Sometimes a trip to a new city on vacation can convince someone to live there. While it’s not the best idea to rush and sign a contract after only visiting a place for a week or two, some cities actually offer excellent affordability that won’t break the bank!

Whether visitors are interested in a city in the US or want to travel the world, sometimes a change of scenery can be the best decision (especially if it’s cheap!) Here are some of the best, most affordable cities in both the United States and worldwide, as of 2021!

10 Nashville, Tennessee

Compared to other large cities, Nashville, Tennessee provides a super low rate of unemployment and, as of 2021, doesn’t require a state income tax (only seven other states fall into this category, including Texas and Alaska). With a cost of living that’s below the United States national average, people will also find a great job market!

  • Population: 643,771
  • Household Income: $49,891 (median)
  • Home Price: $174,600 purchase price (median), $902 monthly rent (median)
  • Unemployment Rate: 4.3%
  • Average Cost of Living: 5% below the US’s national average

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9 Buffalo, New York

If chilly weather isn’t a problem, Buffalo, New York, with a super low cost of living, great housing options, and a promising job market is another great city to consider. It also has fun things to do and it’s only a short half-hour drive from Niagara Falls!

  • Population: 258,989
  • Household Income: $33,119 (median)
  • Price of Homes: $710 monthly rent (median), $72,600 purchase price (median)
  • Unemployment Rate: 5.8%
  • The average cost of living: 17% below the US’s national average

8 Huntsville, Alabama

With state parks, museums, and botanical gardens, Huntsville, Alabama also offers a super low cost of living and unemployment rate.

  • Population: 457,003
  • Household Income: $55,980 (median)
  • Price of Homes: $1,032 monthly rent (median), $235,633 purchase price (median)
  • Unemployment Rate: 2.6%
  • The average cost of living: 26% below the US’s national average

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7 Charlotte, North Carolina

Charlotte, North Carolina is another great option to live in the United States. Headquarters for Bank of America, the Queen City also offers fantastic nightlife in Uptown, awesome museums, and loads of restaurants and shops to fill an afternoon with!

  • Population: 808,834
  • Household Income: $55,599 (median)
  • Home Price: $966 monthly rent (median), $178,000 purchase price (median)
  • Unemployment Rate: 6.1%
  • Average Cost of Living: 1% above the US’s national average

6 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

With a much lower cost of living than Charlotte, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania would also make a great, affordable home choice. Pittsburgh is one of the biggest cities on this list, with a population of over two million, but it certainly makes up for that with its cost of living!

  • Population: 2,331,447
  • Household Income: $51,550 (median)
  • Home Price: $1,331 monthly rent (median), $224,730 purchase price (median)
  • Unemployment Rate: 7.4%
  • Average Cost of Living: 8% lower than the US’s national average

5 Grand Rapids, Michigan

Even though Grand Rapids, Michigan’s household income amount is below the national average, a low cost of living more than makes up for it. Also, a larger population would give visitors the feel of a bigger city without any of the potential drawbacks!

  • Population: 1,062,392
  • Household Income: $47,010 (median)
  • Home Price: $1,238 monthly rent (median), $232,291 purchase price (median)
  • Unemployment rate: 4.7%
  • Average Cost of Living: 9% lower than the US’s national average

4 Green Bay, Wisconsin

With a small population, low unemployment rate, and comparative cost of living to Grand Rapids, Green Bay, Wisconsin is also a great option for people looking for an affordable balance of things to do, sights to see, and people to meet.

  • Population: 319,401
  • Household Income: $47,400 (median)
  • Home Price: $799 monthly rent (median), $184,094 purchase price (median)
  • Unemployment Rate: 4.4%
  • Average Cost of Living: 9% lower than the US’s national average

RELATED: 10 European Cities That Are Surprisingly Affordable To Visit

3 Fort Wayne, Indiana

With an extremely low cost of living and a medium-sized population, Fort Wayne, Indiana would make a great place to live for people on a budget.

  • Population: 406,305
  • Household Income: $46,810 (median)
  • Home Price: $918 monthly rent (median), $179,951 purchase price (median)
  • Unemployment Rate: 4.1%
  • Average Cost of Living: 12% lower than the US’s national average

2 Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi, Vietnam in Southeast Asia is one of the cheapest cities to live in the world. The center of the city, Hoan Kiem District, is a bustling, exciting area with lots of tasty street food options like Bahn Mi and Pho, and it’s also super pedestrian-friendly. Visitors can grab beers to-go and visit cool spots like Hỏa Lò Prison and Ha Long Bay, a gorgeous slice of the ocean featuring glistening green water and dozens of rainforest-topped islands.

  • Population: 4,874,982
  • Household Income: $9,000 (rough estimate)
  • Home Price: $467 monthly rent (median), $45,000 purchase price (rough estimate)
  • Unemployment Rate: 2.42%
  • Average Cost of Living: 54% below the US’s national average

1 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Despite being the second most expensive city in Brazil to live in, Rio de Janeiro is a very affordable place to live for adventurous American expats. Famous for its barbecued meats and Pão de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Bread), Rio de Janeiro continues to be a fantastic choice for vacationers worldwide! It would make an excellent vacation spot-turned-home without needing to spend too much money.

  • Population: 6,800,000
  • Household Income: $21,744 (rough estimate)
  • Home Price: $444 monthly rent (median), $179,070 purchase price (rough estimate)
  • Unemployment Rate: 14.70%
  • Average Cost of Living: 65% below the US’s national average

In conclusion, any of these wonderful cities would not only make an excellent vacation spot, but each of them is also incredibly affordable to call home! For a bold change that might not only improve quality of life but also might save some money, moving to any of these cities would be a terrific new chapter to anyone’s life!

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