Most Affordable Cities to Live In
Cities with the lowest combined cost of housing, rent, and daily living expenses. · 100 cities ranked · Updated 2026-04-05
Finding the most affordable cities to live in requires looking beyond just one metric. Our ranking uses a data-driven scoring formula that weighs multiple factors from the US Census Bureau including median household income, housing affordability, education levels, employment rates, and poverty rates. Only cities with a population above 10,000 are considered.
In 2026, Johnstown, PA takes the #1 spot, followed by Raymondville, TX and Flint, MI. Each city below links to a full profile with detailed demographics, housing data, and cost of living comparisons. You can also compare any two cities side by side or explore our national rankings by specific metrics like income, rent, and education.
Full Ranking — Top 100
| Rank | City | State | Income | Home Value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Johnstown | PA | $34,784 | $42,100 | $616/mo |
| #2 | Raymondville | TX | $42,148 | $48,200 | $945/mo |
| #3 | Flint | MI | $36,194 | $47,600 | $859/mo |
| #4 | East St. Louis | IL | $30,992 | $52,700 | $597/mo |
| #5 | Kewanee | IL | $49,668 | $70,000 | $775/mo |
| #6 | Youngstown | OH | $34,746 | $58,400 | $718/mo |
| #7 | Saginaw | MI | $37,298 | $54,000 | $909/mo |
| #8 | Flowing Wells | AZ | $40,769 | $51,800 | $1,123/mo |
| #9 | Arkansas City | KS | $53,475 | $81,700 | $762/mo |
| #10 | Fostoria | OH | $52,943 | $81,500 | $759/mo |
| #11 | New Castle | PA | $41,478 | $72,000 | $698/mo |
| #12 | Cahokia Heights | IL | $37,975 | $56,900 | $959/mo |
| #13 | Donna | TX | $38,082 | $68,500 | $734/mo |
| #14 | Streator | IL | $54,953 | $88,000 | $779/mo |
| #15 | Borger | TX | $59,031 | $90,000 | $833/mo |
| #16 | Jamestown | NY | $44,878 | $79,100 | $755/mo |
| #17 | Centralia | IL | $47,308 | $81,600 | $775/mo |
| #18 | Danville | IL | $44,239 | $76,800 | $809/mo |
| #19 | Sharon | PA | $44,595 | $79,100 | $780/mo |
| #20 | Granite City | IL | $60,490 | $99,800 | $761/mo |
| #21 | Jennings | MO | $37,356 | $62,300 | $944/mo |
| #22 | Freeport | IL | $48,181 | $86,100 | $760/mo |
| #23 | Kennett | MO | $53,164 | $103,600 | $600/mo |
| #24 | Peru | IN | $46,180 | $84,000 | $769/mo |
| #25 | Logansport | IN | $46,363 | $84,600 | $770/mo |
| #26 | Bay City | MI | $47,904 | $89,900 | $739/mo |
| #27 | Galesburg | IL | $45,213 | $89,800 | $719/mo |
| #28 | Nanticoke | PA | $60,340 | $103,800 | $787/mo |
| #29 | Massena | NY | $48,810 | $99,200 | $680/mo |
| #30 | Mount Vernon | IL | $52,751 | $89,700 | $893/mo |
| #31 | Wood River | IL | $65,960 | $103,200 | $915/mo |
| #32 | Olean | NY | $47,553 | $90,500 | $786/mo |
| #33 | Sweetwater | TX | $45,720 | $84,000 | $862/mo |
| #34 | McKeesport | PA | $31,854 | $69,800 | $786/mo |
| #35 | Ottumwa | IA | $56,994 | $92,400 | $956/mo |
| #36 | Warren | OH | $36,955 | $80,100 | $759/mo |
| #37 | Pottsville | PA | $53,465 | $97,700 | $820/mo |
| #38 | Decatur | IL | $50,809 | $97,300 | $796/mo |
| #39 | New Castle | IN | $48,977 | $95,100 | $797/mo |
| #40 | Mattoon | IL | $47,308 | $96,000 | $764/mo |
| #41 | Alpena | MI | $47,604 | $110,400 | $599/mo |
| #42 | Vincennes | IN | $50,238 | $98,700 | $792/mo |
| #43 | Taylorville | IL | $52,720 | $106,300 | $738/mo |
| #44 | Pampa | TX | $53,458 | $95,800 | $898/mo |
| #45 | Fort Madison | IA | $49,359 | $95,900 | $824/mo |
| #46 | Marinette | WI | $57,461 | $111,600 | $763/mo |
| #47 | Camden | AR | $51,300 | $108,800 | $704/mo |
| #48 | Dunkirk | NY | $49,003 | $91,200 | $905/mo |
| #49 | Marshalltown | IA | $68,854 | $117,100 | $864/mo |
| #50 | Pontiac | IL | $59,579 | $110,200 | $818/mo |
| #51 | Wabash | IN | $54,199 | $115,000 | $677/mo |
| #52 | Connersville | IN | $45,679 | $96,300 | $776/mo |
| #53 | Pine Bluff | AR | $41,250 | $86,400 | $831/mo |
| #54 | Roma | TX | $27,741 | $87,700 | $552/mo |
| #55 | Blytheville | AR | $49,928 | $101,200 | $789/mo |
| #56 | Van Wert | OH | $53,632 | $109,700 | $739/mo |
| #57 | Martinsville | VA | $42,434 | $92,500 | $784/mo |
| #58 | Clarksdale | MS | $35,210 | $84,200 | $762/mo |
| #59 | Alamo | TX | $54,234 | $119,300 | $649/mo |
| #60 | Canton | IL | $54,881 | $106,900 | $814/mo |
| #61 | Clinton | IA | $57,493 | $115,400 | $751/mo |
| #62 | Elmira | NY | $43,089 | $88,200 | $871/mo |
| #63 | Galion | OH | $45,377 | $100,900 | $741/mo |
| #64 | Fulton | NY | $52,123 | $100,900 | $856/mo |
| #65 | San Benito | TX | $41,445 | $85,100 | $885/mo |
| #66 | Sterling | IL | $52,647 | $107,800 | $780/mo |
| #67 | West Mifflin | PA | $70,335 | $131,400 | $748/mo |
| #68 | Gloversville | NY | $49,155 | $95,500 | $905/mo |
| #69 | Okmulgee | OK | $39,060 | $90,200 | $799/mo |
| #70 | Jacksonville | IL | $62,615 | $128,300 | $703/mo |
| #71 | Malvern | AR | $40,602 | $95,500 | $760/mo |
| #72 | Niagara Falls | NY | $48,535 | $104,400 | $784/mo |
| #73 | Palmview | TX | $46,274 | $109,400 | $689/mo |
| #74 | Prichard | AL | $35,331 | $79,900 | $876/mo |
| #75 | Muncie | IN | $43,395 | $92,000 | $867/mo |
| #76 | East Chicago | IN | $41,071 | $92,400 | $820/mo |
| #77 | Lincoln | IL | $54,390 | $111,600 | $804/mo |
| #78 | Ashtabula | OH | $43,782 | $99,200 | $790/mo |
| #79 | Waycross | GA | $37,398 | $88,600 | $810/mo |
| #80 | Huntington | IN | $51,220 | $104,300 | $852/mo |
| #81 | Alton | IL | $53,005 | $99,500 | $948/mo |
| #82 | Dayton | OH | $43,454 | $93,200 | $866/mo |
| #83 | Detroit | MI | $39,575 | $76,800 | $1,034/mo |
| #84 | Russellville | AL | $52,529 | $117,300 | $716/mo |
| #85 | East Cleveland | OH | $22,883 | $68,900 | $761/mo |
| #86 | Pekin | IL | $58,355 | $118,200 | $792/mo |
| #87 | Snyder | TX | $54,067 | $102,500 | $929/mo |
| #88 | Alliance | OH | $54,608 | $113,300 | $798/mo |
| #89 | Niles | OH | $49,987 | $108,400 | $787/mo |
| #90 | Two Rivers | WI | $58,716 | $121,800 | $756/mo |
| #91 | Dixon | IL | $58,371 | $113,300 | $865/mo |
| #92 | Macomb | IL | $39,753 | $99,800 | $733/mo |
| #93 | Kendallville | IN | $60,909 | $130,600 | $696/mo |
| #94 | Mercedes | TX | $41,753 | $107,700 | $676/mo |
| #95 | Miami | OK | $45,900 | $102,600 | $804/mo |
| #96 | Winfield | KS | $58,140 | $121,200 | $770/mo |
| #97 | La Homa | TX | $41,198 | $101,400 | $746/mo |
| #98 | Great Bend | KS | $53,323 | $118,700 | $744/mo |
| #99 | Lima | OH | $43,370 | $95,900 | $865/mo |
| #100 | Jackson | MI | $42,848 | $94,700 | $874/mo |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the #1 most affordable cities to live in in America?
Johnstown, PA ranks #1 with a median income of $34,784 and home values at $42,100.
What are the top 3 most affordable cities to live in?
The top 3 are: 1) Johnstown, PA, 2) Raymondville, TX, and 3) Flint, MI.
How are the most affordable cities to live in determined?
Cities are scored using a data-driven formula based on Census Bureau data including income, housing costs, employment, education, and demographics. Only cities with population over 10,000 are included.