The cost of maintaining a basic standard of living varies throughout the United States. Housing, food, transportation, health care, taxes, and other necessities vary in cost from county to county, with the total cost of living in the most expensive place in the country more than twice that of the least expensive place.
The cost of living also varies drastically within states, with rural areas often offering cheaper goods and services than denser, urban areas. In most states, there is a county where the cost of living is at least 25% less than that of another county.
24/7 Wall St. used data from the Economic Policy Institute’s Family Budget Calculator to identify the least expensive place in every state. We ranked counties based on the estimated monthly cost for a single adult to maintain a modest yet adequate standard of living.
Housing is one of the largest components of cost of living. On average, housing accounts for approximately 25% of the total cost of living nationwide. In many of the least expensive places to live in every state, however, housing accounts for less than 15% of total living expenses. These are America’s 25 most affordable housing markets.
Many of the least expensive places to live in every state may also be less desirable than other counties. In a majority of the counties on our list, the population change from 2013 to 2018 was less than the +3.6% national figure, with roughly half of the places experiencing negative population change. These are the 25 worst counties to live in.
Many of these places are also currently experiencing high levels of joblessness due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In roughly half of the counties on this list, unemployment was still above the 13.0% national rate as of May 2020. For more on how COVID-19 has impacted U.S. counties, see the counties in every state where COVID-19 is growing the fastest.
Click here to see the least expensive place to live in every state.
Click here to see our methodology.
1. Alabama: Dale County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,739
> Monthly housing costs: $420 (15.3% of total)
> Median household income: $45,960 ($3,830 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 7.4%
> Largest city or town in county: Ozark
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2. Alaska: Aleutians East Borough
> Monthly cost of living: $3,336
> Monthly housing costs: $783 (23.5% of total)
> Median household income: $69,706 ($5,809 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 15.8%
> Largest city or town in borough: Sand Point
3. Arizona: Pima County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,881
> Monthly housing costs: $568 (19.7% of total)
> Median household income: $51,037 ($4,253 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 8.4%
> Largest city or town in county: Tucson
4. Arkansas: Craighead County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,620
> Monthly housing costs: $458 (17.5% of total)
> Median household income: $45,868 ($3,822 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 8.5%
> Largest city or town in county: Jonesboro
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5. California: Merced County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,946
> Monthly housing costs: $565 (19.2% of total)
> Median household income: $50,129 ($4,177 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 16.5%
> Largest city or town in county: Merced
6. Colorado: Pueblo County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,922
> Monthly housing costs: $600 (20.5% of total)
> Median household income: $44,634 ($3,720 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 9.2%
> Largest city or town in county: Pueblo
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7. Connecticut: Hartford County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,192
> Monthly housing costs: $773 (24.2% of total)
> Median household income: $72,321 ($6,027 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 9.2%
> Largest city or town in county: Hartford
8. Delaware: Sussex County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,201
> Monthly housing costs: $622 (19.4% of total)
> Median household income: $60,853 ($5,071 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 16.0%
> Largest city or town in county: Seaford
9. Florida: Baker County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,741
> Monthly housing costs: $493 (18.0% of total)
> Median household income: $61,769 ($5,147 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 7.7%
> Largest city or town in county: Macclenny
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10. Georgia: Marion County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,674
> Monthly housing costs: $385 (14.4% of total)
> Median household income: $44,309 ($3,692 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 6.2%
> Largest city or town in county: Buena Vista
11. Hawaii: Hawaii County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,719
> Monthly housing costs: $823 (22.1% of total)
> Median household income: $59,297 ($4,941 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 21.1%
> Largest city or town in county: Hilo
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12. Idaho: Bannock County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,729
> Monthly housing costs: $479 (17.5% of total)
> Median household income: $49,739 ($4,145 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 7.6%
> Largest city or town in county: Pocatello
13. Illinois: Alexander County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,731
> Monthly housing costs: $304 (11.1% of total)
> Median household income: $34,709 ($2,892 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 14.1%
> Largest city or town in county: Cairo
14. Indiana: Elkhart County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,665
> Monthly housing costs: $519 (19.5% of total)
> Median household income: $55,399 ($4,617 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 11.9%
> Largest city or town in county: Elkhart
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15. Iowa: Black Hawk County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,685
> Monthly housing costs: $517 (19.3% of total)
> Median household income: $52,688 ($4,391 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 11.6%
> Largest city or town in county: Waterloo
16. Kansas: Wyandotte County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,741
> Monthly housing costs: $546 (19.9% of total)
> Median household income: $44,873 ($3,739 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 14.0%
> Largest city or town in county: Kansas City
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17. Kentucky: Pulaski County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,620
> Monthly housing costs: $443 (16.9% of total)
> Median household income: $37,921 ($3,160 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 11.8%
> Largest city or town in county: Somerset
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18. Louisiana: Caddo Parish
> Monthly cost of living: $2,813
> Monthly housing costs: $566 (20.1% of total)
> Median household income: $40,866 ($3,406 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 14.0%
> Largest city or town in parish: Shreveport
19. Maine: Androscoggin County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,103
> Monthly housing costs: $634 (20.4% of total)
> Median household income: $51,412 ($4,284 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 9.2%
> Largest city or town in county: Lewiston
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20. Maryland: Baltimore city
> Monthly cost of living: $2,803
> Monthly housing costs: $730 (26.0% of total)
> Median household income: $48,840 ($4,070 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 11.1%
> Largest city or town in county: Baltimore
21. Massachusetts: Hampden County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,121
> Monthly housing costs: $744 (23.8% of total)
> Median household income: $53,403 ($4,450 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 18.0%
> Largest city or town in county: Springfield
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22. Michigan: Bay County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,657
> Monthly housing costs: $502 (18.9% of total)
> Median household income: $48,005 ($4,000 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 20.0%
> Largest city or town in county: Bay City
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23. Minnesota: Benton County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,829
> Monthly housing costs: $484 (17.1% of total)
> Median household income: $56,357 ($4,696 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 9.7%
> Largest city or town in county: St. Cloud
24. Mississippi: Coahoma County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,685
> Monthly housing costs: $455 (16.9% of total)
> Median household income: $30,009 ($2,501 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 15.1%
> Largest city or town in county: Clarksdale
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25. Missouri: St. Louis city
> Monthly cost of living: $2,625
> Monthly housing costs: $578 (22.0% of total)
> Median household income: $41,107 ($3,426 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 13.5%
> Largest city or town in county: St. Louis
26. Montana: Custer County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,025
> Monthly housing costs: $514 (17.0% of total)
> Median household income: $55,841 ($4,653 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 6.5%
> Largest city or town in county: Miles City
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27. Nebraska: Dodge County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,870
> Monthly housing costs: $487 (17.0% of total)
> Median household income: $53,101 ($4,425 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 3.8%
> Largest city or town in county: Fremont
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28. Nevada: Nye County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,796
> Monthly housing costs: $537 (19.2% of total)
> Median household income: $45,711 ($3,809 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 15.1%
> Largest city or town in county: Pahrump
29. New Hampshire: Coos County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,066
> Monthly housing costs: $669 (21.8% of total)
> Median household income: $45,696 ($3,808 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 17.9%
> Largest city or town in county: Berlin
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30. New Jersey: Camden County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,224
> Monthly housing costs: $823 (25.5% of total)
> Median household income: $67,118 ($5,593 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 15.0%
> Largest city or town in county: Camden
31. New Mexico: Bernalillo County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,605
> Monthly housing costs: $569 (21.8% of total)
> Median household income: $51,643 ($4,304 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 9.2%
> Largest city or town in county: Albuquerque
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32. New York: Orleans County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,947
> Monthly housing costs: $523 (17.7% of total)
> Median household income: $51,843 ($4,320 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 11.6%
> Largest city or town in county: Medina
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33. North Carolina: Person County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,995
> Monthly housing costs: $468 (15.6% of total)
> Median household income: $48,811 ($4,068 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 13.4%
> Largest city or town in county: Roxboro
34. North Dakota: Cass County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,683
> Monthly housing costs: $542 (20.2% of total)
> Median household income: $62,031 ($5,169 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 7.8%
> Largest city or town in county: Fargo
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35. Ohio: Lucas County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,503
> Monthly housing costs: $478 (19.1% of total)
> Median household income: $46,924 ($3,910 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 18.7%
> Largest city or town in county: Toledo
36. Oklahoma: Choctaw County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,880
> Monthly housing costs: $476 (16.5% of total)
> Median household income: $32,129 ($2,677 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 13.5%
> Largest city or town in county: Hugo
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37. Oregon: Douglas County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,913
> Monthly housing costs: $506 (17.4% of total)
> Median household income: $45,812 ($3,818 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 14.7%
> Largest city or town in county: Roseburg
38. Pennsylvania: Lawrence County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,664
> Monthly housing costs: $494 (18.6% of total)
> Median household income: $48,860 ($4,072 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 13.6%
> Largest city or town in county: New Castle
39. Rhode Island: Providence County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,939
> Monthly housing costs: $775 (26.4% of total)
> Median household income: $55,233 ($4,603 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 17.1%
> Largest city or town in county: Providence
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40. South Carolina: Chesterfield County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,788
> Monthly housing costs: $452 (16.2% of total)
> Median household income: $40,033 ($3,336 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 10.3%
> Largest city or town in county: Cheraw
41. South Dakota: Beadle County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,791
> Monthly housing costs: $460 (16.5% of total)
> Median household income: $51,700 ($4,308 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 6.2%
> Largest city or town in county: Huron
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42. Tennessee: Grainger County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,626
> Monthly housing costs: $420 (16.0% of total)
> Median household income: $42,997 ($3,583 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 10.3%
> Largest city or town in county: Blaine
43. Texas: Cameron County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,531
> Monthly housing costs: $564 (22.3% of total)
> Median household income: $37,132 ($3,094 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 16.0%
> Largest city or town in county: Brownsville
44. Utah: Cache County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,754
> Monthly housing costs: $467 (17.0% of total)
> Median household income: $56,840 ($4,737 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 4.8%
> Largest city or town in county: Logan
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45. Vermont: Orleans County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,370
> Monthly housing costs: $627 (18.6% of total)
> Median household income: $47,915 ($3,993 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 16.6%
> Largest city or town in county: Newport
46. Virginia: Danville city
> Monthly cost of living: $2,694
> Monthly housing costs: $505 (18.8% of total)
> Median household income: $36,301 ($3,025 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 12.7%
> Largest city or town in county: Danville
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47. Washington: Spokane County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,617
> Monthly housing costs: $539 (20.6% of total)
> Median household income: $54,852 ($4,571 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 15.1%
> Largest city or town in county: Spokane
48. West Virginia: Brooke County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,782
> Monthly housing costs: $449 (16.1% of total)
> Median household income: $49,772 ($4,148 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 13.2%
> Largest city or town in county: Weirton
49. Wisconsin: Sheboygan County
> Monthly cost of living: $2,770
> Monthly housing costs: $488 (17.6% of total)
> Median household income: $58,943 ($4,912 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 12.5%
> Largest city or town in county: Sheboygan
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50. Wyoming: Hot Springs County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,028
> Monthly housing costs: $511 (16.9% of total)
> Median household income: $51,875 ($4,323 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 6.8%
> Largest city or town in county: Thermopolis
Methodology:
To identify the least expensive place in every state, 24/7 Wall St. ranked counties based on the estimated cost to meet the basic needs for a single adult on a monthly basis. These needs include housing, food, transportation, health care, taxes, and other necessities. Estimated monthly cost of living was provided by the Economic Policy Institute, a nonprofit think tank. All EPI data was adjusted from 2017 dollars to 2019 dollars using Consumer Price Index data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Supplemental data on median household income came from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey and are five-year estimates for 2018. Data on unemployment for May 2020 came from the BLS and are not seasonally adjusted.
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