With the recession today, a lot of people have been looking for cheaper places to live somewhere else in the country. Looking for the perfect location for you and your family to live in is not the easiest thing to do. Aside from expensive prices, you need to consider the quality of living on the area as well. Having said that, there are a lot of great places in the United States that offer a good quality of living but it does come with a cost. There are states in the country though that can offer a great standard of living at a lower price. When looking for a place to live, you also consider the cost of living in that area. Factors like transportation, basic commodities, utilities, and most importantly, health care must be taken into careful consideration as well. Here are some of cheap places to live in the US.
Texas is one of the cheapest states to live in the United States. Some areas in Texas may be expensive but if you go to the southwestern region of the state, you can find a small metro area known as Brownsville. The Brownsville area includes San Benito and Harlingen which are known areas for cheap costs of living. First, rental in these areas are almost 4 times lower than the cost in New York. Housing cost is also lower in Harlingen compared to other areas. Transportation and the cost of groceries are low too. Gas prices in the Brownsville area are lower compared to other places since it is much closer to refineries. When the gas price is low, the transportation cost also goes down. As the transportation becomes cheaper, prices of basic commodities and groceries also becomes cheaper as well. But people who are considering this area need to know that utility prices may be pricey. There are also fewer colleges in the area and the income is relatively low. The median household income in Brownsville is $30, 034.
Ft. Hood is also another area in Texas considered to be cheap. A U.S. Army Base is located in the area so soldiers and their families are the common occupants there. Housing prices are very competitive. Because of the presence of the army base, healthcare is expected to be of high quality. Great schools are also present in the area for the kids of those who are in the military. The median household income in Ft. Hood is $46,183. Sherman is also a cheap place to live in Texas. The population is mostly composed of families and living in this area is great since basic commodities and utility charges are cheap. The major employers in the area are health care related which pays higher compared to the paychecks of other cheap places to live in. Gas prices in Sherman are also relatively low. The low cost of gas produces a chain reaction which affects the prices of commodities to go lower as well. Median household income in Sherman, Texas is $45,171.
Another cheap place to live in the United States is Pueblo, Colorado. Pueblo is a great area to consider since according to statistics, there are more better paying jobs here than in Harlingen. Cost of housing is also very affordable and since it is a metropolitan area, there are major employers situated there. Based on the data collected by the Council for Community and Economic Research or C2ER, housing costs in Pueblo are 30 percent lower than that of the national average. Pueblo, Colorado also enjoys an average of 300 days of sun each year. The weather is great and there is lesser snow compared to other cities. A good reason why Pueblo is considered one of the cheap places to live in the country is the fact that there are good schools and hospitals in the area. Healthcare is accessible and the amenities are updated too. Recreation and shopping areas are located in key areas of the city as well. Compared to Brownsville, the prices of groceries and basic commodities might slightly be higher but this is balanced out by getting a small raise in your income. Median household income in Pueblo, Colorado is $40,805.
If you are looking for a budget friendly area in the Arkansas area, then Fort Smith is the place for you. Cost of housing is low and the prices of basic commodities are very affordable too. Utilities are cheap and rental rates are reasonable. Transportation is also cheap and the area is generally low-tax. Aside from that, there are a number of companies in Fort Smith that can offer employment opportunities. Median household income in Fort Smith is $37,363. This is a bit lower compared to Pueblo, Colorado or Sherman, Texas but the cost of living in Fort Smith will balance this. The area is not similar to other big cities in the country and if you want quality education and other recreational activities, you would need to drive to other cities like Fayetteville.
Springfield in Illinois is another great place to live. 65% of the populations in the area are families. Housing costs are average but income is higher compared to other cheap cities. Rent is also affordable and usually averages to $556. There are a number of large employers situated in the city which increases the chances of being employed. Most of the jobs in the area are at the state government since it is the state capital. According to statistics, there are around 17,200 employees by the State of Illinois. There are also hospitals in the area which are capable of performing procedures like cardiovascular operations. Median Household income in Springfield is $51,001.
Generally, these cheap places to live are all great areas if your family knows how to adjust. These areas may not have the perfect scenario of great quality living but with the income that these cities offer, they provide a living that is suitable to that rate. It is always advisable to do research and check employment opportunities before making a decision to make sure you and your family get the best deal out there.
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