Looking for the cheapest places to live in America? We ranked all 3,100+ US counties by a combined affordability score that factors in both median rent and home values — not just one or the other. Every county on this list has a median household income above $30,000, so these are real communities with real economies, not abandoned towns.
The national median rent is $1,163/month and the median home value is $281,900. The counties below come in at a fraction of both.
The 30 Cheapest Places to Live in America (2026)
Ranked by combined affordability score (rent + home value). All data from the U.S. Census Bureau ACS.
| Rank | County | State | Median Rent | Home Value | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cottle County | Texas | $264/mo | $59,300 | $59,063 |
| 2 | Issaquena County | Mississippi | $339/mo | $110,800 | $31,429 |
| 3 | Worth County | Missouri | $381/mo | $96,600 | $47,847 |
| 4 | Sheridan County | North Dakota | $373/mo | $110,300 | $62,639 |
| 5 | Hardin County | Illinois | $379/mo | $103,800 | $54,271 |
| 6 | Schuyler County | Missouri | $382/mo | $137,500 | $61,205 |
| 7 | Sioux County | North Dakota | $444/mo | $85,400 | $42,083 |
| 8 | Jefferson County | Mississippi | $448/mo | $81,300 | $38,305 |
| 9 | Martin County | Kentucky | $450/mo | $86,900 | $37,042 |
| 10 | Elliott County | Kentucky | $432/mo | $123,500 | $45,776 |
| 11 | Jackson County | South Dakota | $442/mo | $117,300 | $35,417 |
| 12 | Presidio County | Texas | $448/mo | $121,300 | $43,802 |
| 13 | Corson County | South Dakota | $496/mo | $69,800 | $46,406 |
| 14 | Calhoun County | West Virginia | $473/mo | $100,500 | $43,980 |
| 15 | Wolfe County | Kentucky | $501/mo | $75,800 | $30,417 |
| 16 | Pope County | Illinois | $449/mo | $143,800 | $60,050 |
| 17 | Todd County | South Dakota | $532/mo | $53,900 | $42,075 |
| 18 | Clinch County | Georgia | $509/mo | $84,400 | $45,847 |
| 19 | Knox County | Texas | $521/mo | $77,300 | $56,667 |
| 20 | Rolette County | North Dakota | $505/mo | $103,800 | $59,517 |
| 21 | Mitchell County | Texas | $524/mo | $85,800 | $60,550 |
| 22 | Hall County | Texas | $529/mo | $86,100 | $48,459 |
| 23 | Breathitt County | Kentucky | $548/mo | $70,300 | $34,808 |
| 24 | Elk County | Kansas | $552/mo | $68,500 | $64,609 |
| 25 | Gallatin County | Illinois | $541/mo | $82,900 | $59,219 |
| 26 | Jenkins County | Georgia | $535/mo | $92,900 | $44,389 |
| 27 | Ness County | Kansas | $538/mo | $89,700 | $68,616 |
| 28 | Calhoun County | Georgia | $546/mo | $81,000 | $46,940 |
| 29 | Clay County | Georgia | $536/mo | $94,400 | $49,147 |
| 30 | Hayes County | Nebraska | $508/mo | $128,100 | $69,250 |
Where Are the Cheapest Counties?
The cheapest places to live cluster heavily in a few regions. The states with the most counties on this list: Texas (5 counties), Kentucky (4 counties), Georgia (4 counties), North Dakota (3 counties), Illinois (3 counties).
Most are in the South, Appalachia, and the rural Midwest — regions where land is abundant, housing stock is older, and the overall cost structure (groceries, taxes, services) is lower than coastal areas.
Cheap vs. Affordable: An Important Distinction
A county can be cheap (low absolute costs) without being affordable (low costs relative to local income). The rent-to-income ratio matters more than rent alone.
For example, a county with $500/month rent and $25,000 median income has a rent-to-income ratio of 24% — considered affordable. But a county with $400/month rent and $18,000 income has a 27% ratio — still technically affordable but with much less financial margin.
We filtered this list to exclude counties with median incomes below $30,000 to ensure these are places where residents can actually live on local wages, not just survive.
What to Expect in Low-Cost Counties
If you are considering a move to one of the cheapest counties in America, here is what the data tells us about life there:
- Housing: Many homes are valued under $100,000. You can buy outright what would be a down payment in a major city.
- Employment: Jobs tend to be in healthcare, education, agriculture, and local government. Remote work expands your options dramatically.
- Healthcare: Smaller counties often have limited medical facilities. Check proximity to hospitals before committing.
- Internet: Broadband access varies widely. Starlink and fixed wireless have improved rural connectivity, but verify before moving.
- Community: Small-town life offers tight-knit communities but fewer amenities. Visit first and talk to locals.
How to Use This Data
Click any county name to see its full housing market profile on HomesByCounty — including rent-to-income ratio, comparison to state and national averages, and similar counties nearby. If you are a remote worker, pair this with our remote work housing guide for a complete picture of what your salary buys in different parts of America.
Methodology
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). Counties ranked by a combined score of annual median rent plus 1% of median home value. Counties with missing data or median household income below $30,000 were excluded.
Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). All figures are estimates based on survey data and may not reflect current market conditions.