In today’s economic climate, the need to find a reasonable place to live can be greater than ever! In America, some states can certainly be a good deal cheaper to live in than others. In this video, we’ll be taking a look at 12 states that have been statistically determined to have an exceptionally reasonable cost of living. Join ViewCation as we take a look at the cheapest states to live in as of 2022.
Mississippi
The first state that we’ll be taking a look at in this video is Mississippi! The Southeastern state is not only widely considered to be the hardest in the United States to spell, but it’s also the cheapest to live in. The cost of living index in the state of Mississippi is only 83.3, which makes it lower than anywhere else in the country. Part of what makes living in Mississippi so affordable is the low cost of housing. On average, the housing in the state is around a third cheaper than the national average. As of 2022, the average home in the state cost only around $140,000.
Per the current statistics, Mississippi is, without a doubt, the most reasonable state in America to live in. However, the exceptionally reasonable cost of living that can be found within the state comes with it’s own unique price. In addition to being the cheapest state in America to live in, Mississippi also boasts the highest percentage of population below the poverty line within the country. Nearly 20% of the state’s population is living below the poverty line, and this statistic will cast Mississippi’s reasonable cost of living in a different light for many. There are other things that may put prospective residents off from wanting to move to Mississippi. As is typically the case in low-income areas, the education system in the state leaves a lot to be desired.
Regardless of the cons, there’s are several reasons that so many people choose to stay in Mississippi besides the reasonable cost of living. That state is not without it’s Southern charm, and there are plenty of nicer areas if you know where to look.
Kansas
The next state that we’ll be taking a look at in this video is Kansas. Kansas is a Midwestern state, and it’s cost of living index is only slightly higher than Mississippi’s at 86.5. As compared to Mississippi, the housing isn’t quite as affordable in Kansas. The average house in the state costs around $170,000. Though this sum may be cheap compared to other places in the country, it’s a hefty step up from the insanely low housing costs in Mississippi.
Arkansas
If we’re going by names, Arkansas is only two letters off from Kansas. The two states also share a lot in common when it comes to cost of living, as the cost of living index in Arkansas is only .4 greater than the cost of living index in Kansas. The cost of living index in Arkansas is 86.9. A big part of what makes the state so reasonable to live in statistically seems to be the relatively low cost of food. Arkansas is said to be the fifth-most reasonable state in America to feed a family. Beyond it’s reasonable cost of living, the state also has a great deal of diverse natural beauty to take in.
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state that’s even more widely known for it’s natural beauty than Arkansas, as it’s vistas of red rock make the state one of the most popular places to visit in the country. Despite the fact that the state is such a popular place with tourists, there’s not a whole lot of competition when it comes to settling down. New Mexico seems to be particularly popular with the well-educated, as it boasts more PhD holders than any other state in relation to it’s population. The state’s cost of living index is only 87.5, and it doesn’t take a PhD to realize how reasonable that is!
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Alabama
As compared to Mississippi, Alabama isn’t quite as reasonable to live in. However, it’s still got most other places in the country beat! The states boasts a cost of living index of 87.9 and sits right around Kansas in terms of affordable housing, with both states featuring an average housing cost of $170,000.
Though the unemployment rate in Alabama is relatively low, there are still quite a few people in the state that are living below the poverty line. It’s not quite as bad as Mississippi, but you’ll certainly notice this when you get into more densely populated areas. Alabama is perched just to the east of Mississippi geographically, and it’s another great Southeastern state for those living on a budget.
Oklahoma
The sixth state we’ll be looking at in this video is Oklahoma, which has a cost of living index that’s tied with Alabama at 87.9. However, the housing prices in Oklahoma are a good deal more affordable than in the previously mentioned state. The average cost of a home in the state of Oklahoma is only around $150,000, which is incredibly reasonable. Like Mississippi, Oklahoma is also plagued with a high percentage of the population sitting below the poverty line. Whereas Mississippi’s population featured a staggering 20% of it’s population under the poverty line, Oklahoma has 15%. Another thing that the two states share in common is a lacking education system, which might turn off some people.
There are other caveats to living in Oklahoma, including the fact that, like Kansas, the state has a good deal of tornadoes to deal with. Despite these tornadoes, the weather in Oklahoma is typically not as extreme as in Kansas. Another thing that Oklahoma shares in common with Kansas is that it’s pretty sparse in terms of things to do. Those looking for bustling areas will find the state lacking.
Though Georgia features a cost of living index of 88.8, which is only around 1 point higher than the aforementioned Oklahoma, it’s housing prices are significantly higher than any other state that we’ve mentioned so far in this video. The average home in Georgia costs nearly $250,000. However, this is mostly due to disparity of wealth in the state than it is to any difficulty in finding a reasonably priced place to live. For the most part, living in Georgia can be incredibly affordable. The housing prices are still a quarter below the national average, and there are also other things that make the state a great place to live in outside of the reasonable cost of living.
Georgia can be considered a cultural hub. With the city of Atlanta as it’s capital, Georgia is a bustling state where there’s always plenty to do. Outside of the urban culture, the state is also filled with Southern charm. There are many reasons to live in Georgia, and the fact that it’s cheaper to live in than most other states in the country is only one of them. On top of it all, the state boasts some staggering wilderness areas full of natural beauty.
Tennessee
Tennessee has a cost of living index of 89.0. It’s housing prices are closer to Georgia than to the previously mentioned states in this video, but they’re a little bit less on average at around $230,000. A con of Tennessee is the fact that 13% of the population is living below the poverty line, but some pros would be it’s bustling music scene and it’s Great Smoky Mountains.
Missouri
Missouri has a higher cost of living index than Tennessee at 89.8, but cheaper average housing prices at only around $190,000. The state is located just between Missouri and Tennessee. Like Oklahoma, it’s plagued with tornadoes.
Iowa
Geographically, Iowa is just above Missouri. However, it’s ranked just below Missouri in terms of cost of living. The cost of living index here is 89.9, though the average house costs a bit less at around $170,000. As compared to some other states in this video, Iowa has a great education system.
West Virginia
West Virginia is ranked eleventh in this video in terms of it’s cost of living index, which is 90.5. However, it’s got the cheapest housing out of any other state in this video with an average cost of around $120,000. The state is also very beautiful, though the job market is said to be tough.
Indiana
Lastly, let’s take a look at the state of Indiana. Ranked twelfth in this video with a cost of living index of 90.6, Indiana still has the majority of the country beat when it comes to a reasonable cost of living. The average house costs a little under $190,000. Though the state is home to some notable universities, the drug-addiction rate is high.
The twelve aforementioned states represent the most affordable states to call home in America. Now it’s time to hear from you: did you now that Mississippi has the lowest cost of living index out of any state in America, but West Virginia has cheaper housing on average? As always, like this video to show your support. Also, subscribe to the channel if you’d like to be among the first to know when more ViewCation videos are on their way!