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