The Cheapest cities that feature on our list of the cheapest cities in the USA in September,2024 offer ways to elevate your lifestyle without depleting your bank account. Settling down in any of these cities could be ideal for you, especially if you are an international student. The US is reputed for providing quality education and because of that, hosts a huge number of international students from around the globe.
Before choosing to settle in any city, one of the most crucial personal factors you will have to make is the affordability of the city. Before moving, you should consider succinctly the home value, cost of rent, local and state tax rates, cost of living index, cost of transit, utilities, and food. You wouldn’t want to settle in a city that will drain your purse! You can buy a house at a lower price in these cities.
We compiled the list of the 10 cheapest cities to live in the US using matrices that include prices for housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous goods and services, such as going to a movie or getting your hair done at a salon. This list is based on the most recent data obtained from the Council for Community and Economic Research’s (C2ER).
Recommended: Top 13 Cheapest Cities in the UK for Students (2023)
Cheapest Cities in the USA (2024)
| City | Average Salary | Average House Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment | Cost of living compared to the state average | Cost of living compared to the national average | Transportation
(Bus Fare) |
|
Albuquerque, New Mexico
|
$5,317/month | $1,270/year | 12% lower than the national average | 14.3% below U.S. average | Local bus rides for a one-way ride: $1. A one-day pass with unlimited rides for a 24-hour period: $2. |
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Kalamazoo, Michigan
|
$52,044/year | $1,450/month | 16% lower than the state average | 24% lower than the U.S. average | Fixed Route Bus Fare; Adults — $1.50; Senior, Disability, and Medicare Cash Fare — $.75 (Metro Transit ID required); Low-Income Fare with Bridge Card — $1.25 |
|
McAllen, Texas |
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$41,524/year |
$1,500/ month. |
17% lower than the state average | 23% below U.S. average | Adults: $1 Advertisements
Children (6 & Under): Free Persons with Disabilities: $0.5 (With Transit ID) Advertisements
Transfers: Free
|
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Topeka, Kansas |
$56507/year |
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$1,093/ month. |
3% lower than the state average | 19% below U.S. average | 31-Day Pass, $50.00, $40.00; 10-Ride Card, $18.00, $15.00; Children Under 5**, Free, Free; |
| Decatur, Illinois | $66,914/year | $1,553/month | 11% lower than the state average | 22.0% below U.S. average | Basic Adult: $1; Youth (ages 5 through 18, and those with approved high school cards): $0.8; People with disability and senior citizens: $0.5; Transfer: free |
|
Waterloo Advertisements
|
$63,205/year |
$2,479/month |
14.3% below U.S. average | Single ticket/transfer: $3.5; Stored value: $2.92; Monthly pass: $90 | |
|
Harlingen Advertisements
|
$38000/year | $1,425/month. | 17% lower than the state average | 24.4% below U.S. average | Local – $80. Local 7-day ticket – $25. 10-ride ticket book- $40.00. Local Reduced- Monthly – $40. |
| Minneapolis | $67,269/year | $1,659/month | 3% higher than the state average | 2% higher than the national average. | Fares range from $2 to $3.25 |
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Little Rock
|
$65,486/year | $1,542/month | 6% higher than the state average | 4% lower than the national average. | Adult 10-Ride Pass: $11.50; Adult 31-Day Pass: $36; |
| Milwaukee | $63188/year | $1,616/month | 2% higher than the state average | 2% lower than the national average | Adult cash fare per ride: $2; seniors, children, and the disabled): $1 |
