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10 U.S. Cities With the Lowest Cost of Living

FinanceBuzz evaluated some of the top U.S. cities to find the most affordable options.

By Sarah Sharkey

Edited by Calista Headrick

Updated Feb. 25, 2026

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Living in an affordable city can completely transform your financial trajectory, but it's not always easy to find one.

With lower living costs, you can build your savings more easily, and luckily for you, FinanceBuzz recently evaluated some of the top U.S. cities to find where the cost of living is lowest.

Ready to call somewhere new home? Here, we uncover some of the most affordable cities in the U.S.

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Virginia Beach, Virginia

Cost of living index: 85.3/100

With miles of coastline and easy access to the Atlantic, Virginia Beach is built for life on the water. You can tap into water activities like sailing, kayaking, surfing, and more. When you're ready to dry off, you'll find a rich local history and no shortage of fresh seafood year-round.

With housing costs, grocery bills, and transportation costs all below the national average, Virginia Beach offers affordable beach town living.

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Tulsa, Oklahoma

Cost of living index: 85.3/100

Tulsa's thriving downtown offers residents an endless array of entertainment options, with everything from a concert hall and museums to art shows and dining. The city's average of 227 sunny days could make it a great spot for anyone craving year-round sunshine.

The city's relatively low average commute times mean that Tulsa workers spend around 62 hours less on the road each year, which adds up to significant transportation costs. Plus, housing costs are relatively low, making it an affordable place to call home.

Greensboro, North Carolina

Cost of living index: 84.2/100

Greensboro offers plenty of Southern charm. But your budget will be truly charmed by the affordable housing options, which exist largely because Greensboro has been working to increase housing supply since the late 1980s.

Residents here enjoy easy access to nature, with lots of biking and hiking trails nearby. Plus, a thriving arts community could make it easy to tap into culture whenever you'd like.

St. Louis, Missouri

Cost of living index: 84.1/100

If the Gateway City is calling your name, you might be pleasantly surprised by what the city has to offer. St. Louis residents can tap into a plethora of free entertainment and a historic downtown packed with ample shopping and dining options. Sports fans will enjoy access to Cardinals baseball games, the city's Major League Baseball team. And art exhibitions and food festivals are on the calendar all year.

St. Louis regularly lands on affordable local lists, proud to be an affordable place for city living.

Corpus Christi, Texas

Cost of living index: 83.5/100

Residents of Corpus Christi can tap into beachside living on a budget. You can easily access water activities, like paddleboarding and windsurfing. But that's not all the city has to offer. Downtown offers plenty of shopping and dining, including highly rated Tex-Mex and seafood restaurants.

When compared to other seaside towns, Corpus Christi is especially affordable. But even compared to other cities across the U.S., its relatively low housing costs and lack of a state income tax make Corpus Christi an affordable place to live.

Cleveland, Ohio

Cost of living index: 83/100

When it comes to housing costs, Cleveland offers residents some of the most affordable home prices in the country. The relatively low costs can be partially attributed to the city's range of options, including both older homes and new builds, which keeps the housing supply high relative to demand.

Around town, you'll find cultural gems, like the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Cleveland Museum of Art. Plus, the Cleveland Cavaliers offer NBA games for sports fans, and nearby Cedar Point offers top-tier rollercoasters for thrill seekers.

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Wichita, Kansas

Cost of living index: 82.8/100

Everyday expenses are cheaper in Wichita, making it an easy place to stretch your budget. With average home prices under $200,000, many families can more easily find a house to build a life in without becoming house-poor.

With multiple museums and the seventh-largest zoo in the United States, you'll find plenty to do without breaking the bank.

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Cost of living index: 82/100

Fort Wayne has seen an influx of newcomers in recent years. But even with the influx of residents, the city remains an affordable mecca for families seeking a place to put down roots.

The city's focus on endless family fun means residents find plenty of opportunities to get out of the house. With a botanical conservatory, a zoo, and several museums, you'll never run out of activities.

Little Rock, Arkansas

Cost of living index: 80.7/100

As the capital city of Arkansas, Little Rock serves as the state's commercial and cultural hub. Not surprisingly, the capital boasts a growing economy that pairs well with its below-average living costs.

Residents have easy access to nature through Little Rock's extensive array of trails. Back in the historic downtown, you'll find lots of shopping and dining opportunities that could fit into your budget better due to a lower cost of living overall.

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Toledo, Ohio

Cost of living index: 77.4/100

FinanceBuzz found that Toledo stands out as the U.S. city with the lowest cost of living. With average home prices sitting around $125,000, it's easy to see how families could stretch their dollars in this city.

And lower housing costs are just the beginning. Toledo offers residents an array of entertainment options, like a zoo and several local museums, which is much easierto fit into your budget every weekend if you've locked in much lower housing costs.

Bottom line

The average cost of living across all cities FinanceBuzz evaluated is 109.7, and living in the wrong place is one of the most surprising money mistakes people make. But if you're looking for a new location, finding an affordable option like these could help you supercharge your financial goals — or at least breathe some wiggle room into your budget.

Before moving to an affordable locale, consider making a visit to confirm you like it first.

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