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Best affordable place to live in every state

·Frederick Reese

Pattie Steib // Shutterstock
Pattie Steib // Shutterstock
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Homeownership in the United States is hovering around 65%, according to February 2026 data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. While the rate has stabilized in recent years, it remains below historical peaks, reflecting persistent affordability challenges in today's housing market.

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 2025 survey by Realtor.com, and 59% still believe it's achievable, though it may take longer than it once did. In the meantime,  the National Association of Realtors reports that the share of first-time home buyers has dropped to a record low of 21% as of April 2026.

A large factor in homeownership is affordability. So, Stacker analyzed 2026 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 2026 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.

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Classic American homes lining the street with white fences.

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1 / 50

Alabama: Madison

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 60,106
- Median household income: $134,655
- Median home value: $398,800

An aerial view of the Kenai River in the mountains.

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2 / 50

Alaska: Kenai

- Overall Niche grade: B+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: B
- Population: 7,641
- Median household income: $87,083
- Median home value: $283,900

Lyman Lake Reservoir, St. Johns, Arizona.

Jonathan Manjeot // Shutterstock

3 / 50

Arizona: St. Johns

- Overall Niche grade: A-
- Cost of living grade: B+
- Public schools grade: A
- Population: 3,395
- Median household income: $131,968
- Median home value: $203,400

Modern brick homes.

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4 / 50

Arkansas: Bentonville

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 58,249
- Median household income: $112,792
- Median home value: $428,500

Ridgecrest from the hills above.

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5 / 50

California: Ridgecrest

- Overall Niche grade: B+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: B+
- Population: 28,225
- Median household income: $89,250
- Median home value: $253,900

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Angled sandstone cliffs and nearby homes.

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6 / 50

Colorado: Roxborough Park

- Overall Niche grade: A
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A
- Population: 9,085
- Median household income: $173,083
- Median home value: $678,800

A white and black historic home.

Rachel Rose Boucher // Shutterstock

7 / 50

Connecticut: Glastonbury Center

- Overall Niche grade: A
- Cost of living grade: C+
- Public schools grade: A
- Population: 7,266
- Median household income: $107,357
- Median home value: $373,300

An artist painting in a park.

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8 / 50

Delaware: Hockessin

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B
- Public schools grade: A-
- Population: 13,349
- Median household income: $171,204
- Median home value: $568,800

Golfers walking across the course.

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9 / 50

Florida: Westchase

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A
- Population: 24,885
- Median household income: $124,434
- Median home value: $559,500

An aerial view of homes and townhouses in Fall.

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10 / 50

Georgia: Johns Creek

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 81,988
- Median household income: $160,093
- Median home value: $629,400

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An aerial view of the turquoise water and shoreline.

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11 / 50

Hawaii: Kaunakakai

- Overall Niche grade: B-
- Cost of living grade: C+
- Public schools grade: C+
- Population: 4,360
- Median household income: $76,131
- Median home value: $368,100

A country road winding through purple flowers and quaint homes.

Sergey Zaykov // Shutterstock

12 / 50

Idaho: Rigby

- Overall Niche grade: B+
- Cost of living grade: C+
- Public schools grade: B
- Population: 5,404
- Median household income: $85,056
- Median home value: $336,200

An aerial view of Naperville.

Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

13 / 50

Illinois: Naperville

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 150,692
- Median household income: $155,105
- Median home value: $540,200

A small downtown street scene in Carmel.

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14 / 50

Indiana: Carmel

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 100,651
- Median household income: $141,505
- Median home value: $468,800

A white picket fence on a residential street.

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15 / 50

Iowa: University Heights

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A
- Population: 1,384
- Median household income: $111,406
- Median home value: $429,900

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People ice skating.

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16 / 50

Kansas: Leawood

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 33,809
- Median household income: $185,625
- Median home value: $658,800

A tudor-style home.

Nicholas J Kline // Shutterstock

17 / 50

Kentucky: Park Hills

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B+
- Public schools grade: A-
- Population: 3,165
- Median household income: $99,861
- Median home value: $282,100

An aerial view of suburbs.

Trong Nguyen // Shutterstock

18 / 50

Louisiana: Prairieville

- Overall Niche grade: A
- Cost of living grade: B+
- Public schools grade: A
- Population: 35,238
- Median household income: $104,923
- Median home value: $317,400

Visitors at Cumberland Fair.

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19 / 50

Maine: Cumberland

- Overall Niche grade: A
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A
- Population: 8,647
- Median household income: $173,894
- Median home value: $616,800

A sidewalk leading to large modern homes in North Potomac.

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

20 / 50

Maryland: North Potomac

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 23,922
- Median household income: $186,514
- Median home value: $826,200

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The view of Fall leaves from Mount Holyoke.

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21 / 50

Massachusetts: Pelham

- Overall Niche grade: A
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A
- Population: 1,335
- Median household income: $113,750
- Median home value: $447,600

An aerial view of Okemos.

Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

22 / 50

Michigan: Okemos

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 26,396
- Median household income: $102,612
- Median home value: $359,200

Happy people at the State Fair.

Debra Anderson // Shutterstock

23 / 50

Minnesota: Falcon Heights

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A-
- Population: 5,085
- Median household income: $96,528
- Median home value: $384,500

A beautiful home by a lake in Fall.

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24 / 50

Mississippi: Madison

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 27,946
- Median household income: $119,338
- Median home value: $352,900

The front door of a brick home.

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25 / 50

Missouri: Brentwood

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B
- Public schools grade: B
- Population: 8,144
- Median household income: $99,719
- Median home value: $299,700

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A person on horseback with mountains in the background.

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26 / 50

Montana: Conrad

- Overall Niche grade: B
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: B+
- Population: 2,618
- Median household income: $47,857
- Median home value: $188,900

An aerial view of Papillion.

Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

27 / 50

Nebraska: Papillion

- Overall Niche grade: A
- Cost of living grade: B
- Public schools grade: A-
- Population: 25,244
- Median household income: $111,679
- Median home value: $311,000

A quiet downtown street with mountains in the background.

Sandra Foyt // Shutterstock

28 / 50

Nevada: Ely

- Overall Niche grade: B-
- Cost of living grade: B
- Public schools grade: C
- Population: 3,929
- Median household income: $77,500
- Median home value: $233,700

An aerial view of Hanover.

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29 / 50

New Hampshire: Hanover

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 11,685
- Median household income: $169,583
- Median home value: $824,900

A train station in Princeton Junction.

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30 / 50

New Jersey: Princeton Junction

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 2,025
- Median household income: $224,732
- Median home value: $709,800

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A mailbox at sunset.

Heather Lindstrom // Shutterstock

31 / 50

New Mexico: Edgewood

- Overall Niche grade: B+
- Cost of living grade: C+
- Public schools grade: B
- Population: 6,124
- Median household income: $84,761
- Median home value: $306,400

Two cyclists on a wooded trail.

Kyli Petersen // Shutterstock

32 / 50

New York: Ardsley

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 4,998
- Median household income: $243,000
- Median home value: $829,900

An aerial view of Cary.

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33 / 50

North Carolina: Cary

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 179,306
- Median household income: $134,905
- Median home value: $580,200

A historic street in West Fargo.

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34 / 50

North Dakota: West Fargo

- Overall Niche grade: A-
- Cost of living grade: B
- Public schools grade: B
- Population: 40,094
- Median household income: $90,665
- Median home value: $321,900

A tree-lined neighborhood.

Kirk Fisher // Shutterstock

35 / 50

Ohio: Blue Ash

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 13,455
- Median household income: $115,313
- Median home value: $403,200

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An aerial view of sunny, green Edmond.

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36 / 50

Oklahoma: Edmond

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 96,825
- Median household income: $103,183
- Median home value: $351,400

A historic downtown street in Lakeview.

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37 / 50

Oregon: Lakeview

- Overall Niche grade: B
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: B-
- Population: 3,270
- Median household income: $70,900
- Median home value: $202,500

An aerial view of Chesterbrook.

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38 / 50

Pennsylvania: Chesterbrook

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 5,839
- Median household income: $124,295
- Median home value: $453,400

A small path and homes on the water.

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39 / 50

Rhode Island: East Greenwich

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A
- Population: 14,554
- Median household income: $177,090
- Median home value: $671,700

A man walking dogs on a nature trail.

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40 / 50

South Carolina: Tega Cay

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 13,615
- Median household income: $142,000
- Median home value: $529,200

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An aerial view of Brandon.

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41 / 50

South Dakota: Brandon

- Overall Niche grade: A
- Cost of living grade: B+
- Public schools grade: A
- Population: 10,996
- Median household income: $110,806
- Median home value: $336,600

A rustic wooden rocking chair and pumpkins on a porch.

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42 / 50

Tennessee: Nolensville

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 15,704
- Median household income: $177,148
- Median home value: $777,800

An aerial view of homes in Cinco Ranch.

Mark Mulligan/Houston Chronicle // Getty Images

43 / 50

Texas: Cinco Ranch

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 18,611
- Median household income: $161,972
- Median home value: $475,600

Two adirondack chairs on a wooden deck overlooking a forest.

Lenspiration // Shutterstock

44 / 50

Utah: Benson

- Overall Niche grade: A-
- Cost of living grade: B
- Public schools grade: A-
- Population: 1,776
- Median household income: $91,194
- Median home value: $291,300

A historic building and wooden fence surrounded by Fall foliage.

Bram Reusen // Shutterstock

45 / 50

Vermont: Norwich

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: C+
- Public schools grade: A+
- Population: 3,640
- Median household income: $140,313
- Median home value: $637,500

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A walking path next to a lake.

Leo Colbert // Shutterstock

46 / 50

Virginia: Innsbrook

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B
- Public schools grade: A
- Population: 8,578
- Median household income: $129,436
- Median home value: $463,500

The sun setting over a highway winding through wheat fields.

Dan Lewis // Shutterstock

47 / 50

Washington: Colfax

- Overall Niche grade: B+
- Cost of living grade: B-
- Public schools grade: A-
- Population: 2,708
- Median household income: $61,914
- Median home value: $245,300

A residential street in Fall.

Matt LaVigne // Shutterstock

48 / 50

West Virginia: Star City

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B+
- Public schools grade: A
- Population: 1,960
- Median household income: $59,123
- Median home value: $256,200

Charming homes on a sunny day.

Nicholas J Kline // Shutterstock

49 / 50

Wisconsin: Kohler

- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Cost of living grade: B
- Public schools grade: A
- Population: 2,175
- Median household income: $135,833
- Median home value: $381,300

Homes in Fall leaves.

debra millet // Shutterstock

50 / 50

Wyoming: Kemmerer

- Overall Niche grade: A-
- Cost of living grade: A-
- Public schools grade: B+
- Population: 2,972
- Median household income: $76,626
- Median home value: $178,900

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

This story was updated on March 22, 2026, by Colby Droscher for freshness and accuracy with Niche's updated 2026 data.

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