Cost of Living in America
There are a few different factors that can contribute to the overall cost of living in a particular state or city, including the cost of housing, groceries, healthcare, transportation, and taxes. With that in mind, here are a few states and cities that are generally considered to be relatively affordable places to live in the United States:
States:
- Mississippi is often ranked as one of the most affordable states in the country due to its low costs for housing, groceries, and healthcare.
- Arkansas is another state with a relatively low cost of living, particularly for housing and groceries.
- Oklahoma has a cost of living that is lower than the national average, particularly for housing and transportation.
Cities:
- Toledo, Ohio is known for its affordable housing prices and low costs for healthcare and transportation.
- Wichita, Kansas is another city with relatively low costs for housing, groceries, and healthcare.
- Grand Rapids, Michigan is often cited as a relatively affordable city to live in, particularly for housing and groceries.
Best Places to Live in America
10 Most Affordable Cities
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Wichita Falls, Texas
Brownsville, Texas
South Bend, Indiana
Dayton, Ohio
Toledo, Ohio
Evansville, Indiana
Buffalo, New York
Beaumont, Texas
Akron, Ohio
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10 Best Cities
The Woodlands, Texas
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Naperville, Illinois
Arlington, Virginia
Overland Park, Kansas
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Columbia, Maryland
Berkeley, California
Plano, Texas
- Irvine California
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10 Best Neighborhoods
City Center — Santa Monica, California
Cottonwood Creek South — Richardson, Texas
Hyde Park – Spanishtown Creek — Tampa, Florida
Harbour Island — Tampa, Florida
Radnor/Fort Myer Heights — Arlington, Virginia
Ocean Park — Santa Monica, California
University South — Palo Alto, California
Park Lake/Highland — Orlando, Florida
Mid-City — Santa Monica, California
Sammamish Valley — Redmond, Washington
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The Best Cities for Young Professionals
Hell’s Kitchen, New York City
Nolita, New York City
Telegraph Hill, San Francisco
Center Square, Albany, NY
Showplace Square, San Francisco
Downtown Orlando, Florida
Arena District, Columbus, Ohio
The Port, Cambridge, Massachusetts
South Lake Union, Seattle, Washington
Murray Hill, New York City
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| Rank | State | Real Estate Tax Rate | Average Home Price | Annual Property Tax |
| 1 | Hawaii | 0.28% | $615,300 | $606 |
| 2 | Alabama | 0.41% | $142,700 | $895 |
| 3 | Colorado | 0.51% | $343,300 | $1,113 |
| 4 | Louisiana | 0.55% | $163,100 | $1,187 |
| 5 | District of Columbia | 0.56% | $601,500 | $1,221 |
| 6 | South Carolina | 0.57% | $162,300 | $1,238 |
| 7 | Delaware | 0.57% | $251,100 | $1,240 |
| 8 | West Virginia | 0.58% | $119,600 | $1,269 |
| 9 | Nevada | 0.60% | $267,900 | $1,310 |
| 10 | Wyoming | 0.61% | $220,500 | $1,319 |
| 11 | Arkansas | 0.62% | $127,800 | $1,358 |
| 12 | Utah | 0.63% | $279,100 | $1,362 |
| 13 | Arizona | 0.66% | $225,500 | $1,446 |
| 14 | Idaho | 0.69% | $212,300 | $1,492 |
| 15 | Tennessee | 0.71% | $167,200 | $1,548 |
| 16 | California | 0.76% | $505,000 | $1,644 |
| 17 | New Mexico | 0.80% | $171,400 | $1,740 |
| 18 | Mississippi | 0.81% | $119,000 | $1,751 |
| 19 | Virginia | 0.82% | $273,100 | $1,779 |
| 20 | Montana | 0.84% | $230,600 | $1,818 |
| 21 | North Carolina | 0.84% | $172,500 | $1,833 |
| 22 | Indiana | 0.85% | $141,700 | $1,853 |
| 23 | Kentucky | 0.86% | $141,000 | $1,866 |
| 24 | Florida | 0.89% | $215,300 | $1,934 |
| 25 | Oklahoma | 0.90% | $136,800 | $1,952 |
| 26 | Georgia | 0.92% | $176,000 | $2,006 |
| 27 | Missouri | 0.97% | $157,200 | $2,111 |
| 28 | Oregon | 0.97% | $312,200 | $2,116 |
| 29 | North Dakota | 0.98% | $339,000 | $2,138 |
| 30 | Washington | 0.98% | $193,900 | $2,134 |
| 31 | Maryland | 1.09% | $314,800 | $2,370 |
| 32 | Minnesota | 1.12% | $223,900 | $2,429 |
| 33 | Alaska | 1.19% | $270,400 | $2,599 |
| 34 | Massachusetts | 1.23% | $381,600 | $2,667 |
| 35 | South Dakota | 1.31% | $167,100 | $2,857 |
| 36 | Maine | 1.36% | $190,400 | $2,953 |
| 37 | Kansas | 1.41% | $151,900 | $3,060 |
| 38 | Michigan | 1.54% | $154,900 | $3,343 |
| 39 | Ohio | 1.56% | $145,700 | $3,390 |
| 40 | Iowa | 1.57% | $147,800 | $3,407 |
| 41 | Pennsylvania | 1.58% | $180,200 | $3,442 |
| 42 | Rhode Island | 1.63% | $261,900 | $3,548 |
| 43 | New York | 1.72% | $313,700 | $3,749 |
| 44 | Nebraska | 1.73% | $155,800 | $3,754 |
| 45 | Texas | 1.80% | $172,500 | $3,907 |
| 46 | Wisconsin | 1.85% | $180,600 | $4,027 |
| 47 | Vermont | 1.90% | $227,700 | $4,135 |
| 48 | Connecticut | 2.14% | $275,400 | $4,658 |
| 49 | New Hampshire | 2.18% | $261,700 | $4,738 |
| 50 | Illinois | 2.27% | $194,500 | $4,942 |
| 51 | New Jersey | 2.49% | $335,600 | $5,419 |