The 10 cheapest places to live in America
The most affordable US counties with populations over 50,000, ranked by estimated monthly cost of living.
Published May 22, 2026
The cost of living in America varies enormously. A single person in San Francisco might spend over $5,000 a month on essentials, while someone in parts of the South or Midwest can get by on closer to $2,000. The difference comes down to four big factors: rent, taxes, transportation, and healthcare.
This guide ranks the 10 most affordable U.S. counties with populations over 50,000. The 50,000 floor is deliberate: it filters out very small counties where statistical noise dominates and focuses on places that have meaningful communities, employers, and amenities. Our smaller-county rankings (which go down to 5,000 residents) are on the cheapest places ranking page.
Monthly cost figures combine rent (HUD Fair Market Rents), energy (EIA), water, groceries (USDA Food Plans adjusted by BEA Regional Price Parities), transportation (Census ACS commute data), healthcare and federal + state tax estimates. See our methodology for the full breakdown.
#1. Starr County, TX
$2,308/mo for a single person. No state income tax.
The estimated monthly cost for a single person in Starr County, TX is $2,308, approximately 20% below the national average of $2,882/mo. The county sits in the South region and is part of the Rio Grande City-Roma, TX metro area.
A typical one-bedroom rental costs about $711/mo, with two-bedrooms averaging $933/mo. Median household income is $38,182/yr ($3,182/mo), giving local earners reasonable headroom over essential costs.
Texas has no state income tax. Combined sales tax averages 8.19%.
#2. Madison County, ID
$2,323/mo for a single person. Idaho state income tax: 5.80%.
The estimated monthly cost for a single person in Madison County, ID is $2,323, approximately 19% below the national average of $2,882/mo. The county sits in the West region and is part of the Rexburg, ID metro area.
A typical one-bedroom rental costs about $907/mo, with two-bedrooms averaging $1,004/mo. Median household income is $58,259/yr ($4,855/mo), giving local earners reasonable headroom over essential costs.
Idaho has a flat income tax of 5.8%, with combined sales tax averaging 6.03%.
#3. Athens County, OH
$2,332/mo for a single person. Ohio state income tax: 3.50%.
The estimated monthly cost for a single person in Athens County, OH is $2,332, approximately 19% below the national average of $2,882/mo. The county sits in the Midwest region and is part of the Athens, OH metro area.
A typical one-bedroom rental costs about $829/mo, with two-bedrooms averaging $1,043/mo. Median household income is $53,837/yr ($4,486/mo), giving local earners reasonable headroom over essential costs.
Ohio has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 3.5%, and combined sales tax averaging 7.24%.
#4. Cherokee County, TX
$2,462/mo for a single person. No state income tax.
The estimated monthly cost for a single person in Cherokee County, TX is $2,462, approximately 15% below the national average of $2,882/mo. The county sits in the South region and is part of the Jacksonville, TX metro area.
A typical one-bedroom rental costs about $712/mo, with two-bedrooms averaging $934/mo. Median household income is $59,830/yr ($4,986/mo), giving local earners reasonable headroom over essential costs.
Texas has no state income tax. Combined sales tax averages 8.19%.
#5. Jefferson County, AR
$2,473/mo for a single person. Arkansas state income tax: 3.90%.
The estimated monthly cost for a single person in Jefferson County, AR is $2,473, approximately 14% below the national average of $2,882/mo. The county sits in the South region and is part of the Pine Bluff, AR metro area.
A typical one-bedroom rental costs about $684/mo, with two-bedrooms averaging $878/mo. Median household income is $48,552/yr ($4,046/mo), giving local earners reasonable headroom over essential costs.
Arkansas has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 3.9%, and combined sales tax averaging 9.47%.
#6. Brownsville, TX
$2,476/mo for a single person. No state income tax.
The estimated monthly cost for a single person in Brownsville, Texas is $2,476, approximately 14% below the national average of $2,882/mo. The county sits in the South region and is part of the Brownsville-Harlingen, TX metro area.
A typical one-bedroom rental costs about $757/mo, with two-bedrooms averaging $948/mo. Median household income is $51,334/yr ($4,278/mo), giving local earners reasonable headroom over essential costs.
Texas has no state income tax. Combined sales tax averages 8.19%.
#7. DeKalb County, AL
$2,492/mo for a single person. Alabama state income tax: 5.00%.
The estimated monthly cost for a single person in DeKalb County, AL is $2,492, approximately 14% below the national average of $2,882/mo. The county sits in the South region and is part of the Fort Payne, AL metro area.
A typical one-bedroom rental costs about $587/mo, with two-bedrooms averaging $772/mo. Median household income is $51,149/yr ($4,262/mo), giving local earners reasonable headroom over essential costs.
Alabama has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 5%, and combined sales tax averaging 9.24%.
#8. Ashland County, OH
$2,494/mo for a single person. Ohio state income tax: 3.50%.
The estimated monthly cost for a single person in Ashland County, OH is $2,494, approximately 13% below the national average of $2,882/mo. The county sits in the Midwest region and is part of the Ashland, OH metro area.
A typical one-bedroom rental costs about $674/mo, with two-bedrooms averaging $884/mo. Median household income is $64,991/yr ($5,416/mo), giving local earners reasonable headroom over essential costs.
Ohio has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 3.5%, and combined sales tax averaging 7.24%.
#9. McAllen, TX
$2,496/mo for a single person. No state income tax.
The estimated monthly cost for a single person in McAllen, Texas is $2,496, approximately 13% below the national average of $2,882/mo. The county sits in the South region and is part of the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX metro area.
A typical one-bedroom rental costs about $798/mo, with two-bedrooms averaging $992/mo. Median household income is $52,281/yr ($4,357/mo), giving local earners reasonable headroom over essential costs.
Texas has no state income tax. Combined sales tax averages 8.19%.
#10. Pope County, AR
$2,506/mo for a single person. Arkansas state income tax: 3.90%.
The estimated monthly cost for a single person in Pope County, AR is $2,506, approximately 13% below the national average of $2,882/mo. The county sits in the South region and is part of the Russellville, AR metro area.
A typical one-bedroom rental costs about $688/mo, with two-bedrooms averaging $903/mo. Median household income is $54,606/yr ($4,551/mo), giving local earners reasonable headroom over essential costs.
Arkansas has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 3.9%, and combined sales tax averaging 9.47%.
What makes these places cheap?
Three patterns stand out in the top 10. First, geography: of the 10 cheapest counties of 50,000+ residents, 7 are in the South, 2 in the Midwest, 1 in the West and 0 in the Northeast. The South and the Midwest dominate, primarily because of low rent.
Second, rent. Average one-bedroom rent across the top 10 is approximately $735/mo, compared to a national typical figure of about $1,006/mo. Cheap housing alone explains most of the gap.
Third, tax environment: 4 of the 10 entries are in states with no state income tax, which keeps more of local earnings in residents' pockets. The remaining states tend to have modest flat income tax rates rather than steep graduated systems.
The trade-offs vary. Some of these counties have local economies dominated by a single industry, meaning fewer job options. Others have average household incomes meaningfully below the national figure, partially canceling out the savings on rent. Cheaper does not always mean richer, but it does mean a lower fixed cost of being there.
Key findings
- The cheapest place to live in America (counties of 50,000+) is Starr County, TX at $2,308/month for a single person.
- 7 of the top 10 are in the South and 2 are in the Midwest. The West and Northeast contribute 1 between them.
- The average one-bedroom rent across the top 10 is $735/month, well below the typical national figure of about $1,006/month.
- 4 of 10 are in states with no state income tax.
Honorable mentions (#11–20)
The next ten cheapest counties of 50,000+ residents.
- #11 Cumberland County, TN $2,510/mo
- #12 Washington County, OH $2,510/mo
- #13 Mahoning County, OH $2,512/mo
- #14 Riley County, KS $2,512/mo
- #15 Gibson County, TN $2,518/mo
- #16 Putnam County, FL $2,524/mo
- #17 Columbiana County, OH $2,526/mo
- #18 Jefferson County, OH $2,526/mo
- #19 Isabella County, MI $2,532/mo
- #20 Belmont County, OH $2,533/mo
Frequently asked questions
About the cheapest places to live in America.
What is the cheapest place to live in the US?
Among U.S. counties with at least 50,000 residents, the cheapest place to live is Starr County, TX at approximately $2,308 per month for a single person.
What is the cheapest city to live in?
The cheapest cities to live in among U.S. counties of 50,000+ residents are Starr County, TX, Madison County, ID, Athens County, OH, Cherokee County, TX, Jefferson County, AR. These rankings include rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare and taxes.
What is the cheapest state to live in?
Based on average monthly cost across all of a state's counties, the cheapest U.S. state is Arkansas at approximately $2,553 per month for a single person.
Where is the cheapest place to live in the South?
Among Southern counties of 50,000+ residents in our top 10, the cheapest is Starr County, TX at approximately $2,308 per month.
Can you live on $2,000 a month in the US?
Not in most U.S. counties of 50,000+ residents. Our cheapest entry, Starr County, TX, has an estimated monthly cost of $2,308 for a single person. Living on $2,000 a month is more realistic in smaller, rural counties where rent is significantly lower.
Not relocation or financial advice
Cost of living estimates are general averages and may differ from your actual experience based on lifestyle, family size, employer benefits and personal circumstances. This guide does not constitute financial, tax or relocation advice. Consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.
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About this data
Rankings combine HUD Fair Market Rents, Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates, EIA energy rates, USDA Food Plans, BEA Regional Price Parities and Tax Foundation tax rates. The 50,000-population floor excludes small-sample counties.