If you are thinking about relocating to a cheap city to escape the expense of living in LA or NYC, you need to weigh the pros and cons of doing so. No matter how attractive low-cost living is, jobs are hard to come by in cities with low cost living. To ensure that the city you are choosing meets your needs, you should plan an extensive visit.
Texas is one of the states with the lowest costs of living. However, before you start looking for cheap apartments in Arlington TX for instance, here are some of the cheapest cities to live in the USA:
Oklahoma City
For its size, the largest city in Oklahoma has some of the most affordable prices. With a population of 638,367 and an unemployment rate of 3.9 percent, it is one of the best places to live. Moreover, Oklahoma City has a number of big attractions that will keep you entertained during your free time. If you are basketball fan, you will have a new home team to support in Oklahoma City Thunder.
Memphis, Tennessee
The cost of real estate in this city is quite cheap, making it an ideal place to raise your family. For less than 100,000 dollars, an amount that does not even qualify as down payment in the more expensive cities, you can buy a house in Memphis. If you want to rent, you will be happy to know that the rent in this city is a third of the national average.
Jonesboro, Ark
Mostly known as the home of Arkansas State University, this town is one of the most affordable cities in USA. When in Jonesboro, putting a roof over your head will cost 25.8 percent less than the national average. Moreover, the healthcare in this city is quite reasonable, which means that you will save 25 percent on dentist visits and 20 percent on doctor visits.
When you visit an optometrist, you will pay about thirty percent less than the national average. Furthermore, if you ever feel the need to escape to a big city, you can head to Memphis, which is a few miles away. With one of the lowest rates of unemployment in the country, you will find a job quite easily.
Knoxville, Tennessee
If you are a thrifty type, you should consider moving to Knoxville, which is an inexpensive city. Best known for its across-board affordability, you can afford everything from transport to food in this city. With a great mixture of city and country living, you are guaranteed to enjoy the best of both worlds.
The Tennessee River passes through downtown and the city played a big role during the civil war. For this reason, history buffs can see quite a few battlefields in the surrounding areas. With a low unemployment rate of 3.5 percent, you are most likely going to find a job in Knoxville.
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Living in this city is cheap, which makes it a great place to live. However, you should know that a third of the Kalamazoo population lives below the poverty line. Even those who do not live below the poverty line face problems with underemployment and low wages.
Kalamazoo has a low household income but the multiple research facilities and campuses in the area drive the city’s economy. When it comes to recreational activities, you will have many free activities from which you can choose.
Conclusion
If you are tired of living from hand to mouth, you should move to one of the above cities. There, you will find affordable housing and you can raise your family with minimal financial strain.