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15 places to live that will save you money in inflationary America

Ethan Dodd   

15 places to live that will save you money in inflationary America
Kayaker on Chattahoochee River.David Goldman/AP
  • Inflation is still high, even though the housing market has cooled some.
  • Cost of living varies by place.

If you want the best bang for your buck in your next move, look no further.

The rankings and reviews site Niche just released its 2023 list of places with the lowest cost of living in America.

Though inflation and the housing market have cooled some, the consumer price index rose 6% over the year in February, meaning everyday purchases like gas and groceries are still more expensive.

However, the increased cost of living hasn't hit the country equally across the board. Here are the 15 lowest cost of living places in the United States, many of which are in South Texas.

1. Heidelberg, Texas

1. Heidelberg, Texas
McAllen, Texas.      Getty Images

Median Home Value: $45,200

Median Rent: $447

Median Household Income: $28,764

Niche gives the McAllen suburb of 2,011 residents an A+ for cost of living. With such cheap homes, 91% of households own instead of rent. Bordering Mexico at the southernmost tip of Texas, residents are overwhelmingly Hispanic. The weather and commute are also supposed to be quite good, though Niche gives the town a D for health and fitness. Residents also tend to be liberal but less educated: 51% have less than a high school education.

2. Chattahoochee, Florida

2. Chattahoochee, Florida
Kayaker on Chattahoochee River.      David Goldman/AP

Median Home Value: $64,500

Median Rent: $342

Median Household Income: $54,100

With an A+ cost of living but a B for housing, 43% of households rent in the 3,370-person rural Florida Panhandle town. But with its median income, it wouldn't take long to afford owning a house. On Lake Seminole with Georgia, Chattahoochee has lots of parks, and residents tend to be liberal. The town is 53% Black and 42% white. Niche also gave Chattahoochee a C- for crime and safety.

3. Pearl River, Mississippi

3. Pearl River, Mississippi
Golden Moon Hotel and Casino, part of the Pearl River Resort, is just outside the town of Pearl River in Philadelphia, Mississippi.      Rogelio V. Solis/AP

Median Home Value: $56,000

Median Rent: $488

Median Household Income: $37,724

With just 3,884 residents in this reservation of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Niche says the conservative town is good for families. 77% of households own rather than rent. Though only 3% of residents have a bachelor's degree, the nearby public schools get an A- from Niche, making the town relatively good for families. Health and fitness get a D+ though.

4. Pine Ridge, South Dakota

4. Pine Ridge, South Dakota
Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, on Wednesday, October 22, 2014.      Nikki Kahn / The Washington Post / Getty

Median Home Value: $52,400

Median Rent: $502

Median Household Income: $43,073

In an Oglala Lakota Indian reservation on the border with Nebraska, 64% of households in the suburban-rural town rent. Though there are many families, Niche gives the public schools a D-. Health and fitness also get a D-, but the commute is apparently really good, with an A+ rating from Niche.

5. Dilley, Texas

Median Home Value: $84,000

Median Rent: $430

Median Household Income: $50,278

34% of households rent in the 3,404-person suburban-rural South Texas town. Niche gives the town an A- for jobs, many of which are based at Nix Community General Hospital. Right off of I-35, Dilley is between Laredo on the Mexico border and San Antonio to the northeast. 75% of residents are Hispanic.

With a swell of adults in their 20s and 30s, Dilley also leans liberal but gets a C for families and public schools. Niche gives the town a B- for crime and safety.

6. Sweet Home, Arkansas

6. Sweet Home, Arkansas
Sweet Home is just south of Little Rock, Arkansas.      Walter Bibikow/Getty Images

Median Home Value: $64,100

Median Rent: $536

Median Household Income: $68,508

80% of residents are Black in Sweet Home. With incomes just under the national average, the jobs in this small rural suburb of Little Rock get a B+ from Niche. Stock full of young professionals, 39% of households rent, the town leans liberal, and 45% of residents have some college or their associate's compared to 29% nationally. Still, Niche gives Sweet Home C's for schools and families.

7. Bridgeport, Alabama

7. Bridgeport, Alabama
Chattanooga, Tennessee is just a short drive from Bridgeport.      Matt McLelland

Median Home Value: $68,100

Median Rent: $372

Median Household Income: $35,551

Home prices have 41% of households renting in the 2,316-person conservative town near Chattanooga, Tennessee. Bridgeport public schools are above average, but only 8% of residents have their bachelor's degree. With a B for crime and safety, Niche gives the town a B for families. The town is in northeast Alabama, close to Tennessee and Georgia.

8. Muniz, Texas

8. Muniz, Texas
City hall in McAllen, Texas.      Denis Tangney Jr./Getty Images

Median Home Value: $85,600

Median Rent: $537

Median Household Income: $89,306

This small McAllen suburb is liberal and 95% Hispanic. With such high incomes, 82% of households own instead of rent. Though 42% of residents have some college or an associate's degree compared to 29% for the nation, Niche gives Muniz a C- for families and public schools. The weather is great, but health and fitness and outdoor activities get a D.

9. Diboll, Texas

Median Home Value: $83,000

Median Rent: $406

Median Household Income: $52,717

The 4,562-person East Texas town has a suburban-rural mix that's good for families. It boasts good weather, some top schools, and lower crime rates. 73% of households own rather than rent. Diboll has an ethnically diverse population (41% Hispanic, 29% white, 28% Black) with moderate politics. 

10. San Carlos, Texas

10. San Carlos, Texas
Former passenger train depot in McAllen, Texas.      Bob Weston/Getty Images

Median Home Value: $63,200

Median Rent: $424

Median Household Income: $33,507

85% of households own in this McAllen suburb of 4,177. Located in South Texas close to the border with Mexico, San Carlos is 96% Hispanic. Despite above average schools, Niche gives the town a C for jobs and families.

11. Llano Grande, Texas

11. Llano Grande, Texas
Rio Grande River between Texas and Mexico border towns of McAllen and Nuevo Progreso.      tirc83/Getty Images

Median Home Value: $52,500

Median Rent: $465

Median Household Income: $28,900

This 2,103-person McAllen suburb is an affordable place to retire. While schools and families get a C+ from Niche, parks are plentiful and the cost of living is A+. 88% of households own their residence, more than a third of residents are over 65, and 87% of the population is Hispanic. Llano Grande is in South Texas.

12. Elm Creek, Texas

12. Elm Creek, Texas
Rio Grande River in Eagle Pass, Texas.      Brandon Bell/Getty

Median Home Value: $103,900

Median Rent: $581

Median Household Income: $90,568

Niche gives this liberal-leaning town of 3,902 a B+ for jobs. With a suburban-rural feel, 93% of households own rather than rent. Though the public schools are above average, only 8% of residents have a bachelor's degree. Close to the border with Mexico, Elm Creek is 94% Hispanic. The South Texas town is on the Rio Grande River right outside of Eagle Pass on the Mexico border.

13. Patton, Pennsylvania

13. Patton, Pennsylvania
Johnstown, Pennsylvania.      WilliamSherman/Getty Images

Median Home Value: $76,300

Median Rent: $428

Median Household Income: $56,563

26% of households rent in this small conservative town in central Pennsylvania north of Johnstown. With an A for safety and a B- for schools, Niche gives the sparsely suburban town a B+ for families. Almost half the town just has a high school education. It's also right next to Prince Gallitzin State Park.

14. Siesta Shores, Texas

Median Home Value: $57,000

Median Rent: $391

Median Household Income: $34,688

Despite a C+ for schools and C- for jobs, many families live in this small South Texas town right on the Rio Grande River. 25% of residents have their bachelor's compared to 21% nationally, and 89% are Hispanic. 31% of households rent in Siesta Shores, which has a suburban-rural feel.

15. Tornillo, Texas

15. Tornillo, Texas
El Paso, Texas.      Getty Images

Median Home Value: $81,400

Median Rent: $425

Median Household Income: $64,821

On the border with Mexico just south of El Paso, 97% of households own their residence in this small South Texas town. With C's for families and schools, 23% of the population is 65 or older, and half the population has less than a high school education compared to 11% nationally. Tornillo is also 99% Hispanic.

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