2023 Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in America

• City in Tennessee

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  Rating 4.03 out of 5  694 reviews

Visitor: During my virtual short time in Knoxville, I was impressed by the city's blend of Southern charm and modern amenities. The friendly locals and warm hospitality created a welcoming atmosphere that made me feel at home. With its historic architecture and vibrant energy, the downtown area was a standout. I enjoyed strolling through Market Square, where various shops, restaurants, and street performances added to the lively ambiance. The presence of local artisans and musicians added a unique and authentic touch to the city's character. The proximity to nature was another highlight. The scenic beauty of the nearby Smoky Mountains provided a perfect escape for outdoor enthusiasts. One aspect that stood out as an opportunity for improvement was the public transportation system. While the city had its charms, a more efficient and expansive public transit network could enhance mobility, reduce traffic congestion, and contribute to a more sustainable urban environment.... Read 694 reviews

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• Population 189,339

• City in Texas

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  Rating 3.38 out of 5  610 reviews

Current Resident: Tons of restaurants, stores, and activities of all nationalities. Most people you meet in the public are kind and generous, however there is some crime involvement in the community.... Read 610 reviews

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• Population 150,082

• City in Arkansas

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  Rating 3.78 out of 5  452 reviews

Current Resident: I moved here in 2016 when it was very sleepy. I moved here BEFORE the Trader Joe's, Costco, Chase Bank What a Burger, Amazon Warehouse, Miniature Golf Courses, Beef A Roo, Aldi's (coming soon) etc. Housing was dirt cheap seven years ago. Today housing is moderately high due to the influx of young professionals and families looking for a better quality of life at an affordable price. LR is no longer cheap but not ridiculously high either. Well not yet. LR has a lot to offer with it's slower pace, light traffic most of the time and beautiful scenery. If one likes milder Winters with little or no snow, sunny days (LR and NLR ranks 10th sunniest city in America)and humidity this is the place to be. The number of hospitals are great! We have five in LR and the Children's Hospital is well renowned in the US. I am literally 3 miles from my doctors which is a blessing. LR also have Carti Cancer Center and a VA Hospital. Crime is in a certain part of town. Stay out and you are fine.... Read 452 reviews

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• Population 201,893

• City in Iowa

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  Rating 4.13 out of 5  298 reviews

Current Resident: What I like about Des Moines is the amount of outdoor activities and places to go given that it's a bustling city. The sense of pride DSM has in doing things as a community is touching and makes it a fun place to to as a group of people. A few things that could be improved is the speed at which roads are fixed. Potholes are quite prevalent especially during spring. There is also a lot of construction that goes on throughout the year which can be a hassle if you aren't up to date on where it's taking place. Overall, a very family friendly city with lots of nature-y actives and lots of places to get amazing food!... Read 298 reviews

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• Population 213,545

• City in Missouri

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  Rating 3.64 out of 5  603 reviews

Current Resident: Springfield is a smaller city, but it has restaurants, theater, and outdoor activities like boating and hiking. It's a friendly and hardworking community. Branson is nearby where you can attend shows and go to Silver Dollar City, which is an amusement park set in an old town setting. There is an airport in Springfield, so flying in and out is easy. Bass Pro headquarters is also located in Springfield. There is a large museum and aquarium attached that has lots of animals and other educational information.... Read 603 reviews

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• Population 168,603

• City in North Carolina

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  Rating 3.51 out of 5  310 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived in High Point, North Carolina, my entire life. The population of High Point is 113,148. The majority of High Point is in Guilford County, but some parts are in Davidson, Forsyth, and Randolph counties. High Point is the only city in North Carolina that extends into four counties. The City of High Point was so named because it was the highest point on the North Carolina Railroad when it was established in 1859. High Point is known as the Furniture Capital of the World. The largest home furnishings industry trade show in the world is held in High Point during April and October each year. I love living in High Point and, in particular, in North Carolina. The beach is only three to four hours away, while you can take a trip to the mountains in about two hours. My entire extended family usually spends a week at the beach every summer. I really would not want to change anything about High Point. It offers everything you could want in order to have a happy life.... Read 310 reviews

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• Population 113,148

• City in Florida

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  Rating 4.05 out of 5  465 reviews

Works Here: I love Lakeland! I grew up in a smaller town just outside of Lakeland. Although growing up we didn't spent much time in Lakeland, now as an adult its where I choose to spend it most. Lakelands down town area is has so much history, and its building and architecture unveils that. Myself, my wife and our fur baby Storm spend a lot of quality time in the don town area. We walk Lake Mirror, interacting with people from all walks of life, Lakeland brings such a happy diverse community. My family also enjoys the actives Lakeland brings on the weeks, like the market downtown, we are able meet with locals and venders. Lakeland has diverity within its shopping, and restaurants bring such life to Lakeland. Im happy to now work, living and attend school in Lakeland.... Read 465 reviews

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• Population 110,401

• City in Tennessee

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  Rating 3.97 out of 5  573 reviews

Current Resident: Chattanooga is a family-friendly city with great scenery and friendly people. There is so much to do with children. There is ample hiking nearby, plenty of historic sites, a children's science museum, the best aquarium in the state, and beautiful parks along the river! Downtown Chattanooga has so much to explore and the nightlife leaves nothing to be desired. A countryside retreat is not far away, either, if you need time away from the city. With that said, our city is neither too big nor too small. It's just right.... Read 573 reviews

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• Population 180,353

• City in Missouri

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  Rating 3.69 out of 5  478 reviews

Current Resident: St. Louis is a great city! Lots of free things to do, beautiful buildings, great community. The biggest downside in my opinion is the heat and humidity in the summer. The city also continues to feel the impacts of redlining. Many organizations are doing great work in the community, though, and I've enjoyed living in a fairly diverse neighborhood for the last couple of years. I've been here as a student, and that's also been a good experience. It's an affordable city to live in. You can get anywhere you need to pretty quickly, which is very nice, also.... Read 478 reviews

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• Population 302,787

• City in Michigan

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  Rating 3.57 out of 5  374 reviews

Current Resident: Warren has a great community center, wonderful libraries, beautiful parks. Warren has many varied restaurants, bakeries and grocery stores. Warren has a lot of public safety and offers excellent school districts... Read 374 reviews

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• Population 138,996

• City in North Carolina

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  Rating 3.41 out of 5  1,028 reviews

Nearby Resident: Fayetteville has a rich history and many sculptures and works of art that pay tribute to the history of the city. The museums are full of local and historical artists and the staff are very knowledgeable and informative in their tours. The city offers plenty of shops and restaurants for all tastes and cravings along with a good variety of lodging options for visitors. The colleges and universities nearby offer many academic programs in different fields for those in the community to choose from that peek their interest. Hiking trails, lakes, and camp sites also offer some fun for outdoor enthusiasts. Overall, a very nice town.... Read 1,028 reviews

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• Population 208,497

• City in North Carolina

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  Rating 3.83 out of 5  967 reviews

Current Resident: Since moving on campus to Greensboro, it has been quite the ride. I love being in the city when I thought I never would. Living in the city offers a vibrant and fast-paced lifestyle with endless opportunities for entertainment, cultural experiences, and career growth. The bustling streets are always alive with people, shops, restaurants, and events. Additionally, the city provides convenient access to various amenities such as public transportation, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions that make daily life more convenient and accessible. I love Greensboro!... Read 967 reviews

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• Population 295,483

• City in Louisiana

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  Rating 3.35 out of 5  551 reviews

Current Resident: Overall, my experience with Shreveport has been great. I have lived here since I was two, and I personally have had no problems here. I have received excellent education at three nationally recognized Magnet schools, and I plan to attend graduate school in Shreveport. Even though I currently attend college in another city, Shreveport will always be my home. I always look forward to coming back on the weekends. Also, there are many fun activities to do here. The aquarium is very nice, the movie theater is excellent, and there are many different storefronts to visit. I enjoy bringing my friends that are from smaller towns to Shreveport because they enjoy everything so much! And the southern hospitality of storeowners in Shreveport is unmatched. Despite all of these wonderful assets, one thing I would like to see changed are the roads. Some are a bit rough and should be fixed if possible, but overall Shreveport is a nice city to live in.... Read 551 reviews

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• Population 189,374

• City in North Dakota

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  Rating 4.17 out of 5  212 reviews

Current Resident: I was born and raised in a suburb in Fargo, North Dakota. I love how safe I feel walking around my neighborhood, and how safe Fargo is in general. Our neighborhood is a very friendly, welcoming place. We reach out to each other for help babysitting or fixing things, we all depend on and support each other. In addition, our neighborhood is always clean, people who own dogs pick up after themselves and there is never debris blocking the sidewalk. It’s always quiet and peaceful, but especially at night or early in the morning, as everyone is respectful of those who are sleeping.... Read 212 reviews

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• Population 124,979

• City in Texas

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  Rating 3.26 out of 5  275 reviews

Current Resident: I have seen a significant change in my community, especially in Midland, Texas. A wide range of food cultures, excellent housing, and friendly schools exist. Although it is usually dry and windy, Midland can improve more with more excellent swimming centers or offering more activities for teenagers around 13-18. Midland, Texas, is my home and is known as the big-money city for its oil field. There are also lovely parks, especially downtown, with live events and great shopping markets.... Read 275 reviews

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• Population 130,765

• City in Florida

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  Rating 3.58 out of 5  460 reviews

Current Resident: There’s nothing really wrong with Palm Bay. I think it’s in a rather good area. However, there are some negative areas that are out there: run down low socioeconomic economic status areas. Other than that I think it’s really good. However, the lack of, extracurricular opportunities for students to take in Palm Bay are not great. There’s not a lot of room for decision.... Read 460 reviews

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• Population 118,709

• City in Nebraska

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  Rating 3.86 out of 5  1,293 reviews

Other: Pretty big downtown area, and it has a big stadium where lots of concerts and baseball games are held! I watched Creighton college's game once, it has decent facilities as well. Big suburb area, that provides good schools! Some areas are very expensive, but mostly it is affordable housings.... Read 1,293 reviews

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• Population 488,059

• City in Nebraska

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  Rating 3.96 out of 5  856 reviews

Current Resident: Lincoln is a collection of several small towns that have been combined to create our state's capital city. The names of these former small towns are now the names of the respective neighborhoods within Lincoln. Several have retained their main streets and a neighborly atmosphere. New and old businesses complement one another. For those who enjoy shopping and urban exploration, each part of town offers something fun and often unexpected. If you like to eat out, you'll love Lincoln! Lincoln is a richly and peacefully diverse city. Many cultures call Lincoln home and we easily embrace this part of our heritage. We have neighbors of all colors, origins, orientations, identities, creeds and races. What we don't have is tension. We all enjoy a peaceful city to call home. Lincoln is always growing. The cost of living in Lincoln is so low that many families from the coasts move here. They have found that what they paid for a modest home elsewhere nets them an enviable house here.... Read 856 reviews

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• Population 289,136

• City in Ohio

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  Rating 4.13 out of 5  820 reviews

Nearby Resident: I love Cincinnati, my city, where stunning architecture and lush green spaces coexist harmoniously! The city's beautiful blend of historic and modern buildings is a treat for the eyes, while the numerous parks and gardens offer tranquil retreats amid the urban bustle. Cincinnati truly embraces the best of both worlds, making it a delightful destination for architecture enthusiasts and nature lovers alike!... Read 820 reviews

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• Population 308,664

• City in Michigan

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  Rating 4.25 out of 5  587 reviews

Current Resident: I used to come here a lot with my dad, as a kid. Now that I live here I am enjoying it even more! There is so much diversity, so much to do during the night and day, but in the same breath, it is family friendly down town as well. If you want to live more healthily, there are tons of gyms, healthy food options, both for eating out or shopping to eat in. Commute time is not bad since everything is pretty close. I went from commuting over an hour to and from work everyday, to now 15 minutes, maybe 20 if there is snow or a traffic accident. Over all would recommend living here!... Read 587 reviews

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• Population 197,858

• City in Louisiana

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  Rating 3.9 out of 5  388 reviews

Current Resident: My experience in the city of Lafayette is like no other. Lafayette isn't like any other town or city in Louisiana, The food is amazing , the places are unique , and the people are just amazing. Anywhere that you in Lafayette you will find a wonderful place to eat a good gumbo or jambalaya, you will find that people are very respective of each other, people always smile at you. Although Lafayette as a whole is amazing there are some things that could be changed. for starters I would love to economic expansion into the Northside of Lafayette, the people of the Northside feel that they are being left behind as Lafayette begins to expand and grow bigger. I would know how the people of the Northside feel because I live in this area, every time I drive around I see business struggle to stay open and sometimes they have no other option but to close down. While Lafayette as a whole is a beautiful city I believe that each part of the city should be taken into account for improvements.... Read 388 reviews

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• Population 122,469

• City in Texas

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  Rating 4.21 out of 5  4,485 reviews

Current Resident: Overall, my experience living in San Antonio, Texas has been great! I really enjoy the small-town feel of the city combined with big-city amenities. There's always something to do, whether it's visiting the Riverwalk or exploring the historic missions. The very mild winters are also a big plus for me. One thing I particularly like about San Antonio is the low cost of living and cheaper real estate. It is more affordable compared to other major cities in Texas like Austin or Dallas. Additionally, the city has a booming economy with plenty of job opportunities. If there was one thing I could change about San Antonio, it would be the traffic. It's not as bad as other cities I have visited, like Houston, but there are times when traffic can be frustrating and time-consuming. Overall, I am happy living in San Antonio and would recommend it to anyone looking for a great place to live.... Read 4,485 reviews

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• Population 1,434,540

• City in Kentucky

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  Rating 3.91 out of 5  886 reviews

Current Resident: I love my city! Lexington Kentucky is ever-growing, artistic, industrial, and community-minded. There are amazing community events, many local businesses, fantastic residents, and wonderful children. Horses and horse racing are a huge part of Lexington as it is home to Keeneland and the Red Mile. Lexington has great Derby parties as well. There are wonderful hotels, fine dining, and chic nightlife. Overall, I would never want to live anywhere other than here. No other city that I know has an amazing landscape full of country residential homes, great neighborhoods, horse farms, and amazing downtown condos and apartments. Lexington is home to the University of Kentucky, whose basketball teams are champions on and off the court. UK also has a world-renowned hospital as well as football, baseball, and women's sports teams.... Read 886 reviews

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• Population 321,354

• City in Texas

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  Rating 3.78 out of 5  693 reviews

Current Resident: Waco as a whole, feels like a very small, big town. There are many different areas in Waco that are in different economic phases, however, downtown is very charming and entertaining. The Baylor campus is gorgeous, Magnolia and fabulous, and the suburb areas are nice. There is a beautiful lake that offers walking and biking! On the other hand, there is a big homeless community, and you will often find many people pan handling on the corners.... Read 693 reviews

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• Population 136,800

• City in Ohio

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  Rating 3.93 out of 5  1,429 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived in the Columbus area for 10 years now. Throughout my time in Columbus, I have really enjoyed it! It is a growing city with a lot of opportunity and entertainment choices. I would like to see the crime rates continue to drop inside of the Interstate-270 areas. It does seem like steps are being taken to help with this, which I am happy to see! Also, the real estate market is very competitive and expensive. This can definitely deter future home buyers.... Read 1,429 reviews

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• Population 898,143