12 Hidden Costs of Living in Supposedly Affordable Cities

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On the face of it, the idea of affordable cities is a dream come true. The lower rent, cheaper groceries and of course the overall cost of living that won’t have you checking your bank balance every 15 minutes, what’s not to love? It’s clear to see why people are flocking to these places, with the hopes of a budgeted life, but without skimping out on quality.

But here’s the kicker: Cities that are affordable come with their own price tags. They’re not obvious that’s why people miss them until they’ve unpacked their boxes and settled in. That seemingly low cost of living can quietly turn into something much pricier than you were expecting.

High Utility Bills

The rent is cheap, but what about those utility costs? A number of affordable cities are in areas where the weather is extreme — hot summers or cold winters. In other words, that means cranking up the AC or blasting the heat, and those monthly bills can snowball quicker than you could have expected. According to the Energy Information Administration, on average, people in the South consume more energy more than people in temperate regions.

The Public Transportation Options Are Limited

Public transportation in many affordable cities is either absent or unreliable. This usually means you will need to have a car, and let’s not lie to ourselves and say owning a car is cheap. It’s an expense that can match rent, between gas, insurance, maintenance and the occasional parking ticket. With limited lanes and congested streets, good luck with saving time during rush hour.

Healthcare Access and Costs

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Picking a city just isn’t the top of your mind when you think about healthcare. Cities that are more affordable tend to have fewer healthcare providers, leaving people with long wait times for care, or needing to go out of town for specialist care.

Food Deserts and Expensive Groceries

Grocery prices don’t always correlate to the cost of living, you’d think. Food deserts are common in many affordable cities where fresh, affordable produce is hard to secure. Local stores lack competition, so the prices are higher. Have you ever driven 20 minutes looking for a decent avocado? Welcome to the club.

Hidden Property Taxes

If you’re considering buying a home in an affordable city, watch out for property taxes. Sometimes low home prices have obscure high tax rates. For example, Texas has low home prices but some of the highest property tax rates in the country. That’s not an “affordable” house.

Fewer Job Opportunities

Trying to get a job in an affordable city is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. In most of these areas, there are not a lot of diverse industries and high paying jobs are few and far between. The consequence is that people wind up working multiple jobs or commuting out to neighboring cities, eating away at time and money.

Cost of Entertainment

Being cheap doesn’t always mean it’s fun. Many of these cities have limited entertainment options. Fancy a night out? You can expect fewer choices and even higher prices for things like concerts, dining or cultural events. Other times, the entertainment is itself figuring out what to do with your free time.

Internet Speeds and Costs

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Remote work is on the rise, and internet quality has never mattered more. But in many affordable cities, internet is painfully slow, or too expensive. According to ResearchGate, rural areas often pay more to get slower speeds, making even Netflix feel like a luxury.

Longer Commutes

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Affordable cities usually mean more spread out cities. It means longer commutes, whether you drive or ride public transit. But those extra miles really do add up, and not only in cost but also in wear and tear on your mental health as gas prices fluctuate or public transport reliability starts to dip.

Underfunded Schools

If you have kids, having the local school system be a deal breaker is a big deal. Inexpensive cities often have shortchanged schools with low quality education and extracurriculars as compared to their more expensive counterparts. In many instances, this means families have to pick between private schools or pricey tutoring.

Crime Rates

Crime rates are also high in some affordable cities, resulting in hidden expenses like security systems, higher insurance premiums or even needing to relocate to another neighborhood within the city. Even where you live in a safe environment, it often has a higher price tag.

Cost of Traveling In and Out

When living in an affordable city, you are usually a long way from major hubs. Depending on whether it’s visiting family or travelling for work, the costs of flights or long drives can add up. Ticket prices are normally higher for smaller airports; every trip becomes an occasion.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.