Cozy and inexpensive: 11 US cities with a low cost of living

Each year, Niche identifies the best places to live in the US - places where residents can relatively easily afford housing, send their kids to good schools, and find great jobs, among other things. Each location is evaluated using both statistics and surveys of residents. Niche also takes into account crime, outdoor activities, commute time, nightlife, weather, and racial diversity in its rankings. Which cities topped the rating this year, the publication said Business Insider.

Photo: IStock

Most of the urban areas on this list have one thing in common: they seem to have avoided strong migration of buyers and soaring home prices that have made it unaffordable in hot spots like Austin (Texas), Miami (Florida), Phoenix (Arizona) and Bozeman (Montana).

Take, for example, lesser-known cities. For example, Evansville (Indiana), located on the banks of the Ohio River in southwestern Indiana. There, buyers can purchase a typical home for as little as $103 — a fraction of the $300 average home price in the country.

However, just because a city has affordable housing prices doesn't mean it's the right place for you. It is important to consider that lowering the cost of living sometimes comes at the expense of other features of the city, such as safety, healthcare, and recreation.

Read on to learn more about the 11 best and most affordable cities to live in in 2023, including what they are known for, how much people earn, how much houses cost, and what residents say about them.

They are listed in reverse order, with number 1 being the best and cheapest place to live.

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11. Dayton Ohio

Known for modern aviation, as the city was home to flight pioneers Orville and Wilbur Wright. Other claims to notoriety include gold and coal mining, and well-known industries such as healthcare and information technology.

• Population: 138 416 people
• Average income: $ 37
• Average house price: $ 73
• Great: cost of living, activities, nightlife, variety, commuting
• A little bit worse: public schools, housing, family, work, crime and safety, weather, health and fitness

Resident feedback: the current resident said moving to Dayton was the right move. “I moved to Dayton in 2018,” he wrote. “My life has blossomed since this move and I love where I live.”

10. Erie, PA

Named after the Great Lake on whose shores it is located. As Pennsylvania's only port on the Great Lakes, its primary industries are the transportation of minerals and materials, from iron and steel to salt and stone.

• Population: 95 536 people
• Average income: $ 40
• Average house price: $ 91
• Great: cost of living, outdoor activities, nightlife, diversity, health and fitness, commuting
• A little bit worse: public schools, housing, family, work, crime and safety, weather

Resident feedback: the current resident said Erie is his favorite place. “I've lived all over the country in major cities, and Erie is by far the best place I've ever lived,” he wrote. “I discovered that people who have negative views of Erie have never lived outside the city. They have absolutely nothing to compare it to to understand how fantastic it is to live in this place.”

9. Akron, Ohio

The city is a leading rubber and tire manufacturer and is still home to Goodyear's headquarters, earning it the nickname of the rubber capital of the world. It is also known for Tudor architecture.

• Population: 191 483 rights
• Average income: $ 42
• Average house price: $ 87
• Great: cost of living, activities, nightlife, variety, commuting
• A little bit worse: public schools, housing, work, family, crime and safety, health and fitness, weather

Resident feedback: a current resident noted that living in Akron is very affordable. “Akron is a great place to live to save money,” he wrote. “It’s a very inexpensive area.”

8. Brownsville texas

Brownsville, located on the southern tip of Texas on the border with Mexico, has recently become best known as the largest city next to Elon Musk's rocket company SpaceX. Near the beaches and resorts of South Padre Island, many residents work in the aviation and tourism industries, as well as in the food, petrochemical, and agricultural industries.

• Population: 185 849 people
• Average income: $ 43
• Average house price: $ 95
• Great: public schools, cost of living, weather, commuting
• A little bit worse: housing, family, work, outdoor activities, crime and safety, nightlife, diversity, health and fitness

Resident feedback: a current resident said Brownsville has a rich culture. “Brownsville is a great commuter city with a wonderful community rooted in Hispanic culture and heritage,” he wrote. “The people of this small town are hardworking and determined.”

7. Toledo, Ohio

Situated on the western shore of Lake Erie, Toledo is a large port city an hour from Detroit and two hours from Cleveland. It is also known for its glass industry and the headquarters of automakers including Jeep.

• Population: 271 454 rights
• Average income: $ 41
• Average house price: $ 87
• Great: cost of living, activities, nightlife, variety, commuting
• A little bit worse: public schools, housing, family, work, crime and safety, weather, health and fitness.

Resident feedback: a current resident said the town is especially good for families. “What I love about Toledo is the family-friendly neighborhood I currently live in,” he wrote. — There are many places for children and many places only for adults. I've been living here for a few months and overall I like it."

6. Evansville, Indiana

The third largest city in Indiana is on the border with Kentucky and less than an hour from Illinois. Located on the Ohio River, it is known for manufacturing companies and no less than 10 colleges and university campuses.

• Population: 117 184 rights
• Average income: $ 45
• Average house price: $ 103
• Great: active recreation, nightlife, variety, commuting
• A little bit worse: public schools, housing, family, work, crime and safety, weather, health and fitness

Resident feedback: a current resident said Evansville boasts a vibrant and active community. “Evansville is a very social place to live,” they wrote. “Some events are always happening in the city.”

5. Topeka, Kansas

The state capital brought Brown v. Board of Education, a landmark 1954 Supreme Court case that was the first step towards the desegregation of public schools. It offers natural beauty such as lakes and rivers, as well as cultural facilities such as museums and street art murals.

• Population: 126 802 rights
• Average income: $ 50
• Average house price: $ 106
• Great: cost of living, diversity, commuting, nightlife, public schools, outdoor activities
• A little bit worse: housing, family, work, health and fitness, weather, crime and safety

Feedback from residents: the current Topeka resident said he is proud that the city is inclusive and attracts new residents. “Topeka is my hometown and I am very proud to be from there,” he wrote. “Topeka is one of the most diverse places in Kansas, and it continues to grow every day.”

4. South Bend, Indiana

South Bend is home to the prestigious University of Notre Dame and the College Football Hall of Fame. Although its heyday as a manufacturing center has waned, it is still home to automobile and aerospace manufacturers, as well as large educational and medical firms that employ thousands of people.

• Population: 102 786 people
• Average income: $ 46
• Average house price: $ 95
• Great: cost of living, activities, nightlife, diversity, commuting, family
• A little bit worse: public schools, housing, jobs, crime and safety, weather, health and fitness

Resident feedback: a current resident noted that South Bend offers an idyllic backdrop for everyday life. “My daughter can actually get to places on her bike,” he wrote. “The areas have beautiful architecture, history and culture.”

3. Wichita Falls, Texas

Wichita Falls, located two hours from Dallas and Oklahoma City, is home to a major Air Force base. Formerly a ranching and oil center, it houses a professional wrestling hall of fame and theater troupes.

• Population: 102 563 rights
• Average income: $ 50
• Average house price: $ 109
• Great: public schools, cost of living, nightlife, weather, commuting, diversity
• A little bit worse: housing, family, outdoor activities, crime and safety, work, health and fitness

Resident feedback: the current resident said students like Wichita Falls, home to Midwestern University. “This is a great college town,” he wrote. “There’s so much here, there’s so much variety.” Everything is close to campus and you have everything you need.”

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2. Buffalo, New York

Upstate New York was once recognized as an industrial and manufacturing heavyweight, but is now emerging as a vibrant arts hub. Many New Yorkers are drawn to Buffalo by the lower cost of living.

• Population: 276 011 people
• Average income: $ 42
• Average house price: $ 112
• Great: cost of living, diversity, nightlife, commuting, outdoor activities
• A little bit worse: public schools, health and fitness, housing, family, work, crime and safety, weather

Resident feedback: the current resident mentioned many things to do in this city. “Everything is close to my home in terms of shopping and activities like walking,” he wrote. “We have a lot of incredible scenery and beautiful Niagara Falls.”

1. Fort Wayne, Indiana

Tucked away in Indiana's northeast corner, close to the Ohio and Michigan borders, the state's second-largest city is home to several universities, including Purdue University in Fort Wayne and Indiana Institute of Technology.

• Population: 262 676 people
• Average income: $ 53
• Average house price: $ 130
• Great: housing, cost of living, nightlife, family, outdoor activities, diversity, commuting
• A little bit worse: public schools, jobs, weather, health and fitness, crime and safety

Resident feedback: a current resident said buying a home in Fort Wayne is very easy. “Compared to other places I've lived, I can honestly say that Fort Wayne is a great place to live,” he wrote. — The cost of living is much lower than in other cities. I just bought a nice house for half the price of one in South Florida."

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