Rankings

Most Affordable Cities

Data-driven rankings based on cost of living, rent, and income-to-expense ratios.

#1
Gadsden, Alabama
Salary Needed: $39,500 Rent: $870 Cost Index: 80
View Details
#2
Phenix City, Alabama
Salary Needed: $42,000 Rent: $950 Cost Index: 81
View Details
#3
Florence, Alabama
Salary Needed: $43,500 Rent: $980 Cost Index: 82
View Details
#4
Decatur, Alabama
Salary Needed: $47,000 Rent: $1,090 Cost Index: 84
View Details
#5
Dothan, Alabama
Salary Needed: $48,500 Rent: $1,120 Cost Index: 86
View Details
#6
Enterprise, Alabama
Salary Needed: $49,000 Rent: $1,080 Cost Index: 87
View Details
#7
Montgomery, Alabama
Salary Needed: $50,000 Rent: $1,180 Cost Index: 87
View Details
#8
Birmingham, Alabama
Salary Needed: $54,000 Rent: $1,320 Cost Index: 89
View Details
#9
Mobile, Alabama
Salary Needed: $51,500 Rent: $1,270 Cost Index: 89
View Details
#10
Northport, Alabama
Salary Needed: $54,000 Rent: $1,290 Cost Index: 90
View Details
#11
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Salary Needed: $55,000 Rent: $1,390 Cost Index: 91
View Details
#12
Opelika, Alabama
Salary Needed: $54,000 Rent: $1,360 Cost Index: 91
View Details
#13
Huntsville, Alabama
Salary Needed: $58,000 Rent: $1,450 Cost Index: 92
View Details
#14
Auburn, Alabama
Salary Needed: $58,000 Rent: $1,510 Cost Index: 94
View Details
#15
Prattville, Alabama
Salary Needed: $61,000 Rent: $1,540 Cost Index: 95
View Details
#16
Hoover, Alabama
Salary Needed: $67,000 Rent: $1,680 Cost Index: 96
View Details
#17
Alabaster, Alabama
Salary Needed: $69,000 Rent: $1,590 Cost Index: 97
View Details
#18
Madison, Alabama
Salary Needed: $73,000 Rent: $1,760 Cost Index: 103
View Details
#19
Homewood, Alabama
Salary Needed: $71,000 Rent: $1,810 Cost Index: 104
View Details
#20
Vestavia Hills, Alabama
Salary Needed: $86,000 Rent: $2,200 Cost Index: 110
View Details
#21
Fairbanks, Alaska
Salary Needed: $65,000 Rent: $1,490 Cost Index: 111
View Details
#22
Anchorage, Alaska
Salary Needed: $79,000 Rent: $1,950 Cost Index: 119
View Details
#23
Juneau, Alaska
Salary Needed: $81,000 Rent: $1,820 Cost Index: 127
View Details

Why These Cities Are Affordable

Lower housing costs and balanced income-to-expense ratios make these cities ideal for budget-conscious living. Our affordability rankings factor in average rent, utilities, food costs, transportation, and the overall cost index relative to median salaries.

How We Measure Affordability

Cities are ranked by their cost index — a normalized score where lower values indicate more affordable living. The index accounts for housing, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and utilities costs relative to a baseline. Cities with strong salary-to-cost ratios consistently appear at the top.