Best affordable place to live in every state

Homeownership in the United States is hovering around 65%, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. After making a mild rebound in 2016 following a 50-year low of 63%, the homeownership rate is once again on a post-COVID-19 pandemic downward trend.

Traditionally, homeownership was a key component of the American Dream, along with getting a good job and being able to raise a successful family. However, the realities of a decline in social mobility, a lack of real wage growth, mounting debts, and inflating property prices have led many to rethink the modern American Dream. Yet owning a home still equates to success in America for three in four Americans, according to a 2024 survey by Realtor.com, and 59% still believe it's achievable, though it may take longer than it once did. The age of first-time home buyers hit a historic high of 38 years old in 2024.

A large factor in homeownership is affordability. So, Stacker analyzed 2025 Niche data to discover the place in each state that offers a high quality of life at a manageable cost of living. Working from the top-rated spots in Niche's 2025 Best Places to Live in America rankings—which consider 15 quality of life categories, including weather, public schools, crime and safety, and diversity grades—Stacker then identified the cities, suburbs, and towns with cost of living classified as "affordable" or "very affordable," based on nine factors, including home values, monthly rent, grocery and gas prices, and area income. From there, the highest-rated places in each state were curated for this list. Each slide also includes statistics on median household income, median home value, and population size.

Read on to find the best low-cost areas to live in each state.

Classic American homes lining the street with white fences. (Stacker/Stacker)

Beanykin // Shutterstock

Alabama: Madison

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B+
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 58,335
- Median household income: $131,436
- Median home value: $367,900

An aerial view of the Kenai River in the mountains. (Stacker/Stacker)

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Alaska: Kenai

- Overall Niche grade: B
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: B
- Population: 7,562
- Median household income: $74,907
- Median home value: $249,400

Lyman Lake Reservoir, St. Johns, Arizona. (Stacker/Stacker)

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Arizona: St. Johns

- Overall Niche grade: A
- Cost of living grade: B+
- Public schools grade: A
- Population: 3,409
- Median household income: $128,920
- Median home value: $180,900

shuttersv // Shutterstock

Arkansas: Bentonville

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 56,326
- Median household income: $108,465
- Median home value: $370,700

Ridgecrest from the hills above. (Stacker/Stacker)

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California: Ridgecrest

- Overall Niche grade: B+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: B+
- Population: 28,138
- Median household income: $88,107
- Median home value: $235,800

Angled sandstone cliffs and nearby homes. (Stacker/Stacker)

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Colorado: Roxborough Park

- Overall Niche grade: A
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A-
- Population: 9,365
- Median household income: $167,671
- Median home value: $648,100

A white and black historic home. (Stacker/Stacker)

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Connecticut: Glastonbury Center

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 7,860
- Median household income: $133,450
- Median home value: $367,000

An artist painting in a park. (Stacker/Stacker)

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Delaware: Hockessin

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B
- Public schools grade: A
- Population: 13,608
- Median household income: $172,695
- Median home value: $550,200

Golfers walking across the course. (Stacker/Stacker)

Mike Ehrmann // Getty Images

Florida: Westchase

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A
- Population: 24,818
- Median household income: $120,070
- Median home value: $491,300

An aerial view of homes and townhouses in Fall. (Stacker/Stacker)

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Georgia: Johns Creek

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 82,115
- Median household income: $160,185
- Median home value: $583,700

An aerial view of the turquoise water and shoreline. (Stacker/Stacker)

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Hawaii: Kaunakakai

- Overall Niche grade: B-
- Cost of living grade: grade
- Public schools grade: C+
- Population: 3,721
- Median household income: $76,944
- Median home value: $335,200

A country road winding through purple flowers and quaint homes. (Stacker/Stacker)

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Idaho: Rigby

- Overall Niche grade: B+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: B
- Population: 5,251
- Median household income: $78,278
- Median home value: $267,200

An aerial view of Naperville. (Stacker/Stacker)

Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

Illinois: Naperville

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 149,424
- Median household income: $150,937
- Median home value: $509,900

A small downtown street scene in Carmel. (Stacker/Stacker)

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Indiana: Carmel

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 100,501
- Median household income: $134,602
- Median home value: $455,500

A white picket fence on a residential street. (Stacker/Stacker)

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Iowa: University Heights

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A
- Population: 1,232
- Median household income: $105,172
- Median home value: $393,200

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Kansas: Leawood

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 33,844
- Median household income: $184,976
- Median home value: $620,400

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Kentucky: Park Hills

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: A-
- Public schools grade: A-
- Population: 3,155
- Median household income: $102,112
- Median home value: $274,200

An aerial view of suburbs. (Stacker/Stacker)

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Louisiana: Prairieville

- Overall Niche grade: A
- Cost of living grade: B+
- Public schools grade: A
- Population: 35,010
- Median household income: $115,610
- Median home value: $302,200

Visitors at Cumberland Fair. (Stacker/Stacker)

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Maine: Cumberland

- Overall Niche grade: A
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A
- Population: 8,546
- Median household income: $154,375
- Median home value: $554,100

A sidewalk leading to large modern homes in North Potomac. (Stacker/Stacker)

Benjamin C Tankersley/For The Washington Post // Getty Images

Maryland: North Potomac

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 23,994
- Median household income: $186,438
- Median home value: $793,200

The view of Fall leaves from Mount Holyoke. (Stacker/Stacker)

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Massachusetts: Pelham

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A
- Population: 1,332
- Median household income: $121,667
- Median home value: $412,800

An aerial view of Okemos. (Stacker/Stacker)

Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

Michigan: Okemos

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 25,503
- Median household income: $97,603
- Median home value: $336,800

Happy people at the State Fair. (Stacker/Stacker)

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Minnesota: Falcon Heights

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A-
- Population: 5,145
- Median household income: $93,233
- Median home value: $366,800

A beautiful home by a lake in Fall. (Stacker/Stacker)

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Mississippi: Madison

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 27,775
- Median household income: $120,918
- Median home value: $334,700

The front door of a brick home. (Stacker/Stacker)

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Missouri: Brentwood

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 8,151
- Median household income: $86,641
- Median home value: $276,100

A person on horseback with mountains in the background. (Stacker/Stacker)

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Montana: Conrad

- Overall Niche grade: B
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: B
- Population: 2,553
- Median household income: $47,348
- Median home value: $158,400

An aerial view of Papillion. (Stacker/Stacker)

Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

Nebraska: Papillion

- Overall Niche grade: A
- Cost of living grade: B
- Public schools grade: A-
- Population: 24,063
- Median household income: $109,602
- Median home value: $290,900

A quiet downtown street with mountains in the background. (Stacker/Stacker)

Sandra Foyt // Shutterstock

Nevada: Ely

- Overall Niche grade: B
- Cost of living grade: B+
- Public schools grade: C
- Population: 3,941
- Median household income: $86,389
- Median home value: $201,500

An aerial view of Hanover. (Stacker/Stacker)

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New Hampshire: Hanover

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 11,702
- Median household income: $163,654
- Median home value: $755,700

A train station in Princeton Junction. (Stacker/Stacker)

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New Jersey: Princeton Junction

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 1,842
- Median household income: $219,375
- Median home value: $669,100

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New Mexico: Edgewood

- Overall Niche grade: A-
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: B
- Population: 6,122
- Median household income: $81,227
- Median home value: $278,100

Two cyclists on a wooded trail. (Stacker/Stacker)

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New York: Ardsley

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 5,005
- Median household income: $250,001
- Median home value: $792,900

An aerial view of Cary. (Stacker/Stacker)

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North Carolina: Cary

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A
- Population: 176,686
- Median household income: $129,399
- Median home value: $525,200

A historic street in West Fargo. (Stacker/Stacker)

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North Dakota: West Fargo

- Overall Niche grade: A
- Cost of living grade: B+
- Public schools grade: B
- Population: 39,325
- Median household income: $96,877
- Median home value: $302,200

A tree-lined neighborhood. (Stacker/Stacker)

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Ohio: Blue Ash

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 13,374
- Median household income: $116,663
- Median home value: $365,700

An aerial view of sunny, green Edmond. (Stacker/Stacker)

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Oklahoma: Edmond

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 95,618
- Median household income: $102,032
- Median home value: $324,900

A historic downtown street in Lakeview. (Stacker/Stacker)

Ian Dewar Photography // Shutterstock

Oregon: Lakeview

- Overall Niche grade: B
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: B-
- Population: 3,043
- Median household income: $70,436
- Median home value: $198,000

An aerial view of Chesterbrook. (Stacker/Stacker)

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Pennsylvania: Chesterbrook

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 5,439
- Median household income: $140,972
- Median home value: $432,200

A small path and homes on the water. (Stacker/Stacker)

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Rhode Island: East Greenwich

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 14,407
- Median household income: $149,577
- Median home value: $612,100

A man walking dogs on a nature trail. (Stacker/Stacker)

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South Carolina: Tega Cay

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 13,267
- Median household income: $141,037
- Median home value: $494,500

An aerial view of Brandon. (Stacker/Stacker)

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South Dakota: Brandon

- Overall Niche grade: A
- Cost of living grade: B+
- Public schools grade: A
- Population: 10,996
- Median household income: $104,806
- Median home value: $317,300

A rustic wooden rocking chair and pumpkins on a porch. (Stacker/Stacker)

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Tennessee: Nolensville

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 14,545
- Median household income: $170,068
- Median home value: $695,100

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Texas: Cinco Ranch

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 19,139
- Median household income: $157,395
- Median home value: $459,500

Two adirondack chairs on a wooden deck overlooking a forest. (Stacker/Stacker)

Lenspiration // Shutterstock

Utah: Benson

- Overall Niche grade: A-
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A-
- Population: 1,864
- Median household income: $82,019
- Median home value: $281,400

A historic building and wooden fence surrounded by Fall foliage. (Stacker/Stacker)

Bram Reusen // Shutterstock

Vermont: Norwich

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 3,628
- Median household income: $140,139
- Median home value: $576,300

A walking path next to a lake. (Stacker/Stacker)

Leo Colbert // Shutterstock

Virginia: Innsbrook

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B
- Public schools grade: A
- Population: 8,559
- Median household income: $130,534
- Median home value: $445,600

The sun setting over a highway winding through wheat fields. (Stacker/Stacker)

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Washington: Colfax

- Overall Niche grade: A-
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A
- Population: 2,785
- Median household income: $56,929
- Median home value: $246,300

A residential street in Fall. (Stacker/Stacker)

Matt LaVigne // Shutterstock

West Virginia: Star City

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B+
- Public schools grade: A
- Population: 1,894
- Median household income: $62,031
- Median home value: $256,800

Charming homes on a sunny day. (Stacker/Stacker)

Nicholas J Kline // Shutterstock

Wisconsin: Kohler

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 2,136
- Median household income: $135,688
- Median home value: $369,300

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Wyoming: Kemmerer

- Overall Niche grade: A-
- Cost of living grade: A-
- Public schools grade: A-
- Population: 2,788
- Median household income: $74,375
- Median home value: $173,100

Data reporting by Rob Powell. Additional writing by Ali Hickerson.