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Ranking
Cheapest Places to Live in the U.S. Research Shortlist
A starter affordability shortlist using ACS rent-to-income where available, current cost-pressure labels, city size, and population momentum while utilities, taxes, and live listing data remain queued. Rankings are transparent research aids. Verify rent, wages, school programs, crime, commute, taxes, and neighborhood details before making a relocation decision.
Cheapest Places to Live in the U.S. Research Shortlist ad · Auto ads enabled
| City | Catalog | Grad fit | Median rent | Median income | 2025 population | City unemployment | Growth | Jobs | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bethel, Alaska | Alaska coverage | 70/100 | $1,678 | $117,255 | 6,626 | 8.3% | +4.78% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Kenai, Alaska | Alaska coverage | 75/100 | $1,138 | $87,083 | 7,924 | 7.4% | +6.76% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Wahpeton, North Dakota | North Dakota coverage | 71/100 | $751 | $62,750 | 8,141 | 1.7% | +1.60% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Sitka, Alaska | Alaska coverage | 64/100 | $1,341 | $101,727 | 8,319 | 6.8% | -1.60% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, Montana | Montana coverage | 70/100 | $696 | $57,527 | 9,709 | 3.4% | +2.99% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Green River, Wyoming | Wyoming coverage | 64/100 | $921 | $84,747 | 11,450 | 5.6% | -3.31% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Evanston, Wyoming | Wyoming coverage | 68/100 | $805 | $76,516 | 11,705 | 3.9% | -0.63% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Spearfish, South Dakota | South Dakota coverage | 87/100 | $963 | $65,688 | 14,154 | 2.2% | +15.91% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Huron, South Dakota | South Dakota coverage | 74/100 | $888 | $61,452 | 14,607 | 2.6% | +2.47% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Jamestown, North Dakota | North Dakota coverage | 68/100 | $773 | $56,554 | 15,688 | 4.9% | -1.03% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Mitchell, South Dakota | South Dakota coverage | 71/100 | $851 | $58,620 | 15,756 | 1.0% | +0.50% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Yankton, South Dakota | South Dakota coverage | 77/100 | $790 | $67,804 | 15,816 | 2.0% | +2.44% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Fairmont, West Virginia | West Virginia coverage | 63/100 | $916 | $63,032 | 18,035 | 6.7% | -2.07% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Weirton, West Virginia | West Virginia coverage | 56/100 | $746 | $59,575 | 18,133 | 7.1% | -5.41% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Sheridan, Wyoming | Wyoming coverage | 79/100 | $936 | $62,867 | 20,015 | 2.9% | +6.71% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Saco, Maine | Maine coverage | 76/100 | $1,249 | $92,241 | 21,159 | 2.1% | +3.82% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Rock Springs, Wyoming | Wyoming coverage | 65/100 | $928 | $69,168 | 22,936 | 5.2% | -2.49% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Watertown, South Dakota | South Dakota coverage | 77/100 | $942 | $69,600 | 23,736 | 1.8% | +4.78% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Hastings, Nebraska | Nebraska coverage | 70/100 | $858 | $64,048 | 25,121 | 2.9% | -0.08% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Papillion, Nebraska | Nebraska coverage | 71/100 | $1,269 | $111,679 | 25,127 | 3.2% | -0.58% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Columbus, Nebraska | Nebraska coverage | 73/100 | $892 | $64,626 | 25,248 | 2.4% | +5.02% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Brookings, South Dakota | South Dakota coverage | 85/100 | $889 | $63,493 | 25,355 | 4.5% | +8.45% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Middletown, Delaware | Delaware coverage | 77/100 | $1,583 | $112,831 | 25,798 | 8.0% | +11.23% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Dickinson, North Dakota | North Dakota coverage | 73/100 | $957 | $82,696 | 25,870 | 3.2% | +0.77% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Norfolk, Nebraska | Nebraska coverage | 71/100 | $875 | $58,884 | 26,677 | 3.2% | +2.94% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Aberdeen, South Dakota | South Dakota coverage | 72/100 | $762 | $64,405 | 27,961 | 3.7% | -1.82% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Williston, North Dakota | North Dakota coverage | 71/100 | $1,122 | $79,381 | 29,522 | 4.9% | +1.26% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Juneau, Alaska | Alaska coverage | 66/100 | $1,444 | $101,661 | 31,609 | 4.0% | -2.00% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Gillette, Wyoming | Wyoming coverage | 71/100 | $976 | $81,316 | 34,024 | 4.6% | +1.80% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Kearney, Nebraska | Nebraska coverage | 74/100 | $949 | $69,724 | 34,782 | 2.9% | +2.82% | strong | rent-friendly |