In the current post-pandemic era, many Americans are still struggling to afford usual household expenses. According to a recent study from the U.S. Census Bureau, just over 60% of adults in the United States fall into this category, while over 93% of adults reported that rising costs are causing their stress levels to increase. While no corner of the country has been spared by inflation and financial challenges, there are a few areas that continue to stand out for having a surprisingly low cost of living. (These are the American cities people are flocking to.)
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. (This is the income you need to comfortably afford a typical American home.)
Why It Matters
These are the least expensive U.S. counties to live in:
50. Pickens County, Alabama
- Est. cost of living in the county: 18.85% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $45,339 ($29,810 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $119,800 ($162,100 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 18,925
49. Wayne County, Missouri
- Est. cost of living in the county: 18.92% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $42,758 ($32,391 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $110,000 ($171,900 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 11,081
48. La Paz County, Arizona
- Est. cost of living in the county: 18.93% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $46,634 ($28,515 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $117,500 ($164,400 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 16,681
47. Graham County, Arizona
- Est. cost of living in the county: 18.97% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $64,089 ($11,060 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $178,300 ($103,600 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 38,453
46. DeKalb County, Alabama
- Est. cost of living in the county: 18.98% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $47,920 ($27,229 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $129,000 ($152,900 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 71,680
45. Smith County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.00% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $51,983 ($23,166 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $120,200 ($161,700 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 14,310
44. Butler County, Kentucky
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.03% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $47,589 ($27,560 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $102,200 ($179,700 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 12,365
43. George County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.04% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $51,349 ($23,800 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $157,200 ($124,700 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 24,547
42. Greene County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.04% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $50,000 ($25,149 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $97,500 ($184,400 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 13,672
41. Pemiscot County, Missouri
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.06% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $37,426 ($37,723 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $94,900 ($187,000 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 15,555
40. Asotin County, Washington
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.11% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $63,724 ($11,425 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $266,400 ($15,500 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 22,370
39. Monroe County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.15% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $51,190 ($23,959 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $109,500 ($172,400 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 34,168
38. Calhoun County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.15% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $44,505 ($30,644 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $82,900 ($199,000 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 13,193
37. Jackson County, Alabama
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.16% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $46,748 ($28,401 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $126,900 ($155,000 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 52,618
36. Washington County, Missouri
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.20% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $49,364 ($25,785 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $112,300 ($169,600 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 23,580
35. Navajo County, Arizona
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.25% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $50,335 ($24,814 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $165,600 ($116,300 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 107,110
34. Guadalupe County, New Mexico
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.29% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $38,713 ($36,436 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $116,400 ($165,500 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 4,413
33. Luna County, New Mexico
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.30% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $38,241 ($36,908 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $100,900 ($181,000 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 25,393
32. Dunklin County, Missouri
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.33% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $44,868 ($30,281 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $93,300 ($188,600 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 28,174
31. Monroe County, Arkansas
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.37% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $41,786 ($33,363 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $84,600 ($197,300 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 6,787
30. Newton County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.40% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $49,160 ($25,989 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $100,800 ($181,100 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 21,275
29. Randolph County, Alabama
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.42% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $49,879 ($25,270 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $155,000 ($126,900 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 22,179
28. Marion County, Alabama
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.45% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $49,743 ($25,406 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $104,300 ($177,600 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 29,203
27. Minidoka County, Idaho
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.46% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $63,594 ($11,555 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $198,400 ($83,500 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 21,626
26. Ripley County, Missouri
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.49% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $42,541 ($32,608 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $103,700 ($178,200 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 10,839
25. Fayette County, Alabama
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.50% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $45,650 ($29,499 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $112,700 ($169,200 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 16,297
24. Apache County, Arizona
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.62% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $37,483 ($37,666 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $62,400 ($219,500 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 66,054
23. Sedgwick County, Colorado
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.77% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $45,855 ($29,294 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $136,000 ($145,900 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 2,391
22. Neshoba County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.83% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $47,400 ($27,749 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $94,300 ($187,600 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 28,970
21. Tippah County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.85% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $47,968 ($27,181 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $117,100 ($164,800 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 21,769
20. Prowers County, Colorado
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.85% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $49,422 ($25,727 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $120,200 ($161,700 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 11,968
19. Attala County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.87% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $42,680 ($32,469 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $99,100 ($182,800 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 17,842
18. Lamar County, Alabama
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.92% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $49,565 ($25,584 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $108,200 ($173,700 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 13,885
17. Scott County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.94% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $44,968 ($30,181 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $81,300 ($200,600 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 27,943
16. Winston County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 20.00% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $45,516 ($29,633 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $110,100 ($171,800 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 17,741
15. Union County, New Mexico
- Est. cost of living in the county: 20.07% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $41,714 ($33,435 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $126,900 ($155,000 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 4,074
14. Wilkinson County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 20.08% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $34,928 ($40,221 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $78,500 ($203,400 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 8,531
13. Benton County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 20.09% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $38,750 ($36,399 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $96,200 ($185,700 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 7,637
12. Winston County, Alabama
- Est. cost of living in the county: 20.31% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $49,494 ($25,655 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $111,600 ($170,300 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 23,655
11. Jefferson County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 20.31% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $31,544 ($43,605 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $76,400 ($205,500 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 7,207
10. Clay County, Alabama
- Est. cost of living in the county: 20.46% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $48,074 ($27,075 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $144,100 ($137,800 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 14,209
9. Prentiss County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 20.47% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $51,578 ($23,571 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $112,200 ($169,700 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 24,945
8. Leake County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 20.47% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $46,669 ($28,480 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $98,800 ($183,100 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 21,335
7. Cheyenne County, Colorado
- Est. cost of living in the county: 20.76% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $65,577 ($9,572 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $166,300 ($115,600 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 1,726
6. Tishomingo County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in county: 20.91% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $45,545 ($29,604 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $123,100 ($158,800 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 18,837
5. Kemper County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 20.92% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $42,947 ($32,202 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $89,300 ($192,600 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 8,980
4. Franklin County, Alabama
- Est. cost of living in the county: 21.25% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $47,359 ($27,790 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $121,600 ($160,300 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 32,011
3. Greenlee County, Arizona
- Est. cost of living in the county: 21.94% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $73,756 ($1,393 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $93,900 ($188,000 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 9,483
2. Santa Cruz County, Arizona
- Est. cost of living in the county: 24.37% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $51,885 ($23,264 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $196,700 ($85,200 lower than U.S .median)
- County population: 47,838
1. Baca County, Colorado
- Est. cost of living in the county: 25.20% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $42,115 ($33,034 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $119,700 ($162,200 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 3,496
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