Based on data from the American Institute for Economic Research on arts, culture, and academic activities, the percentage of citizens with a college education, the cost of rent, and the local unemployment rate, Value Colleges recently ranked the 50 most affordable cities in the US, among which ten places offer the best “low-cost-study-abroad” option.
What factors when choosing the cheapest place to live in the US?
People say, “A penny saved is a penny earned.” When choosing the cheapest place to live in the US, people tend to pay attention to how much they spend on accommodation, food, clothing, and transportation to get the best value for money. All things considered, the top 10 cheapest places in the USA were chosen. Now, let’s take a look at those “wallet saver”.
What are the cheapest places to live in the US?
10 Iowa City, Iowa
Thanks to the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, a programme long considered the number one creative writing programme in the country, producing a long list of talented writers over the past 80 years, Iowa City may be one of the most literary cities in the country. It is ranked one of the cheapest places to live in the US. Additionally, Iowa City is designated a “City of Literature” by UNESCO. You can enjoy the nationally recognised jazz festivals, art festivals, summer outdoor movies, and free Friday night concerts.
You can enter the University of Iowa to live in this most affordable US city.
Average cost of living in Iowa City
Lowa’s average meal cost in an inexpensive restaurant is 15 dollars. You can choose McDonald’s, where a combo meal will cost you 8 dollars.
For clothing, 55 dollars will get you a pair of jeans, and 43.75 dollars will get you a dress. A pair of Nike running shoes will cost you $60.
If you want to rent a studio apartment in Lowa, the average house rent is $1440.
The taxi fare in Lowa is $2.17 per km. One liter of gasoline is $0.89.rent a studio apartment
9 Bridgeport, Connecticut
Bridgeport, recognised as one of the “most ethnically and culturally diverse” city in the USA and the cheapest places to live in the USA, is the most populous city in Connecticut. Bridgeport is known for its public park system, with hundreds of acres of green space, is dubbed the “City of Parks“. The city hosts several festivals and concerts annually, including the famous Gathering of the Vibes.
Average cost of living in Bridgeport
Bridgeport’s average meal cost in an inexpensive restaurant is 20 dollars. You can choose McDonald’s, where a combo meal will cost you 10 dollars.
For clothing, 43.8 dollars will get you a pair of jeans, and 45.83 dollars will get you a dress. A pair of Nike running shoes will cost you 82.8 dollars.
If you want to rent a 1-bedroom apartment in Bridgeport, the average house rent is $2000.
The taxi fare in Bridgeport is $3.5 per km. One gallon of gasoline is $3.4.
8 Missoula, Montana
Missoula is a city in the U.S. state of Montana, located along the Clark Fork River. The area’s natural beauty is unrivalled, with 400 acres of parks in and around the city, wide rivers, tall pines, and world-class trout fishing. The land is also a habitat for white-tailed deer, black bears, and bald eagles. Mount Jumbo is home to elk and mule deer in the winter. As one of the cheapest locations to live in the US, Missoula is also rich in cultural resources, with many good concerts shown each year and a regular documentary film festival.
Average cost of living in Missoula
Missoula’s average meal cost in an inexpensive restaurant is 22.50 dollars. You can choose McDonald’s, where a combo meal will cost you 10.38 dollars.
For clothing, 46.77 dollars will get you a pair of jeans, and 45 dollars will get you a dress. A pair of Nike running shoes will cost you 90 dollars.
If you want to rent a 1-bedroom apartment in Missoula, the average house rent is $1400.
The taxi fare in Missoula is $2.8 per mile. One gallon of gasoline is $3.44.
7 Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia, ranked as “one of the best places to live in the United States”. It is also one of the most affordable places to live in the united states.
The University of Virginia is the only institution of higher learning in North America to be listed as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation. Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, designed the campus’s layout.
Average cost of living in Charlottesville
Charlottesville’s average meal cost in an inexpensive restaurant is 12.50 dollars. You can choose McDonald’s, where a combo meal will cost you 13 dollars.
For clothing, 46.67 dollars will get you a pair of jeans, and 29 dollars will get you a dress. A pair of Nike running shoes will cost you 83.75 dollars.
If you want to rent a studio apartment in Charlottesville, the average house rent is $1280.
The taxi fare in Charlottesville is $2.2 per mile. One gallon of gasoline is $3.19.
6 Lincoln, Nebraska
Lincoln is the capital of the U.S. state of Nebraska and is the second-most populous city in Nebraska. Lincoln is a great city for live music, with venues all over the city. The city has 125 parks, all connected by 133 miles of trails. Residents here enjoy one of the best continuous park systems in the country and lowest cost of living. Spectacular marathon and half-marathon are held every May. You can have a nice experience in this cheap US city.
Average cost of living in Lincoln
Lincoln’s average meal cost in an inexpensive restaurant is 14 dollars. You can choose McDonald’s, where a combo meal will cost you 9.75 dollars.
For clothing, 44.17 dollars will get you a pair of jeans, and 26.67 dollars will get you a dress. A pair of Nike running shoes will cost you 86.67 dollars.
If you want to rent a 1-bedroom apartment in Lincoln, the average house rent is $1415.
The taxi fare in Lincoln is $3.4 per mile. One gallon of gasoline is $3.18.
5 Ames, Iowa
Ames is known for its stable economy, thriving cultural environment, comprehensive healthcare, top-rated schools, acres of parks, and recreational opportunities. The cheapest living cost in the city has earned it the number nine spot on CNNMoney’s “America’s Best Places to Live” list.
It is best known as the home of Iowa State University (ISU), which has leading agriculture, design, engineering, and veterinary medicine colleges. Ames Laboratory, a national U.S. Department of Energy laboratory, is located on the ISU campus.
Average cost of living in Ames
Ames’s average meal cost in an inexpensive restaurant is 13 dollars. You can choose McDonald’s, where a combo meal will cost you 9 dollars.
For clothing, 41.25 dollars will get you a pair of jeans, and 40 dollars will get you a dress. A pair of Nike running shoes will cost you 61.33 dollars.
If you want to rent a 1-bedroom apartment in Ames, the average house rent is $820.
The taxi fare in Ames is $2,25 per mile. One gallon of gasoline is $3.27.
4 Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is considered the most politically liberal city in Wisconsin. The city is great for biking, with an extensive network of parks and bike paths, and has the most park playgrounds per capita of the 100 largest U.S. cities. It has a fast-growing economy, with healthcare, biotech, and advertising on the rise, attracting startups in many related fields. Well, it is still best affordable places to live in the US. The city has a big sports scene, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Badgers are a source of pride for the community, with the school’s basketball and football teams striving to compete for national championships each year.
Average cost of living in Madison
Madison’s average meal cost in an inexpensive restaurant is 15 dollars. You can choose McDonald’s, where a combo meal will cost you 10 dollars.
For clothing, 58 dollars will get you a pair of jeans, and 43.75 dollars will get you a dress. A pair of Nike running shoes will cost you 104.83 dollars.
If you want to rent a studio apartment in Madison, the average house rent is $1541.
The taxi fare in Madison is $3.5 per mile. One gallon of gasoline is $3.49.
3 Ithaca, New York
Located on the southern shore of New York’s Cayuga Lake, Ithaca is the college town of Cornell University and Ithaca College. The recent influx of healthcare, technology, and tourism has driven the city’s businesses. The Ithaca Farmers Market is another major attraction, bringing together 150 vendors from in and out of town to supply Cornell students with fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. It indeed live up to the reputation of one of the cheapest cities to live in America.
Average cost of living in Ithaca
Ithaca’s average meal cost in an inexpensive restaurant is 19 dollars. You can choose McDonald’s, where a combo meal will cost you 7 dollars.
For clothing, 34.67 dollars will get you a pair of jeans, and 40 dollars will get you a dress. A pair of Nike running shoes will cost you 80 dollars.
If you want to rent a studio apartment in Ithaca, the average house rent is $1910.
The taxi fare in Ithaca is $2.24 per mile. One gallon of gasoline is $3.67.
2 Boulder, Colorado
Boulder is one of the most educated communities in the U.S., with 58% of the population holding a bachelor’s degree, and the University of Colorado is a top choice for locals. Boulder is also a city for outdoor sport lovers: rock climbing, rugby, biking, and hiking are among the city’s most popular sports. Boulder also boasts several N.1 rankings: happiest city, most cerebral city, city with the best food and the most affordable US cities to live in.
Average cost of living in Boulder
Boulder’s average meal cost in an inexpensive restaurant is 22 dollars. You can choose McDonald’s, where a combo meal will cost you 10 dollars.
For clothing, 50.4 dollars will get you a pair of jeans, and 45 dollars will get you a dress. A pair of Nike running shoes will cost you 80.67 dollars.
If you want to rent a 1-bedroom apartment in Boulder, the average house rent is $1872.
The taxi fare in Boulder is $2 per mile. One gallon of gasoline is $3.29.
1 Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo is a city in Cass County, North Dakota, with a population of 125,990 according to the 2020 census, making it the most populous city in the state. The town is community-oriented and is a cultural, retail, healthcare, educational, and industrial centre for southeastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota. It is also rich in museum resources. As the most inexpensive place to live in the United States, it is the best place to study abroad while saving money.
Average cost of living in Fargo
Fargo’s average meal cost in an inexpensive restaurant is 15 dollars. You can choose McDonald’s, where a combo meal will cost you 11 dollars.
For clothing, 49 dollars will get you a pair of jeans, and 46.33 dollars will get you a dress. A pair of Nike running shoes will cost you 92.5 dollars.
If you want to rent a 1-bedroom apartment in Fargo, the average house rent is $968.
One gallon of gasoline is $3.2.
Conclusion
The above ten most affordable places to live in the United States are highly recommended for those who want to save money on their studies. You are welcome to add any other good city suggestions.
FAQ
Where is the nicest but cheapest place to live?
When seeking a balance between affordability and quality of life, look no further than Boise, Idaho. It is a blend of scenic beauty, a low cost of living, and a burgeoning cultural scene that takes a lot of work to find elsewhere.
What is the safest and cheapest place to live in the USA?
Wichita, Kansas, is the best place in the quest for affordability without compromising the quality of life. It is an attractive destination for individuals and families seeking a balance between economic viability.
What is the most affordable state to live in the US?
We have found Missouri to stand out as the frontrunner. Known for its low cost of living, affordable housing, and reasonable healthcare costs, Missouri emerges as a beacon for those seeking a balance between affordability and a rich quality of life.
