Are you considering migrating to some cheap places to live in the US to enjoy an affordable lifestyle? This would mean moving out of your comfort zone and working hard at the initial stage. But it would also help enhance one’s personality and open one’s mind to new changes in life.
The United States is a massive country with variable housing costs or rental rates. Also, post-pandemic, the cost of living is rising, with inflation being a significant contributor. This has raised increasing concern among US residents. As a result, there is an increase in the number of people migrating to more affordable locations in the US.
1. Brownsville, Texas
Brownsville, Texas, is one of the most affordable places to reside in the USA. It is located on the southernmost tip of Texas and has a subtropical climate throughout the year. The Gulf Coast beaches are the immediate neighbors, providing a nice, relaxing weekend trip for the city’s dwellers.
In Brownsville, residents spend about 23.34% of their income on living expenses. These affordable living expenses parallel the housing costs, making Brownsville a cheap place to live.
Brownsville offers places for children to entertain themselves, like The Gladys Porter Zoo and the Children’s Museum. The city also hosts places with a rich history, like the Brownsville Museum of Fine Arts and the Historic Brownsville Museum. The traditional Mexican food of Brownsville will satisfy your taste buds.
2. South Bend, Indiana
South Bend or ‘The Bend’ (the popular name by the locals) is a mid-sized Midwestern city in Northern Indiana. It enjoys a youthful atmosphere blended well with a budget-friendly lifestyle.
The University of Notre Dame resides in South Bend and is one of its major employers. Football fans rush to this picturesque town to cheer for the University of Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish. Book lovers can enter The World’s most extensive college library, Hesburgh Memorial, in this city. Other places to visit include The History Museum, Potawatomi Zoo, South Bend Museum of Arts, and many more.
The city can be an excellent choice for families due to its affordability, safe environments, recreational facilities, recent economic growth, availability of good schools, and family-friendly atmospheres. However, one needs to check on the crime rates, as violent crime rates are reported in some places in South Bend.
3. Rockford Illinois
Rockford is a city located just about 90 miles northwest of Chicago. Earlier, it was known as the Forest City, but recently, it has become better known as the ‘City of Gardens’ due to its vast area of parks and public gardens. It is one of the largest cities in Illinois outside the Chicago metropolitan area.
According to the 2022 record, the median household income in Rockford is $50,744. The housing costs in Rockford are cheap, so the higher property taxes might not have much effect. Rockford can be an ideal home destination for someone who wants to strive for a balance between a small-town atmosphere and metro cities.
The Burpee Museum of National History and Discovery Center Museum in Rockford attracts museum enthusiasts. The city has innumerable educational opportunities, including well-established public and private schools and colleges, which attract growing families.
4. McAllen, Texas
McAllen is a famous city on the Texas border. Its subtropical climate, backed by mild winter weather, attracts tourists. Better known as a shopping hub, The La Plaza Mall in McAllen is one of the largest shopping malls in Texas.
The Quinta Mazatlan, a luxurious historical mansion and world birding center in McAllen, is suitable for birdwatching. The International Museum of Arts and Science is another tourist destination of this affordable city.
The median household income in McAllen in 2022 was $56,326. The city has come a long way from being a farming community to being a pleasure point for its visitors. Since McAllen is not a vast city, the real estate market is much cheaper than other locations. People in McAllen also enjoy a low cost of living, which makes it a budget-friendly place of residence.
5. Knoxville, Tennessee
Knoxville lies on the banks of the Tennessee River. It also houses the University of Tennessee, which gives the city a youthful look. The Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are beautiful hiking destinations nearby.
Knoxville’s median household income as of 2022 was $68,580. Home prices in Knoxville are way cheaper than most other major metro cities. So, an affordable city with natural beauty makes Knoxville a preferred place to settle down. The proximity to major highways is a plus point.
6. Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne is located in Allen County, Indiana. Due to several educational institutions, such as Indiana Institute of Technology and Indiana University, it is often described as a center of higher learning.
Fort Wayne’s median household income as of 2022 was $58,233. The city promotes itself as an excellent place to launch a career, start a business, or raise a family. Traditional values and cultures are deeply rooted in the residents, as there are more than 360 places of worship.
There is easy accessibility to all the amenities similar to metro cities. Families can visit various places, such as the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, the Fort Wayne Museum of Arts, and the Botanical Garden.
7. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Often referred to as OKC, Oklahoma City is the capital of Oklahoma state. Although it is a metro city, it has a Cowboy Culture, and one could be mistaken for thinking of being in a cowboy town. Live cattle auctions can be witnessed at the Stockyards City Auction House. The city is also called the ‘ Horse Show Capital of the World ‘ as several competitions can be viewed at the State Fair Park.
Oklahoma City’s median household income as of 2022 was $64,251.The cost of living is also meager. However, healthcare services cost more than what a US citizen pays.
Oklahoma City is one of the cheapest places for families with an affordable lifestyle. There are also places for family outings, like the Science Museum, Oklahoma City Museum of Arts, and Oklahoma City Zoo.
8. Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville is a small city situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It has emerged from a tiny place to a busy metro city. The mild temperatures, blended with the low cost of living, make it a desirable place to settle down.
Greenville is home to many universities, such as Greenville Technical College and Bob Jones University, which makes it attractive for families with growing children.
The city offers many parks for family activities, including Conestee Nature Preserve, Gower Estates Park, and Cleveland Park. The annual Artisphere event attracts artists and art lovers from worldwide.
The median household income in Greensville as of 2022 was $65,519. Greensville’s amenities match those of metro cities, but it skips the unpleasantries. The increase in manufacturing jobs, backed by the low cost of living and affordable houses, makes Greenville one of the cheapest places to reside in the US.
9. Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is a city in Georgia near the South Carolina border. It is the home of the Masters Golf Tournament, held in the first week of April. Apart from Golf, Augusta has much more to offer its residents and visitors. The city is also well known as a medicine, manufacturing, and military center.
Augusta’s climate is warm in summer and mild in winter, making it perfect for outdoor activities. It lies near the Savannah River and offers hiking, mountain biking, boating, and fishing.
The city offers a very affordable lifestyle and a very low cost of living, which attracts the attention of families, college students, and retirees with low budgets. Also, improving job opportunities is why people flock to this magnificent city.
Augusta has a rich, vibrant culture with activities like ballet, opera, drama, and art galleries. The Phinizy Swamp Nature Park is a nature park that is free for the general public and an excellent place to take your family. The beautiful city is rich in history, with places like The Augusta Museum of History to visit. Art and culture lovers can visit the Morris Museum or watch live performances at the Imperial Theater and Le Chat Noir.
Key Factors To Consider Before Migration
Many factors must be considered before deciding to migrate to a new location.
1. Tax
The state income tax rates differ for each state. It would be a good idea to spare some time studying the tax rules to avoid any confusion at a later stage.
2. Safety
Safety plays a significant role in the decision to relocate your base residence. If one is always concerned about the safety of loved ones, saving on the financial part is no fun, and living in dread is no fun.
3. Climate
The climate of a place is also a major deciding factor. If one has elderly or young kids at home, they must adjust well to the changing climatic conditions.
4. Job Opportunities
The number of job opportunities in an area also influences the decision to relocate. You should reconsider your decision if there are few job opportunities in a particular area.
5. Real Estate Market
One can also study the real estate market in that particular area. The housing or rental rates will help one make the right choice.
Summing Up
The US has always been a dream home for many. There are many cheap places to live in the US that are less popular, and hence, people are unaware of them. These places not only cater to a comfortable lifestyle but will ensure one gets an affordable one.
However, one needs to do extensive research on the real estate market before deciding on the location of their house and making any major decisions. Having a list of mandatory things and those that can be avoided will help in choosing the dream home.
Last Updated on May 7, 2024 by Annanya Chakraborty