Struggling to make ends meet? Broke as a joke? That’s probably because you either spend too much money or it’s really expensive where you live. There are some places in the country where you can earn a lot of money and still feel poor. We’re talking San Francisco or New York City — where a 2 bedroom apartment costs over $4,000 a month on average.
Well, thank god we don’t have to live there. Instead, we can choose to live in some of the cheapest places in the country. Where a dollar of income goes way further than the big cities mentioned earlier. Take Mississippi, the cheapest state in the country this year according to MIT’s Living Wage data.
Today, we’re going to talk about the cheapest – or most affordable – places you can live in America. These places are going to be cheap for a reason. A family of 2 adults and 1 child requires $48,537 to reach a living wage in Mississippi. That’s almost 30% cheaper than California where it takes $68,190 to reach a living wage.
Here are the 10 cheapest states to live in America according to MIT’s living wage data for 2020:
- Mississippi (Photos)
- Arkansas (Photos)
- West Virginia (Photos)
- Tennessee (Photos)
- South Dakota (Photos)
- Alabama (Photos)
- Kentucky (Photos)
- Ohio (Photos)
- South Carolina (Photos)
- Indiana (Photos)
And for those playing at home, a living wage in the San Francisco Metro clocks in at a staggering $81,795.
Read on to learn more about the cheapest states. Or check out the best states to live in or the safest states in America.
For further reading the cheapest places in the cheapest states check out the cheapest places to live in Mississippi and the cheapest places to live in California.
The 10 Cheapest States In America For 2020
1. Mississippi
Rank Last Year: 1 (No Change)
Living Wage: $48,537
Housing: $9,009
Child Care: $2,869
More On Mississippi: Photos | Rent
Drumroll please. Our cheapest state in America is… Mississippi. Like the other cheap states, food and personal necessities are very cheap here — actually the cheapest you’ll find in America. The most affordable place in the cheapest state would be Aberdeen.
Here in the Magnolia State, the cost to rent? or buy is about $795 a month. That’s REALLY low. It also costs far cheaper here for food, child care, health care, and every other care you can name. And, of note, Mississippi has by far the cheapest child care costs of any other state – even $150 a month less than Arkansas! You can be daddy warbucks around here if you bring in anything over 50k.
Now, some people might say – it’s Mississippi. Why would I want to live there? There’s a reason it’s so cheap.
Okay hold up.
So what again makes Mississippi the worst-
Seriously the only reason was weather, unemployment, and
Money-
Okay, yeah, screw this guy from the Magnolia State. It’s not that bad here guys. Seriously just shut up dude, we are not the worst state. Our schools are awesome as well! A+ schools and one of the schools in Mississippi got #1 in the nation for 7th Grade math. In my opinion,
Note: *OPINION*
Mississippi is the best state to live in. I’ve lived here all my life and I don’t plan on moving.
2. Arkansas
Rank Last Year: 2 (No Change)
Living Wage: $49,970
Housing: $8,584
Child Care: $4,964
More On Arkansas: Photos | Rent
It’s time we check out our second cheapest state in which to live, Arkansas, giving the South a clean one-two sweep of the cheapest states to live.
Don’t everyone jump up at once.
Okay, so it’s Arkansas, but what did you expect? You get what you pay for here, which isn’t a lot either way. Like we mentioned with Mississippi, the core necessities in Arkansas are as cheap as you can find in America.. An Arkansawian can make about $48k a year, and spends about only about 708 dollars a month on rent or mortgages. That’s probably half what you spend. And that’s also the lowest housing costs in America.
However, the reason it’s the second cheapest place to live is people earn the second lowest salaries in America, so if you want to move here to movin on up in the world, you’d better make another plan.
I live in Arkansas and the state does have a very high crime rate and most of that is in the Little Rock, and Pine Bluff areas. If one does like the outdoors then it is a great state to visit and live in. Education is getting better here and I don’t mind living here since I keep a low profile and live in a rural area which there are plenty of here.
3. West Virginia
Rank Last Year: 5 (Up 2)
Living Wage: $50,068
Housing: $8,749
Child Care: $5,980
More On West Virginia: Photos | Rent
Moving on, we just got word that we’re heading to West Virginia, our third cheapest state in America. While coal jobs might not be coming back soon, you might want to consider West Virginia purely for the low cost of living. Some of the most affordable places in the state include Clarksburg and Weirton.
As you might expect, it’s actually really cheap to live in West Virginia. That’s why so many people here live here. But, for some reason, child care costs are in the top 5 in West Virginia. Is that because there’s hardly anyone around to watch the kids? Maybe they just don’t need to.
Mk, so I’m from west virginia and i know that a lot of people say that were all ‘hillbillies’ ‘rednecks’ ‘disgusting people’ well I’ll have you know that I am neither a recheck or a hillbilly, i don’t hunt, fish, or anything like that. Not all west Virginians are the same.
For gods sake this is America, were not supposed to be hating on other states, but rather being an economy and being together as a country.
4. Tennessee
Rank Last Year: 4 (No Change)
Living Wage: $50,152
Housing: $9,723
Child Care: $5,975
More On Tennessee: Photos | Rent
Our next stop takes us to the wonderfully cheap (except Nashville) state of Tennessee. We’re back to some Southern living. Taxes? Really low. Food costs? Really low. Housing costs are slightly higher than most of the other places on this list at about $810 a month, but that’s still really low for most people watching this video, wishing their mortgage payment was 810 dollars.
However, it must be mentioned that Tennessee, overall, perhaps surprisingly, is one of the most dangerous states in the nation. Especially Memphis, which is one of the more dangerous big cities in America. If you move to Tennessee to start a better life and downsize, make sure you know where you’re moving or we might not ever hear from you again.
I live in Norway right now. But fixing to move back to Tennessee. AND I CAN NOT WAIT! Tennessee is beautiful. Especially East Tn! 😛 No worse than any other state in America. Better than most.
5. South Dakota
Rank Last Year: 3 (Down 2)
Living Wage: $50,166
Housing: $8,936
Child Care: $5,459
More On South Dakota: Photos | Rent
We’re gonna ride the rails all the way up to our next cheapest state, South Dakota. In South Dakota, a family can get by pretty comfortably on about $4,200 a month in income. Housing and food will cost you about $1,300 a month total. Not too bad at all. But the real kicker is there’s no income taxes in South Dakota. This means South Dakota has the lowest taxes in America. Sure beats New York, where people spend about a thousand bucks a month in taxes alone.
Yuck.
Of course, it IS South Dakota. But with all your extra savings here, you can go out and buy up all of the Bierocks and and pheasants and walleye and chislic? You want? What is this stuff? This is what South Dakotans eat?
6. Alabama
Rank Last Year: 6 (No Change)
Living Wage: $50,585
Housing: $9,086
Child Care: $5,163
More On Alabama: Photos | Rent
The Alabama tide rolls into the sixth cheapest state spot for 2020. Relatively high taxes and medical care for the South prevented the state from appearing higher on our list. Here in Alabama, the living wage is about $50,000, or about $25 an hour. And if both people work, than you each only really need minimum wage jobs to live a decent life in the Heart of Dixie.
If it wasn’t for the higher than average taxes here, and above average healthcare costs, Alabama would be in the top 5 for sure.
I live in Alabama, the weather is something I’m used to I was born and raised here, right now we are in a tropical storm warning from Irma but this is normal, I’m a senior in high school and I go to a good public school, but there is more to the state than just numbers, I love it here and I would not want to live anywhere else
7. Kentucky
Rank Last Year: 9 (Up 2)
Living Wage: $51,925
Housing: $8,872
Child Care: $6,280
More On Kentucky: Photos | Rent
Our next cheapest place to live isn’t too far away, as we take a spin in Kentucky. I have a feeling we’re going to be in the south a lot for this trip.
Here in Kentucky, housing costs are actually the third lowest in the entire nation behind Arkansas and West Virginia. It’s relatively more expensive for food than other states on this list, and for some reason, child care costs in Kentucky are a little more expensive – at about 523 dollars a month.
Life is slow in Kentucky – so if you want cheap and a whole lotta rolling hills, then this is your place. You can probably get a trailer and get a job down at Ramsey’s. Sounds like a great life to me. Of course, the dating scene down in Kentucky is challenging.
LOVE MY KENTUCKY HOME and BTW the thing about pikevile is not true I go there every week or prestonsburg or hazard or Louisville and pitbulls are great dogs and for that to be a stereotype for bad people is terrible… Have u even been to KY maybe go there before you judge I live in Kentucky and before you judge a place go there first also I live in whitesburg KY and these other places are basically my home so if you read about those places somewhere that or those websites are wrong so come to Kentucky before you judge
8. Ohio
Rank Last Year: 7 (Down 1)
Living Wage: $52,013
Housing: $9,450
Child Care: $7,037
More On Ohio: Photos | Rent
Here in Ohio, housing costs are the eighth lowest in America, where, for about *787* dollars a month you can own a fine home in Dayton. In comparison, our most expensive state in which to own or rent is Hawaii, where you need about $22,000 a year – or about $1,800 a month – just for a roof over your head. A real big difference.
What does the average American family need to live comfortably these days? About $28.50 an hour, or $55,000 a year. That’s for the whole house. What’s the average American housing cost each month? About $11,300 a year – or $950 a month.
Of course, again, this IS Ohio, where you probably really enjoy living there. Ask someone from Ohio Ohio has some of the cheapest medical care available in the States. It’s just that food and necessities cost here aren’t what they are in the deep south..
9. South Carolina
Rank Last Year: 8 (Down 1)
Living Wage: $52,038
Housing: $10,168
Child Care: $4,621
More On South Carolina: Photos | Rent
Buckle up, because we’re heading to South Carolina. Here in the Palmetto State, the cost of living is really inexpensive – cheap child care and food makes things doable. However, the South Carolina is the 16th cheapest when it comes to housing costs. In fact, housing costs are the highest for any other state on this list. Part of that is because the awesome coastline skews the numbers. South Carolina has perhaps the best coastline in the nation. But the rest of the state? Not very stimulating.
In South Carolina, the average home sells for about $250,000. Not too shabby. Now, if you lived in say, Egypt, where it’s only $27,000 for a house. Or, in Antartica, where a house is – free. Did you know in Hong Kong, you spend half your money on housing? You spend 49% of your income on a place to live in China and Taiwan.
Many years ago I was in SC and I loved it. Absence makes the heart grow fonder… After all these years I am finally returning to south carolina – we are moving out of Income tax… all the way from Pa. You will not discourage me in the least… I can’t understand what your goal here is… If you can’t say anything good then why did you feel compelled to say anything at all. If all you can see is the negatives… you will see them everywhere – even in your hometown or neighborhood.
10. Indiana
Rank Last Year: 10 (No Change)
Living Wage: $52,207
Housing: $9,641
Child Care: $6,463
More On Indiana: Photos | Rent
Here in Indiana, the living wage is about $52,000 a year. That means that if you make this amount of money each year – as a household – you can live comfortable enough. Sure, you’ll have to work until you’re 70 and you probably won’t have a big ole boat, but at least you won’t be on welfare. And, the housing costs in Indiana are about $9,600 a year. That means your mortgage or rent payments will be about 800 bucks a month. Not too shabby if you ask me.
In comparison, in our most expensive state to live, California, you need to make about $68k a year to live a decent life. And believe you me, that’s nowhere near enough. Try living in San Francisco on $68k a year and you’ll be renting a bedroom in the tenderloin district with a window that looks out on a sidewalk with poop on it. The living wage for the city of San Francisco is $89,000. That’s just to get by without struggling. That’s the most expensive place you can live in the US.
M**o.. Indiana is the Shiiiiii, I was born and raised in Northwest Indiana!, I’ve ‘turnt’ corners in most of those places you have on your So Called list of worst cities. You have Gary as #1, You betta ask ya PaPa & MaMa about GI ‘ They just might give you a different insight on Gary Indiana!.. Of course there’s a couple – few Youngstas that makes the city look bad ‘ But every city have a few of those
How We Determined The Cheapest States In America For 2020
When we at HomeSnacks normally measure how affordable a place to live is we check in on whats called a cost of living index. That analyzes the costs of goods in basket of things like housing, milk, utilities, and gas across the country.
But for this analysis we had an even better source — MIT’s Living Wage data.
The team at MIT compiles the best set of geographical data on what a family of various sizes can realistically expect to spend to live a decent life each year. Not super comfy, but not in poverty.
In particular they look at the cost of the following items:
- Food
- Child Care
- Medical
- Housing
- Transportation
- Other Personal Necessities
- Taxes
They just updated their data with the beginning of 2020.
We took their average required wage for two adults and one child and ranked them from lowest to highest. The lowest state, Mississippi, was crowned the cheapest state to live in America for 2020. You can download the data here.
There You Have It — The Cheapest States In America To Live For 2020
Okay, so that’s it. Our cheapest states in America. After all the dust settled and the analysis was over, we crowned Mississippi as the cheapest place to live in America for 2020.
While it’s good news for Mississippi that a dollar goes further there any other place in the country, the downside might be the reason behind it. People are willing to pay more to live in nicer places — that whole supply and demand thing. Remember, there’s nothing wrong with living a cheap life, and being content with the way things are. If your car runs, you have heat on, and you can go out every now and then, then you have it better than like 70% of the rest of the world.
So even though it might be cheap to live in Mississippi, Mississippi still might be a better place to call home if you can afford it.
If you’re curious, here are the most expensive states you can live in America. If you live in one of these expensive places, and you’re thinking about moving away and starting over – somewhere cheap, and where your ex wife can’t find you, we gave you a good list to start looking into more. Here’s a quick look at the most expensive states in America:
- California
- New York
- Massachusetts
For more reading, check out:
Detailed List Of The Cheapest States In America For 2020
| Rank | State | Living Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mississippi | $48,537 |
| 2 | Arkansas | $49,970 |
| 3 | West Virginia | $50,068 |
| 4 | Tennessee | $50,152 |
| 5 | South Dakota | $50,166 |
| 6 | Alabama | $50,585 |
| 7 | Kentucky | $51,925 |
| 8 | Ohio | $52,013 |
| 9 | South Carolina | $52,038 |
| 10 | Indiana | $52,207 |
| 11 | Oklahoma | $52,805 |
| 12 | North Dakota | $53,161 |
| 13 | Kansas | $53,201 |
| 14 | Texas | $53,219 |
| 15 | Michigan | $53,281 |
| 16 | Louisiana | $53,501 |
| 17 | Iowa | $53,502 |
| 18 | Missouri | $53,654 |
| 19 | Pennsylvania | $53,884 |
| 20 | Wyoming | $54,316 |
| 21 | Nebraska | $54,332 |
| 22 | North Carolina | $54,429 |
| 23 | Utah | $54,627 |
| 24 | Idaho | $54,631 |
| 25 | Georgia | $54,964 |
| 26 | Maine | $55,665 |
| 27 | Arizona | $56,189 |
| 28 | New Mexico | $56,228 |
| 29 | Wisconsin | $56,231 |
| 30 | Nevada | $56,277 |
| 31 | Montana | $56,410 |
| 32 | Florida | $57,029 |
| 33 | New Hampshire | $58,161 |
| 34 | Minnesota | $58,289 |
| 35 | Vermont | $58,841 |
| 36 | Delaware | $58,886 |
| 37 | Rhode Island | $59,221 |
| 38 | Oregon | $59,237 |
| 39 | Illinois | $59,498 |
| 40 | Washington | $61,988 |
| 41 | Alaska | $62,102 |
| 42 | Hawaii | $62,413 |
| 43 | Virginia | $62,598 |
| 44 | Colorado | $62,950 |
| 45 | New Jersey | $64,436 |
| 46 | Connecticut | $64,668 |
| 47 | Maryland | $66,150 |
| 48 | Massachusetts | $66,376 |
| 49 | New York | $67,419 |
| 50 | California | $68,190 |
Cheapest Places By State
Cheapest Places To Live In Alaska
Cheapest Places To Live In Alabama
Cheapest Places To Live In Arkansas
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Cheapest Places To Live In California
Cheapest Places To Live In Colorado
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Cheapest Places To Live In Delaware
Cheapest Places To Live In Florida
Cheapest Places To Live In Georgia
Cheapest Places To Live In Hawaii
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Cheapest Places To Live In Illinois
Cheapest Places To Live In Indiana
Cheapest Places To Live In Louisiana
Cheapest Places To Live In Massachusetts
Cheapest Places To Live In Maryland
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Cheapest Places To Live In Missouri
Cheapest Places To Live In Mississippi
Cheapest Places To Live In Montana
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Cheapest Places To Live In Nebraska
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Cheapest Places To Live In New Jersey
Cheapest Places To Live In New Mexico
Cheapest Places To Live In Ohio
Cheapest Places To Live In Oklahoma
Cheapest Places To Live In Oregon
Cheapest Places To Live In Pennsylvania
Cheapest Places To Live In Rhode Island
Cheapest Places To Live In South Carolina
Cheapest Places To Live In South Dakota
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I must be dead if the living wage is 40K+ in MS. I can say they also have the best rest areas.
It had taken 22 years to get my income to 15K a year. I am not living. Breathe in, breathe out.
I had a work injury that led to four surgeries. The third shouldn’t have been but because a pool nurse from India pulled an IV out of my right hand as another vein blew, using the same needle, put in my left hand, I had a massive infection along with the puncture of the dura, a massive headache. I am not a litigious person though too late I could be a millionaire. I had to have hardware removed. Because my then husband and I had left Orlando to Savannah where we had our honeymoon in 1993, my surgeon kept me there in 1998, I came home to find divorce papers. In one month, he found a new job, new apartment and of course, the new gf. It was me and my 16yo son from my abusive husband, escaping when my son was 3. I was taking him to school, legs still weak, I went to step down and went down 15 metal encased stairs of cement, hitting cervical, thoracic, lumbar surgical site creating problems I never had prior! In the most awful Garden City industrial, the worse stench due to paper and sugar mills, found a 410.00 apartment. I think my income was about 700. I didn’t apply for SSDI as I didn’t expect to be w/o work much less a fall. I had been able to work up walking 5mi per day, M-F in Savannah’s Historic District. We had been given a 2000sf apartment as my husband’s perk of being the GM of the restaurant. I called the man who hired my husband, pitching an idea to cold call their many hotels for quality service to guests, leading to more growth. I was shooting for bartering as calls were free as were utilities. He was more than fair giving 60 days and I had begun “working” with an interest in hiring in a larger capacity. While still in Orlando, I was trying to get groceries and learned my debit card was shut down by my husband. I didn’t have a car & my Bishop told me to get to the courthouse the day of divorce tell the judge (in front of spectators) what my soon to be ex had done & having a 16yo son, ask to be given the car. I didn’t have $ for attorney. My 6’5 husband was looking quite small. He asked why I was there. You are divorcing me? I mustn’t be dead as my stomach & anxiety are in full force. (Have you been hearing a tiny violin?) My brother asked why I was complaining one time. Just facts. I shall throw laughter in there I reckon. I must get back on task. When you are alone 24/7 (no ankle monitor) you tend to “talk” too much.
So yes, 1500.00 per month with rent at 650.00 + and because I turned 62 in December, work comp took 400.00 away. YAY! Sis boom bah! I do not get any assistance save for 16.00/mo for food though that was stopped after a few months. Good thing I am a “veganarian” as when I escaped the brutality of my 1st spouse, I couldn’t afford meat. I think I was predestined as not too keen as a kid. I have been bone on bone near 10 years, I need both hips replaced and a 5th spine surgery. My 2001 Ford Taurus needs near a grand in repairs. So, haven’t seen Mississippi Rest Areas in a while. Alabama is another thumbs up. The last 2-3 years of hurricanes left me stranded. My black Lab Gracie passed May 2 2018. Her bed is still here. I have to use two hiking poles/canes. It is hard to carry things. I had trained Gracie to pick them up as well other things that dropped. Even an envelope. She had a tumor on her spleen and her heart would beat 30-47 per minute. I checked it 2-3 times a day. Give her massages, praying, begging her not to leave me. It was 4:46 in the morning when she screamed out three times in a row. I have had four dogs sent my way, surely by God since 1991. I am loyal and as bad as I have gotten, they loved me unconditionally. Having to make that dreaded decision & then seeing them trying to move..I have second guessed myself, admonishing that I didn’t try hard enough. Last year, January 2, it snowed in Savannah and it was the first time Gracie had seen snow. She didn’t want to come back in. I had a visitation three days after her passing and I touched her. It was if she was still here and it had been a bad dream. I still hear her at times. I don’t think dead people shed tears.
I don’t know if there is a list for persons such as myself. The best states or towns that have services. I know without a doubt that I am SO much more blessed than others. My first time at the Mayo Clinic, I learned face masks were for patients who had transplants. I saw one person in front of me but I was touched by two. One had another chance at life, while the person who passed, also gave a few more people chances. It is kind of Jesus-like in a way if you think about it.
Peace be with you.
The next time you get something to eat, imagine how many it takes to get it on your plate.
I see my email is pending and made me wonder, what exactly was I commenting on? I believe part of the write up was, “If you are coming to America, here are such and such cities.”
I guess I need to say it again that I AM blessed beyond many others. There are homeless people, many who are part of tent cities in way too many places. Veterans. Some of them live underground. Our infrastructure is on shaky ground. Some who live underground, for example in Las Vegas, NV rains have taken lives as they couldn’t get out in time. Recent flooding in the midwest such as Nebraska, North Dakota, farmers have lost crops, livestock. A few reservations for Native Americans are in trouble as well. Hurricane Harvey took out Houstonians & surrounding areas. Animals drowned. It has been devastating. Natural disasters are up 50% from 20% in the 20th century as well as the late 19th century. Polar bears are at odds with a remote village of people as the ice has melted. Fires have killed people, animals, wiping out towns. Last year Florida, parts of Georgia, the Carolinas. According to the Weather Channel, it’s an active season again. Cyclones wiped out three countries in Africa and Australia is inundated with water and more to come. Thousands of jobs are GONE! in the first three months of this year. Those claims of lowest unemployment is due to the fact they must work 2-3 jobs and still struggle. Many serving military need food stamps. The shutdown of the government left a month’s worth of salaries that aren’t that well paying to begin with.
The American Dream is unavailable to many of its own citizens. People who lost homes in 2008, are in tent cities. Still!
Rents are so high in the Silicon Valley, contracted workers who serve Google, Yahoo and so on, have had to park their cars, make shift curtains for privacy get up and do it again. Perks in those businesses include, free daycare, free gym, free dry cleaning, free food which is thrown away instead of given to those contracted employees who struggle.
I just thought I needed to add this. Just never give up.