Sometimes a trip to a new city on vacation can convince someone to live there. While itâs 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 wonât break the bank!
Whether visitors are interested in a city in the USÂ or want to travel the world, sometimes a change of scenery can be the best decision (especially if itâs 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, doesnât require a state income tax (only seven other states fall into this category, including Texas and Alaska). With a cost of living thatâs 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 USâs national average
9 Buffalo, New York
If chilly weather isnât 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 itâs 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 USâs 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 USâs national average
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 USâs 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 USâs national average
5 Grand Rapids, Michigan
Even though Grand Rapids, Michiganâs 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 USâs 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 USâs national average
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 USâs 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 itâs also super pedestrian-friendly. Visitors can grab beers to-go and visit cool spots like Há»a 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 USâs 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 USâs 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 anyoneâs life!