Making a living is a priority to many people. The cost of living in different states can vary significantly. It is important to compare the cost of housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and other necessities to determine the most affordable places to live. According to recent data, the following states are the cheapest to make a living in the United States.
Mississippi is the most affordable state to make a living. Based on the cost of groceries, healthcare, housing, utilities, and transportation, Mississippi is the least expensive state to live in. According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, the cost of living in Mississippi is about 10 percent below the national average. The average cost of food is also lower than in other states, making it an affordable option for those looking to save on groceries.
Arkansas is another affordable state to make a living. Arkansas has an overall cost of living about 12 percent below the national average. The cost of housing, groceries, utilities, and transportation are all relatively affordable. The average cost of housing in Arkansas is about 15 percent lower than the national average, making it a great option for those looking to save money.
Oklahoma is another inexpensive state to make a living. The overall cost of living in the state is about 10 percent below the national average. The cost of housing is about 7 percent below the national average, making it an affordable option for those looking to save money. In addition to being affordable, the cost of food, healthcare, transportation, and utilities are also lower than in other states.
Kansas is also an inexpensive state to make a living. The overall cost of living in Kansas is approximately 10 percent below the national average. The cost of housing is about 15 percent lower than the national average, making it an affordable option for those looking to save money. The cost of food, healthcare, transportation, and utilities are all relatively affordable.
Finally, Tennessee is the fifth most affordable state to make a living. The overall cost of living in Tennessee is approximately 9 percent below the national average. The cost of housing is about 14 percent lower than the national average, making it an affordable option for those looking to save money. In addition to being affordable, the cost of food, healthcare, transportation, and utilities are also lower than in other states.
Ultimately, if you are looking for a place to make a living and save money, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Tennessee are all excellent options. Each of these states has an overall cost of living that is below the national average, making them affordable options for those looking to save money.
Finding The Cheapest State To Make A Living In The US
When it comes to finding the cheapest state to make a living in the US, it is important to understand the economics of different states. Factors such as cost of living, income tax burden, and average salary play a major role. We took a look at the overall picture and compiled a list of the top 10 cheapest states to make a living.
1. Mississippi: Mississippi has one of the lowest average salaries in the US, but its cost of living is also low. This makes it one of the cheapest places to live in the US. The average salary for a full-time worker is $44,600, and the cost of living is 8.3% below the national average.
2. Arkansas: Arkansas has the second-lowest cost of living and the fifth-lowest average salary in the US. The average full-time worker earns an annual salary of $45,000, and the cost of living is 15.1% below the national average.
3. Oklahoma: Oklahoma has the third-lowest cost of living and the sixth-lowest average salary in the US. The average full-time worker earns an annual salary of $45,800, and the cost of living is 13.6% below the national average.
4. Kentucky: Kentucky has the fourth-lowest cost of living and the seventh-lowest average salary in the US. The average full-time worker earns an annual salary of $45,500, and the cost of living is 16.4% below the national average.
5. West Virginia: West Virginia has the fifth-lowest cost of living and the ninth-lowest average salary in the US. The average full-time worker earns an annual salary of $44,300, and the cost of living is 18.2% below the national average.
6. Tennessee: Tennessee has the sixth-lowest cost of living and the tenth-lowest average salary in the US. The average full-time worker earns an annual salary of $44,700, and the cost of living is 17.3% below the national average.
7. Louisiana: Louisiana has the seventh-lowest cost of living and the eighth-lowest average salary in the US. The average full-time worker earns an annual salary of $45,400, and the cost of living is 16.8% below the national average.
8. Alabama: Alabama has the eighth-lowest cost of living and the third-lowest average salary in the US. The average full-time worker earns an annual salary of $46,000, and the cost of living is 14.6% below the national average.
9. South Dakota: South Dakota has the ninth-lowest cost of living and the fourth-lowest average salary in the US. The average full-time worker earns an annual salary of $45,700, and the cost of living is 16.1% below the national average.
10. Indiana: Indiana has the tenth-lowest cost of living and the second-lowest average salary in the US. The average full-time worker earns an annual salary of $46,200, and the cost of living is 14.1% below the national average.
These states offer the lowest cost of living and highest average salaries in the US. We suggest doing research on each state to determine which one is best for your financial needs. Here is a breakdown of the states’ average salaries and cost of living:
| State | Average Salary | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $44,600 | 8.3% below the national average |
| Arkansas | $45,000 | 15.1% below the national average |
| Oklahoma | $45,800 | 13.6% below the national average |
| Kentucky | $45,500 | 16.4% below the national average |
| West Virginia | $44,300 | 18.2% below the national average |
| Tennessee | $44,700 | 17.3% below the national average |
| Louisiana | $45,400 | 16.8% below the national average |
| Alabama | $46,000 | 14.6% below the national average |
| South Dakota | $45,700 | 16.1% below the national average |
| Indiana | $46,200 | 14.1% below the national average |
We hope this list has helped you narrow down your search for the cheapest state to make a living in the US. Keep in mind that the cost of living and average salary vary based on location and other factors, so you should always do research before making any decisions.
Comparing Cost Of Living Across US States
It can be difficult to determine which US state is the cheapest to make a living. However, there are several resources available to help you compare cost of living between states. The Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes a yearly report to compare cost of living across US states and metropolitan areas. This report uses price levels and purchasing power to compare costs of living for households of different sizes.
The report compares the cost of living from state to state for a family of four. It takes into account housing, food, health care, transportation, and other essential needs. It also compares the relative cost of living between metropolitan areas and rural areas. The report is the most comprehensive source of information to compare cost of living across US states.
The following table shows the cost of living in each US state based on the most recent report from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The prices in the table are for a family of four and are adjusted for regional price levels.
| State | Cost of Living |
|---|---|
| Mississippi | $51,104 |
| Arkansas | $52,113 |
| Kentucky | $53,208 |
| Oklahoma | $55,305 |
| Tennessee | $55,657 |
| West Virginia | $56,067 |
| Alabama | $56,339 |
| Louisiana | $57,037 |
| Ohio | $59,235 |
| Indiana | $59,598 |
| Missouri | $60,034 |
The least expensive state to make a living is Mississippi, with an adjusted cost of living of $51,104. Arkansas and Kentucky are also relatively cheap places to live, costing $52,113 and $53,208, respectively. On the other end of the spectrum, Indiana is the most expensive state to make a living, with an adjusted cost of living of $59,598.
Keep in mind that these numbers are average costs across the state. Within each state, there can be differences in cost of living between metropolitan areas and rural areas. For example, living in an urban area may be more expensive than living in a rural area due to higher housing costs, transportation costs, and other costs of living.
When making decisions about where to live, it is important to consider the cost of living. There are numerous resources available to help you compare cost of living between US states. The Bureau of Economic Analysis report is a good starting point to help you compare cost of living across US states.
Mississippi is generally considered to be the cheapest state to make a living due to its low cost of living and affordable housing.
Living in a cheaper state can provide you with more disposable income and more opportunities to save and invest, as well as greater job opportunities and more affordable housing.
Living in a cheap state may mean a lower quality of life and fewer amenities, such as parks, museums, and art galleries.
In Mississippi, the most affordable cities include Tupelo, Meridian, and Hattiesburg.
States with the highest cost of living include Hawaii, California, and New York.
The average cost of living in Mississippi is approximately 6% lower than the national average.
Mississippi offers a variety of job opportunities, including healthcare, education, and technical jobs.
Yes, Mississippi offers a wide range of high-quality public and private schools.
Mississippi offers a variety of activities, including outdoor recreation, cultural sites, and shopping.
Housing in Mississippi is generally more affordable than the national average, with the median home value being around $130,000.