Indeed, 78.1% of Alameda County residents vote Democrat, making this college town the ideal place for young, college-aged liberals. With 31% of voters identifying as liberal, Washington is the fourth-most liberal state in the United States. Cost of living index: 94.3. As is the case with most California towns on our list of the most affordable liberal college towns, the biggest difference in cost is housing. One key metric used to measure affordability is the cost of housing in a given area. With a housing cost index of 71.8, Kansas puts itself on the map as one of the cheapest places to live in the U.S. You could buy a median-priced home in the Sunflower State at $137,700. States can change from liberal to conservative over time due to factors like immigration, empowerment of minority groups (which tend to support liberal policies over conservative ones), and taxation. Such economic diversity makes for an interesting town. Just curious? So, youll need atrusted insurance agentto help you get the right coverage at the right price. As with any city, the cost of living varies with each section of town but generally averages about 2% higher than the rest of the country. Our ranking of the 12 cheapest states to live in was curated by weighing these different indexes. Norton is also affordable, with a cost of living averaging just 14% higher than the national norm. America is home to some affordable beach towns that come with beautiful stretches of coastline without the hefty price tag. Home to the prestigious Northwestern University, Evanston is located within sight of Chicago on the shores of Lake Michigan. It will cost you 20% less in Columbia than it would in Lima, Ohio. Now, lets compare housing prices, salaries and unemployment rates in Kansas to the rest of the country: With low home prices, low unemployment rates and high salaries, Kansas is one of the best states to live in financially. 36% of voters in California identify as moderate. } Although the book includes essays on God, Torah, history and antisemitism, in a recent interview we focused on the Israel-Diaspora divide, the role of Israel in the Annandale on Hudson is known for its local arts and culture scenes, though the town is also close enough to New York City to ensure having a night or weekend out is totally possible. "datePublished": "2022-06-23", Located in one of the most naturally stunning areas of New York, Ithaca is well known for its college-town atmosphere. Niches rankings are unique in that they combine quantitative data with feedback from real residents. West Virginias cost of living index looks at two citiesMorgantown and Charleston. Kentucky 18. With 28% of voters identifying as conservative, Vermont has a liberal advantage of 4 points, the third-highest country. In this Progressive-minded college town, about 62% of people vote Democrat. How about something without a home field advantage? The biggest difference in the cost of living is housing. The monthly cost for a one-bedroom apartment in Oakland averages just over $1,700. WebAverage Rent < $500 - $2,100+ Median Home Price < $20,000 - $1,020,000+ Commute Time < 20 minutes 20 - 30 minutes 30+ minutes Buying or selling a home? ]. Or maybe youre just sick of paying out of your nose for housing, groceries and utilitiesyou know,life. Buying a home or renting an apartment in Meridian, Mississippi, will cost you roughly half of what it would in Bozeman, Montana. It was number 27 in 2021, number 13 in 2022 and now its number one in 2023. Alabama 5. Lets see how Charleston and Morgantown compares to the rest of the U.S.: West Virginia has a big mining industry and beautiful outdoor areas. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. New York is the fifth-most liberal state in the U.S. 30% of voters identify as liberal in New York versus 27% who identify as conservative, giving New York a 3-point liberal advantage. For example, there are multiple states that dont have income tax, which can save you a lot of money. With 21% of voters identifying as conservative, Massachusetts has a liberal advantage of 14 points. 33% of voters identify as liberal; however, the liberal advantage is -2 because 35% of voters identify as conservative. First, theres the higher education rate, which drives success in the overall Best Places to Live ranking, Best for Young Professionals, Best for Families and Best for Retirees, said Bell. Each index is compared against a national average score of 100 in each category. Compare this years list to the best (and most affordable) places to live in America in 2022, as well as the cheapest places to live in the U.S. in 2021. In this article, FortuneBuilders navigates the cheapest states to live in 2022, what determines state affordability, as well as a few of the most expensive states to live in. Scan this QR code to download the app now. For example, the score of 100 would be the national average for housing costs. The cost of living in those cities is 10% below average, and theyve got the lowest median housing prices on our countdown. In terms of politics, Oakland remains one of the most Progressive areas in an already liberal area. In 2016, 62.2% of Hawaii voters voted Democratic in the presidential election. In fact, the towns and neighborhoods in the Pittsburgh area are some of the most affordable in the country, and the towns in Philadelphia improved in affordability this year., The report also shows the best places for diversity. The most liberal state in the country is Massachusetts, where the equally progressive city of Boston is located. Housing affordability is no longer just about the price of a property. In fact, it was very republican back in the old days. WebLast but not least, Kentucky is one of the cheapest states to live in the U.S. Much of the town is made up of upscale neighborhoods, though a small downtown provides local Swarthmore College students with the basics: a food market, a pizza parlor, and of course, a Target. Moreiso | Istock Editorial | Getty Images. Aerial abstract view of homes in the suburb in Birmingham, Alabama. With extremely high scores in both of those categories, its clear that Cambridge is an incredible place to live across the board, said Bell. Maybe youve already made up your mindyoure sick of sky-high prices and ready to head to greener pastures. In the 2016 presidential election, 46.8% of voters voted Democratic, only a 0.3% lead over those who voted Republican (46.5%). Maybe youre curious. College students living here can expect to pay approximately $830 per month for a one-bedroom apartment. Next up, Arkansas! 2022 Cost of Living Score: 44 out of 50 points (Top States Grade: A). Also interesting is the fact that South Hadley is the first college town on our list in which housing is not the greatest difference in cost of living. Hawaii is the most expensive state to live in, with its housing costingthree times the national average. If youre looking to invest in properties or establish new roots in a part of the country with affordable housing and cost of living, check out our top 12 cheapest states to live in 2022: Mississippi is ranked the most affordable state in the U.S. overall. It depends on your situationespecially since every state has pros and cons. Driving through the Crossroads of America is a breeze. Fortunately, things for Poughkeepsies college crowd have vastly improved thanks to the communitys growing relationship with Vassar College, a series of downtown renovation projects, and a historic preservation movement to transform some of the towns oldest buildings. This states known for rock n roll, blues and tasty treats like fried catfish and chocolate pies. On the Republican side, Florida has the unfortunate claim of being the most unaffordable state overall, with a 58% cost-burden rate. The cheapest part of Alabama is the Anniston-Oxford area, which has a cost of living thats 17% below the national average. Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox. Vermont wasnt always so liberal. Santa Cruzs median home price is about $909,500, while a one-bedroom apartment can be had for about $2,070 per month. 2022 Cost of Living Score: 49 out of 50 points (Top States Grade: A+). Share. Even the most expensive city, Peeterv | Istock Unreleased | Getty Images. And after Mississippi, it has the second-cheapest transportation on our list. Its known for its vibrant local arts scene, the prestigious Sarah Lawrence College, and its liberal politics. Home to about 18,000 full-time residents (70% of whom describe themselves as Democrats), South Hadley, Massachusetts plays host to the students of Mount Holyoke College. Their Cost of Living Index is a well-regarded and often-cited resource for comparing living costs from state to state. Over in Memphis, the bananas for your Elvis Presley-style fried peanut butter, bacon and banana sandwich will cost about 25% less than they would in Boston. A visit to the doctor costs roughly half what it would in Manchester, New Hampshire. "name": "FortuneBuilders", A one-bedroom apartment in Bronxville will set one back $1,658 a month. Home to Michigans Big Blue, Ann Arbor is the quintessential college town. Maybe you want to move. Of course, college towns also tend to be small and the types of places where everyone knows everyone. Moderates are the largest group in Hawaii, with 45% of voters identify as moderate, which is also the largest percentage of any state in the country. Tennessee is the cheapest state to buy a house in 2022. Home prices in The Show Me State are roughly half what they are in Boston. Nashville is the most expensive city in Tennessee (shocker, we know). Theyre top-performing agents who live and work all over the country. In the 2016 presidential election, 60.3% of voters voted Democratic. Outdoor-loving college students are sure to love living in Boulder. Well talk a little about each states culture too. "@context": "https://schema.org", However, any of the twelve states that made it into our rankings will offer you significant savings. Brownsville, Texas has been named the cheapest place to live in the US. In the 2016 presidential election, 52.5% of voters voted Democratic. Keep reading to take a quick tour of the United States, as we make a pit stop at 12 different states to explore why they are the most affordable in the nation. "publisher": { Switzerland is the second-most expensive country in which to live. Healthcare, utilities, transportation, and entertainment costs all hover slightly above the national average. Head over to Knoxville, where the cost of living is about 16% lower than average. These Nashville prices will be music to your ears. St. Paul Park has the 49th cheapest homes and 47th cheapest rent anywhere in minnesota. This state offers low housing, health care, and transportation costs. Heres what housing prices, salaries and the job market look like in Missouri: In Missouri, there are plenty of small towns where you can put down roots. Georgia is next up on our list. We call them RamseyTrusted because we trust them to take care of you. A view of Longfellow Bridge and Cambridge, Massachusetts: the best city to live in the US. Any state with a housing cost index below 100 is relatively affordable compared to the national average. Transportation costs are notably affordable, about 8 percent less than the national average. :List of the largest-to-smallest continents by land area. In fact, with its bike lanes, vibrant arts scene, and collection of locally owned businesses, Boulder feels like the quintessential college town. Overall, its prices remain low: The median home price in the state is $189,976, with Birminghams Ensley Highland neighborhood boasting the median home listing price of $56,500. Another important consideration is affordability. 1 in America's Top States for Business, with the nations strongest economy, These 10 states are leading America in creating a crypto economy. It has state parks, museums, aquariums and random historical sites, like the place where Grant Wood paintedAmerican Gothicyou know, the couple holding the pitchfork. Even the most expensive city, Birmingham, is still 8% below average. Cambridge also has three neighborhoods on the list of the best in America: Cambridgeport, The Port and Riverside. Next is Hawaii, followed by Vermont, Washington, New York, New Hampshire, California, Maryland, New Jersey, and Maine. But costs for food, utilities, and healthcare all average below or on par with the national average. So you'll be able to pay your mortgage and still have money in your budget for a night out. The state economy also thrives off of oil, gas, and tourism. Its overall cost of living score is 88.9, with a housing score of 71.6. Housing costs vary greatly depending on where you live. Transportation cost index: 92.7. Coming in at the top of the list is Cambridge, Massachusetts in the Boston area. Cambridge, Massachusetts, which was named the best city in America for young professionals. 2022 Cost of Living Score: 48 out of 50 points (Top States Grade: A+), Average home price (Birmingham): $334,577. WebIf you truly want outdoor recreation and liberal values on the cheap and want to live in California you can try the northern coastal cities. Overall, however, red states are A one-bedroom apartment, for example, typically rents for about $1,360 per month. While health care and utilities cost about the same as the average U.S. city, Kansas has really cheap miscellaneous goods and services. As with the vast majority of college towns on our list, the biggest cost difference is housing, which averages 50.2% higher than the rest of the country. And whats up with the job market? This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. See how Alabamas housing prices, incomes and job market stack up to the rest of the U.S.: Alabama is known for forests, beaches and being NASAs home base. Moving somewhere new is a big adventure! With a higher movement in single-family house prices, its clear that many Americans see Illinois as one of the best states to live in. And if you need to get your tires balanced in Bloomington, it will cost you half of what it would in Lafayette, Louisiana. Pakistan is considered as the country with the lowest average cost of living. Taxes: Taxes vary from state to state, so its a good idea to look at the tax rates and any tax benefits that those states may offer. Tennessee 8. Oaklands large and diverse population ensures local college students enjoy a unique college experience. Alabama has historically been among the most affordable states to live in. The top ten most liberal urban areas in the United States, starting with the most liberal city in America, include the following: San Francisco, California; Washington, District of Columbia; Seattle, Washington; Oakland, California; Boston, Massachusetts; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Detroit, Michigan; New York, New York; Buffalo, New York; and Balitmore, Maryland. Nebraska 19. At 66.7, its housing cost index is the cheapest in the country. Figuring out how much house you can afford is tricky. But an influx of out of state residents as well as an emerging number of lower getty Best Places to Live in the U.S.: 10 Most Affordable Cities Brownsville, Texas Dayton Wichita Falls, Michiganders do payaboveaverage for utilities and transportation, and car insurance is more expensive there than almost anywhere else in America. But what about the cheapest state in which to live? Mississippi is the cheapest place to live in the United States, with a cost of living 15.6% lower than the national average. Thecost of living in Georgiais 11.4% below the national average. the most affordable areas in the country. (If you want the flexibility of being able to move any distance,check out PODS. "@type": "ImageObject", "@type": "Organization", In the 2016 presidential election, 59% of voters voted Democratic. Those changes were certainly not limited to Fort Wayne, but with such slim margins at the top of the rankings, minor changes can be the difference between number one and number seven., The best neighborhood in America is Colonial Village in Arlington, Virginia. Take a look at our list of the cheapest states to live in. With grocery and transportation costs below the national average as well, Mississippi offers plenty of southern charm. Now that weve explored some of the cheapest states to live in, its smart to also consider the other side of the coin. Bonus points of close to nature, and walkable. But what about housing? This is the ninth year that Niche has issued the Best Places to Live in America report. Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. But our home affordability calculator will help you calculate a budget that will work for you. A new report has named Cambridge, Massachusettsin the Boston areathe best city to live in America. Head to the local optometrist, which will cost you about 30% less in Alabama than a visit to the eye doctor in Vero Beach, Florida. But with its cost of living averaging only 1.5% above the national norm, Middletown, Connecticut, is a surprisingly affordable college town. A whopping 90% of College Park residents vote Democrat, so Progressive students looking for a solidly liberal college town should take a good look at College Park. Oklahoma 4. }, MethodologyTo create our list, we looked at the most politically liberal college towns. Still, such a large student population hasnt kept its cost of living from reaching 82% above the national average. For the gas numbers in our data, we started with The overall cost of living in Oklahoma is 86.8, making the Sooner State very affordable. If youre looking to balance a low cost of living with economic opportunity, Missouri could be just the locale for you. Cambridge performs exceedingly well in several factors. Overall costs for utilities, transportation, entertainment, food, and healthcare range from 17% below the national average (healthcare) to 25% above (entertainment). What is the biggest continent? Costs for utilities, transportation, entertainment, healthcare, and food all range between 0-19% higher than the American average. Heres what housing prices, the median annual salary and the job market look like: At 10.5% below the average cost of living, Iowa is another one of the most affordable states. You can choose from grassy plains, farmland or the Ozark Mountains. Are you someone looking to balance your living costs with good healthcare and education? Ithacas overall cost of living is about 1% lower than the national average. Folks in Indiana also pay around average for transportation and utilities. These are the poorest cities in every state in the US. Rent 3 bedrooms Center/Outside Center: $2,724.11 /$1,913.70. Even in a college town like Ames, renting an apartment won't blow away your budget. The median home price is $186,500. List of the largest-to-smallest continents by land area. In some expensive zip codes, a comparable home could even cost a few million dollars. Transformative Travel: I look at how travel can change lives. Got a confidential news tip? Want to find someplace cheaper? With a population of just under 40,000 people, charming Amherst, Massachusetts is one of The Bay States more affordable college towns. But unlike Missourior anywhere elseyou can actually find real diamonds in Arkansas at Crater of Diamonds State Park. A new report from Niche, a data-driven platform with ratings and reviews of cities across America, has the answers. John M. Chase | Istock Unreleased | Getty Images. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Cost of livingindex measures theaverage cost of living in the U.S. as a baseline of 100, saysworldpopulationreview.com. TheBritish overseasterritoryhas a cost ofliving index of146.04. Click to register for our FREE online real estate class! Fortunately, living in Asheville has remained affordable. "description": "FortuneBuilders has determined the 12 states with the most affordable cost of living. Though Bronxvilles cost of living remains lower than that of nearby New York City, it still averages about 88% higher than the rest of the country. With key improvements in our grades for cost of living, housing, diversity, jobs and shortest commute, Colonial Village has proven itself to be the best neighborhood to live in America.. What are some of the factors that influenced your decision? When picking a place to settle down, you may consider several factors, such as education, climate or job opportunities. Its cost of living is around 10.6% lower than average. The first step is to get a great real estate agent on your side, and thats where our RamseyTrusted agents come into play. And you can live on the plains or in the mountains, just like in Missouri. Massachusetts is the most liberal state in the U.S., with 35% of voters identifying as liberal. This means students looking to live outside of a dorm room will likely spend about $2,014 per month on a one-bedroom apartment. Birmingham has a median home price of $65,500, showing pockets with even cheaper housing. The data is based on a 2018 Gallup pull. Comparatively, costs for food, healthcare, utilities, transportation, and entertainment all average below or on par with the national average. 2022 Cost of Living Score: 45 out of 50 points (Top States Grade: A). These ten states were the cheapest to live in over the past year. A New York-style pie will cost you 25% less than it would in Rochester, New York, here in America's cheapest state to live in. Florida saw approximately Students at the nearby colleges will have plenty to see and do in Northfield and the surrounding areas, especially since the local cost of living is right on par with the national average. Cost of living for retirees: 6.1% below the national average. Connecticut is not an inexpensive state, and Middletown is an attractive suburb of the capital, Hartford. 10 States With The Lowest Property Taxes In 2022, Council for Community and Economic Research. Top 10 spoken languages, globally. With a cost of living that averages about 70% higher than the national average, Claremont remains slightly more affordable than other towns in the greater Los Angeles area. One-bedroom apartments located in town average about $1,225 per month. 15 Cheapest States to Buy a House 1. One of the best liberal cities to live in, Santa Barbaras cost of living is a whopping 123.4% higher than the national average. Brownsville, Texas: the affordable city to live in the US. Millions of people have used our financial advice through 22 books (including 12 national bestsellers) published by Ramsey Press, as well as two syndicated radio shows and 10 podcasts, which have over 17 million weekly listeners. As of August 2022,Mississippi is the least expensive state to live in, according to worldpopulationreview.com. 1 To get a complete picture of each citys living costs, we recorded how much rent, 2 food, 3 gas, 4 and utilities 5 cost on average in every city. Located about two hours inland from Boston, South Hadley is a charming town known for its museums and arts culture, the nearby mountain range, and an affordable cost of living. With few exceptions, these are liberal small towns in which at least half of the voting population is registered Democrat. Plus, people in Oklahoma love celebrating their states Native American roots and cowboy culture. Massachusetts is also the home state of well-known politicians such as Elizabeth Warren, Michael Dukakis, Jill Stein, and the Kennedys. In fact, Sperlings Best Places lists the cost of living as one of the pros to living in Amherst, along with the many local museums and the easy access to nearby mountains. And Poughkeepsie is remarkably affordable! A student living off campus at UC Santa Barbara should expect to shell out about $2,100 for a one-bedroom apartment each month. Seventy percent of Burlingtons population vote Democrat. Still, Oberlin students hoping to live off campus will be happy to know that housing costs are a whopping 42% less than the rest of the country! Maybe a movie? Alabama has the fourth-lowest cost of livingabout 12.1% lower than most of the U.S. 2022 Cost of Living Score: 42 out of 50 points (Top States Grade: A-), Consumer Price Index (May, Midwest Region): Up 8.8%, Average home price (Bloomington): $408,649. "@type": "Article", Pictured here: Pittsburgh, which has some of [+] the most affordable areas in the country. Heres how Mississippis housing prices, income and job market compare to the rest of the U.S.: *Median monthly rents refer to two-bedroom apartments. Kansas City is the states most expensive place to live, but its still 4.5% less than most U.S. cities. Most of Marylands liberal base is in the Washington D.C. metro area and Baltimore. Fortunately, Berkeley is full of college students/potential roommates. A one-bedroom apartment in Annandale on Hudson, New York, averages about $1,586 per month about $300 higher than the New York average. Portland is the perfect place for both singles and families. Popular pastimes include less partying and more hiking and wine tasting around the local area. Okay, that one was easy. The scores can change year-over-year and do not consider personal preferences such as available industries or climate. Measure of movement of single-family house prices: 305.98. Arkansas 6. That said, its important to live somewhere you can actually affordso you should definitely find out if the cheapest states to live in will fit you and your family. Housing, on the other hand, averages 9% lower than the national average! Located near the Twin Cities, Northfield, Minnesota, is home to Carleton College and St. Olaf College. Fortunately, the other cities on Georgias cost of living index range from 8% to 17% below the average U.S. city. Perhaps best of all is the fact that students on a budget can enjoy all that Olympia has to offer because the city enjoys a cost of living lower than the Washington average. In the 2016 presidential election, 50.1% of voters voted Democratic while 39.1% voted Republican. Iowa 12. Cost of living averages only about 6% higher than the national average. California is the seventh-most liberal state in the United States. There are also neutral states, usually referred to as swing states because these states could go either Democratic or Republican in an election. Oregons fastest-growing city maintains its mountain-town vibes Population: 103,222 Average rent for a 1-BR: $1,044 With its world-class beer scene, farm-to-table The company also looks at factors like affordability, the local housing market, neighborhood diversity and public schools, to name a few. Other driving factors behind Cambridges ranking include school quality, diversity and exceptional performance in user reviews, nature and outdoors, health and fitness, nightlife and walkability. So, what kind of money can you expect to earn in Oklahoma? A cross-country move costs way more than a cross-state move. Located in the Southeast corner of New York state, at the mouth of the Hudson River, is the small town of Bronxville, one of the most liberal small towns in America. Most of your decision-making will be influenced by personal incentives and preferences, such as the affordability of big cities within those states, or cost of healthcare or transportation. If you have a lot of food costs, such as feeding a large family, note that Kentucky residents pay about 9 percent less in grocery costs than those living in other states. Thats a huge win for your budget. Here are the top 10 least expensive states to live in, according to worldpopulationreview.com: Pakistan is considered as the country with the lowest average cost of living, according to numbeo.com. Every other category averages equal to or lower than the norm. Heres how Michigans housing prices and job market compare nationally: Michigan is known for its auto industry, the Great Lakes and winter sportsMichiganders love ice fishing, skiing and hockey. Or head to Niche.com, where you can see the healthiest cities, the best spots for families, the best places (defined as a non-rural town with a population of 1,000 or more), the best suburbs and more. The cost of living in Arkansas is 9.9% below average. He received 71% of the vote in Vermont in 2016. Located a stones throw from Asheville (also on our list), Swannanoa enjoys the same stunning natural scenery and lively local arts scene as its bigger neighbor. Berkeleys cost of living is much more reasonable than San Francisco or New York. There is plenty to do in a place like Worcester. "author": { Maryland legalized gay marriage, pushed for major gun restrictions, and imposed tax increases, among other progressive policies. Paul area. 2022 Cost of Living Score: 47 out of 50 points (Top States Grade: A+). And finally! To put that into perspective, a one-bedroom apartment in Ann Arbor rents for around $1,063 per month. The country has a cost ofliving index of 19.92. That isnt quite as bad as it sounds, considering the Massachusetts average is a whopping 76.4% higher than the national average. Florida takes the top marks in the rankings, with relatively low costs of living and a high percentage of retirees That's why CNBC's annual America's Top States for Business study includes Cost of Living in our formula for ranking the states. The data on moving patterns in the US reveals that Florida and Texas were the two states with the highest influx of people in 2021.