23 Gem Cities Where Affordable Living Meets Thriving Job Opportunities
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Finding a city where your paycheck stretches further and offers plenty of job opportunities can be hard, but it’s not impossible. Cities with mid-sized population growth tend to be affordable and offer opportunities, with many operating with cost of living indices 10 – 20 % below the national averages, according to the U.S. Census Bureau data. Often overlooked, these cities thrive because of many different industries like technology, healthcare, and manufacturing, with robust cultural scenes and a variety of attractions.
Recent studies have found that people are moving away from high-cost metropolitan areas to mid-sized, low-cost cities. For example, according to Redfin, 25 percent of homebuyers this year sought to move to locations where the cost of living is lower and there are better job opportunities. Here are 23 cities where affordability, strong employment rates, and a high quality of life go hand in hand, proving you don’t need to sacrifice livability to stay frugal.
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines, located in central Iowa, is the state capital and is doing well in insurance, financial services, and healthcare. It also enjoys a vibrant job market and a cost of living index of 88 (lower than the national average of 100). The city’s housing costs are also low.
In addition, Des Moines provides attractive cultural amenities, including the Downtown Farmers’ Market and the Des Moines Art Center, and is a desirable place for young professionals and families.
Fargo, North Dakota
North Dakota’s largest city, with more than 130,000 residents, Fargo, is located near the Minnesota border. The job market in the area is very good, with healthcare, technology, and manufacturing leading the way. The cost of living is 10 percent below the national average.
Fargo is an attractive city due to its revitalized downtown and North Dakota State University.
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids lies along the Grand River in western Michigan. Its growing economy is supported by furniture manufacturing, healthcare, and tech startups.
Widely known as “Beer City USA,” the city has a cost of living of 7% below the national average. It is a Midwest standout with a lively arts community and outdoor recreation.
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of Wisconsin and the home of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It is a thriving city in tech, education, and health care. Its cost of living is comparable to the national average, but higher incomes in key industries offset the expense.
Madison is famous for its lakeside setting, bikefriendly streets, and progressive cultural scene.
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City straddles the Missouri-Kansas border and bills itself as the ‘City of Fountains,’ the largest place built in a river’s floodplain. Having over 500,000 residents and a cost of living 8 percent lower than the national average, the city has a fast-growing job market in tech, logistics, and in the healthcare industry.
The booming downtown, and places like the National WWI Museum make it affordable and exciting to live.
Huntsville, Alabama
Located in northern Alabama, Huntsville is nicknamed ‘Rocket City’ because of its aerospace and defense industries, including NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. Its population is about 230,000, and its cost of living is 7% below the national average.
Huntsville has high-paying STEM jobs and is a tech-savvy town.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
The ‘City of Five Seasons,’ Cedar Rapids, is situated in eastern Iowa. It’s one of the cheapest U.S. cities, with a cost of living 12% below the national average and 20% lower housing costs.
Moreover, with manufacturing, agriculture, and technology being key contributors to the city’s economy, major employers such as Rockwell Collins and Quaker Oats ensure that jobs are plentiful. Cedar Rapids is bordered by the Cedar River, home to outdoor activities and a short drive to cultural attractions such as the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art and Czech Village.
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga is the place to be for tech startups and outdoor enthusiasts. It is located on the Tennessee River in southeastern Tennessee, with a cost of living 9% below the national average.
Chattanooga is known for its revitalized downtown, next door Lookout Mountain, its fast internet and affordability.
Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville, South Carolina, is nestled in the Blue Ridge foothills, but it doesn’t skimp on Southern hospitality. Its manufacturing and tech economy is thriving like never before, and the cost of living is 8% below the national average.
Falls Park on the Reedy is the centerpiece of the city’s downtown, the draw for tourists and residents alike.
Knoxville, Tennessee
Knoxville is a historic city near the Great Smoky Mountains, and its cost of living is 10 percent lower than the national average. The education, healthcare, and manufacturing job markets are growing, which benefits the city.
Knoxville is affordable, but it also has great attractions, such as Market Square and the University of Tennessee.
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville is part of the booming Northwest Arkansas region, where the headquarters for Walmart and the University of Arkansas lie nearby. Its 95,000 population appreciates a 9% below national average cost of living with strong retail, logistics, and education job opportunities.
The town is home to Fayetteville’s vibrant arts scene, and residents can enjoy all that outdoor living offers.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
The energy, aerospace, and biotechnology industries have put Oklahoma’s capital on an economic roll. It’s one of the most affordable major metros, with a cost of living that’s 15% below the national average.
The City’s friendly people, modern downtown, and attractions such as the Oklahoma City National Memorial make it popular.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Located in the center of the state, sandwiched between the rugged 10,714-foot Sandia Mountains, is Albuquerque, where culture blends with affordability. The cost of living is below the national average (5%), and it’s home to several educational and aerospace industries, in addition to government jobs.
This region offers much to discover, from the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta to the delicious Southwestern cuisine.
El Paso, Texas
El Paso is a vibrant city bordering the U.S. and Mexico. Its cost of living is well below the rest of the country, and it has a population of 680,000.
It is centered on Fort Bliss and mostly involved in trade, health care, and the military. Due to its warm climate and rich cultural heritage, it is an attractive, affordable place to live.
Boise, Idaho
Located in the Treasure Valley, Boise is a tech hub with a cost of living that’s 5% higher than the national average. Despite its slightly higher costs, Boise delivers a high quality of life with low unemployment and access to stunning outdoor recreation.
Both young professionals and retirees find that the city’s vibrant downtown and strong community appeal to them.
Reno, Nevada
Reno, a growing city of about 270,000 people, is near Lake Tahoe. Its economy is based on technology and advanced manufacturing, and its cost of living is 7% below the national average.
Located near outdoor adventures and boasting a revitalized downtown, Reno is clearly attractive.
Salt Lake City, Utah
The Utah capital has a great job market for tech, finance, and outdoor industries. It’s home to world-class skiing and a vibrant cultural scene.
It has a population of 200,000, and like the national average, the cost of living is equal to the national average, but higher wages push living costs up.
Spokane, Washington
East of Washington, Spokane offers affordable living with natural beauty. A city doing well in healthcare, education, and outdoor recreation offers a high quality of life with fewer big-city stresses.
It has 230,000 residents and has a cost of living of 7% below the national average.
Scranton, Pennsylvania
The city of Scranton, in northeastern Pennsylvania, was once a pioneer in electric-powered transportation, so it was named the “Electric City.” It has a population of about 75,000 people, and the biggest benefits are the low cost of living and affordable housing.
Scranton is revitalizing its downtown and is experiencing growing opportunities in health care, education, small businesses, and a strong sense of community.
Manchester, New Hampshire
Manchester is the largest city in New Hampshire. It is an urban city with the charm of New England. A strong economy based on healthcare, education, and manufacturing is helping its population thrive.
It has a living cost close to the national average and outdoor activities such as skiing and hiking, make it appealing to families and professionals.
Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is known as a city along the Savannah River, home to the Masters Golf Tournament. Augusta has a population of around 200,000, a cost of living 12% below the national average, and is a hub for healthcare, military, and cybersecurity jobs.
It’s a vibrant place to live with historic charm, a revitalized downtown, and riverfront activities.
Mobile, Alabama
A port city on Alabama’s Gulf Coast, Mobile is among the most historically rich cities in the United States. It is home to growing industries in shipbuilding, aerospace, and logistics.
Mobile’s population of 187,000 enjoys a cost of living 10 percent below the national average. It’s easy to see why Mobile attracts so many people, including the annual Mardi Gras celebrations, a waterfront lifestyle, and Southern hospitality.
Tallahassee, Florida
Tallahassee is Florida’s capital and a hub for government, education, and healthcare jobs. The cost of living is 6 percent below the national average, and affordable housing is a standout benefit.
Cultural attractions, outdoor recreation, and living near the Gulf Coast make Tallahassee a versatile and affordable place to live.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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