Lifestyle
Top 20 U.S. Cities to Live Well on $1,500 a Month
By Jake Beardslee · March 12, 2024
Bloomington, Illinois
With a 17.1% lower cost of living than the U.S. average, Bloomington combines affordable healthcare, rent, and groceries with a vibrant local culture of jazz, art galleries, and museums. Aaron Shafer/Unsplash
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
A gem in the Midwest, offering a cost of living 18.4% below the national average, bolstered by affordable groceries and housing amidst a backdrop of parks, museums, and cultural districts. Joel Drzycimski/Unsplash
Lynchburg, Virginia
Where history meets affordability, with living costs 17.1% lower than the U.S. average, enriched by historic sites, riverfront concerts, and stunning mountain views. Lukas Souza/Unsplash
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Boasting a cost of living 11.8% below the national average, this city offers affordable groceries and plenty of activities, including live music and outdoor adventures. Jason Rojas/Unsplash
Lubbock, Texas
A city where your dollar stretches further, featuring grocery and healthcare costs below the national average, alongside music festivals, amusement parks, and a rich art scene. Matthew T Rader, https://matthewtrader.com/Wikimedia
Akron, Ohio
An affordability hotspot with a living cost 30.5% below the U.S. average, complemented by diverse cultural attractions like museums, theaters, and sports events. benjaminm lehman/Unsplash
Minot, North Dakota
Slightly under the national average in overall living costs but offers a rich quality of life with its zoo, air museum, and abundant outdoor activities. WeaponizingArchitecture/Wikimedia
Terre Haute, Indiana
A city where expenses can easily be kept under $1,500 a month, thanks to a 25.7% lower cost of living, offering college-town amenities, museums, and a vibrant arts scene. Brady Wilson/Unsplash
Abilene, Texas
Affordability meets culture, with housing costs nearly half the national average and a surprising array of arts, museums, and golf courses. David Banning/Unsplash
Erie, Pennsylvania
Offers a cost of living 25.4% lower than the national average, alongside attractions like Presque Isle State Park, professional sports, and casinos. Lera Kogan/Unsplash
Tulsa, Oklahoma
An attractive cost of living 16.8% below the national average, with low grocery costs and numerous festivals, museums, and public golf courses to enjoy. Grant Beirute/Unsplash
Waterloo, Iowa
Despite higher healthcare costs, Waterloo offers a significantly affordable living with groceries 7.1% lower than the national average and housing costs 59.3% lower, complemented by botanical gardens, museums, and extensive bike trails. WeaponizingArchitecture/Wikimedia
Lake Charles, Louisiana
This city offers a blend of affordability, with lower costs for groceries and healthcare, alongside a rich cultural scene featuring music, casinos, parks, and a historic district, making it an ideal spot for enthusiasts of the arts and outdoor activities. Mark Holloway/Wikimedia
Amarillo, Texas
With a nearly 20% lower cost of living than the national average, Amarillo balances slightly higher healthcare costs with lower grocery costs and affordable rent, offering a unique "cow town" experience with museums, performing arts, and nearby outdoor adventures. Who What Where Nguyen Why a/k/a Anonymous Cow/Wikimedia
Muncie, Indiana
Boasting a 28.1% lower cost of living than the national average, Muncie is a college town offering vibrant arts and cultural scenes, affordable healthcare and grocery costs, and significantly low housing costs. Emmmmh/Wikimedia
Prescott, Arizona
Known for its below-average living costs, Prescott offers an active cultural scene, outdoor activities like golfing and hiking, and a community that supports a comfortable and engaging retirement lifestyle. Mike McBey/Wikimedia
Hot Springs, Arkansas
A retiree's haven with living costs 7.5% below the U.S. average, offering relaxation in its natural hot springs, affordable healthcare, and housing, and a variety of outdoor and leisure activities.
Grand Junction, Colorado
Offers a cost of living 4.4% below the national average, with a plethora of free outdoor activities, tax benefits for retirees, and cultural offerings from Colorado Mesa University. Rennett Stowe from USA/Wikimedia
Punta Gorda, Florida
A retirement paradise with a cost of living 5.2% below the U.S. average, nearly half the population over 65, and amenities catering to a senior lifestyle, including waterfront sites, golfing, and an extensive network of bike trails and pathways. PCHS-NJROTC/Wikimedia