It is generally accepted that Texas has no equal among all corners of the United States as for the cheapness of life. However, according to the US Public and Economic Research Council, it is possible to live and save not only on the border with Mexico.
We are going to share with you the list of 10 cheapest for living cities in the USA.
10. Oklahoma City
Cost of living: 15.5% below the US average.
Population: 631,346 people.
The average annual income of a family is $ 47,779 (US average: $ 53,889).
The average cost of housing: 138 600 dollars (average for the US: 178 600 dollars).
Unemployment rate: 4.2% (average for the US: 4.9%).
The largest city in the state of Oklahoma boasts surprisingly low prices as for the capital city of the state. Housing here will cost you 28.8% cheaper than the national average standard, and this applies to both the price of buying a property and renting a living space.
9. Conway, Arkansas
Cost of living: 15.6% below the US average.
Population: 64,980 people.
The average annual income of a family is $ 47,504.
The average cost of housing: 160 400 dollars.
Unemployment rate: 3.5%.
In Conway there are the headquarters of several large companies, in particular the office of the company Acxiom, engaged in digital marketing, as well as the University of Central Arkansas. And although in this list, Conway leads according to the cost of housing, compared to other US cities, real estate costs here are lower even if utilities are included. Moderate prices for medical services also add attractiveness to this American city.
8. Jonesboro, Arkansas
Cost of living: 15.9% below the US average.
Population: 73,907 people.
The average annual income of the family: 41 688 dollars.
The average cost of housing: 141,400 dollars.
Unemployment rate: 3.4%.
In Jonesboro there is the State University of Arkansas, which means that the life in it is affordable even for students. The roof over the head costs here 28.2% less than the national average standard. Medical services also do not ruin you: a visit to a doctor in Jonesboro will cost 18% cheaper than in most other US cities, subscribing glasses for example by 30%, and dental services by 25%.
7. Norman, Oklahoma
Cost of living: 16.2% below the US average.
Population: 120,284 people.
The average annual income of a family is 51,491 dollars.
The average cost of housing: 160 100 dollars.
Unemployment rate: 3.5%.
While the incomes of the residents of this city are close to the average for the country, the living wage is significantly different in the smaller direction. In Norman, everything is cheaper – from food to petrol. Especially pleasant here are prices for housing. In Norman, you can rent an apartment and pay for it 44% less than in other US cities.
6. Indianapolis
Cost of living: 16.2% below the US average.
Population: 853,173 people.
The average annual income of the family: 41 987 dollars.
The average cost of housing: 118,300 dollars.
Unemployment rate: 4.0%.
Indianapolis, the largest of the low-cost cities, combines the advantages of a large city with pleasant provincial prices. The capital of Indiana has a stable economy. For those who plan to study, there are several colleges and universities, including Butler University. Children will certainly like the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis – the world’s largest museum of such kind.
5. Knoxville, Tennessee
Cost of living: 16.3% below the US average.
Population: 185,291 people.
The average annual income of a family is 34,226 dollars.
The average cost of housing: 118,300 dollars.
Unemployment rate: 4.5%.
This city is good with its reasonable prices for everything from food to transportation. Here is the University of Tennessee, the Hall of Fame of women’s basketball, and even from Cocksville, it is within easy reach of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
4. Memphis
Cost of living: 17.0% below the US average.
Population: 655,770 people.
The average annual income of a family is 36,445 dollars.
The average cost of housing: 94 000 dollars.
Unemployment rate: 5,3%.
To say that in Memphis the real estate is cheap is nothing to say. Here you can buy a house for less than $ 100,000, while in many other US cities this amount is barely enough for an initial mortgage payment.
Renting an apartment in Memphis will cost a third cheaper than the national average standard. And most importantly, things here are not so bad with finding a good job. Due to its proximity to the Mississippi River, Memphis is a major transportation hub. Here there are the headquarters of three giants: FedEx, International Paper and AutoZone.
3. Kalamazoo, Michigan
Cost of living: 20.0% below the US average.
Population: 76,041 people.
The average annual income of a family is $ 33,009.
The average cost of housing: 96 600 dollars.
Unemployment rate: 4.2%.
Kalamazoo is a city not only cheap, but also rather poor. One-third of the city’s population lives below the poverty line, and the rest of the population has to put up with low wages and unemployment. The main drivers of the local economy are the Western University of Michigan, the pharmaceutical company Pfizer and the manufacturer of medical equipment Stryker.
2. Harlingen, Texas
Cost of living: 20.6% below the US average.
Population: 65,774 people.
The average annual income of a family: 34 466 dollars.
The average cost of housing: 80 600 dollars.
Unemployment rate: 7.2%.
Life in the south of Texas is not expensive, but there are very unfortunate reasons for that. 32.5% of the population of Harlingen lives below the poverty line. At the same time, food and gas prices are modest here, and housing costs are about $ 98,000 lower than those of other cities.
1. Mc Allen, Texas
Cost of living: 23.7% below the US average.
Population: 140,269 people.
The average annual income of a family is $ 44,254.
The average cost of housing: 115,400 dollars.
Unemployment rate: 7.8%.
McAllen is bigger and richer than Harlingen: the average income of the family here is 10,000 dollars higher, and this is at an incredibly low cost of living. Among minuses of living in Mcallen is the fact that 26.1% of urban residents live beyond the poverty line. And also in Mac-Allen the percentage of obese people is very high. But there is also something that pleases the eye – a huge number of diverse birds. In McAllen, that is situated on the way of the largest migration routes of birds, there is a famous ornithological station Quinta Mazatlan with an area of more than 60,000 m².