There are some affordable cities in the US but, more often than not, many places will rank themselves out of a person's budget. The flashiest and fanciest cities are usually the most overpriced and simultaneously, the most convenient to live in.
Some of these cities aren't surprising, while others have set themselves outside of an affordable budget due to unexpected reasons. When combined with the cost of groceries, utilities, transportation, and additional bills, it becomes more of a struggle to make things work. Additionally, job security, availability, and location can all factor into a city's cost of living - and these are the ones that are unfavorably tipping the scales.
Manhattan, New York
This isn't surprising by any means and Manhattan will most likely continue to be one of the most expensive places in the US to live.
True to a city's nature, Manhattan not only drives up monthly rents and mortgage payments, but everything in this city helps to drive its price tag up. Transportation - whether it be via taxi, the subway, or the train - becomes very expensive. Having a car in the city also isn't as practical, and walking can sometimes be inconvenient when it comes to finding a close work location.
Honolulu, Hawaii
Sorry, long-time vacationers - Honolulu is more affordable as a vacation destination than a full-time living locale. The cost of living here is about 91% above the cost of living in other US cities, making it one of the most expensive by far.
With the average income being $80,000, monthly costs can add up quickly, especially for families and large households. The average home price is also staggering - with many homes going for well over one million, it's nearly impossible to even afford a house without a significant income, let alone find an area that has affordable rental prices.
Seattle, Washington
The west coast is known for its costly living and while it's not true for every city, it is true for Seattle.
This coastal city has water on one side and mountains on the other, both of which offer a desirable environment for those seeking a home with views. That's also what drives the price up so much on many homes, with the average house price being just over $800,000. The average rent for this city is also significantly priced, with most rentals requiring over $2,000 in rent payments alone, not including utilities or other fees.
Boston, Massachusetts
Similar to New York City, Boston is a pricey place to live. Homes within city limits easily go for more than $700,000 and rent in this city is nowhere near cheap.
The average rent is over $3,000 and that's not including fees for parking, transportation, or any other bills or utilities. While the city is very walkable, potential residents would need to be lucky enough to find work within walking distance to an affordable place, which isn't always plausible. As far as New England goes, Massachusetts is by far one of the most expensive states to live in.
Arlington, Virginia
Arlington is a bit of surprise considering how affordable many parts of Virginia are.
However, the price is driven by its proximity to the nation's capital as well as the beauty of the surrounding area, which is right on the Potomac River. Even if potential residents can find work near D.C., the average commute is roughly 45 minutes. Even so, the unemployment rate is among the lowest in the country, and the average income per house is almost double what the rest of the country sees - so living here can become a catch-22.