Living in a larger city in a smaller state — particularly in the South or Midwest, where the cost of living tends to be more reasonable — may give you the best of both worlds.
Each quarter, the Council for Community and Economic Research, a nonprofit focused on regional economic development, compares the cost of living in more than 300 American cities and metropolitan areas to calculate which are the most and least affordable. Its Cost of Living Index looks at the average price of different necessities, including rent, home prices, groceries, gas, medical appointments, entertainment, and more.
Take the cost of a beer and a burger: That'll be easier on your wallet in some cities in Illinois and Georgia.
Read on for the 17 cheapest cities to live in the US, listed in order from most to least expensive.
17. Morristown, TennesseeMorristown, Tennessee.
Wikimedia/Home4tnindustry
Rent: $985
Home price: $321,725
Total energy costs: $188.71
A trip to the doctor: $132.50
A dozen eggs: $2.88
A gallon of milk: $4.48
A hamburger: $5.10
A beer: $9.95
16. Monroe, LouisianaMonroe, Louisiana.
DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images
Rent: $883
Home price: $382,863
Total energy costs: $114.10
A trip to the doctor: $140.50
A dozen eggs: $2.92
A gallon of milk: $4.49
A hamburger: $4.19
A beer: $9.73
15. Joplin, MissouriJoplin, Missouri.
Terra Fondriest/The Washington Post/Getty Images
Rent: $875
Home price: $319,480
Total energy costs: $239.90
A trip to the doctor: $129
A dozen eggs: $2.90
A gallon of milk: $4.48
A hamburger: $6.92
A beer: $9.27
14. Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IowaWaterloo, Iowa.
DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images
Rent: $878
Home price: $446,778
Total energy costs: $129.31
A trip to the doctor: $143.50
A dozen eggs: $3.34
A gallon of milk: $4.77
A hamburger: $3.79
A beer: $9.57
13. Jonesboro, ArkansasJonesboro, Arkansas.
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Rent: $845
Home price: $312,024
Total energy costs: $148.93
A trip to the doctor: $93.33
A dozen eggs: $3.12
A gallon of milk: $4.49
A hamburger: $5.32
A beer: $9.85
12. Richmond, IndianaRichmond, Indiana.
City of Richmond, Indiana/Facebook
Rent: $815
Home price: $325,000
Total energy costs: $188.18
A trip to the doctor: $97.50
A dozen eggs: $3.29
A gallon of milk: $4.63
A hamburger: $4.89
A beer: $10.14
11. Charleston, West VirginiaCharleston, West Virginia.
Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
Rent: $985
Home price: $263,333
Total energy costs: $189.84
A trip to the doctor: $160
A dozen eggs: $4.23
A gallon of milk: $4.83
A hamburger: $4.79
A beer: $9.91
10. Tupelo, MississippiTupelo, Mississippi.
My Tupelo/Facebook
Rent: $808
Home price: $375,967
Total energy costs: $148.61
A trip to the doctor: $76
A dozen eggs: $3.14
A gallon of milk: $4.52
A hamburger: $5.00
A beer: $8.94
9. Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, ArkansasLittle Rock, Arkansas.
