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 | $323/mo | $54,100 | $58,819 |
| 2 | Hardin County | Illinois | $342/mo | $91,700 | $57,155 |
| 3 | Worth County | Missouri | $353/mo | $94,600 | $46,167 |
| 4 | Sheridan County | North Dakota | $373/mo | $107,700 | $67,361 |
| 5 | Schuyler County | Missouri | $382/mo | $118,200 | $56,023 |
| 6 | Greene County | Alabama | $429/mo | $86,400 | $31,495 |
| 7 | Elliott County | Kentucky | $427/mo | $97,400 | $40,074 |
| 8 | Martin County | Kentucky | $441/mo | $84,900 | $46,185 |
| 9 | Jefferson County | Mississippi | $444/mo | $81,400 | $36,207 |
| 10 | Hayes County | Nebraska | $419/mo | $112,800 | $60,313 |
| 11 | Corson County | South Dakota | $473/mo | $73,800 | $43,750 |
| 12 | Sioux County | North Dakota | $466/mo | $87,400 | $41,676 |
| 13 | Kemper County | Mississippi | $470/mo | $90,200 | $43,595 |
| 14 | Mitchell County | Texas | $481/mo | $85,700 | $56,033 |
| 15 | Brooks County | Texas | $487/mo | $82,700 | $31,310 |
| 16 | Rolette County | North Dakota | $479/mo | $93,000 | $57,355 |
| 17 | Lake County | Tennessee | $472/mo | $107,000 | $30,500 |
| 18 | Gallatin County | Illinois | $500/mo | $84,700 | $54,626 |
| 19 | Todd County | South Dakota | $537/mo | $45,200 | $39,148 |
| 20 | Calhoun County | West Virginia | $483/mo | $111,200 | $41,421 |
| 21 | Pope County | Illinois | $438/mo | $165,300 | $62,500 |
| 22 | Clinch County | Georgia | $505/mo | $86,300 | $55,549 |
| 23 | Leslie County | Kentucky | $520/mo | $74,100 | $40,176 |
| 24 | Elk County | Kansas | $534/mo | $60,900 | $56,087 |
| 25 | Alexander County | Illinois | $540/mo | $58,700 | $43,523 |
| 26 | Baca County | Colorado | $490/mo | $122,000 | $40,380 |
| 27 | Breathitt County | Kentucky | $543/mo | $61,800 | $41,101 |
| 28 | Iron County | Michigan | $510/mo | $101,500 | $53,614 |
| 29 | Lane County | Kansas | $497/mo | $119,000 | $53,042 |
| 30 | Oglala Lakota County | South Dakota | $563/mo | $45,600 | $34,769 |
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: Illinois (4 counties), Kentucky (4 counties), Texas (3 counties), North Dakota (3 counties), South Dakota (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 cost of living profile on CostByCounty — 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 cost of living 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.