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.
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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, I like the place where I live.”
10. Erie, PA
It is named after the Great Lake, on the shore of which it is located. Because it is the only port in Pennsylvania on the Great Lakes, its main industries are the transportation of minerals and materials ranging 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 that Erie is his favorite place. “I have lived across the country in major cities and Erie is by far the best place I have ever lived,” he wrote. - I found that people who have a negative attitude towards Erie have never lived outside the city. They have absolutely nothing to compare 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 commented that living in Akron is very affordable. “Akron is a great place to live and 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 suburban city with a great community based on Hispanic culture and heritage,” he wrote. “The people of this small town are hardworking and determined.”
7. Toledo, Ohio
Located 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 for 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: the current resident said the city is especially good for families. “What I love about Toledo is the family neighborhood that I currently live in,” he wrote. There are many places for children and many places for adults only. I've been living here for a few months and overall I like everything."
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: the current resident said Evansville boasts a vibrant and vibrant community. “Evansville is a very social place to live,” they wrote. “There is always something going on 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 resident of Topeka said he was proud that the city was open to all and attracted 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 offered an idyllic backdrop for everyday life. “My daughter can really get to places on her bike,” he wrote. “The districts 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 love Wichita Falls, home to Midwestern University. “This is a great college town,” he wrote. “There are so many things here, there is 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 house 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: the current resident said that buying a house in Fort Wayne is very easy. “Compared to other places I have 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 this one in South Florida."
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