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2021 Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in America

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  1. Clarksville

    • City in Tennessee
    • 591 reviews
    #51 Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in America

    Current Resident: There are many great hole-in-the-wall type businesses in Clarksville that are owned by locals that make Clarksville an interesting place. There are high respects for military members, as it is also a military town due to the location of Fort Campbell Army base! Plenty of parks and trails to keep you busy outdoors, and many different types of indoor activities, like laser tag and mini golf, if you're an indoors type of person! We also have many art galleries and the Roxy that put on amazing shows. I would definitely recommend Clarksville as a place for people to visit...Read 591 Reviews

    • A minus
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A minus
      Public Schools
    • B+
      Cost of Living
    • 152,934 Population
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  2. Erie

    • City in Pennsylvania
    • 352 reviews
    #52 Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in America

    Current Resident: Erie is a pretty decent place to live. The cost of renting apartments isn't too high and there are plenty of jobs available! The only issue would be the drug and crime rate, but I would think that most cities have this issue. Thankfully Erie is a very small city, so the traffic isn't too terrible during rush-hour. Another thing to look out for is the winter time. Snow happens and it can happen fast. Definitely have winter tires and all wheel drive if you have a car! Public transportation is pretty widely available and can get you all around the city...Read 352 Reviews

    • B minus
      Overall Niche Grade
    • C
      Public Schools
    • B+
      Cost of Living
    • 97,263 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  3. Lubbock

    • City in Texas
    • 842 reviews
    #53 Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in America

    Current Resident: Great town! I love the fact that Lubbock is so friendly! Everyone is willing to stop and help a person in need. I definitely feel safe walking around. There are plenty of shops and restaurants in town. The taxes are a little high but real estate is great. Most of the time the weather in Lubbock is great. The summers are nice and hot and winter are cold but without snow. I enjoy hanging out with friends and family. Lubbock has tons of activities too. You can go skating, bowling or even go to multiple different movie theaters. Usually in March the weather is quite crazy! Lubbock can be extremely windy. I love that the land is flat and that I can see every sunset and sunrise. I love that while driving you can see for miles and miles. Lubbock has a great medical community. There are a few hospitals all with great staff and reviews. For the most part Lubbock is a great town to go watch high school and college sports. The whole town gets together and supports their teams...Read 842 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A
      Public Schools
    • B+
      Cost of Living
    • 253,851 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  4. Cincinnati

    • City in Ohio
    • 712 reviews
    #54 Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in America

    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 712 Reviews

    • A minus
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B minus
      Public Schools
    • B+
      Cost of Living
    • 301,394 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  5. Omaha

    • City in Nebraska
    • 1,211 reviews
    #55 Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in America

    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 1,211 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A minus
      Public Schools
    • B+
      Cost of Living
    • 475,862 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  6. St. Louis

    • City in Missouri
    • 429 reviews
    #56 Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in America

    Current Resident: What I like about Saint Louis is the affordability of the housing. I like the colleges/universities we have are all near each other and are top ranking. The rich diverse history of the city. I enjoy the growing restaurant scene popping up. I enjoy the quaint little areas like the Central West End and downtown on Washington where residence can enjoy fine dining, shopping, and nightlife within walking distance of where they live. The city has beautiful architecture in the buildings and brick houses that's been here for a hundred years. Our city has some of the best public schools in the country. We have great city attraction such as the Saint Louis Arch, The St. Louis Zoo, and our new Aquarium. We have top notch hospitals such as Barnes and St. Louis University Hospital. I love that we that greet people by asking "What high school did you go to". Summers are a blast here with free concerts and plays. Finally, the best thing about my city is baseball go Saint Louis Cardinals!...Read 429 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • C minus
      Public Schools
    • B+
      Cost of Living
    • 308,174 Population
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  9. Winston-Salem

    • City in North Carolina
    • 669 reviews
    #57 Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in America

    Current Resident: Not too big and not too small, excellent history and charm all while being up to date. The city has kept older downtown buildings and revitalized them as apartments, gyms, bars and restaurants. Friendly locals and easy to get around. Great food and music!...Read 669 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B
      Public Schools
    • B+
      Cost of Living
    • 244,115 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  10. Columbus

    • City in Ohio
    • 1,339 reviews
    #58 Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in America

    Current Resident: I love Columbus! It is an area that keeps growing and expanding with people of all different cultures and backgrounds. There are lots of opportunities to meet new people and explore exciting places. Almost anyone can find something they enjoy here to do. The activities are numerous. For example, they have multiple music halls to suit everyone's tastes. The Newport is great for alternative and up-and-coming artists and the Schottenstein Center houses tons of big artists. In addition to entertainment, there are lots of parks for being in an urban environment. This is great for people with dogs or people who just need a break from the hectic feel of city life. I would highly recommend this area for people with families as well. There are growing suburban areas surrounding Columbus that have great schools and shops of their own to explore. Once I am done with college, I may set up a permanent home in Columbus myself because the environment is unmatched...Read 1,339 Reviews

    • A minus
      Overall Niche Grade
    • C+
      Public Schools
    • B+
      Cost of Living
    • 878,553 Population
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  11. Lakeland

    • City in Florida
    • 414 reviews
    #59 Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in America

    Current Resident: Lakeland is a small but growing town. Very family friendly place to grow up. It’s a great place to raise kids and offers many job opportunities. Great schools and access to universities. Parks, beautiful lakes, trails, sports for kids and great neighborhoods. Tampa is west just 45 minutes and Orlando and Disney are about 55 minutes. Airports are in those cities too. Beaches are also about an hour and a half to the gulf and 2 hours to the Atlantic Ocean. Very senior friendly town too. Dreams do come true in Lakeland! I’m thankful my dad relocated us to Lakeland in 1966 because I’ve experienced the growing pains and positive changes and growth. Love living in Lakeland...Read 414 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B minus
      Public Schools
    • B+
      Cost of Living
    • 107,922 Population
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  12. San Antonio

    • City in Texas
    • 4,113 reviews
    #60 Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in America

    Current Resident: San Antonio isn't just the perfect place for a family vacation; it's a great, vibrant city full of beautiful people, sounds, culture and food. San Antonio has offerings for an array of likes and hobbies. You can enjoy the downtown life; day or night! There's so much to learn about the history and the culture of South Central Texans at any time of the year but my personal favorite is in April during Fiesta when the city comes together to celebrate the heroes of the Alamo and Battle of San Antonio. I highly recommend San Antonio as a place to visit or live based on the affordable realty, family centricity and great school systems...Read 4,113 Reviews

    • A minus
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B+
      Public Schools
    • B+
      Cost of Living
    • 1,508,083 Population
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  13. Waco

    • City in Texas
    • 643 reviews
    #61 Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in America

    Current Resident: Waco contains great tourist spots: Texas Ranger Museum, Magnolia Silos, Sports Hall of Fame Museum, and great places of higher education: McLennan Community College, Texas State Technical College, and Baylor University. You have a wide variety of restaurant choices here too: barbecue, Tex-Mex, and Asian are a few of them. Of all the things I like about Waco, my personal favorite is Cameron Park, where I hike on black diamond and double black diamond trails! It is a fairly clean city that is full of housing choices, public school choices, and transportation choices. Waco has beautiful springtimes, cool autumn, and mild winters. Summer is HOT, which means lots of swimming, movies in air conditioning, and ice cream! Walks along Lake Brazos and other outdoor activities keep you busy, as well as travel to other Texas cities like Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. It's a great city!...Read 643 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B
      Public Schools
    • B+
      Cost of Living
    • 135,858 Population
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  14. Fort Worth

    • City in Texas
    • 2,349 reviews
    #62 Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in America

    Niche User: My 15 years of living in Fort Worth has been amazing! The amount of infrastructure that developed will certainly benefit others who have already lived in Fort Worth. For example, there are an incredible amount of local fast foods or malls that one can apply or search through. Not to mention, there are schools all around, and the environment is family-friendly for any newcomers thinking about living in Fort Worth. From my perspective, the affordability for new houses or apartments is fair, and food can be provided anywhere. Last but not least, safety is ensured, and a wide variety of diversity is included for those who feel uncomfortable with their surroundings. Thus, Fort Worth is an incredible area for one to live in since they provide safety and comfortability for any classes...Read 2,349 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • C+
      Public Schools
    • B
      Cost of Living
    • 874,401 Population
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  15. Arlington

    • City in Texas
    • 1,049 reviews
    #63 Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in America

    Current Resident: Throughout my 18 years at Arlington, I have experienced many good things. Growing up in Arlington was a blessed just because I know others would wish to have education and a better life. I was very lucky to get good academic support from my schools. I learned and grew academically each year to know successfully graduate. I had the opportunity to make good friendships and get to know a lot of people. Arlington also has great amusement parks and other fun activities. For example, we have the AT&T stadium, the Parks Mall, outlets, highland, Six Flags, water parks, and more! Even though, I had a good experience there's some things I would change. One is the traffic as over the years it has gotten worse. There isn't much to do but to build more roads. Lastly, keeping this city clean. I have seen trash in parks and on the edges of the roads. I know it's big to make a change when you can't control how people think or were raised, but we can spread awareness...Read 1,049 Reviews

    • A minus
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B
      Public Schools
    • B
      Cost of Living
    • 395,477 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  16. Fargo

    • City in North Dakota
    • 185 reviews
    #64 Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in America

    Current Resident: Amazing entrepreneurial atmosphere and climate! If you want to grow, start something new, or venture outside your comfort zone, this is the place! From NDSU programming that inspires entrepreneurship to Emerging Prairie's support of agriculture and learning, there's something for everyone!Read 185 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A minus
      Public Schools
    • B
      Cost of Living
    • 121,889 Population
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  17. Knoxville

    • City in Tennessee
    • 634 reviews
    #65 Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in America

    Current Resident: I would not want to live anywhere else! Knoxville, Tennessee is the perfect size, in my opinion, because it is big enough to where you are always meeting new people and trying new things, but small enough to where it doesn't feel overwhelming and you can stay connected to your roots. I think there are many educational opportunities because of Knoxville great schools around town and a university in the middle of downtown Knoxville. I also think there is always something to do! There are always new pop ups or small businesses opening up around town, and many beautiful parks or places with a great view of the city. Along with that I feel a sense of safety and community in Knoxville. Everything is well kept, landscaped, and clean as well as the many safe neighborhoods that are available all over the city. I feel safe at home, at school, and at all of my activities around town. I'm very thankful for having the opportunity to live in such an amazing city like Knoxville, Tennessee...Read 634 Reviews

    • A minus
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B+
      Public Schools
    • B
      Cost of Living
    • 186,173 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  18. Columbus

    • City in Georgia
    • 576 reviews
    #66 Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in America

    Current Resident: Wonderful place to grow up! Love the downtown/uptown area especially. Don't miss the Springer, whitewater rafting, the RiverCenter, Iron Bank Coffee, and much more!Read 576 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B minus
      Public Schools
    • B
      Cost of Living
    • 195,739 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  19. Little Rock

    • City in Arkansas
    • 410 reviews
    #67 Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in America

    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 410 Reviews

    • A minus
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B minus
      Public Schools
    • B
      Cost of Living
    • 197,958 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  22. Kansas City

    • City in Missouri
    • 617 reviews
    #68 Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in America

    Current Resident: I have absolutely loved living in Kansas City. I had lived in the suburbs for my whole life and decided that I wanted a change of pace in college. KC was a really good pick! It's a mid-size city which provides "city life" while not being overwhelming. There are plenty of affordable housing options in and around the city, many from $500-600 a month, and cheaper options can be found with roommates as well. The media gives KC a bad rap with crime, however the majority of the city is extremely safe and I have rarely felt uncomfortable or unsafe in my day-to-day life...Read 617 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B+
      Public Schools
    • B
      Cost of Living
    • 486,404 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  23. Jacksonville

    • City in Florida
    • 1,388 reviews
    #69 Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in America

    Current Resident: Jacksonville has a lot offer. A rapidly developing city, growing in population and business opportunities. There's always a new store to shop or restaurant to try. Many people I meet have ties to the military. No matter what side of the city you live, there is quick access to the expressway that allows commuting to be a breeze. It has many scenic nature trails, rivers, and a beach. There are many outdoor and indoor activities to keep you entertained no matter your age! I enjoyed the overcrowded schools I attended before college. I was able to experience the diversity of the city at a very young age. Jacksonville is safe place to live. It has became expensive to live. The market is very competitive if you are looking to purchase a home. You can expect just about everything in Jacksonville a city has to offer...Read 1,388 Reviews

    • A minus
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B minus
      Public Schools
    • B
      Cost of Living
    • 890,467 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  24. Lexington

    • City in Kentucky
    • 819 reviews
    #70 Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in America

    Current Resident: I have lived in Lexington for the past 3 years and enjoyed every minute of it! It’s a very lively city with so much to offer. I particularly enjoy all the restaurants and entertainment venues in Lexington. There’s also so much diversity throughout the city. I’d say that Lexington is a bustling city with a college-town vibe due to University of Kentucky. ...In particular, I find that the city is extremely safe. I can leave my car unlocked all day and there’s a high probability that I will not be robbed (I don’t and wouldn’t do this). I can also go out running in the middle of the night without fear of being harmed. Law enforcement is everywhere at all hours during the day. Lexington is much safer than the majority of big cities in the US...Read 819 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A minus
      Public Schools
    • B
      Cost of Living
    • 320,601 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  25. Irving

    • City in Texas
    • 707 reviews
    #71 Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in America

    Current Resident: We've been in Irving for 5 years and love it. We're 15 minutes from DFW and Love Field so travel is a snap. It's only about 15 minutes to downtown Dallas. We can take the TRE into Dallas or Fort Worth. There's a plethora of restaurants. Grocery stores are plentiful. We're also very close to two Amazon warehouses so sometimes we'll order something and get it within hours. South Irving has an undeserved bad reputation. We bought an affordable house in a leafy area of older homes and it's been the best decision we've ever made. Our home sits on a quarter acre and we're able to have a huge garden. Our neighbors are diverse, kind and look out for one another. We plan to retire here, we love it so much!...Read 707 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B+
      Public Schools
    • B
      Cost of Living
    • 239,783 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  26. Greensboro

    • City in North Carolina
    • 894 reviews
    #72 Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in America

    Current Resident: Overall, I love Greensboro! Like anywhere in the world, there are pros and cons. However, Greensboro's positives outweigh any cons. There are so many parks, running/'hiking trails, biking trails, dog parks, and lakes available to the public which make it fun and easy to engage in a healthy lifestyle with my family. Furthermore, I absolutely love how many different restaurants Greensboro has! A few have even been featured in magazines and Food Network to include Scrambled Diner and Hops Burger Bar. My favorite thing about the city is how family-friendly and diverse it is. Just in my neighborhood, there are about 10 different ethnicity in my cul-de -sac. This makes for a warm and embracing atmosphere, especially for the kids! My daughter will be able to grow up understanding cultural differences and values, and she'll be able to better connect with her peers because of it. It is a great place to live!...Read 894 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B+
      Public Schools
    • B
      Cost of Living
    • 291,303 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  27. Pittsburgh

    • City in Pennsylvania
    • 737 reviews
    #73 Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in America

    Current Resident: Pittsburgh is an excellent city with a lot of pride from those that live there. There is so much to do in this city such as: attend sporting games, visit a museum, take a ride on the incline or a boat, and my personal favorite: lots of food! Pittsburgh is also home to the Pittsburgh zoo, Sandcastle water park, Idlewild, and Kennywood. These are some popular tourist attractions filled with fun things to do for the whole family, especially in the summer. One down side of Pittsburgh is the parking. I wish there were more parking garages to help ease the stress of finding somewhere to park in the busy city!...Read 737 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B minus
      Public Schools
    • B
      Cost of Living
    • 302,205 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  28. High Point

    • City in North Carolina
    • 286 reviews
    #74 Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in America

    Current Resident: High Point is a good place to live. There is Oak Hollow Lake and out towards Jamestown, you have City Lake as well. High Point is also home of the International Furniture Market, which draws interesting buyers twice a year. We have Festival Park which draws the yearly jazz festivals, and we have the annual fireworks display. Enough fast food and more upscale dine in restaurants, with a lot of variety. We also have The High Point Theatre, a state of the art downtown venue. We have trains and bus lines. If a person doesn't have a car, no problem. You can definitely take public transit. We're close to Piedmont Triad International Airport. Schools and churches abound. Roads are well maintained and easily managed...Read 286 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B+
      Public Schools
    • B
      Cost of Living
    • 111,714 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  29. Fayetteville

    • City in North Carolina
    • 984 reviews
    #75 Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in America

    Current Resident: I love all the nature and outdoor activity you can do with family. There are amazing parks that you can go too and learn about native plants, animals and so much more. There are plenty of hiking trails and with the mountains just an hour or so away that is also an option! If you like museums there are plenty near Fort Bragg! You learn about the history of our military and the planes that were used. My husband and I try to stay very active and there is ALWAYS something to do! On date nights we have a large amount of restaurants to chose from. Our favorite so far is Bubba's! There are also bubble tea spots. I have never had it before and it is honestly amazing...Read 984 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B
      Public Schools
    • B
      Cost of Living
    • 210,432 Population
    View Nearby Homes
  30. Sponsored

    Peninsula Catholic High School

    • Private School
    • NEWPORT NEWS, VA
    • 8-12
    • 94 reviews

    Senior: Peninsula Catholic is an amazing community that I can call family. The teachers are always willing to help the students no matter what and actually do care for the students that attend. They in a sense become a "parental figure" in an educational manner. You meet amazing people that will become life-long friends, there are great sports and clubs to partake in, and everyone is welcome. Because our school is smaller, teachers can have a more 1:1 relationship with the students really helping us succeed even more. Not only that but you are bound to make amazing friends. We have an array of classes ranging from regular, honors, college credit, advanced placement, and more. I definitely would love to see even more courses added in the future, but with what we have, it is satisfactory. I would also say our school is very into technology, so we are up to date with the technology-fed generation and the teachers, for the most part, can keep up as well. I definitely would recommend coming here...Read 94 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 284 Students
    • 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  35. Sponsored

    St. Bernadette School

    • Private School
    • SPRINGFIELD, VA
    • PK, K-8
    • 34 reviews

    Parent: My daughter began attending St. Bernadette School in the 7th Grade following our move to Northern Virginia. We couldn't be more pleased with her experience. The teachers, staff, student and parents are dedicated, kind, and caring. They helped her transition to a rigorous Catholic education, including first-time instruction in religion, grammar, cursive, and Spanish. The school is part of a vibrant parish; the priests are about campus and in the classroom. St. Bernadette School is Catholic education at its best!...Read 34 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 468 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  36. Sponsored

    Stuart Hall School

    • Private School
    • STAUNTON, VA
    • 5-12
    • 66 reviews

    Parent: I am a parent of two alum and a current high school student. The teachers and academics have been instrumental in preparing my kids to excel in college. Both my graduates are in extremely challenging, highly ranked programs and both find that they have an easier time handling the college workload than their peers. Our favorite part of the school, however, has been the tightly knit community feeling that started in the lower school and continued through graduation and beyond. We are excited about the new esport program and the technological/media opportunities coming to our new downtown campus. Recent renovations in our historic buildings have also made the main campus more comfortable and compelling...Read 66 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 144 Students
    • 5:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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