What state is the cheapest and safest place to live?

Asked by: Shanie Adams II  |  Last update: October 30, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (42 votes)

Here are some of the cheapest and safest places to live in the US!
  • Live in Boise, Idaho.
  • Affordable living in Des Moines, Iowa.
  • Winston Salem, North Carolina: among the cheapest cities in USA.
  • Live affordably in Naples, Florida.
  • Enjoy Lexington, Kentucky.

Where is the nicest but cheapest place to live?

10 Most Affordable Cities To Live In The U.S.
  • Evansville, Indiana.
  • Fort Wayne, Indiana.
  • Dayton, Ohio.
  • Wichita Falls, Texas.
  • Toledo, Ohio.
  • Akron, Ohio.
  • Springfield, Illinois.
  • Rockford, Illinois.

Where is the safest and most affordable place to retire?

Read on to explore the cities with the most affordable housing that notched highly on the U.S. News 2024 Best Places to Retire ranking.
  • Lexington, Kentucky.
  • Oklahoma City.
  • Omaha, Nebraska.
  • Montgomery, Alabama.
  • Davenport, Iowa.
  • Green Bay, Wisconsin.
  • Hickory, North Carolina.
  • Wichita, Kansas.

Where can I live that is safe and cheap?

Most Affordable Places to Live in the U.S. in 2024-2025
  • Fort Wayne, IN.
  • Huntsville, AL.
  • Wichita, KS.
  • Springfield, MO.
  • Davenport, IA.
  • Hickory, NC.
  • Montgomery, AL.

Where in the world can I live comfortably on $1000 a month?

Retiring abroad on $1,000 per month doesn't mean sacrificing quality of life. Many countries offer excellent health care, infrastructure and amenities at a fraction of the cost compared to the U.S. The cheapest places to retire abroad include Panama, the Philippines, Portugal, Malaysia, Mexico, Thailand and Vietnam.

Best Countries to Retire on a Small Pension or Social Security

30 related questions found

What US state is safest and cheapest to live in?

Here are some of the cheapest and safest places to live in the US!
  • Live in Boise, Idaho.
  • Affordable living in Des Moines, Iowa.
  • Winston Salem, North Carolina: among the cheapest cities in USA.
  • Live affordably in Naples, Florida.
  • Enjoy Lexington, Kentucky.

Where can I retire on $500 a month?

Thailand. Is it possible to retire in Thailand and keep the costs in check? Certainly! It's another top choice for digital nomads with an achievable $500 monthly budget, focusing on affordable accommodation.

What state is best for low-income seniors?

What state is the best financially to retire in? A 2022 Kiplinger analysis ranked the most tax-friendly places in the country for retirement: Alaska, Florida, Iowa, Mississippi, Nevada, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming.

Where can I retire on $1200 a month?

Here are the 15 best East Coast cities to retire on a budget of $1,200 a month:
  • Blacksburg, Virginia. Cost of Living Index: 89.6. ...
  • Rochester, New York. Cost of Living Index: 88.6. ...
  • Clemson, South Carolina. ...
  • Hampton, Virginia. ...
  • Anderson, South Carolina. ...
  • Athens, Georgia. ...
  • Columbia, South Carolina. ...
  • Jacksonville, North Carolina.

What is the #1 best state to live in?

WalletHub released its 2024 ranking of the best US states to live in. The study considered metrics like affordability, economy, and safety. Massachusetts was ranked the No. 1 state to live in.

What state has the cheapest rent?

Top 5 Cheapest States to Live In for Renters, by Median Rent
  • West Virginia – $831.
  • Arkansas – $868.
  • South Dakota – $878.
  • Mississippi – $896.
  • Kentucky – $902.

What is the most unaffordable state to live in?

The No. 1 most expensive state is Hawaii, according to Stacker, which analyzed the rankings based on the cost of living by The Council for Community & Economic Research.

What state currently has the lowest cost of living?

  • Arkansas. #1 in Cost of Living. #47 in Best States Overall. ...
  • Mississippi. #2 in Cost of Living. #48 in Best States Overall. ...
  • Alabama. #3 in Cost of Living. ...
  • South Dakota. #4 in Cost of Living. ...
  • Iowa. #5 in Cost of Living. ...
  • North Dakota. #6 in Cost of Living. ...
  • Oklahoma. #7 in Cost of Living. ...
  • West Virginia. #8 in Cost of Living.

Where is the best place to live with low income?

The 25 Best Affordable Places to Live in the U.S. in 2024-2025
  • Green Bay, Wisconsin.
  • Montgomery, Alabama.
  • Hickory, North Carolina.
  • Davenport, Iowa.
  • Springfield, Missouri.
  • Wichita, Kansas.
  • Huntsville, Alabama.
  • Fort Wayne, Indiana.

What state is like California but cheaper?

Oregon – While Oregon does have state income tax, it has a lower cost of living compared to California and a thriving tech industry, which can provide job opportunities.

Where is the best place to retire with no money?

23 Cheap Places Where You Will Want To Retire
  1. Decatur, Alabama.
  2. Prescott, Arizona.
  3. Hot Springs, Arkansas.
  4. Grand Junction, Colorado.
  5. Punta Gorda, Florida.
  6. Sandy Springs, Georgia.
  7. Boise, Idaho.
  8. Bloomington, Indiana.

Where is the best place for 70 year olds to live?

Florida, Colorado, and Virginia rank as the top three states for retiring seniors, according to WalletHub.1 In a recent study, they compared all states based on 46 indicators in three key categories: Affordability, which includes tax benefits, cost of living, and more.

What is the $1000 a month rule for retirement?

The $1,000-a-month rule for retirement states that you'll need $240,000 in savings for every $1,000 of monthly retirement income. The rule assumes a 5% annual withdrawal rate. So if you want $4,000 in monthly retirement income from investments, you'd need to save at least $960,000.

Where is the cheapest place to retire with good healthcare?

Wisconsin, New Hampshire, and Tennessee are all highly ranked retirement destinations for health care needs due to low or no income taxes, access to quality health care facilities, and access to nature and recreational activities.

What is the best state to live in on social security?

9 Best States to Retire
  • Delaware. Delaware offers a comfortable environment for retirees, boasting a moderate climate that experiences all four seasons without any extremes. ...
  • Georgia. Georgia is a compelling choice for retirees seeking a diverse and enriching lifestyle. ...
  • Maryland. ...
  • New Jersey. ...
  • Pennsylvania. ...
  • South Carolina.

What is the easiest state to live in financially?

Mississippi: According to World Population Review, in 2023, Mississippi holds the title of the cheapest state to live in the United States. Its cost of living index is 85, and overall costs in the state are 17% lower than the national average.

Where is the cheapest but safe place to live?

10 of the cheapest and safest places to live in the world
  • Albania.
  • Portugal.
  • Costa Rica.
  • Panama.
  • Mexico.
  • Thailand.
  • Malaysia.
  • Vietnam.

What state is the cheapest to live single?

As a single person, you'll need an annual income of $40,000 to cover basic expenses in the cheapest U.S. states, according to a recent SmartAsset analysis. The state with the lowest costs of living is West Virginia, closely followed by Arkansas and Oklahoma, the analysis says.