2022 Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in America

• City in Missouri

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  Rating 3.64 out of 5  584 reviews

Current Resident: My experience with Springfield has been great! Springfield offers many dining, entertainment, and culinary options to see and enjoy. Downtown has so many great things to see and many things to do. Hammons Field is a great experience to see professional baseball, MediaCom Ice-park is also a wonderful option downtown, and the Gilloiz Theatre offers many great musicals, plays, and shows. The one thing I wish Springfield would take time to improve is the drainage system. It seems like every time it rains, the streets become majorly flooded and it becomes hard to control your vehicle. Other than that, Springfield is a wonderful place to see, visit, and live!... Read 584 reviews

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• Population 168,603

• City in Texas

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  Rating 3.71 out of 5  888 reviews

Current Resident: Lubbock has been the best city the past four years. Growing up I visited all the time because my little sister had doctors appointments at UMC. It was great back then, the people were always kind and went out of their way to make a good impression about the city. You won't find kinder people - even the college students working at "Spanky's". And now as a college student in the same city, I am still as impressed as I was a decade ago. In fact, a large reason for wanting to come to Texas Tech was because of how friendly people were. Furthermore, Lubbock is a foodie paradise, filled with great locally owned restaurants and franchise's. It is a perfect city with diverse groups of people - college students, country and city types, families and much more. It is guaranteed you will find your people in Lubbock. It has amazing history with Buddy Holly, former congressman and more!... Read 888 reviews

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• grade B+

• Population 255,537

• City in Minnesota

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  Rating 3.94 out of 5  281 reviews

Current Resident: Overall, I enjoy living in Rochester. It's a decent place to raise our family. I laugh when people complain about the roads or traffic. There is no traffic, and the roads are well-maintained (compared to every other place I've lived). But you'll find Minnesotans love complaining about the roads, weather, and how bad the Vikings choke in the playoffs (if they make it). Housing is still fairly affordable compared to the rest of the country, but higher than places like Iowa, Kansas, etc. Rochester has a lot of family-friendly activities, but is geared towards family with younger kids. Teens would probably struggle to find things to do here. I enjoy outside activities: fishing, hiking, skiing, hunting, etc. There's a fair amount of that, but you have to travel 25+ miles for anything good. Growing up in Montana, I have high standards for that sort of thing, but the trout fishing in nearby streams is satisfactory. Overall, a nice place. I long for the mountains and scenery though!... Read 281 reviews

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• Population 119,732

• City in Michigan

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  Rating 3.56 out of 5  363 reviews

Current Resident: I really love Warren and the loving neighbors that live around me. Growing up, I created all my memories in Warren and fell in love with the welcoming environment. Everything you need in life is right around you such as stores, mosques, schools, and so much more. If I could change one thing, it would be the fact that sometimes racism and bullying can be an issue but overall, it is a wonderful city.... Read 363 reviews

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• grade B

• Population 138,996

• City in North Carolina

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  Rating 3.65 out of 5  701 reviews

Current Resident: I am a Winston Salem native and I love this city! We are a city full of art displays and culture. What I love most about Winston-Salem is the diversity, the people, and the ambiance. Going downtown is like a breath of fresh air, unlike other towns that can be stuffy in that area. Our downtown is filled with street art and formal art. The only thing I would change is the cost of living. It is becoming more and more popular which makes things more expensive.... Read 701 reviews

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• Population 247,917

• City in Florida

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  Rating 4.05 out of 5  433 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 433 reviews

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• Population 110,401

• City in New York

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  Rating 3.8 out of 5  492 reviews

Current Resident: I grew up in a rural town for most of my life. When I moved to Rochester I loved how everything I could possibly think of is within a 20 minute or less drive from where I live. There are a variety opportunities here, and lots of foods to try! Rochester is named as one of the best foodie places. Theres also always something going on, whether you're more into a chill, relaxing time or a night out. If you're interested in it, theres a good chance you'll find some event related to it in Rochester. My favorite is the public market on the weekends; there is such great produce for super cheap, and you can taste how much better it is than getting it at the grocery store. From food trucks to the lilac festival to baseball games, Rochester has it all. You just have to explore online for these things. Rochester is also a great location for other cities; we are only 3 hours from Toronto and an hour from Buffalo, another great foodie town!... Read 492 reviews

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• Population 211,100

• City in Michigan

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  Rating 4.25 out of 5  567 reviews

Current Resident: Grand Rapids is a growing city that has the potential to become something great! If you're a foodie, you're in luck! There are so many different restaurants of all different categories on every street! For all those with dietary restrictions, it is very easy to find gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian options! One downside to the city is its rising crime rate. Be careful to be aware of your surroundings as the sun goes down!... Read 567 reviews

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• Population 197,858

• City in Nebraska

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  Rating 3.95 out of 5  828 reviews

Current Resident: If you've never been to Lincoln NE, you probably think it sounds like the most boring place ever. The best kept secret is that is actually a wonderfully unique place to live. Lincoln is a college town that also is the capital as well as a good sized city with an awesome downtown. We have such great diversity and culture for being in Nebraska and a huge array of events for families and adults (college game day anyone?). I moved here at 18 for college thinking I would leave immediately once I graduated but I fell in love with this city for its amazing art scene and fun live music events, now I never want to leave! If you're looking for city events & convenience (everything is within 15/20 min drive) with pockets of neighborhoods and shops with small town vibes (so walkable!), this is the place for you. One star off for the winter weather though, but we can't all live in Hawaii I guess!... Read 828 reviews

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• Population 289,136

• City in Texas

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  Rating 4.2 out of 5  4,330 reviews

Current Resident: There is absolutely no place like San Antonio. Living here all nineteen years of my life, I have always wanted to move away and explore. After completing my first year of college in an entire metroplex, about a four hour drive away, it made me realize San Antonio is the best city to live in Texas. I love the DFW area, but it just doesn’t feel as great as San Antonio. San Antonio has so many unique places and characteristics about it. Of course we have the tourist spots like the Alamo and the Riverwalk, but we have unique events like Fiesta, which is a huge, week long party we celebrate in the Spring. We are also all die-hard Spurs fans, our NBA team. The diversity in San Antonio is something that makes SA, SA! The city feels so welcoming to everyone, no matter what. The Market Square has so much food and shops of many different cultures, which is a main reason San Antonio is such an amazing place; it’s such a culture enriched city, it will never fail to amaze you.... Read 4,330 reviews

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• grade B

• Population 1,434,540

• City in Ohio

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  Rating 4.13 out of 5  776 reviews

Current Resident: I love living in Cincinnati! I have lived in the northeastern suburbs of Cincinnati my entire life, and have lots of experience with all that the city has to offer. We're big enough of a city to have professional sports teams and multiple D1 colleges in town, but not overwhelmingly large like New York, Chicago, or LA. My mom was raised here and has lived almost her entire life here, and she loves the sense of community the area has. Because the city and the greater metropolitan area (where I'm from) tend to be divided up into smaller communities, living in Cincinnati has a small-town feel, but you can easily escape into the crowd when going downtown. People from Cincinnati don't identify themselves as "people from Mariemont" or "Hyde Parkers," we unify ourselves under the common city, Cincinnati, proving how strong the sense of community and togetherness the city brings.... Read 776 reviews

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• Population 308,664

• City in Tennessee

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  Rating 3.97 out of 5  557 reviews

Former Resident: I was born and raised in Chattanooga. It's a great place to grow up and I've seen significant expansion of the downtown area. There is great opportunity for start-up businesses thanks to the city-wide wi-fi and accessibility for local artists to find a platform thanks to many art-focused non-profits. That said, while the central city is very open-minded, the outskirt areas such as Soddy Daisy and Harrison are much more conservative in regards to personal expression. I am originally from Harrison and have seen firsthand the prejudices. This does not delineate the accessibility to open communities provided by groups in the downtown areas, but does cause a lot of conflict on the political level regarding those who get elected into city and county positions of power. I am grateful for the opportunities the city provides but would love to see council-level changes.... Read 557 reviews

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• Population 180,353

• City in Texas

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  Rating 3.78 out of 5  671 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 671 reviews

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• Population 136,800

• City in Nebraska

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  Rating 3.86 out of 5  1,255 reviews

Nearby Resident: Honestly, I love Omaha. Coming from Columbus, Ohio, it’s definitely a great and safe place to raise a family or buy a house. The city looks to be expanding and building a lot more homes and apartments. There’s a park on every corner and plenty of amazing places to eat, including multiple vegan options and a variety of different cuisines. The schools are good I’ve heard, I haven’t been to one firsthand, though. Everyone is walking their dogs and bringing their kids along with them, which gives a family friendly feel. Obviously, this isn’t the most diverse city in the country, but you do meet all kinds of amazing people if you look! The Universities here are also really great, with large, medium and smaller schools to fit everyone’s needs, along with amazing culinary schools. I’m excited to see how much Omaha really grows and would definitely recommend young families to look into moving to Omaha if the opportunity arises!... Read 1,255 reviews

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• Population 488,059

• City in Missouri

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  Rating 3.72 out of 5  458 reviews

Current Resident: I love this city! It is very diverse and there is so many FREE and FUN opportunities for a student on a budget like myself. Cost of living can be high, but learning where to live and how to split rent has helped me over the past several years. Certain areas are definitely safer and more accessible than others, so it is a good idea to do research before choosing a location. The city is overall not very walkable, and a car is your best bet on transportation, as public transit leaves much to be desired here.... Read 458 reviews

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• grade B

• Population 302,787

• City in Georgia

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  Rating 3.46 out of 5  588 reviews

Former Resident: Columbus isn't as bad as people make it out to be. There's plenty of fun places to go and spend time with friends and family. There's also tons of stores and restaurants to go to! The schools are also pretty good, for the most part. The high school I went to, Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts, is a fantastic school that I highly recommend. Overall, I believe that Columbus is a pretty nice city.... Read 588 reviews

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• grade B

• Population 204,366

• City in Arkansas

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  Rating 3.8 out of 5  432 reviews

Current Resident: Very affordable to live here. Amazing views but need more jobs! Arkansas has an amazingly mild climate across all seasons. It is also one of the most affordable states in which to live. The economy is strong and diverse with numerous job opportunities. The schools are good and the state truly promotes the arts. Whether you’re looking for a job or a rewarding volunteer opportunity, Arkansas has much to offer. As greater Little Rock, Texarkana, northeast and northwest Arkansas continue to grow, professionals are needed to fill positions in fields ranging from technology and agriculture to teaching and sale.... Read 432 reviews

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• Population 201,893

• City in Ohio

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  Rating 3.94 out of 5  1,385 reviews

Current Resident: Overall Columbus, Ohio is a great place to live. There is a good mixture of city and nature here. I enjoy being outdoors and hiking and there are plenty of places to do that here. Columbus also has a ton of great restaurants and markets. There are plenty of other activities here including theater, museums, and family-friendly locations! As with any large city, I sometimes wish it felt a little safer here. There is a significant amount of crime and it has been consistently increasing.... Read 1,385 reviews

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• grade B

• Population 898,143

• City in Texas

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  Rating 3.96 out of 5  2,428 reviews

Current Resident: Fort Worth Is a great city! Friendly and spontaneous, there's always something new! It has the thrill of the big city with the safety and coziness of small hometown. From the Botanical Research Institute of Texas and Botanical Gardens to the #1 zoo in the country, quality experiences are everywhere. The temperature gets high, but luckily, the Water Gardens are public and open in the summer. Another summer highlight? The Stockyards are impossible to miss, a tradition that gathers spectators from over 5 continents yearly. More of a science person? Check out the Perot in downtown DFW, or the Natural History museum. A music lover? How about the Cliburn Nationals or the Ft. Worth Symphony's Summerside concerts? For the theater kids, Bass Hall is a must-see, and for the art enthusiasts... there's The Modern, The Kimbell, The Sid Richardson, The Amon Carter, and more! Fort Worth is a place bursting with creativity, and you'll love it here. You just might not know it yet.... Read 2,428 reviews

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• grade B

• Population 908,469

• City in Texas

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  Rating 4 out of 5  1,094 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived in Arlington, Texas, since 2016. Since I have been here, I had always found something to do, somewhere to eat, and a new place to see. I love how there is always something to do in Arlington whether it be a good noodle restaurant, the Parks mall, or a movie theatre where I can eat as well. I have met so many nice people here and love the energy of Arlington. I would recommend a visit here!... Read 1,094 reviews

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• grade B

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• Population 392,304

• City in Florida

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  Rating 3.84 out of 5  1,485 reviews

Current Resident: The city has a beautiful river that flows right through it! It is also a beach town. There is something for everyone in Jacksonville. Students, single professionals, military service people and especially families. The cost of living is great reasonable. Schools are great. There are many different neighborhoods so it accommodates every lifestyle. It is easily accessible via interstate 95 and our great airport! It blends the perfect mix of lowcountry meets the tropics. There is a mild change of seasons which is rare for Florida. It’s a kept secret not everyone knows about or appreciates.... Read 1,485 reviews

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• grade B

• Population 937,690

• City in Kentucky

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  Rating 3.89 out of 5  849 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 849 reviews

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• Population 321,354

• City in North Carolina

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  Rating 3.82 out of 5  926 reviews

Current Resident: Greensboro is a great place to live or visit! The downtown area has so much to offer including delicious restaurants, beautiful parks, and unique art and sculptures. The Greensboro Science Center is a great place for people of all ages and definitely worth the visit. Greensboro's history is also one of its key features, as it is home to the Civil Rights Museum.... Read 926 reviews

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• Population 295,483

• City in North Dakota

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  Rating 4.2 out of 5  200 reviews

Current Resident: Fargo is full of friendly people, has many entertainment options, and so many restaurants! Fargo is a great city for people of all ages - families, college students, young adults and older adults.... Read 200 reviews

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• Population 124,979

• City in Texas

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  Rating 3.78 out of 5  725 reviews

Current Resident: My experience in Irving has been a fruitful one. I thank God for the opportunity to even be a part of such a community; it has truly been a experience of nature, love, and guidance. Even in the harshest days and bewildered times, I have turned to the Irving community for support and fellowship. We are genuine in interest and share a commonality of southern hospitality. One thing I wish we could change is our road infrastructure. The roads are rather cumbersome and over time can be detrimental to a vehicle's longevity. In spite of these aspects. We continue to thrive and find purpose in our daily mission as a community of common folk.... Read 725 reviews

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• Population 254,184