are especially affordable, even though rents are slightly higher than in some comparable cities.

The city is more walkable than many people expect, though most residents still drive to work. For those seeking a large Midwestern city with lower housing costs, Indianapolis remains a strong option.

11. Peoria, Illinois

Desirability: 5.6

Value: 8.1

Job Market: 6.3

Quality of Life: 6.7

Overall Score: 6.5

What Makes Peoria So Affordable

Peoria is located roughly between Chicago and St. Louis and offers higher average wages than many cities of similar size. At the same time, it has very low median rents and affordable home prices.

While national housing costs have risen sharply, Peoria’s housing market has remained relatively stable, making it one of the most financially practical places to live in the country.

10. Fayetteville, Arkansas

Desirability: 5.6

Value: 8.1

Job Market: 7.4

Quality of Life: 7.2

Overall Score: 7.3

What Makes Fayetteville So Affordable

Fayetteville is home to the University of Arkansas and sits near major corporate employers, including Walmart in Bentonville and Tyson Foods in Springdale. This mix of education and business helps support a strong regional economy.

The area has reasonable housing and rent costs, a low unemployment rate and a high quality-of-life score, making it one of the strongest overall choices on the list.

9. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Desirability: 6.0

Value: 8.1

Job Market: 6.1

Quality of Life: 6.4

Overall Score: 6.6

What Makes Pittsburgh So Affordable

Pittsburgh has transformed from a steel-driven city into a growing technology and education hub. It is also highly walkable and offers strong cultural institutions, sports and neighborhood character.

Although housing demand has increased, Pittsburgh’s average rent and median home price remain far below the national average. It is still affordable today, though continued growth could change that over time.

8. South Bend, Indiana

Desirability: 5.6

Value: 8.2

Job Market: 6.0

Quality of Life: 6.2

Overall Score: 6.5

What Makes South Bend So Affordable

South Bend is best known as the home of the University of Notre Dame. It is also about two hours from Chicago, which gives residents access to additional cultural, dining and travel options.

Indiana is generally affordable and tax-friendly, and South Bend offers low median rents and home prices well below the national average. Its unemployment rate is higher than average, but its overall cost profile remains favorable.

7. Grand Rapids, Michigan

Desirability: 5.5

Value: 8.2

Job Market: 6.3

Quality of Life: 7.4

Overall Score: 6.9

What Makes Grand Rapids So Affordable

Grand Rapids has a metro population of about 1 million, yet it remains affordable for a market of its size. Its median home price is below the national average, while its median monthly rent is about $100 below the national average.

The city is about 30 miles east of Lake Michigan, which makes summers pleasant, though winters can bring lake-effect snow. Its high quality-of-life score helps make Grand Rapids especially attractive.

6. Green Bay, Wisconsin

Desirability: 6.0

Value: 8.2

Job Market: 6.9

Quality of Life: 7.3

Overall Score: 7.1

What Makes Green Bay So Affordable

Green Bay is cold, with winter weather influenced by Lake Michigan and the bay itself. Those conditions can be difficult, but they also help keep housing costs low.

Median rents and home prices are far below national averages, and the city benefits from the identity and pride that come with the Green Bay Packers. It is also within driving distance of Madison, Milwaukee, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and the Twin Cities.

5. Des Moines, Iowa

Desirability: 5.9

Value: 8.3

Job Market: 7.5

Quality of Life: 6.7

Overall Score: 7.2

What Makes Des Moines So Affordable

Des Moines, the capital of Iowa, is smaller than metros such as St. Louis, Kansas City and Omaha, which helps keep the cost of living manageable. Its average home price is about $50,000 below the national median, and rents are slightly below average.

The city also has a low unemployment rate, particularly downtown. Like several affordable markets, Des Moines is growing, so its low-cost advantage may become less pronounced over time.

4. Hickory, North Carolina

Desirability: 6.0

Value: 8.3

Job Market: 5.8

Quality of Life: 6.5

Overall Score: 6.7

What Makes Hickory So Affordable

Hickory is located near the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, about an hour north of Charlotte and east of Asheville. Both nearby cities are growing quickly, and Hickory has benefited from people looking for a lower-cost alternative.

Wages are below the national median, but home and rent prices are also far below average. Growth in the region has increased demand, especially among people moving south for warmer weather and a slower pace of life.

3. Quad Cities, Illinois/Iowa

Desirability: 5.2

Value: 8.4

Job Market: 6.2

Quality of Life: 6.4

Overall Score: 6.5

What Makes the Quad Cities So Affordable

The Quad Cities region spans Illinois and Iowa, but its affordability is clear. Despite higher-than-average taxes in both states, rental prices are well below the national average, helped by a metro population of about 400,000 as of May 2022.

The region also has an active arts and entertainment scene, supported by venues such as the TaxSlayer Center, which hosts concerts, minor-league hockey and arena football.

2. Fort Wayne, Indiana

Desirability: 5.4

Value: 8.6

Job Market: 6.3

Quality of Life: 6.0

Overall Score: 6.6

What Makes Fort Wayne So Affordable

Fort Wayne’s median salary is below the national average, but the city makes up for it with very low living costs. Median home prices are less than half the national average, and rents are also far below the U.S. median.

The city has an above-average unemployment rate, yet its location is convenient for regional travel. Fort Wayne is within driving distance of Detroit, Chicago, Columbus and Indianapolis, giving residents access to several major Midwestern cities.

1. Huntsville, Alabama

Desirability: 5.5

Value: 8.7

Job Market: 8.1

Quality of Life: 7.0

Overall Score: 7.4

What Makes Huntsville So Affordable

Huntsville ranks as the most affordable place on this list and was also named one of the best places to live in America by U.S. News & World Report. Its housing prices are about half the national average, and median rents are about $200 per month lower than the U.S. average.

The city also has a below-average unemployment rate and a strong job market score. Huntsville is a college town and home to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, giving it a unique mix of education, science, technology and family-friendly growth. Although the city is expanding quickly, it remains one of the best affordable cities in the United States.