The Cheapest Places to Live in Every State, Based on Zillow Data

When the budget feels tight, saving money may mean looking beyond your current zip code. For many families, where you live can have a huge impact on how far your paycheck actually goes. Housing is usually the biggest monthly expense, and the difference between one city and another can add up to thousands of dollars a year, even within the same state.

That matters even more in an economy where families are still dealing with higher prices on everyday essentials. Groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and rent can all stretch a household budget thin. For parents trying to make smart financial decisions, finding a more affordable place to live is not just about cheaper housing. It is about whether everyday life feels manageable.

To identify the most affordable city in each state, GOBankingRates analyzed Zillow data across the 2,500 largest U.S. cities by housing market size. The study looked at the lowest combination of rent and key cost-of-living factors, including groceries, healthcare, transportation, and utilities.

The result is a state-by-state look at where your dollar may go further, based on 2025 data. The list also includes average home value and median household income using data provided by Census Reporter, giving families a clearer picture of what affordability really looks like across the country.

• Annual cost of living: $31,807
• Annual rent: $9,000
• Average home value: $114,518
• Median household income: $40,345

• Annual cost of living: $46,262
• Annual rent: $19,296
• Average home value: $414,014
• Median household income: $105,356

• Annual cost of living: $39,046
• Annual rent: $16,956
• Average home value: $298,883
• Median household income: $70,291

• Annual cost of living: $32,020
• Annual rent: $10,992
• Average home value: $204,826
• Median household income: $61,149

• Annual cost of living: $39,321
• Annual rent: $15,024
• Average home value: $326,900
• Median household income: $60,461

• Annual cost of living: $36,344
• Annual rent: $15,288
• Average home value: $334,786
• Median household income: $64,787

• Annual cost of living: $42,706
• Annual rent: $16,908
• Average home value: $300,292
• Median household income: $70,778

• Annual cost of living: $42,867
• Annual rent: $19,332
• Average home value: $339,650
• Median household income: $60,199

• Annual cost of living: $42,867
• Annual rent: $19,332
• Average home value: $208,535
• Median household income: $36,485

• Annual cost of living: $42,867
• Annual rent: $19,332
• Average home value: $146,386
• Median household income: $38,301

• Annual cost of living: $58,317
• Annual rent: $26,652
• Average home value: $858,314
• Median household income: $87,143

• Annual cost of living: $33,299
• Annual rent: $12,432
• Average home value: $420,170
• Median household income: $50,617

• Annual cost of living: $31,245
• Annual rent: $8,448
• Average home value: $134,809
• Median Household income: $32,128

• Annual cost of living: $29,157
• Annual rent: $9,336
• Average home value: $156,500
• Median Household income: $45,399

• Annual cost of living: $29,386
• Annual rent: $8,400
• Average home value: $184,800
• Median Household income: $58,117

• Annual cost of living: $29,877
• Annual rent: $8,676
• Average home value: $146,981
• Median Household income: $53,073

• Annual cost of living: $32,454
• Annual rent: $11,760
• Average home value: $242,983
• Median Household income: $58,687

• Annual cost of living: $33,595
• Annual rent: $11,712
• Average home value: $200,000
• Median Household income: $52,738

• Annual cost of living: $36,531
• Annual rent: $15,396
• Average home value: $243,116
• Median Household income: $53,580

• Annual cost of living: $33,347
• Annual rent: $12,408
• Average home value: $152,202
• Median Household income: $48,162

• Annual cost of living: $41,141
• Annual rent: $18,420
• Average home value: $322,895
• Median Household income: $53,605

• Annual cost of living: $33,520
• Annual rent: $11,640
• Average home value: $128,098
• Median Household income: $38,579

• Annual cost of living: $30,132
• Annual rent: $10,512
• Average home value: $185,650
• Median Household income: $68,057

• Annual cost of living: $35,645
• Annual rent: $13,812
• Average home value: $87,200
• Median Household income: $44,516

• Annual cost of living: $29,662
• Annual rent: $8,196
• Average home value: $237,605
• Median Household income: $46,204

• Annual cost of living: $33,130
• Annual rent: $11,676
• Average home value: $334,708
• Median household income: $63,373

• Annual cost of living: $34,130
• Annual rent: $10,740
• Average home value: $256,000
• Median household income: $58,884

• Annual cost of living: $38,539
• Annual rent: $16,104
• Average home value: $368,640
• Median household income: $62,109

• Annual cost of living: $43,374
• Annual rent: $20,856
• Average home value: $403,700
• Median household income: $80,836

• Annual cost of living: $42,685
• Annual rent: $19,656
• Average home value: $252,660
• Median household income: $70,275

• Annual cost of living: $32,853
• Annual rent: $13,740
• Average home value: $161,214
• Median household income: $54,820

• Annual cost of living: $31,821
• Annual rent: $10,956
• Average home value: $118,000
• Median household income: $43,523

• Annual cost of living: $32,662
• Annual rent: $11,676
• Average home value: $240,877
• Median household income: $47,197

• Annual cost of living: $32,323
• Annual rent: $10,812
• Average home value: $272,695
• Median household income: $73,219

• Annual cost of living: $31,989
• Annual rent: $10,500
• Average home value:
• Median household income: $47,873

• Annual cost of living: $32,883
• Annual rent: $8,676
• Average home value: $187,363
• Median household income: $55,941

• Annual cost of living: $34,981
• Annual rent: $14,124
• Average home value: $308,370
• Median household income: $46,693

• Annual cost of living: $29,811
• Annual rent: $8,736
• Average home value: $154,203
• Median household income: $43,308

• Annual cost of living: $42,655
• Annual rent: $18,672
• Average home value: $380,892
• Median household income: $61,059

• Annual cost of living: $30,381
• Annual rent: $10,224
• Average home value: $188,180
• Household income: $41,150

• Annual cost of living: $34,940
• Annual rent: $13,788
• Average home value: $312,178
• Household income: $63,493

• Annual cost of living: $32,092
• Annual rent: $10,908
• Average home value: $229,000
• Household income: $46,975

• Annual cost of living: $30,770
• Annual rent: $9,624
• Average home value:
• Household income: $40,438

• Annual cost of living: $36,876
• Annual rent: $16,200
• Average home value: $153,823
• Household income: $63,589

• Annual cost of living: $49,474
• Annual rent: $24,372
• Average home value: $506,784
• Household income: $71,109

• Annual cost of living: $35,677
• Annual rent: $14,172
• Average home value: $156,000
• Household income: $44,423

• Annual cost of living: $35,811
• Annual rent: $15,120
• Average home value: $363,768
• Household income: $63,781

• Annual cost of living: $33,414
• Annual rent: $10,800
• Average home value: $114,200
• Household income: $47,386

• Annual cost of living: $32,113
• Annual rent: $11,196
• Average home value: $240,743
• Household income: $64,389

• Annual cost of living: $36,846
• Annual rent: $13,008
• Average home value: $287,179
• Household income: $69,168