What Are the Cheapest Cities to Live In in the US?

Found in the north of Alabama, the City of Huntsville is the fourth-largest city in the state. It's also one of the cheapest cities in which to live, regardless of how near it is to the Marshall Space Center. It's even cited as one of American's Dozen Distinctive Destinations. The median income in Huntsville is $51,926 with rent prices for a one and two-bed home being $665 and $800. Furthermore, the total cost of living is -7.8%; far less than the national average with housing being -79.6% less.

Known as the City of Bridges, you'll find Pittsburgh at the confluence of three rivers. These rivers - the Allegheny, Ohio, and Monongahela - were the reason settlers made it their home. Once a vital link between the East Coast and Midwest, Pittsburgh remains well-connected. With New York and DC a commute away, Pittsburgh is a cheaper, oft-chosen alternative. Living in Pittsburgh gives you a median salary of $45,851 and rent between $747 and $935. With the cost of living 8.5% less than the rest of Pennsylvania, there's no real reason not to look into this city. If you're still not sold, Pittsburgh also has the most bars, per capita, in the US. Low cost of living and plenty of spots to make friends? Pittsburgh has both.

You'll find Nebraska's largest city, Omaha, on the banks of the Missouri River. Omaha's downtown area covers a 50-mile radius. In 2009, Forbes named it the nation's number one "Bang-for-the-Buck" City. It's also not slowing down. Thanks to a variety of high-paying jobs and median rents between $761 an $952, Omaha is a great place to settle. On top of this, less than 57.9% of residents spend less than 30% of their salaries on housing. With a median income of $56,406, Omaha might be the city in which you can actually buy your own home.

The subject of many-a-song, Memphis is the largest city in the state and on the Mississippi. One of Tennessee's younger cities, it's also been attracting a younger group of people. Indeed, what started out as a planned city by Andrew Jackson is now one of the hippest cities in the country. It's also home to Elvis's Graceland and buzzing music and cultural scenes. Median household incomes might be $39,333, but rent prices are lower than the national average. What this all adds up to is its residents having a cost of living that's 15.7% less than the rest of the US. What would Elvis have to say about that?

Settled in 1788, Cincinnati is now the third-largest city in Ohio. Once the heart of the Midwestern boom, it rivaled the east and west coasts in size and wealth. Many call Cinci the "Paris of America." This, due to the stunning architectural projects that line the downtown skyline. It's a city that's bustling with the arts and has had theater operating from it since the 19th-century. People living in this cultural hub see a median income of $38,938 and the cost of living -10.4% less than the national average. You can get a one-bed rental for $653 or a two-bed for $858.'

Louisville is the 30th most populous city in the country. Named after France's then-ruling monarch, King Louis, XVI, Louisville is an old city. In fact, it's one of the oldest cities situated west of the Appalachian Mountains. One of Kentucky's two first-class cities, Louisville is home to three Fortune companies. The median income in Louisville is $57,279 with median rental prices between $666 for a one-bed and $842 for a two-bed. Housing costs are 13.7% less than the national average, including data for both renting and buying.

Greenville, South Carolina, is the third-largest urban area in the state. Far different to its North Carolina cousin of the same name, Greenville SC is on the up-and-up. Bloomberg recently named it the city with the 3rd strongest job market in the country. One of America's fastest-growing cities, lots of young professionals are calling it home. Greenville residents see a median salary of $48,948 and low-cost housing at $741 for a one-bed apartment. Furthermore, the city excels in transportation. Costs of getting around the city are a whopping 12% less than the national average.

Des Moines got its name from the river on which it's set. Dubbed such by French settlers, "Riviere des Moines" means "River of the Monks." Of course, there's more to downtown Des Moines than its monastic name. These days, Des Moines is a major hub for insurance and financial industries. Business Wire has even credited it as being the number one spot for insurance companies. Des Moines has a median income of $49,999, with 58.7% of people spending less than 30% of their income on housing. As well as this, the city has a total cost of living that's -14% less than the US average.

French for "Red Stick," Baton Rouge is Louisiana's capital. Set on the banks of the Mississippi River, it's also the state's second-largest city. Baton Rouge is widely-known as the fast-growing technological center of the American South. It's also a political hub, filled with both modern-day heavyweight and historical importance. The median household income in Baton Rouge is $40,948. Yet, with rent prices between $780 and $904, housing costs are 13% less than the national average. That's a win for anyone who wants to live in a growing city.

Indiana's largest and the capital city, Indianapolis is the Midwest's second-most populous city. Due to the city being within a single-day drive to 70% of the US, it's known as the "Crossroads of America." It is, thus, an unsurprising business and transport hub for several niche markets. Home to the world's biggest single-day sporting event, the Indy 500, there's also tons to do here. Indianapolis is an affordable city to live in. Its residents see a median income of $47,225 and rents between $702 and $870. Additionally, Indianapolis's total cost of living is 12.1% less than the US average. As well as this, the cost of housing is a massive 31.7% less than the national average.

Rents in Moscow are quite low in this small city of fewer than 25,000 residents. Yet the job market is strong, possibly due to the presence of the University of Idaho in town. People living in Moscow have access to 17 different parks, the Latah Trail for long nature walks, an arboretum and botanical garden, plus a fun aquatic center featuring a lazy river.

With the Smoky Mountains as its backdrop, Knoxville is a scenic delight, but it's also a very affordable place to live. Housing costs are lower by about $70,000 than the national median. There's also very little income tax to whittle away at your spending power. The University of Tennessee is a big draw for attracting youthful and well-educated residents to Knoxville. For the kids, there are top-notch public schools in Knoxville to help further their education.

Renters spend less than $800 a month in this city that sits in the middle of Washington State. They also spend 35% less than the national average on things like entertainment, gas and medical care. Many residents move to Ellensburg but commute via I-90 to their jobs in the nearby Puget Sound region.

Ellensburg gets a lot less rain than the rest of the state and boasts 204 sunny days per year on average. There's also a lot of history here. The many festivals, art walks, and parades keep residents entertained.

Yes, there are some pricey old mansions in Savannah, but those are not the norm for real estate buyers. On average, you'll lay out $50,000 less for a home in Savannah than you would in most other US cities. It's also a great place to live.

You'll love the city's National Historic District, the largest of its type in the country. Savannah exudes Southern charm with its cobblestone streets and the lovely Forsyth Park. The moderate winter temperatures let you enjoy outdoor activities throughout the year.

15. La Crosse, Wisconsin

Imagine living adjacent to the Mississippi River, close to major medical facilities and three schools of higher education. Now consider being able to purchase a home that costs $70,000 less than the national average for home values. This is why La Crosse is one of the cheapest cities to live in the US. It also helps that you'll spend 30% less on entertainment with the city's many outdoor events, golf courses, hiking trails, and ski trails.

Median home values sit well beneath the national average at $171,723 in Morgantown. If you decide to rent, you're in luck. An apartment rental's median cost is a mere $700 a month. While this is not the cheapest city of all for housing prices, it's still comparatively inexpensive. You'll end up spending a lot less in general living here, because medical care, transportation, and entertainment costs are some of the lowest anywhere.

Residents in Morgantown are proud of residing in the same city as West Virginia University, which houses an art museum and two galleries.

In Michigan's capital city, you'll spend 40% less on living essentials, like housing, for one. The average cost for a rental in Lansing is just $734 per month. You can also purchase a home for less than $90,000. The unemployment rate in this city is lower than the national average.

Colleges and universities in Lansing attract a younger group of residents, while the golf courses, cycling trails, and multiple cultural attractions bring people of all ages to Lansing.

With views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and a temperate climate that lets you enjoy all four seasons, Roanoke is a beautiful place to live. Even better is the fact that this city is also very affordable. The median home price is a little over $135,000. Get your exercise outdoors on one of the many walking trails, including the well-known Appalachian Trail. Take advantage of the museums and live music venues available in Roanoke. Healthcare, transportation, and food prices are less expensive here, too.

The winters in Buffalo can get cold and snowy, but don't let that deter you from moving to this city in upstate New York. The median price for a home in Buffalo starts at just $80,000. Living here will also mean spending about 35% less on some of life's essentials, like medical care and transportation costs.

Buffalo boasts nine schools of higher education, one of which is the University at Buffalo, a top research university. There is no need to miss out on cultural amenities here, either. Buffalo is home to the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and Frank Lloyd Wright's Darwin D. Martin House Complex. Drive a short way to nearby Niagara Falls, take in a Buffalo Bills football game, or hop on over to the Buffalo Zoo when guests come to visit.