2023 Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in America

• City in Texas

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  Rating 3.68 out of 5  966 reviews

Current Resident: For most of my life I have spent it living in Brownsville. Downtown is where I have all my treasured memories are at, living with my grandparents and going on late night strolls with them around those streets will always be close to my heart. I know many people just like that have spent their whole life here that are tired of the same old things, but i strongly disagree. I believe that Brownsville is growing and changing for the better. As a child you don't realize the dangers that are lurking around you, but as you get older you begin to see the ugliness that's around you. Now that I'm much older I remember how unsafe our environment was and how poor our city is. Without a doubt in my mind Brownsville is so much better than what it used to be. With the arrival of well known CEO and chief technology officer of SpaceX, our city has definitely gotten more diverse and tourism is at it's highest its ever been. I'm really proud of where I come from and how much this city has grown.... Read 966 reviews

• grade B

• grade B+

• grade A minus

• Population 185,849

• City in Ohio

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  Rating 3.68 out of 5  338 reviews

Current Resident: Dayton is a great small city to raise a family. The are great job opportunities with several large employers. There are fun activities such as the Dayton dragons baseball team and museums to occupy your time. I also enjoy trying our local restaurants there are so many I’ll never catch up! Things I’d like to see change is the sprit of a lot of residents. About our city a moral boost would help this city flourish. Overall I love Dayton and am grateful to have been raised here.... Read 338 reviews

• grade B minus

• grade C minus

• grade A minus

• Population 138,416

• City in Texas

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  Rating 3.59 out of 5  329 reviews

Current Resident: Wichita Falls has friendly people, a small but great downtown with lots of local shops and restaurants. There are city parks everywhere and beautification efforts throughout town. There is a walking biking trail that runs through the city. There are good private schools to choose from and the Wichita Falls ISD gives students many choices, including to graduate with a vocation. WFISD technology is outstanding and students have use of makerspaces and 3D printers. Midwestern State University is an excellent University. Overall Wichita Falls is an amazing place to raise a family!... Read 329 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B+

• grade A minus

• Population 102,563

• City in Indiana

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  Rating 3.49 out of 5  364 reviews

Current Resident: I moved here in 2010 from Kansas and I would have to say that Indiana and South Bend have been great places to live. I have had great experiences here that I probably wouldn't have had in Kansas. I have been a student at Ivy Tech Community College in South Bend Indiana. I've earned several degrees from there and served in a variety of student government positions. When it comes to South Bend, there are countless career possibilities here, and always room to grow. I loved that South Bend has its own baseball team, the South Bend Cubs. Their games are fun for the whole family. There are also lots of great restaurants and places to stay. South Bend is also fairly closer to other cities that have tourist attractions.... Read 364 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B minus

• grade A minus

• Population 102,786

• City in Ohio

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  Rating 3.36 out of 5  703 reviews

Current Resident: Toledo is a super interesting city! The improvements that are being made to the Downtown area are fantastic, and they are dedicated to promoting local businesses. There are plenty of places to grab a coffee, vintage shops, and great night life!... Read 703 reviews

• grade B

• grade C+

• grade A minus

• Population 271,454

• City in Pennsylvania

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  Rating 3.47 out of 5  372 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived all over the country in major cities, and Erie is by far the best place I have lived. There is no real traffic, no honking horns the second a light turns green, easy and free parking everywhere, people are genuinely friendly and not totally stressed out to the max, housing is insanely affordable (you can get a large, 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath house with a garage and yard in a decent neighborhood for well under $100k), there is no tax on clothing, food, or essential items like toilet paper, there are three outstanding colleges, and to top it off, we have a state park with beaches, hiking trails, kayaking, etc that is completely free. I have found that the people who think negatively about Erie have never lived outside of Erie. They have absolutely nothing to compare it with to understand how fantastic a place it really is to live. Transplants like myself and people who have moved away and come back truly appreciate and understand the beauty and ease of living in Erie, PA.... Read 372 reviews

• grade B minus

• grade C minus

• grade A minus

• Population 95,536

• City in Indiana

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  Rating 3.84 out of 5  890 reviews

Current Resident: Born and raised here, left for Central Indiana and then South Florida for about 11 years due to a job transfer and have been back since 2016. I’ll say this, compared to the other locations I’ve lived in I can honestly say Ft Wayne is a great place to live. It’s home! Cost of living is so much better than others and I just bought a nice house for half of what it would cost me in So Fla. People say there isn’t a lot to do but I feel there is. I mean if you want a big city type of atmosphere with clubs everywhere then no it isn’t but there are things to do. Winter does seem long and that limits your activities to do but in the summer there is definitely a ton to do. Like every city there is a bad side of town but I don’t think the crime is out of control like some say in their reviews.It’s far less than the other places I lived. Some really good schools in certain areas and people are very midwestern friendly and accommodating. Just overall a very nice town to raise a family and live in... Read 890 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B minus

• grade A minus

• Population 262,676

• City in Indiana

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  Rating 3.57 out of 5  439 reviews

Current Resident: Evansville is great in many ways. Evansville is the perfect central location to many major cities, including Nashville, Louisville, St. Louis, and Indianapolis, which provide lots of opportunities. Evansville is also such a great size, where it feels like a small town but once you start to grow up, you realize how big it truly is. There are also many opportunities that present themselves as Evansville continues to grow. There are now a lot more job opportunities as well as more local business that provide services to connect with people, such as coffee shops and local markets.... Read 439 reviews

• grade B

• grade B

• grade A minus

• Population 117,184

• City in Ohio

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  Rating 3.38 out of 5  639 reviews

Current Resident: My experience with Akron has led me to want to continue in the performing arts category. I have gotten the chance to see Akron through the lens of theatre and the arts from a very early age going to multiple performances at EJ Thomas Hall, Akron Civic Theatre, and Playhouse Square there are many scenes that are welcoming. Downtown Akron houses Quaker Square a monumental building, The University of Akron a campus surrounded with businesses like The peanut Shoppe on Main to special events at Lock3, Blu, ice skating in the winter to roller skating in the summer. There is a special dog park to take your pets to in North Hill.... Read 639 reviews

• grade B

• grade C

• grade A minus

• Population 191,483

• City in New York

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  Rating 3.98 out of 5  513 reviews

Current Resident: Buffalo, New York is a city with a rich history and a strong cultural identity. It is known for its beautiful architecture, including its many historic homes and buildings, as well as its world-class museums and galleries. The city is also famous for its food, particularly its chicken wings, which are considered some of the best in the world. Buffalo is home to several prestigious universities, including the University at Buffalo, which is the largest public university in New York State. Additionally, the city is situated near several natural attractions, such as Niagara Falls and the Great Lakes, which offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and scenic beauty.... Read 513 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade C

• grade A minus

• Population 276,011

• City in Kansas

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  Rating 3.38 out of 5  400 reviews

Current Resident: I've lived in Topeka since I was about three years old, and for the most part, it's been great. Even though it's not a big city, that doesn't make it bad; it just means that you get to know more people, with the vast majority of them being very kind to those around them. I also like that there's not that hustle and bustle you often see in big cities, which makes it easier for me to get around and do more things with my day. It's also got a very interesting history, which is something that I'm passionate about. That being said, there's some problems that I hope can one day be fixed. Drugs are a large problem, being a root cause for many of the crimes that take place. Drug addiction has destroyed the lives of countless people throughout the years, and only cause bigger issues. It's also my hope that as our community can find ways to fix the drug epidemic, they can also find ways to alleviate the massive homeless crisis also taking place.... Read 400 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B+

• grade A minus

• Population 126,802

• City in Ohio

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  Rating 3.87 out of 5  758 reviews

Current Resident: Cleveland is a lovely city to live in if you've never lived in one before. It's easy to navigate and there are plenty of things to do. With an overall low cost of living, a young professional can excel here. There are couple of downsides to the Cleveland area, one being the poor street management and excessively sized potholes. One wrong turn can cost you thousands in an auto shop. Now this is most likely related to the harsh winter conditions the city faces, due the bitter chill lake Erie provides. That being said, if you can't stand the cold steer clear of a Cleveland winter. However, if you thrive in the cold and love being rewarded by a perfect fall and summer, this is the place to be!... Read 758 reviews

• grade B minus

• grade C minus

• grade B+

• Population 374,861

• City in Alabama

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  Rating 3.27 out of 5  467 reviews

Current Resident: Overall I really love living here in Montgomery! The job and real-estate market have always been strong here, with fun things around town and the diversity of people who live here. Cost of living is very affordable and the growth throughout this city is really impressive. That being said I believe Montgomery really has only two main factors holding it back, crime and public schools. Although the magnet and private schools here are fantastic, the average public schools are often lacking in maintenance and kids can fall behind. As of recently, however (early 2022) things have been turning around in the school system for the better which is good to see. Lastly is crime, as most places around Montgomery are great safe places to live, however some parts of the southern areas of the city and the west side are plagued with property and sometimes violent crime. Overall the MPD has done a good job keeping these incidents down, but crime continues to be one of Montgomery's lingering issues.... Read 467 reviews

• grade B minus

• grade D+

• grade B+

• Population 201,022

• City in Texas

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  Rating 3.36 out of 5  281 reviews

Current Resident: I was born and raised in Beaumont, Texas. I believe Beaumont, like any other small city, has its own unique qualities and experiences. I have many enjoyable memories from playing in the local parks, or going to the museums in downtown Beaumont. Beaumont is also full of diverse cultures, with local heritage festivals and celebrations. The local college, Lamar University, is a hidden treasure that houses one of the best engineering programs in the country, as well as other renowned majors. I firmly believe that Beaumont is a growing metropolis that has the potential to change the overall attitude of the Southeast Texas Area.... Read 281 reviews

• grade B

• grade C+

• grade B+

• Population 115,013

• City in Texas

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  Rating 3.64 out of 5  399 reviews

Current Resident: I really love the people of Abilene, but we have some pretty broken systems here. There are so many people of our town experiencing homelessness and there is not really a good way to combat that within our government or leadership. But the people are really the best part of this place. When I came to Abilene for college, I expected to be bored all the time and thought that I would want to leave quickly. But there are always things to do here and people to see and I am really dreading having to leave this city in a year. Something that I would like to see change is the stark contrast between the "good" and "bad" neighborhoods of this city. There is major poverty here right up next to obscene wealth.... Read 399 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B+

• grade B+

• Population 125,474

• City in Texas

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  Rating 3.93 out of 5  565 reviews

Current Resident: Mcallen is going everyday! there is a ton of new fun places to hang out and more are being opened everyday. There are outside markets ran by local vendors, which is my favorite event, which allow you to meet new people and find rare finds .... Read 565 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B+

• grade B+

• Population 141,941

• City in Texas

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  Rating 3.64 out of 5  497 reviews

Current Resident: It is a small city. I love the small town feel with the opportunity to do large city activities. The citizens are respectful, kind, and hard working. Amarillo has great first responders and a supporting community! The cost of living is one of the best in Texas! Amarillo also has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the State of Texas, residents have no problem finding a job here! It is believed that there are more jobs than there are people! Exceptional education is provided here and there are many college opportunities. Great place to raise a family!... Read 497 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B+

• grade B+

• Population 200,371

• City in Kansas

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  Rating 3.8 out of 5  976 reviews

Current Resident: Wichita is a pretty great place to live! There's a plethora of places to eat, from small local businesses to bigger chains (depending on your preference) and a lot to do if you're looking for a night out on the town, including the theater and small amusement park. There's various pretty decent sizes festivals annually that people come in out of town for, and there is always something holiday related you could do too. My favorite place is the zoo, which is actually one of the best in the country. The home cost here is on the cheaper side which makes it a great place for a retirement home.... Read 976 reviews

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• grade B minus

• grade B+

• Population 394,574

• City in Iowa

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  Rating 3.58 out of 5  288 reviews

Nearby Resident: I have always lived right outside of Davenport for most of my life, so I have "visited" their quite often. I also have attended school in the davenport area for the last four years so thats were my experience lies. I have enjoyed the town, as it's a lot bigger then the some of the surrounding towns. There is always construction, which sometimes leads to harder navigation through the town. For the most part I've had lots of positive encounters with others, but every once in a while their are rude or creepy people that one needs to be aware of. I'm sure this is every bigger city, but it's also important to mention that current crime rates are up, and it's important to be aware of your current location to avoid any sort of conflict or possibly a victim of a crime.... Read 288 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B minus

• grade B+

• Population 101,725

• City in Texas

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  Rating 3.61 out of 5  859 reviews

Current Resident: Laredo, Texas, has been my home since birth and the home of my family. Many talk down on the city, but that's because they don't know the history of my city. Laredo has come a long way, evolving along with its people. This city has beautiful sights and murals throughout the town created by its citizens, making them more meaningful. There are plenty of hotels for those who come to visit, all surrounded by different plazas or restaurants for individuals to indulge in. These hotels are also accessible to all those working for import-export companies traveling through Laredo. This city provides for its people, and we provide for it by partaking in multitudes of beautification projects.... Read 859 reviews

• grade B minus

• grade B+

• grade B+

• Population 254,697

• City in Iowa

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  Rating 3.77 out of 5  396 reviews

Former Resident: Cedar Rapids is the perfect picture of a small midwestern city. Its the home of many amazing local restaurants and bars, some of my favorite include Black Sheep Social Club which serves amazing drinks and has the most delicious steaks and lamb! Chrome Horse is another amazing restaurant located in Newbo. This "Biker Bar" has some of the best bar food in town, they also have live music. Cedar Rapids is also home to a huge number of German and Czech families, Czech Village is a small borough in Cedar Rapids and includes many small shops, Found + Formed, one of Czech Village's famous shops has a variety of clothing from any decade you could think of! Czech is also home to many small antique shops where you can find many cool items, clothing, and furniture. Although Cedar Rapids has many great things, one huge problem here is the homeless, many of the new apartment building here in town are high end and extremally expensive. There are also not very many shelters for these families.... Read 396 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B

• grade B+

• Population 136,512

• City in Michigan

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  Rating 3.55 out of 5  1,457 reviews

Nearby Resident: Most my childhood was spent in Detroit visiting family, enjoying the many parks, museums, restaurants, festivals, and Tiger games. I saw Detroit at it's best and I saw its decline. It was heartbreaking for my parents who grew up in Detroit during its heyday. Now I see Detroit through my son's eyes as he frequently visits with friends. We spent the day exploring Midtown, Campus Martius, and Belle Isle. We wanted to show my mother Detroit's comeback. I was amazing to see people out again enjoying the many cafes and restaurants. We wandered through new boutiques and most everyone we met smiled and said "hello". My heart is always with Detroit!... Read 1,457 reviews

• grade C+

• grade D+

• grade B+

• Population 645,658

• City in Mississippi

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  Rating 3 out of 5  399 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived in Jackson Mississippi for over four years now. I moved to Jackson to play soccer at Jackson State University. As I have lived her, Jackson Ms has allowed me to explore such a beautiful state filled with diversity and sweet southern people. The residents of Jackson are very welcoming and extremely kind people. Everyone in Jackson supports each other in not only businesses but every day activities. They like to see everyone succeed. I would recommend Jackson to anyone. There is always stuff to do here. There is a very big mall filled with many popular stores that so many people love. There are many delicious restaurants around there area. Jackson is basically a big circle it does not take more than 20-25 minutes to get from one side of town to the other. The gas is extremely cheap and the cost of living is affordable for everyone. Job opportunity is available all over the city of Jackson, which is very convenient especially for students who not only attend college.... Read 399 reviews

• grade C+

• grade C

• grade B+

• Population 156,803

• City in Illinois

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  Rating 3.4 out of 5  256 reviews

Current Resident: Springfield, Illinois, is a great place to grow and learn as a person. Springfield teaches its citizens and visitors a lot about leadership as we are the city known for Abraham Lincoln. The public school system is amazing as it strives to help students grow and help Springfield students grow into strong, independent leaders. The city is a perfect size as it is big enough to have amazing diversity and an exceptional and gorgeous downtown area, but it still is small enough to get from one end of town to the other in 15-30 minutes. There are many government and corporate jobs as the city of Springfield and the state government are the number one employers in Springfield. There are many opportunities for minimum wage and small business jobs. Countless restaurants are constantly looking for hires and employ a lot of younger kids in the city. Historic downtown Springfield is a gold mine for small businesses and Springfield does a great job at supporting the local business in Springfield.... Read 256 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B

• grade B+

• Population 114,672

• City in Pennsylvania

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  Rating 4.29 out of 5  824 reviews

Current Resident: I was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area. I have had the opportunity to live in 4 other states as well. Pittsburgh is currently my home and will always be home for me. As an outdoor enthusiast, I love the many options I have not far from my home. Pittsburgh is unique in that way, your in the city but seconds later your immersed in lush, quiet green spaces. We are devout in our love of our sports teams! There is a wide variety of things to do from museums to shops, bars and clubs. The weather for a few months really stinks however, it's just dark most of the day and cold. Our roads really stink in my opinion. Potholes and traffic in some parts of town are just miserable. In the suburbs where I live the traffic isn't that bad at all. My only major gripe of living here is the roads, traffic and weather. All and all I find my city to be friendly, kind, welcoming and inclusive.... Read 824 reviews

• grade A

• grade B minus

• grade B+

• Population 303,207