Are you being priced out of the state you live in? The good news is that there are still affordable places to live across the country. Maybe the grass really is greener in more affordable states. Here we’ll discuss 7 states where you can still afford to live.
1. West Virginia
West Virginia’s cost of living is 16.2% below average. This is the lowest in the country. It also has the lowest median home price. Charleston for example is 43% the national average home price. While the median household income is below the national average, it is still higher than some of the cheaper states at around $54,329 per year. Country roads may take you home to the place you belong in West Virginia.
2. Iowa
Of all the most affordable states, Iowa has the second-highest average income. In Iowa, the median income is $69,588. Plus, the cost of living is 9.9% below the national average. The median home value in Iowa is $194,600. Des Moines is also one of the cheapest capital cities in the United States.
2. Kansas
Kansas’ cost of living is 12.7% below the national average. Plus the median income is $68,925. This is very close to the national median income of $74,755. Did you know that most people in Kansas only travel 19 minutes to work? That’s lower than the national average.
3. Indiana
Indiana’s cost of living is 9.7% less than the U.S. average. Remarkably, Richmond, Indiana, has a cost of living 18.1% below average. Indiana also has a high median income of $66,785. Its unemployment rate is also below the national average and is only 3.7%.
4. Missouri
Missouri is another affordable state to consider. The cost of living in Missouri is 11.5% lower than the national average. Kansas City is the most expensive area of the state, but it’s still 8.7% less than most U.S. cities. Plus, St. Louis and Kansas City are excellent places to live for sports fans.
5. Tennessee
Tennessee’s cost of living is 9.7% below average. Of Course, Nashville is its most expensive city, but it’s still below the national average. Plus, how can you resist the draw of country music? Housing prices are also a little higher here with the median house costing $284,800.
6. Michigan
Michigan’s cost of living is 8.2% below average. The cost of living in Detroit is 3.1% higher than the national average and is also one of the most dangerous cities in the US. But, Michigan has a lot more to offer than Detroit. Kalamazoo, a city about two hours from Detroit, is among the cheapest places in the whole country with a cost of living 16% below average. There are also many affordable options in Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula.
7. Georgia
Georgia’s cost of living is 8.7% below the national average. Atlanta of course is the most expensive. Outside of Atlanta, there are plenty of affordable towns. Georgia also has one of the highest median incomes of the affordable states. This can be attributed to the recent boom in industry coming to Georgia.
Is It Time for a Change?
Hopefully, this information will inspire you to make a change in your living situation. It may be time to move. Just know that there are states that are still affordable where you can live comfortably.