8. New Mexico
- Index of Cost of Living: 89.6
- Index of housing costs: 80.4
Did you know that New Mexico is actually the eighth-cheapest state in the country? The cost of utilities and housing is pretty low. For example, the cost of a two-bedroom house is less than $800 per month, and the median home cost is $193,200.
If you need to commute a long distance, you’ll find that prices for common transportations are pretty cheap. In 2021, it was ranked as the 50th best state to live in. Neat, right?
If you are a nature lover, you might love the surroundings, especially the caverns near Carlsbad, which are pretty famous. Among them, you can also visit White Sands National Monument in south-central New Mexico. And if this wasn’t enough to convince you, if you love the warm season, you can enjoy summer from May 24th to September 14th.
9 thoughts on “Top 12 Cheapest US States to Live in”
I’m sure there is a big difference within each state. For example, Georgia was listed, but certainly life is more expensive in Atlanta than it is in any number of smaller cities. Could you offer a list of inexpensive CITIES or Regions within each state. I am particularly interested in Kentucky or Tennessee. Thank you.
Think it would be important to consider how good the medical care is in the states you’ve mentioned.
This is a fantastic report and will be very useful for many.
My question is: Where are the 10 cheapest states to live in if you are a 100% disabled veteran. A couple of things important for us are VA medical care, year-round activities, and state benefits for the 100% disabled – such as no state property taxes, (like Florida and Texas, Minnesota and a few others), no cost hunting and fishing licenses. Just saying. It would be nice if someone would provide a cost of living index taking into consideration the property tax difference along.
Thank you, Jim
It was interesting to see this list. As it turns out we moved to Georgia in January 2022. Nice to see it made it on your list. It’s a great place to live. I cannot think of anything I’m missing in California.
I lived in Memphis for 15 years. I was so happy to see it in my rear view mirror. Memphis is a violent city. Per capita is one of the 4 most violent cities in America. Memphis is ore violent per capita than Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, Miami, Newark, & Trenton. I have spent time in every major city & a large number of small towns in Tennessee. If you are not a white person, Tennessee can be a very challenging state to live in.
I lived in Tennessee for 15 years before I moved back home to Delaware. I miss it every day .
I live in Kentucky. The cost of living in surrounding small towns is far better than Louisville, where many people have bars on windows and doors. But you trade off any sense of culture. None of my neighbors can spell or carry on a conversation. I have to pretend I understand what people are saying.
I don’t understand how Alabama can be one of the cheapest States to live in with no increase in minimum wage because the State couldn’t afford it, but mainly because of the sales tax, even on groceries! It’s 10 to 11 percent in most if not all of the State.
Great point. We love North Carolina because the medical care/hospitals are ubiquitously recognized as being fantastic. (we live in the third largest city, Greensboro). However, not one of the cheapest states. Many of the States that were mentioned have very high crime rates. Hard pass on those.