The 50 Most Affordable US Cities Ranked

The idea of the cost of everything going up has been enough to keep plenty of us up at night. It can be tough to think about how to pay for everything, but there are ways that we can make things a little easier for ourselves.

Sometimes, it might mean looking at other places across the nation. That’s right; the most affordable US cities could be all we need to get the most out of our money. Thankfully, US News and World Reports has broken it all down.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, scores highly when it comes to value for money 

• Desirability: 5.7
• Value: 7.7
• Job Market: 5.6
• Quality of Life: 5.6
• Overall Score: 6.2

When it comes to finding somewhere you want to live, there’s a good chance many want somewhere they can find a job, have somewhere safe to live, and get the most for their money without spending too much on everyday things. That’s why Baton Rouge in Louisiana is quickly becoming one of the more popular affordable US cities.

The best part about moving to Baton Rouge is the value people get for their money. Of course, this, teamed with reasonable scores in the job market, quality of life, and desirability from US News and World Reports, mean there are plenty of reasons that people have been moving to the city in recent years.

Having low housing prices is one of the most desirable things about Baton Rouge

So what is it about Baton Rouge that makes it such a desirable place to live? For one: it’s affordable. The housing prices easily fall below the national average, meaning you can save money by renting or buying somewhere similar to other cities or scale up your home while spending the same amount you would in other areas.

Being the state capital of Louisiana also means there is a host of things to see and do across Baton Rouge. Even if you want to break out of the city, it’s just one hour from New Orleans and houses the Louisiana State University, offering plenty of opportunities. Just be sure to prepare for hurricane season and the humidity.

Syracuse, New York, scores highly when it comes to value and people’s quality of life 

• Desirability: 5.7
• Value: 7.7
• Job Market: 6.5
• Quality of Life: 7.1
• Overall Score: 6.6

It turns out that it’s more than just the value for money that’s been calling people to Syracuse, New York. It can be easy to think of New York City when hearing about the state and picture the phenomenal housing prices that come with the city. After all, NYC is the most expensive place to live in the US.

Thankfully, the same can’t be said for Syracuse - and that’s not all. US News and World Reports claims the city has a high quality of life, meaning most people feel happy about their lives and all the things they can afford. Of course, the score of 6.5 in the job market section only helps to make Syracuse more desirable.

The extreme winters make Syracuse less desirable for many people

It turns out there is a good reason Syracuse has a lot of value in the housing market. Being in Central New York means the city gets some of the more extreme winters found across the nation, and not everyone is a fan. Many don’t want to live in Syracuse year-round, meaning it leaves room for new residents.

To top it off, Syracuse is a college town, so there are a host of things to do whenever you have free time. Alongside the lower-than-average house prices, the affordable city is filled with minor-league sports at Syracuse University, a diverse culture, and plenty of entertainment hotspots dotted among it all. Does it get any better than that?

Kansas City, Missouri, has a high overall score thanks to doing well in all aspects 

• Desirability: 5.6
• Value: 7.7
• Job Market: 7.2
• Quality of Life: 6
• Overall Score: 6.7

According to USA Wage, the most popular job across Kansas City, Missouri, is working as a registered nurse. This is followed by a host of sales jobs, such as retail workers, cashiers, and customer service workers. Of course, there are so many opportunities available across the city, leading to a fairly high score in the job market.

US News and World Reports came in at 7.2 for the job market, a number that’s dwarfed by the high 7.7 value score Kansas City received. While desirability isn’t the highest in the world, there are plenty of reasons that Kansas City is one of the most affordable - and sought-after - US cities to live.

There’s a chance Kansas City could be about to grow

Some people want to get the full living in the city experience when they head off to start a new life. Others? They want somewhere that’s affordable and offers up things they might expect without getting overwhelmed. If you want the latter, you might want to think about a move to Kansas City in Missouri. Why?

It’s one of the smaller cities, with a current metropolitan population of less than 2 million. Still, getting your foot in the door now could have major benefits. The strong job market and low prices mean that Kansas City is set to grow pretty rapidly, so why not be there from the beginning to reap the most rewards?

St. Louis, Missouri, has good value but scores low in quality of life 

• Desirability: 5.5
• Value: 7.7
• Job Market: 7
• Quality of Life: 5.4
• Overall Score: 6.3

Not everything scores on the higher end of things when it comes to St. Louis in Missouri. Still, it’s looking like the state might be somewhere to consider if you want somewhere to get the most for your money. At least, that is if the report from US News and World Reports is anything to go by.

An overall score of 6.3 is nothing to scoff at, but what about the even higher scores? They come in the value of living in the city as well as the opportunities and stability of the job market. Sadly, St. Louis falls down when it comes to desirability and the quality of life - and there could be good reasons.

High crime rates mean that St. Louis isn’t the most desirable place to live

One of the biggest reasons that St. Louis, Missouri, is so affordable is due to the fact it’s usually named one of the most dangerous cities in the US. Of course, this might not be something everyone wants to face when looking for somewhere to live. Still, there could be pay-offs if you’re willing to take the risk.

The high rates of crime mean the quality of life score sits at 5.4. The twist? The housing prices are well below the national average. Plus, St. Louis has a huge number of opportunities when it comes to entertainment and industry jobs and things to see. It’s all about weighing up the options before a move to St. Louis.

Youngstown, Ohio, has one of the highest scores for value but a low score on the job market 

• Desirability: 5.1
• Value: 7.8
• Job Market: 5
• Quality of Life: 6.3
• Overall Score: 6.1

There’s a lot to unpack when it comes to looking at Youngstown in Ohio. For one, it scores pretty low when it comes to US News and World Reports' chart of the job market and desirability. Still, there are other things that draw people into the city, such as the quality of life most people report from living in Youngstown.

This is all topped by the 7.8 score Youngstown was handed in the report, meaning buying or renting a house in the city is more affordable than most other places across the US. People just need to be prepared for a host of other factors that come with living in Youngstown, such as the temperature and winters.

Youngstown has an older median age and a high percentage of single people

The thing that makes living in Youngstown so affordable is because of the low housing prices. In fact, in 2022, the average cost of a house still sits well below $100,000. Why? A large part of that is down to the winters the affordable city receives each year. After all, it sits between Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

Temperatures averagely sit at 28 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter, which isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time. Reports also show that 51% of the population living in the city are single, but the median age sits at 40. Having an older generation has put many off moving to the city, but living in Youngstown does have its benefits.

Louisville, Kentucky, has a lower quality of life compared to other affordable US cities 

• Desirability: 6.3
• Value: 7.8
• Job Market: 6.6
• Quality of Life: 5.8
• Overall Score: 6.6

On the surface, it seems that Louisville in Kentucky has just about everything someone could need to call the city a home. It’s affordable, it has a high score in the job market, and it is pretty desirable compared to other places in the US. In fact, it appears only one thing brings it down.

The quality of life isn’t the highest, but that doesn’t mean we need to count it out just yet. After all, US News and World Reports gave the city a score of 7.8 in the value section of its report. While the other parts might not score the highest, it can be tough to ignore how affordable Louisville is.

House prices in Louisville are less than half of those across the rest of the US

Being one of the more unique cities across the US is another of the reasons that so many people have thought about a move to Louisville. After all, it’s filled with a legendary horse racetrack, a college, and museums that give everyone something to do just about every day of the week. That’s not all.

House prices in Louisville currently sit around half the average price of homes across the US, making it super affordable. The catch? The population is primarily middle-aged, so it’s not necessarily the hippest place to live. However, it doesn’t get as much snow as other affordable US cities, so living in Louisville does have its benefits.

Lexington, Kentucky, scores highly across the board when it comes to reasons to move there 

• Desirability: 5.9
• Value: 7.8
• Job Market: 6.8
• Quality of Life: 6.9
• Overall Score: 6.9

Lexington, Kentucky, is one of the affordable US cities that scores pretty high across the board. In fact, the US News and World Reports claims that it has a whopping 6.9 overall score, built from the 6.9 it scores in quality of life and 6.8 that it’s earned from the job market. That’s just the beginning.

While the other factors make Lexington one of the more desirable places to live, it’s the value that’s really got people talking about it in recent months. After all, as the cost of living rises across the nation, Lexington scores 7.8. So what is it about the city that makes it such an affordable part to live?

Having so many college students is a big draw for many to Lexington

Being a college town is one of the many reasons that Lexington, Kentucky, is one of the more affordable cities in the US. After all, most students are known to live their lives on a tight budget, so having a high cost of living would mean the economy would tank across the city. That’s not all.

Lexington also has a very low median rent cost, perfect for people who are yet to put a bid in on the housing market. This, combined with the low unemployment rate, means there are several opportunities for many. While the area is growing and the cost of living is rising, it’s still more affordable than many other cities.

Spartanburg, South Carolina, is a part of one of the more affordable states in the US 

• Desirability: 5.9
• Value: 7.8
• Job Market: 6.4
• Quality of Life: 6.5
• Overall Score: 7

South Carolina has long been known as one of the more affordable states in the US. Perhaps that’s why it’s little surprise that Spartanburg, South Carolina, scored 7.8 on US News and World Reports’ investigation? Thankfully, there are other aspects of the city that also make it a desirable place to live for many.

Ironically, the desirability score isn’t as high as other affordable US cities, coming in at 5.9. However, the job market is steady and strong at the moment, coming out with a total of 6.4. The quality of life is also fairly high in Spartanburg, with a total score of 6.5, leading to an overall score of 7.

Spartanburg has been named the best place to live in South Carolina

For years, Arizona, California, and Florida have been some of the most sought-after states across the US, especially because of the weather on offer. After all, it’s a great place to live if you don’t want to endure long, cold winters. Teaming that with the lower-than-average house prices certainly makes Spartanburg a tempting option for many.

However, people might want to move quickly if they want to get in on the action. According to US News and World Reports, Spartanburg has come out on top of places to live in South Carolina and is one of the fastest-growing metros across the nation. For now, house prices remain around $150,000, but that could change.

Buffalo, New York, does well in all categories, especially the desirability and quality of life 

• Desirability: 6.6
• Value: 7.8
• Job Market: 5.9
• Quality of Life: 6.8
• Overall Score: 6.6

Believe it or not, but it seems we really can live in New York without having to pay the highest housing costs across the nation. At least, that’s what US News and World Reports has us believing, as Buffalo might be one of the more affordable places. It comes out with a score of 7.8 for value in reports.

Buffalo, New York, also has a reasonably high quality of life and desirability for people to live there, thanks to the host of things on offer across the city. The only thing dragging Buffalo’s overall score down to 6.6 is the 5.9 score for the job market, but even that isn’t on the lower end of the scale.

The cost of most things is a lot lower in Buffalo compared to other cities

There are plenty of reasons that people want to move to Buffalo, New York. Sadly, there are also some reasons that people might want to think twice before they head off to the city. For one, it has some of the harshest winters seen across The States, with snow and blizzards common from fall all the way to spring.

Then there’s the fact New York has some of the highest income and property taxes. Still, this can be balanced with the below-average cost of renting and house prices. This, combined with the lower-than-average prices of groceries and gas, means that living in Buffalo might not be as expensive as it seems on the surface.

Greenville, South Carolina, has a high value score, giving it a high overall score 

• Desirability: 6.1
• Value: 7.9
• Job Market: 6.7
• Quality of Life: 6.3
• Overall Score: 6.9

Looking at photos of Greenville, South Carolina, might have plenty of people looking to book a plane ticket and move their entire lives across The States right this instant. So, is it worth it? It could be. At least, that is when it comes to US News and World Reports’ claims that it comes out as 7.9 for value.

The city also does well across all the other categories, particularly the stability and number of jobs available on the job market. Team that with the quality of life and desirability, and it might not be such a surprise that so many people are looking to move to Greenville - and that it has an overall score of 6.9.

Low taxes and house prices mean that Greenville is a popular choice for many

South Carolina is a popular place to live for retirees for a host of reasons. However, it seems that family would also fit in well among Greenville, as 52% of people living in the cities are married couples, many of whom have children. Companies like GE and Michelin have also recently moved to the city.

This means that Greenville has pretty low taxes, but it is joined by a lower-than-national-average salary. This is combined with house prices that are higher than in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Still, they are lower than the national average, meaning people often get a lot more for their money than they would across the rest of the US.

Omaha, Nebraska, might not be the most desirable, but it has a high value for money 

• Desirability: 5.6
• Value: 7.9
• Job Market: 7.6
• Quality of Life: 6.8
• Overall Score: 7

When it comes to the most desirable places to live across the US, Omaha in Nebraska doesn’t score the highest on the list. However, there are plenty of reasons that we shouldn’t write it off just yet. For one, it’s one of the best places to get the most value, with US News and World Reports scoring it 7.9.

Another great thing about moving to Omaha is the fact that it has a strong job market, meaning it could be perfect for people looking to start over in life. Need more of a reason to move to Omaha? The quality of life is pretty high compared to other cities in the US, giving it an overall score of 7.

There are several costs and benefits to consider before moving to Omaha

Like many of the other affordable cities in the US, being a college town means that Omaha is one of the many to benefit from a younger crowd. After all, it’s home to not one but two colleges: the University of Nebraska-Omaha and Creighton University. This also means that there is plenty of culture and things to keep people entertained.

Still, there’s one thing to consider before moving to Nebraska. Here, people have to pay taxes and fees if they have a car, causing the cost of living to rise for some. Thankfully, this is made up for by the average annual salary of $50,000, meaning people are often better paid than they are in other US cities.

Kalamazoo in Michigan scores highly when it comes to the value for money in the city 

• Desirability: 5.4
• Value: 7.9
• Job Market: 6.4
• Quality of Life: 7
• Overall Score: 6.7

Want somewhere that offers a high quality of life while still getting a lot for your money? While Michigan might not always be at the top of people’s lists of places to live, there are some good reasons that moving to one of the most affordable US cities could be for many of us. That’s right; we’re talking about Kalamazoo.

The city comes in with a quality of life score of 7, with US News and World Reports giving it an even higher score of 7.9 for value for money. Things don’t look quite as good in the desirability part, but it still has a fairly strong job market. Overall, Kalamazoo comes out with a total of 6.7.

Living in Kalamazoo comes with plenty of benefits and downsides

On paper, Kalamazoo has everything that many people could need to convince them it’s a great place to live. Of course, like most things in the world, there’s a catch. For one, the city has some pretty harsh winters that bring cold temperatures and snow to the city for much of the winter. In fact, heavy snowstorms are common.

Another aspect that puts people off from moving to Kalamazoo are the high unemployment rates across the city. Still, there are benefits to living in Kalamazoo. For one, the city has low sales and income taxes. Plus, house prices are around half the national average, and rents are a lot lower than in the rest of the nation.

Cincinnati, Ohio, has one of the highest value scores but scores lower in desirability 

• Desirability: 5.6
• Value: 8
• Job Market: 6.9
• Quality of Life: 6.6
• Overall Score: 6.7

When it comes to one of the most affordable US cities, Cincinnati, Ohio, is up there as one of the best. In fact, US News and World Reports believes there is such value for money that it has a score of 8. That’s not the only thing that it has in its favor, but not everything is shiny in Cincinnati.

Sadly, the desirability isn’t the highest across The States, earning a score of 5.6. Still, that is boosted a little by the job market and quality of life, both scoring over 6. Even though the value score is so high, having lower aspects in the report meant that Cincinnati has an overall score of 6.7.

There are a host of job opportunities and cultures to be found in Cincinnati

It might be tough to see why Cincinnati isn’t so desirable given how much there is to see, do, and enjoy within the city. After all, it’s one of the most desirable places to call home in Ohio for various reasons. For one, it has a host of different cultures, which have all brought diverse entertainment and dining options.

Plus, Cincinnati has some major names in professional sports and a host of jobs on the market. The best bit? Cincinnati has a ton of fun things to do and comes with all the feelings of a big city without being overpriced. After all, the house and rent prices are below the national average, making them more affordable.

Indianapolis, Indiana, has a thriving job market but a lower quality of life 

• Desirability: 5.4
• Value: 8.1
• Job Market: 7
• Quality of Life: 5.8
• Overall Score: 6.6

It can be tough to know what makes somewhere desirable. After all, we all have different things that we want to get out of life. For some, we want a host of career opportunities to choose. Others need somewhere with low crime rates that’s great for raising a family. Whatever the case, it can be tough to judge.

Perhaps that’s why US News and World Reports gave Indianapolis, Indiana, a desirability score of 5.4? While it might not be the highest, this affordable US city makes up for it with its value score of 8.1. Plenty of people might say that alone makes Indianapolis one of the more desirable places to live across the nation.

Indianapolis has long been compared to living in Cincinnati

If you have ever been to Cincinnati, you have a better idea of what it’s like to be in Indianapolis than others. That’s because the two cities have long been compared, thanks to the number of things on offer across both. Like Cincinnati, Indianapolis also has a hand in sports with its basketball, baseball, football, and hockey teams.

However, there are some differences between the two. For one, Indianapolis house prices are far lower than the ones in Cincinnati, while renting here is a lot more expensive. Indianapolis is also designed to be more of a walking city, even though studies show that 85% of people living here currently drive to work. Maybe they walk on the weekends?

Peoria, Illinois, has a mixture of scores but comes out high in value 

• Desirability: 5.6
• Value: 8.1
• Job Market: 6.3
• Quality of Life: 6.7
• Overall Score: 6.5

Looking at the value for money of somewhere and comparing it to the rest of the other aspects that make up what it’s like to call the place home are two different things. While Peoria in Illinois is one of the more affordable US cities, it might not score as highly across the rest of the board.

At least, that’s according to US News and World Reports. The job market isn’t as strong as it is in other cities that also offer a good value for money. However, the city’s value score comes in higher, at 8.1. Having a mixture of higher and lower scores ultimately gives Peoria an overall score of 6.5.

High wages and low housing and rent costs help to make Peoria appealing

If you’re looking to buy a house, you might not want to count Peoria out just yet. That’s because housing prices have remained relatively flat while costs across the rest of the nation continue to rise. The renting costs are also averagely extremely low compared to the rest of The States. That’s just the beginning.

Peoria is found in between St. Louis and Chicago, meaning people are close to some bigger names on the map. Although it’s a smaller city, Peoria also offers a much higher average wage compared to other similar-sized cities. All in all, people often have more money to play with purely by living here compared to somewhere else.

Fayetteville, Arkansas, might not be desirable, but it’s affordable 

• Desirability: 5.6
• Value: 8.1
• Job Market: 7.4
• Quality of Life: 7.2
• Overall Score: 7.3

Did you know that Arkansas is the only state that actively mines diamonds? While you might not have dreams of becoming a diamond miner, moving here could have some other benefits. For one, there is much more to do than just look for gems, as proven by the 7.4 score Fayetteville gets for its job market.

It seems that having lots of stability and differing jobs also means that people living in Fayetteville feel pretty good about their quality of life, earning 7.2 from the US News and World Reports. All of this is tied together with the value rating of 8.1, giving the affordable city an overall score of 7.3.

There are so many things to love about living in Fayetteville

It seems there are so many reasons that you might want to think about a move to Fayetteville. For one, the city is where you’ll find the University of Arkansas if you’re looking to further your education. That’s also great for people looking for some culture and nightlife, as the students have plenty on offer within the city.

Then there’s the fact that US News and World Reports claims this is the fourth best city to live in across the US. Having a low unemployment rate alongside relatively average salaries, low housing costs, and low rent prices means there is a lot to like about Fayetteville, especially if you’re looking to stick to a budget.

Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania is one of the better cities when it comes to value for your money 

• Desirability: 6
• Value: 8.1
• Job Market: 6.1
• Quality of Life: 6.4
• Overall Score: 6.6

Things start to look up a little by the time we head to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Although it scores at 8.1 in terms of value for money - much like many of the other affordable US cities across the nation - it has higher numbers than others in various other aspects. After all, Pittsburgh is more desirable than many other places.

Then comes the fact it has a relatively stable job market and quality of life. Overall, the city is left with a score of 6.6. While it might not be the highest, there are a number of reasons that people can’t stop thinking about a move to Pittsburgh. After all, it’s come a long way throughout the decades.

The growing tech industry in Pittsburgh is making it a popular place to live

Years ago, Pittsburgh was nothing more than a steel town. While it brought in plenty of jobs and saw a roaring trade dominate the area, not everyone wanted to work in the steel industry. However, the city has come a long way in recent years. Now, it’s one of the up-and-coming tech metropolises of the US.

This is seeing a host of younger people flock to the area. Still, people might want to move quickly if they want to get a slice of the action. Interest in the area means that while housing and renting prices are below the national average right now, that could all change for Pittsburgh in the next decade.

South Bend, Indiana, is famous for its education and health sector careers 

• Desirability: 5.6
• Value: 8.2
• Job Market: 6
• Quality of Life: 6.2
• Overall Score: 6.5

What makes somewhere desirable? While South Bend in Indiana might not be the most sought-after place to live in the US, there is so much to love about the city. It’s known for its manufacturing, health care, and education, with the top five employers in the city all being either education or health-related. That’s just the beginning.

South Bend is also known for being one of the more affordable cities in the US and comes with a high quality of life, scoring 8.2 and 6.2, respectively. Sadly, the only thing dragging South Bend’s overall score down to a 6.5 in US News and World Reports’ findings is the desirability score of 5.6.

Being close to Chicago means South Bend is a popular choice

Not only is South Bend often a friendly place to live, but it could also be a financially beneficial one if you know where to look. The city does have a slightly higher-than-average unemployment rate, but that doesn't mean that everyone has to worry. After all, the rent and house prices are far below the national average.

South Bend is also pretty close to Chicago for those looking to get away and where you'll find the University of Notre Dame. With so much to see, do, and enjoy, it might be little surprise that everyone wants to stick around. Oh, and did we mention that South Bend is also one of the friendlier places regarding taxes?

Grand Rapids, Michigan, has one of the higher values of all the affordable US cities 

• Desirability: 5.5
• Value: 8.2
• Job Market: 6.3
• Quality of Life: 7.4
• Overall Score: 6.9

If you’re looking for one of the most affordable US cities, it might - surprisingly to many - come in the form of Grand Rapids in Michigan. That’s because it scores at 8.2 on the US News and World Reports’ list. To top it off, that’s not the only thing that’s drawn people to the Great lake State.

It turns out that living in Grand Rapids also comes with a higher quality of life than many of the other affordable cities across the nation. While the desirability might not score so highly, it might be time to question that. After all, the city has a relatively stable and varied job market, offering plenty for most people.

Being close to Lake Michigan makes Grand Rapids more bearable in the summer

Did you know that the metro area of Grand Rapids has an estimated population of around 1 million people? That means the fact it’s so affordable is even more surprising to many. After all, house prices fall below the average in the nation, even with so many people trying to get their hands on somewhere to live.

Rent sits around $100 per month lower than the rest of the nation, too. Still, having lower house prices doesn’t necessarily mean that homeowners struggle to make their money back when it’s time to sell. As if that wasn’t enough, Grand Rapids is around 30 miles away from Lake Michigan, making the summers more bearable than the winters.

Having a value score of 8.2 makes Green Bay in Wisconsin a popular choice 

• Desirability: 6
• Value: 8.2
• Job Market: 6.9
• Quality of Life: 7.3
• Overall Score: 7.1

When it comes to being affordable to live, Green Bay in Wisconsin is up there as one of the best. What about the other factors that make up somewhere to live? It seems it also scores pretty highly compared to other places on offer. For one, the US News and World Reports give it a desirability score of 6.

The city also ranks highly when it comes to the job market and quality of life scores, coming in at 6.9 and 7.3, respectively. So why isn’t it at the top of the list? Having an overall score of 7.1 brings Green Bay down a little, but that doesn’t mean we should exclude it just yet.

The winters have put many people off moving to Green Bay

One of the main reasons that people have steered clear of Green Bay is the fact it’s cold - really cold. Being on the Green Bay portion of Lake Michigan means the winter brings frigid winds, snow, and low temperatures throughout the winter. While it’s something many want to avoid, there are plenty of plus sides to Green Bay.

Having low housing costs and rent that falls well below the average is one of the biggest upsides. Sadly, the unemployment rate is higher than in the rest of the US. Still, the NFL’s Packers help make Green Bay one of the more popular places to be - and the fact summer vacations are just around the corner.

There’s plenty of history lying within Des Moines in Iowa 

• Desirability: 5.9
• Value: 8.3
• Job Market: 7.5
• Quality of Life: 6.7
• Overall Score: 7.2

When thinking of Des Moines, Iowa, there might be plenty of things that come to mind. For one, the State Capitol’s dome has around 100 ounces of gold, the Blank Park Zoo is home to some of the few remaining red pandas in the world, and it was once illegal to dance across the city between 2 and 6 am.

That’s not all. Des Moines also has a high score when it comes to the job market and quality of life, which often go hand in hand with one another. All of that leads to a good value score, according to the US News and World Reports, who gave it a score of 8.3.

Many are starting to realize how great Des Moines really is

Being the capital of Iowa has led many to believe that Des Moines is bustling with people. While that might be the case, the city is much smaller than places such as Omaha, Kansas City, and St. Louis. Des Moines also has a much lower cost of living, with homes costing around $50,000 less than the national average.

Having low rent costs and low levels of unemployment also means that people tend to be pretty happy in Des Moines. Sounds too good to be true? Amazingly, it’s not, but you might want to move fast if you want to get in on the action. It seems plenty are learning about Des Moines and are flooding to the city.

Hickory, North Carolina, doesn’t score highly overall but does score highly in value 

• Desirability: 6
• Value: 8.3
• Job Market: 5.8
• Quality of Life: 6.5
• Overall Score: 6.7

If you were to look at the overall score given to Hickory in North Carolina, you might not think too much about heading there to start a new life. Still, it might not be time to rule it out just yet. Things don’t initially start well for Hickory when it comes to the US News and World Reports scores.

For one, it scores just 6 when it comes to desirability, 5.8 when it comes to the job market, and 6.5 when it comes to the quality of life. Still, things quickly turn around when we learn that Hickory has a value score of 8.3. Is that really enough to drop everything and move? It could be.

Hickory is developing at a slower rate than neighboring cities

Being at the start of the Smoky Mountains means that Hickory is one of the more picturesque, affordable US cities. It’s also filled with a host of federally held and state lands, meaning new buildings are hard to come by. Still, that doesn’t mean all is lost. The city is nestled between Asheville and Charlotte.

Both of these cities are growing at incredible rates, leaving Hickory as one of the places to be with its low home and rent costs. As if that wasn’t enough, plenty of people from the north have headed down to Hickory as they search for a slower lifestyle, cheaper cost of living, and warmer weather, meaning no long, cold winters.

The Quad Cities region spread across Illinois and Iowa 

• Desirability: 5.2
• Value: 8.4
• Job Market: 6.2
• Quality of Life: 6.4
• Overall Score: 6.5

Not everyone is familiar with the idea of multiple cities spanning two states. Still, that's long been the case for the Quad Cities region, which spreads across Illinois and Iowa. Initially, the cities East Moline, Rock Island, Bettendorf, and Davenport were the leading cities in the Quad Cities region. Still, its continued to grow throughout the years.

It seems that having so many cities to its name hasn't dragged down the Quad Cities region, as it comes out with a value score from the US News and World Reports of 8.4. That's one of the highest across the US, but it doesn't score as high when it comes to desirability, falling down to 5.2.

Having low rent and high entertainment value outweighs the Quad Cities region’s high taxes

It might come as a surprise to many that the Quad Cities region is one of the more affordable places to live in the US when Iowa and Illinois both have higher taxes than the average across the rest of the US. Thankfully, the lower-than-average rental prices and small metro population - around 400,000 - help a lot.

The Quad Cities region is also known for its thriving entertainment and arts scene, which has brought many people to the area in recent years. The TaxSlayer Center - an arena with 12,000 seats that often hosts arena football, minor-league hockey, and concerts - is also a popular attraction for people looking for a fun place to live.

Fort Wayne, Indiana, is almost the most affordable US city 

• Desirability: 5.4
• Value: 8.6
• Job Market: 6.3
• Quality of Life: 6
• Overall Score: 6.6

Indiana is somewhere that almost topped the list of the most affordable places to live in the US in 2022. Sadly, it just missed out on the top spot. So what is it about the area that’s seen it earn such a title? It seems that the US News and World Reports didn’t rate Fort Wayne too highly.

Its overall score sits at 6.6, and it doesn’t do that great across the rest of the board, either. Scoring 5.4 in desirability, 6 for quality of life, and 6.3 in the job market aren’t the highest on the scale. Still, having a value of 8.6 means that Fort Wayne isn’t out of the race yet.

There are plenty of pros and cons to living in Fort Wayne

The more we look into it, the more it might seem that Fort Wayne is easy to cross off the list of places to consider. However, it could be time to hear the city out. To start, it comes with wages that sit below the national average. However, the metro area has an extremely low cost of living.

As if that wasn’t enough, Fort Wayne also has significantly lower rental costs than the rest of the US. All of this combined has led to a higher unemployment rate compared to the rest of the nation. Still, Fort Wayne is close to Columbus, Chicago, and Detroit, meaning there’s always plenty to see and do.

Huntsville in Alabama has been named the most affordable US city 

• Desirability: 5.5
• Value: 8.7
• Job Market: 8.1
• Quality of Life: 7
• Overall Score: 7.4

When it comes to the most affordable city in the US, it comes in the form of Huntsville, Alabama. We've heard of sweet home Alabama, but what about making it our home sweet home? If you want somewhere the US News and World Reports rates at 7.4 overall, then you've found your place to be.

As if that wasn't enough, the US News and World Reports has also given Huntsville a high score of 8.1 for the city's job market and a score of 7 for the quality of life. Still, none of these compare to the score of 8.7 when it comes to the value of living in Huntsville.

Incredibly low house prices and affordable living make Huntsville a great place to be

What is it about Huntsville that makes it such an affordable place to live? For one, it’s ranked as the third best place to live across the US by the US News and World Reports. Believe it or not, but rent sits around $200 below the monthly average in the US, while house prices can be as low as half.

Combining affordable living with the below-average rate of unemployment and the fact it’s a college town means there’s always plenty to see and do and ways to spend your hard-earned money. Huntsville is also home to a host of families or married couples, making up 52% of the population. It should also mean Huntsville is affordable for years to come.