In the current post-pandemic era, many Americans are still struggling to afford usual household expenses. According to a recent study from the U.S. Census Bureau, just over 60% of adults in the United States fall into this category, while over 93% of adults reported that rising costs are causing their stress levels to increase. While no corner of the country has been spared by inflation and financial challenges, there are a few areas that continue to stand out for having a surprisingly low cost of living. (These are the American cities people are flocking to.)
Using data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, 24/7 Wall St. identified the least expensive U.S. counties to live in. The 50 counties on this list are ranked on estimated regional price parity — a measure of the cost of living relative to the national average. Supplemental data on median household income, median home value, and population are five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey. Among the counties on this list, the average cost of living is anywhere from about 19% to 25% lower than it is on average nationwide. (This is the income you need to comfortably afford a typical American home.)
Why It Matters
For the past several years, millions of Americans have struggled to afford daily living amid a historic surge in inflation. Every month since March 2021, inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, has exceeded the Federal Reserve’s 2.0% target rate. No matter their income, most Americans are feeling the impact of this, both financially and psychologically. In fact, of the more than 3,000 counties or county equivalents in the U.S., there are only a few dozen where goods and services are over 18% less expensive than they are nationwide.
These are the least expensive U.S. counties to live in:
50. Pickens County, Alabama
- Est. cost of living in the county: 18.85% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $45,339 ($29,810 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $119,800 ($162,100 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 18,925
49. Wayne County, Missouri
- Est. cost of living in the county: 18.92% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $42,758 ($32,391 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $110,000 ($171,900 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 11,081
48. La Paz County, Arizona
- Est. cost of living in the county: 18.93% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $46,634 ($28,515 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $117,500 ($164,400 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 16,681
47. Graham County, Arizona
- Est. cost of living in the county: 18.97% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $64,089 ($11,060 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $178,300 ($103,600 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 38,453
46. DeKalb County, Alabama
- Est. cost of living in the county: 18.98% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $47,920 ($27,229 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $129,000 ($152,900 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 71,680
45. Smith County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.00% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $51,983 ($23,166 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $120,200 ($161,700 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 14,310
44. Butler County, Kentucky
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.03% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $47,589 ($27,560 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $102,200 ($179,700 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 12,365
43. George County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.04% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $51,349 ($23,800 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $157,200 ($124,700 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 24,547
42. Greene County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.04% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $50,000 ($25,149 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $97,500 ($184,400 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 13,672
41. Pemiscot County, Missouri
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.06% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $37,426 ($37,723 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $94,900 ($187,000 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 15,555
40. Asotin County, Washington
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.11% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $63,724 ($11,425 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $266,400 ($15,500 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 22,370
39. Monroe County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.15% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $51,190 ($23,959 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $109,500 ($172,400 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 34,168
38. Calhoun County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.15% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $44,505 ($30,644 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $82,900 ($199,000 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 13,193
37. Jackson County, Alabama
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.16% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $46,748 ($28,401 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $126,900 ($155,000 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 52,618
36. Washington County, Missouri
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.20% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $49,364 ($25,785 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $112,300 ($169,600 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 23,580
35. Navajo County, Arizona
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.25% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $50,335 ($24,814 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $165,600 ($116,300 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 107,110
34. Guadalupe County, New Mexico
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.29% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $38,713 ($36,436 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $116,400 ($165,500 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 4,413
33. Luna County, New Mexico
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.30% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $38,241 ($36,908 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $100,900 ($181,000 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 25,393
32. Dunklin County, Missouri
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.33% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $44,868 ($30,281 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $93,300 ($188,600 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 28,174
31. Monroe County, Arkansas
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.37% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $41,786 ($33,363 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $84,600 ($197,300 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 6,787
30. Newton County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.40% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $49,160 ($25,989 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $100,800 ($181,100 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 21,275
29. Randolph County, Alabama
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.42% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $49,879 ($25,270 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $155,000 ($126,900 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 22,179
28. Marion County, Alabama
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.45% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $49,743 ($25,406 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $104,300 ($177,600 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 29,203
27. Minidoka County, Idaho
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.46% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $63,594 ($11,555 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $198,400 ($83,500 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 21,626
26. Ripley County, Missouri
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.49% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $42,541 ($32,608 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $103,700 ($178,200 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 10,839
25. Fayette County, Alabama
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.50% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $45,650 ($29,499 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $112,700 ($169,200 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 16,297
24. Apache County, Arizona
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.62% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $37,483 ($37,666 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $62,400 ($219,500 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 66,054
23. Sedgwick County, Colorado
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.77% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $45,855 ($29,294 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $136,000 ($145,900 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 2,391
22. Neshoba County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.83% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $47,400 ($27,749 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $94,300 ($187,600 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 28,970
21. Tippah County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.85% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $47,968 ($27,181 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $117,100 ($164,800 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 21,769
20. Prowers County, Colorado
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.85% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $49,422 ($25,727 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $120,200 ($161,700 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 11,968
19. Attala County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.87% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $42,680 ($32,469 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $99,100 ($182,800 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 17,842
18. Lamar County, Alabama
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.92% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $49,565 ($25,584 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $108,200 ($173,700 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 13,885
17. Scott County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 19.94% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $44,968 ($30,181 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $81,300 ($200,600 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 27,943
16. Winston County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 20.00% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $45,516 ($29,633 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $110,100 ($171,800 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 17,741
15. Union County, New Mexico
- Est. cost of living in the county: 20.07% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $41,714 ($33,435 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $126,900 ($155,000 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 4,074
14. Wilkinson County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 20.08% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $34,928 ($40,221 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $78,500 ($203,400 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 8,531
13. Benton County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 20.09% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $38,750 ($36,399 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $96,200 ($185,700 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 7,637
12. Winston County, Alabama
- Est. cost of living in the county: 20.31% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $49,494 ($25,655 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $111,600 ($170,300 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 23,655
11. Jefferson County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 20.31% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $31,544 ($43,605 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $76,400 ($205,500 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 7,207
10. Clay County, Alabama
- Est. cost of living in the county: 20.46% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $48,074 ($27,075 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $144,100 ($137,800 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 14,209
9. Prentiss County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 20.47% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $51,578 ($23,571 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $112,200 ($169,700 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 24,945
8. Leake County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 20.47% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $46,669 ($28,480 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $98,800 ($183,100 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 21,335
7. Cheyenne County, Colorado
- Est. cost of living in the county: 20.76% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $65,577 ($9,572 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $166,300 ($115,600 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 1,726
6. Tishomingo County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in county: 20.91% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $45,545 ($29,604 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $123,100 ($158,800 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 18,837
5. Kemper County, Mississippi
- Est. cost of living in the county: 20.92% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $42,947 ($32,202 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $89,300 ($192,600 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 8,980
4. Franklin County, Alabama
- Est. cost of living in the county: 21.25% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $47,359 ($27,790 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $121,600 ($160,300 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 32,011
3. Greenlee County, Arizona
- Est. cost of living in the county: 21.94% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $73,756 ($1,393 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $93,900 ($188,000 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 9,483
2. Santa Cruz County, Arizona
- Est. cost of living in the county: 24.37% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $51,885 ($23,264 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $196,700 ($85,200 lower than U.S .median)
- County population: 47,838
1. Baca County, Colorado
- Est. cost of living in the county: 25.20% less expensive than U.S. avg.
- Median annual household income: $42,115 ($33,034 lower than U.S. median)
- Median home value: $119,700 ($162,200 lower than U.S. median)
- County population: 3,496
Top Gaining Stocks
Top Losing Stocks