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• Inflation has impacted every American in recent years, but still, how much Americans spend for similar goods and services can vary meaningfully, depending on where they live.
• In dozens of counties across the U.S., consumer prices are lower than the national average by well over 18%.
• Also: 2 Dividend Legends To Hold Forever

Amid a historic surge in inflation, the cost of living in the United States has been top of mind for millions of Americans for years. Every month since March 2021, inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, has exceeded the Federal Reserve’s 2.0% target rate. Though the CPI is down from the multi-decade high of 9.1% reported in June 2022, at 2.6%, it remains elevated — and most Americans are feeling the impact, both financially and psychologically.

A recent survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau found that just over 60% of adults reported at least some difficulty paying for usual household expenses in the last week — and more than 93% of adults who were aware of rising consumer prices reported a related increase in stress levels.

The factors driving the surge in prices are varied and complex, but some of the most commonly cited culprits include pandemic related supply constraints and increased consumer demand. But even though no corner of the country was spared from the detrimental effects of these conditions, similar market forces have created far more deeply entrenched variations in the cost of living between American communities. And some parts of the country have long stood out for having a far lower than average cost of living.

Using data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, 24/7 Wall St. identified the least expensive U.S. counties to live in. The 50 counties on this list are ranked on estimated regional price parity — a measure of the cost of living relative to the national average. Supplemental data on median household income, median home value, and population are five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey.

Among the counties on this list, the average cost of living is anywhere from about 19% to 25% lower than it is on average nationwide. Most are located in Southern states — including 10 in Alabama and 18 in Mississippi — states which, themselves, tend to be less expensive places to live than most of the rest of the country.

Lower consumer prices in these areas are driven, in part, by surplus supply in relation to consumer demand — particularly in the housing market. Many of these counties are sparsely populated rural areas, located outside of major metropolitan areas. In and around large cities, real estate available for housing is often limited, and this constricted supply, in addition to the demand driven by large populations, can drive up prices. (Here is a look at the cities Americans are flocking to.)

Of the 50 counties on this list, only one has a population of more than 100,000, and most are home to fewer than 30,000 people. Similarly, only four counties on this list are located within a major metro area. Partially as a result, among these counties, a typical home is worth anywhere from $15,500 to $219,500 less than the national median home value of $281,900, according to 2022 ACS estimates.

It is no coincidence that these same places are also home to relatively low-income populations. In places where incomes tend to be lower than average, consumer spending can be limited, which can, in turn, put downward pressure on the price of goods and services. The typical American household earns about $75,150 per year, and in every county on this list, the median household income falls below that threshold — in most cases, by over $25,000. (This is the income you need to comfortably afford a typical American home.)

These are the least expensive U.S. counties to live in.

Why It Matters

For years, rapidly rising prices have been top of mind for millions of Americans. But while no corner of the country was spared from the effects of inflation, there are specific places where longstanding, deeply entrenched supply and demand dynamics have pushed the cost of living well below what most Americans are accustomed to. Of the more than 3,000 counties or county equivalents in the U.S., there are only a few dozen where goods and services are over 18% less expensive than they are nationwide.

50. Pickens County, Alabama

• Est. cost of living in county: 18.85% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $45,339 ($29,810 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $119,800 ($162,100 lower than US median)
• County population: 18,925

49. Wayne County, Missouri

• Est. cost of living in county: 18.92% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $42,758 ($32,391 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $110,000 ($171,900 lower than US median)
• County population: 11,081

48. La Paz County, Arizona

• Est. cost of living in county: 18.93% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $46,634 ($28,515 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $117,500 ($164,400 lower than US median)
• County population: 16,681

47. Graham County, Arizona

• Est. cost of living in county: 18.97% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $64,089 ($11,060 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $178,300 ($103,600 lower than US median)
• County population: 38,453

46. DeKalb County, Alabama

• Est. cost of living in county: 18.98% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $47,920 ($27,229 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $129,000 ($152,900 lower than US median)
• County population: 71,680

45. Smith County, Mississippi

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.00% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $51,983 ($23,166 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $120,200 ($161,700 lower than US median)
• County population: 14,310

44. Butler County, Kentucky

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.03% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $47,589 ($27,560 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $102,200 ($179,700 lower than US median)
• County population: 12,365

43. George County, Mississippi

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.04% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $51,349 ($23,800 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $157,200 ($124,700 lower than US median)
• County population: 24,547

42. Greene County, Mississippi

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.04% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $50,000 ($25,149 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $97,500 ($184,400 lower than US median)
• County population: 13,672

41. Pemiscot County, Missouri

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.06% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $37,426 ($37,723 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $94,900 ($187,000 lower than US median)
• County population: 15,555

40. Asotin County, Washington

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.11% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $63,724 ($11,425 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $266,400 ($15,500 lower than US median)
• County population: 22,370

39. Monroe County, Mississippi

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.15% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $51,190 ($23,959 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $109,500 ($172,400 lower than US median)
• County population: 34,168

38. Calhoun County, Mississippi

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.15% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $44,505 ($30,644 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $82,900 ($199,000 lower than US median)
• County population: 13,193

37. Jackson County, Alabama

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.16% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $46,748 ($28,401 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $126,900 ($155,000 lower than US median)
• County population: 52,618

36. Washington County, Missouri

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.20% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $49,364 ($25,785 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $112,300 ($169,600 lower than US median)
• County population: 23,580

35. Navajo County, Arizona

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.25% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $50,335 ($24,814 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $165,600 ($116,300 lower than US median)
• County population: 107,110

34. Guadalupe County, New Mexico

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.29% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $38,713 ($36,436 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $116,400 ($165,500 lower than US median)
• County population: 4,413

33. Luna County, New Mexico

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.30% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $38,241 ($36,908 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $100,900 ($181,000 lower than US median)
• County population: 25,393

32. Dunklin County, Missouri

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.33% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $44,868 ($30,281 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $93,300 ($188,600 lower than US median)
• County population: 28,174

31. Monroe County, Arkansas

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.37% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $41,786 ($33,363 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $84,600 ($197,300 lower than US median)
• County population: 6,787

30. Newton County, Mississippi

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.40% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $49,160 ($25,989 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $100,800 ($181,100 lower than US median)
• County population: 21,275

29. Randolph County, Alabama

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.42% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $49,879 ($25,270 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $155,000 ($126,900 lower than US median)
• County population: 22,179

28. Marion County, Alabama

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.45% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $49,743 ($25,406 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $104,300 ($177,600 lower than US median)
• County population: 29,203

27. Minidoka County, Idaho

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.46% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $63,594 ($11,555 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $198,400 ($83,500 lower than US median)
• County population: 21,626

26. Ripley County, Missouri

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.49% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $42,541 ($32,608 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $103,700 ($178,200 lower than US median)
• County population: 10,839

25. Fayette County, Alabama

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.50% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $45,650 ($29,499 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $112,700 ($169,200 lower than US median)
• County population: 16,297

24. Apache County, Arizona

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.62% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $37,483 ($37,666 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $62,400 ($219,500 lower than US median)
• County population: 66,054

23. Sedgwick County, Colorado

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.77% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $45,855 ($29,294 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $136,000 ($145,900 lower than US median)
• County population: 2,391

22. Neshoba County, Mississippi

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.83% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $47,400 ($27,749 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $94,300 ($187,600 lower than US median)
• County population: 28,970

21. Tippah County, Mississippi

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.85% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $47,968 ($27,181 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $117,100 ($164,800 lower than US median)
• County population: 21,769

20. Prowers County, Colorado

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.85% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $49,422 ($25,727 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $120,200 ($161,700 lower than US median)
• County population: 11,968

19. Attala County, Mississippi

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.87% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $42,680 ($32,469 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $99,100 ($182,800 lower than US median)
• County population: 17,842

18. Lamar County, Alabama

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.92% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $49,565 ($25,584 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $108,200 ($173,700 lower than US median)
• County population: 13,885

17. Scott County, Mississippi

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.94% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $44,968 ($30,181 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $81,300 ($200,600 lower than US median)
• County population: 27,943

16. Winston County, Mississippi

• Est. cost of living in county: 20.00% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $45,516 ($29,633 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $110,100 ($171,800 lower than US median)
• County population: 17,741

15. Union County, New Mexico

• Est. cost of living in county: 20.07% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $41,714 ($33,435 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $126,900 ($155,000 lower than US median)
• County population: 4,074

14. Wilkinson County, Mississippi

• Est. cost of living in county: 20.08% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $34,928 ($40,221 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $78,500 ($203,400 lower than US median)
• County population: 8,531

13. Benton County, Mississippi

• Est. cost of living in county: 20.09% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $38,750 ($36,399 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $96,200 ($185,700 lower than US median)
• County population: 7,637

12. Winston County, Alabama

• Est. cost of living in county: 20.31% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $49,494 ($25,655 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $111,600 ($170,300 lower than US median)
• County population: 23,655

11. Jefferson County, Mississippi

• Est. cost of living in county: 20.31% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $31,544 ($43,605 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $76,400 ($205,500 lower than US median)
• County population: 7,207

10. Clay County, Alabama

• Est. cost of living in county: 20.46% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $48,074 ($27,075 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $144,100 ($137,800 lower than US median)
• County population: 14,209

9. Prentiss County, Mississippi

• Est. cost of living in county: 20.47% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $51,578 ($23,571 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $112,200 ($169,700 lower than US median)
• County population: 24,945

8. Leake County, Mississippi

• Est. cost of living in county: 20.47% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $46,669 ($28,480 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $98,800 ($183,100 lower than US median)
• County population: 21,335

7. Cheyenne County, Colorado

• Est. cost of living in county: 20.76% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $65,577 ($9,572 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $166,300 ($115,600 lower than US median)
• County population: 1,726

6. Tishomingo County, Mississippi

• Est. cost of living in county: 20.91% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $45,545 ($29,604 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $123,100 ($158,800 lower than US median)
• County population: 18,837

5. Kemper County, Mississippi

• Est. cost of living in county: 20.92% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $42,947 ($32,202 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $89,300 ($192,600 lower than US median)
• County population: 8,980

4. Franklin County, Alabama

• Est. cost of living in county: 21.25% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $47,359 ($27,790 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $121,600 ($160,300 lower than US median)
• County population: 32,011

3. Greenlee County, Arizona

• Est. cost of living in county: 21.94% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $73,756 ($1,393 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $93,900 ($188,000 lower than US median)
• County population: 9,483

2. Santa Cruz County, Arizona

• Est. cost of living in county: 24.37% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $51,885 ($23,264 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $196,700 ($85,200 lower than US median)
• County population: 47,838

1. Baca County, Colorado

• Est. cost of living in county: 25.20% less expensive than US avg.
• Median annual household income: $42,115 ($33,034 lower than US median)
• Median home value: $119,700 ($162,200 lower than US median)
• County population: 3,496

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