CHEAPEST PLACES TO LIVE

Cheapest Places To Live

Posted by Forest in General Articles, Saving Money & Finances

Great Apartments Are Available In Cairo At Great Prices!! This is Maadi, the area I live in.

Finding the cheapest places to live has been a big topic in some past post on this blog. In the coming weeks I am going to delve into it further and look at some of the details but for now we’ll take a broad look over the whole situation. It’s not entirely possible to find the exact cheapest place to live as much of the info is relative and can change daily!

Working out what you need for your lifestyle is the first step in determining where you can live. This includes the type of work you do and if you need a house, condo, apartment. Do you have pets? Do you need to drive and if so how far do you need to drive? Also if you job is portable (online) this really really helps you find a dirt cheap place to live. I work online and currently live in Cairo, Egypt. I moved here from Canada (which was affordable) and now it’s dirt cheap!!

First let’s look at the Cheapest Places in America.

It’s generally agreed that the cheapest places in the USA to live are in the Mid West. You may get low wages compared to the rest of the country but taxes are low and housing is comparatively very affordable. Even things like beer and food can be found significantly cheaper. However you may have to take into account crime and poverty, building quality and other aspects before making your final decision.

According to research conducted by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, the 10 most affordable states in the US in 2009 are:

Oklahoma
Texas
Tennessee
Arkansas
Nebraska
South Dakota
Missouri
Kansas
Georgia
Mississippi

I wrote a more in depth article on this subject and it’s also getting a lot of opinions and comments. So come learn more and join the discussion by reading the article: Cheapest places to live in America

Know looking at other countries

Canada

Canada really isn’t one of the cheapest places to live in the world but if you are wanting to be close to the USA either in retirement or for telecommuting and online jobs then it has some great options. I personally lived in Montreal and can say that things like dining out were affordable with many main meals being less than $10 USD. It’s reported that in provences like Nova Scotia that lakeside homes can be purchased for around $10k and taxes are not too bad in my experiences. I also always found cheap places to shop for food. Many provinces tax high on booze and cigarettes so if you are hell bent on living this kind of lifestyle it may not be a good choice!

Egypt, Cairo

As I mentioned I am currently living in Cairo, Egypt. I am lucky as I work online so still am earning in USD and that is what makes living in Cairo very very cheap. If you had to settle for local wages then it could be said that it is more expensive to live in than anywhere in USA.

We pay $500 USD per month for a Western style 2 bed medium sized apartment in a well to do part of town. This does not include bills but the rack up to less than $70 per month and that includes doorman and internet.

Food isn’t too much either. I can fill my fridge with veggies for less than $10, eat a local falaffel for $0.50 and even get a nice Italian meal for $30 with a fair helping of South African wine.

Taxes are something I am not sure of, I am here on a visa with my partner who is a student. So not paying local tax and from what I hear most of the locals don’t pay tax either!

Transport is cheap with taxes costing less than a few dollars to anywhere in the city and a metro ride is only $0.25.

Cairo is cheap if you want it to be but offers all the luxuries of USA. If you land a job for an American or European company then it’s possible to get good wages and still have the affordability the city offers making it relatively definitely one of the cheapest places to live.

Thailand

Many Americans flock to Thailand… Some for it’s beauty and some for unsavory habits but there is no questioning that life for the average American in Thailand can be a hell of a lot cheaper than back home.

If you stay out of the main cities and move to the mid sized villages (still chock full of Western amenities for tourists) then you can often find furnished accommodation for around $100 a month. If you eat local you will hardly feel the weight of food costs and generally the locals are reported to be nice to foreigners if you make the effort back.

Mexico

I have a friend who lives quite a lavish lifestyle down in Mexico and she left an awesome comment on one of my other posts “Live In Topekaa For $850 a Month” Here is what she said:

Brilliant Jeni Says:
August 21st, 2008 at 11:56 am I have a friend going to college in New Mexico- $200 month for a 1400 sq foot home; balconies, fireplaces, granite countertops and all… I was impressed.I’m American but now live in Cabo San Lucas, where I moved from Puerto Vallarta. In Cabo, we actually bought a villa and rentals are quite pricey but in Puerto Vallarta- very nice condos for $400 a month and up, just a few blocks from the beach. Food and utilities are next to nothing. $30 dollars a week will fill your fridge for 2 ppl.
Inland rentals (by inland, i mean still walking distance to the beach) start at $200 and go up. Then, as an expat there are numerous tax benefits (great for bloggers and web publishers such as myself.)

On $850 a month, you could live a near-lavish lifestyle!

So imagine if you cut down on some of the luxuries!

There are lots more cheap places to live in this world but this post just gives you a taste of what is out there. Please leave an opinion or comment of where you think the cheapest places to live are, and sign up so you can keep up with future writings on this topic. Suggestions for posts are also always welcome.

42 Responses to “Cheapest Places To Live”

David Rice

03. Aug, 2009

I see West Virginia is not on the list of least expensive places to live. Where
does it fit into the list? It could not be too high because our taxes are very low, compared to other states. Please e-mail me the information.

Thanks,

Dave Rice

Reply to this comment
Forest

04. Aug, 2009

Hey David…. Be awesome if you could go post some figures over at the forum so others can see what sort of costs W.Virginia has for living… It’s hard to choose an exact place but be great to get all places talked about.

http://frugalzeitgeist.com/forum/personal-finances-savings/cheapest-places-to-live-t25.html

Reply to this comment
Michael

15. Aug, 2009

If you are not living in TEXAS you must be just camping out!

Reply to this comment
Nicola

18. Aug, 2009

you might find the 5th Annual Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey of 2009 helpful when determining cheapest places to live in USA, it states that Youngstown, OH and Fort Wayne, IN are the 2 cheapest, check it out and you’ll see the cheapest 30 urban areas. If you’re not looking to move to an urban area it will at least give you a guide to cheapest suburban areas surrounding the cheapest cities.

The study itself is held each year and it’s a fantastic resource for anyone thinking of relocation to a less expensive city. It also compares other countries against USA too. I’ve found it extremely useful in our search for relocation.

http://www.demographia.com/dhi.pdf

Reply to this comment
Forest

03. Sep, 2009

Thank you so much for this link. I intend to write more on the subject in the future so this could be a great resource of me.

I hope to see you around more often on this blog and if you want we now have a facebook page that you can join.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Frugal-Zeitgeist/130432261281

Reply to this comment
Forest

17. Sep, 2009

@Michael, Just saw your comment!! Ha ha, never been to Texas sadly.

Reply to this comment
Joe

05. Dec, 2009

Great post. I like the idea of Cabo. Seems like I should dig out my old Spanish books and get back into it.

Thanks,

Joe

Reply to this comment
Ruth - Web Career Girl

05. Dec, 2009

I need to move to Cairo with you. Actually, no, I need to move to Thailand! I am not surprised that the UK isn’t on this list. I can barely even imagine those kind of prices!!
Ruth – Web Career Girl´s last blog ..What Are You Working For and How Do You Measure Your Progress?

Reply to this comment
Forest

05. Dec, 2009

@Joe, Yes that’s an awesome choice. I did not list everywhere as it’s kind of not realistic to look at places to live in straight dollars. I’ll be writing more on the subject in the next few months / years so will get more detail and things along the way.

@Ruth, Ha ha, it is certainly a good place for Internet Marketing but it does have pitfalls. Firstly almost all internet service is limited to a certain download amount so you have to pay over the odds if you download a lot. As a woman alone it can also be hard too but saying that I know plenty of women who live here without partners…. They just grow thick skins .

Reply to this comment
Jonathan

05. Dec, 2009

Forest,

China is a super, and fun, place to live. I lived there for 8 years and they were truly 8 financially stress-free years. I’ll move back there soon and begin enjoying that affordability again.

Cheers,

Jonathan
Jonathan´s last blog ..Can I Get My Ex Back

Reply to this comment
How To Get Back Your Ex

12. Feb, 2010

surrounding cities of vancouver bc are incredible to live. as vancouver expands, it pours into the surrounding cities and are quite cheap at the moment

Terry Schumacher
my latest blog
How To Get Back Your Ex

Reply to this comment
Maria Girfen

13. Feb, 2010

I hear Greifen in Turkey is quite amazing. I live in las vegas which has become burden on me

my last blog
[url=http://www.getbackyourex101.com]How To Get Back Your Ex[url]

Reply to this comment
Forest

13. Feb, 2010

Hey How To Get Your Ex Back and Maria (I know you are the same person btw ). Thanks for your comments. Turkey and Canada can both be pretty Frugal places to live.

Reply to this comment
Tony Romo

15. Feb, 2010

shouldnt michigan be on there? iunno

Reply to this comment
Forest

16. Feb, 2010

@Tony, not too sure about Michigan… I heard houses are very cheap in Detroit right now… Will have to check it out.

Reply to this comment
How To Get Back Your Ex

16. Feb, 2010

hey is this a statistical or personal list Forest?

Reply to this comment
Forest

16. Feb, 2010

Hey How To Get Your Ex Back, The list as stated in the post is from “the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center”.

Thanks for your comment.

Forest.

Reply to this comment
Red

03. Mar, 2010

I can attest to Tennessee being one of the cheapest! 640 square foot apartment a mile from the downtown of one of the top three largest cities in the state, and my rent is $460 a month. (Which is actually high compared to other places, but I like the area so I’m staying.)
Red´s last blog ..Super Simple Month: Day 1

Reply to this comment
- Forest
  
  04. Mar, 2010
  
  Hey Red…. That is awesome! I will be writing about Texas soon and would love to have a photo to publish and get some more prices and things from you if possible?
  
  Reply to this comment
F.L. Hill

15. Mar, 2010

Out of all the comments and your info there is still a mystery with the best places to live in America? Whats the
deal? Where is the best place to live?

Atheney!

Reply to this comment
- Forest
  
  15. Mar, 2010
  
  Hi F.L.Hill,
  
  To be honest it’s become even less clear since I originally wrote the article as there are too many factors to consider.
  
  Generally if you have a reasonable paying job then mid country is the cheapest area to live.
  
  I am actually also writing a new article about Texas soon as that has been getting some good words said about it.
  
  Reply to this comment
C McG

02. May, 2010

I’m actually thinking outside the US is sounding better and better. I have an 11 year old daughter so safety is always an issue. I have been considering home-schooling her because of all the cut backs (living in KS btw), and I like the idea of getting out of here and getting her somewhere that life is not so materialistic. I happen to really love the bum’s life. Never was meant for rat race lifestyle!

Reply to this comment
- Forest
  
  02. May, 2010
  
  Canada may be an option if you have to stay near home but if you really enjoy the chilled life (and feel it’s good for your child) then maybe even going somewhere like France (although not always cheap) or Spain may be nice…. Thailand fits the bill too. Cairo, where I live, is cheap and can be relaxed but I wouldn’t bring up kids here as it’s very polluted amongst a few other things.
  
  Reply to this comment
  - C McG
    
    02. May, 2010
    
    Thank you for the input. Thailand sounds wonderful. Also thought about Belize and Costa Rica. I will need a job when I get where I’m going. The only work I really enjoy is labor. I’ve worked with my husband for years installing flooring. I have no problem cleaning fish (my husband won’t) if that is an option. My entire goal is to make enough to eke by and still spend as much time with my daughter being happy. Family will just have to understand their lifestyle is not mine. Does that sound unfair to my daughter? I am 41. Maybe I should wait until she graduates then go by myself. Even my husband won’t go with me. Ah well, so much to consider… Again, your input is greatly appreciated.
    
    Reply to this comment
    - Forest
      
      03. May, 2010
      
      I have never actually been to Belize, Thailand or Costa Rica but I have heard great things about all these places…. Before relocating though I always recommend a holiday or visit first.
      
      As for your daughter and husband, you really have to talk to them straight up…. I can’t comment on the decision between you and your husband but with your daughter I think the final decision would lay with her, my mother left me at around that age and it was horrible, so for the sake of children I think it’s worth working hard to keep them happy and staying nearby at very least but in the long term you can still work towards your own goals and if she wants to come and start a new life too that may be awesome.
      
      I am not sure what the chances are of finding work are quickly so if I was you I would start getting on some expat forums and asking people who live in these places.
      
      Good luck with your decisions, I see you signed up to the mailing list do I look forward to seeing more comments from you hopefully.
      
      Reply to this comment
Ashley

07. Aug, 2010

China is a nice place to live

Reply to this comment
- Forest
  
  08. Aug, 2010
  
  Hi Ashley, I will have to look into China some more, Thanks.
  
  Reply to this comment
Almond Best

09. Aug, 2010

One of the cheapest places to live is the Philippines, and it’s quite a beautiful country with very hospitable people. Thanks for sharing!

Reply to this comment
- Forest
  
  09. Aug, 2010
  
  Thanks, I have heard good things about the people in the Philippines.
  
  Reply to this comment
flip

16. Aug, 2010

try the philippines. im thinking of relocating to some place cheaper too after quitting my job here…
flip´s last blog ..Meet the Nomads- Dong Ho

Reply to this comment
- Forest
  
  17. Aug, 2010
  
  Hey Flip, I really want to go there and check it out. I hear the people are super nice.
  
  Reply to this comment
James

23. Aug, 2010

Hello. I would like to know what you think about Belize as being one of the least expensive countries to live in? If you have any other info on this could you please send me an e-mail in regards to least expensive countries to live in. Friendly countries that is. Thanks so much.

Reply to this comment
- Forest
  
  23. Aug, 2010
  
  Hi James,
  
  I hear a lot of good things about Belize but don’t know too much myself…. I will be getting more info soon though. In the meantime this article may be useful: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/How-to-Retire-Comfortably-for-usnews-2643852806.html?x=0
  
  Reply to this comment
PanamaJack

27. Aug, 2010

Look at RURAL PANAMA if want truly affordable living. We are just about to announce our small casitas at under $15,000.
Check out the website easyretirementliving to find more details and contact us.,
Cheers,
Jack

Reply to this comment
- Forest
  
  29. Aug, 2010
  
  Thanks Panama Jack, I don’t know much about Panama but it may well be worth my time taking a look.
  
  Reply to this comment

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

Cheapest State To Live In - 10. Dec, 2009
[...] a followup to the recent post Cheapest Places To live I thought it would be appropriate to look at little more in depth at the list I published that [...]
Cheapest Places To Rent - 12. Dec, 2009
[...] recently wrote a post on the more broad subject of the Cheapest Places To Live and briefly touched on the subject of rent. Renting a home can be a whole different thing to buying [...]
10 Ways To Get Cheap Affordable Rent - 01. Feb, 2010
[...] Before we start, just a plug for another post. If you are looking for the cheap places for living then check out my post: Cheapest Places to Live. [...]
Cheapest Places To Live: Texas - 04. Apr, 2010
[...] of the most popular articles on Frugal Zeitgeist is about the Cheapest Places To Live. Since publishing that article and a few similar articles (see related posts below for more info) I [...]
Cheapest Places Retire USA - 07. Jun, 2010
[...] I have written articles on The Cheapest Places To Live and more specifically The Cheapest Places to Live In America but when looking to retire it’s [...]
Cities With Lowest Cost of Living - 14. Jun, 2010
[...] have written quite a few posts now about where to live for cheap in the USA. As shown in Cheapest Places to Live and Cheapest Places to Live in America many of the cheapest places are found in the Mid States and [...]
Cheapest Places To Live 2009 - 15. Jun, 2010
[...] in depth on the subject on many artciles. Some of the most popular of these include the article Cheapest Places to Live which also talks a little about some other countries and also Cheapest Places to Live In America [...]

frugal zeitgeist