Cities with a Reasonable Cost of Living
Finding the right city to call home isn’t just about chasing the lowest rent or the cheapest house on the market. “Reasonable cost of living” is about getting good value for your money, where housing, groceries, healthcare, utilities, and daily life feel balanced with what you earn and how you want to live.
For some, that means a modest mortgage in a suburb with strong schools. For others, it’s a rental in a small city with real social energy, including a walkable downtown and affordable restaurants. On LookyLOO, our “Reasonable Cost of Living” cities aren’t necessarily the rock-bottom cheapest; they’re the ones where your paycheck stretches further without forcing you to give up quality of life.
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Featured Cities
Here are a few standouts from our list. Each one offers affordability (compared to market options) plus a lifestyle worth moving for:
Traverse City, MI – A Lake Michigan gem with a lively downtown, year-round festivals, and outdoor access from wineries to hiking trails. Housing prices are lower than many popular coastal towns, making it an attractive option for those who want scenic living without resort-town price tags.
Portland, ME – Known for its food scene and walkable historic districts, Portland offers coastal beauty and cultural richness. Housing costs are moderate for a New England city on the water, especially compared to Boston.
Cary, NC – A fast-growing town in the Raleigh–Durham metro with a strong job market, excellent schools, and plenty of green space. While prices have risen, they’re still reasonable compared to other tech and research hubs.
Missoula, MT – A university town with a strong sense of community, surrounded by mountains and rivers. Missoula offers affordable housing by western mountain town standards, plus access to year-round outdoor recreation.
Round Rock, TX – Just outside Austin, Round Rock blends suburban comfort with big-city proximity. Housing costs remain lower than in Austin itself, and the city offers strong schools, major employers, and an active parks system.
What Counts as “Reasonable”?
When we call a city’s cost of living “reasonable,” we’re looking at the full picture, including:
- Housing: Median home prices and average rents compared to local incomes
- Daily Expenses: Utilities, groceries, healthcare, and transportation costs
- Value: What you get for the price — parks, schools, cultural amenities, and safety
- Trends: Areas that remain affordable but are growing in popularity (and value)
Choosing the Right City for You
Even among affordable places, fit matters. Ask yourself:
- Do you want a quieter suburb, a small city, or an up-and-coming urban neighborhood?
- How important is proximity to major job centers?
- Do you need a strong public school system or is walkability a bigger priority?
Your definition of “reasonable” might be a city where you can buy a home without stretching your budget — or it might be a place where your rent leaves plenty left over for travel, hobbies, or savings.
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FAQs
Q: What’s the cheapest city with good amenities?
A: It depends on your definition of “good amenities.” For some, it’s cultural attractions; for others, it’s outdoor space. Cities like those on our featured list balance low housing costs with parks, schools, and things to do. They are NOT the cheapest, but they are reasonable by market standards.
Q: Does ‘reasonable’ mean rural areas only?
Not at all. Many of the cities on this list are suburbs or small-to-mid-sized cities with solid infrastructure and amenities.
Q: Are these cities still affordable if housing prices rise?
We track trends and update our lists. Even with growth, many of these places remain more affordable than their metro averages.