You do not need a six-figure salary to live comfortably in America — you just need to pick the right county. While the national median gross rent is $1,163/month and the median home value is $281,900, some counties offer housing at a fraction of those prices.
We analyzed Census Bureau data for all 3,100+ US counties to find the 25 most affordable places to live, ranked by median gross rent. These are real numbers from real communities — not cherry-picked outliers.
The 25 Most Affordable Counties in America
Ranked by median gross rent from lowest to highest.
| Rank | County | State | Median Rent | Median Home Value | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Issaquena County | Mississippi | $253/mo | $90,700 | $29,271 |
| 2 | Cottle County | Texas | $323/mo | $54,100 | $58,819 |
| 3 | Hardin County | Illinois | $342/mo | $91,700 | $57,155 |
| 4 | Worth County | Missouri | $353/mo | $94,600 | $46,167 |
| 5 | Sheridan County | North Dakota | $373/mo | $107,700 | $67,361 |
| 6 | Schuyler County | Missouri | $382/mo | $118,200 | $56,023 |
| 7 | Hayes County | Nebraska | $419/mo | $112,800 | $60,313 |
| 8 | Elliott County | Kentucky | $427/mo | $97,400 | $40,074 |
| 9 | Greene County | Alabama | $429/mo | $86,400 | $31,495 |
| 10 | Pope County | Illinois | $438/mo | $165,300 | $62,500 |
| 11 | Martin County | Kentucky | $441/mo | $84,900 | $46,185 |
| 12 | Jefferson County | Mississippi | $444/mo | $81,400 | $36,207 |
| 13 | Presidio County | Texas | $445/mo | $123,100 | $29,014 |
| 14 | Jackson County | South Dakota | $460/mo | $111,500 | $26,686 |
| 15 | Sioux County | North Dakota | $466/mo | $87,400 | $41,676 |
| 16 | Kemper County | Mississippi | $470/mo | $90,200 | $43,595 |
| 17 | Lake County | Tennessee | $472/mo | $107,000 | $30,500 |
| 18 | Corson County | South Dakota | $473/mo | $73,800 | $43,750 |
| 19 | Harding County | South Dakota | $478/mo | $156,400 | $74,766 |
| 20 | Calhoun County | Illinois | $479/mo | $174,000 | $92,095 |
| 21 | Rolette County | North Dakota | $479/mo | $93,000 | $57,355 |
| 22 | Mitchell County | Texas | $481/mo | $85,700 | $56,033 |
| 23 | Calhoun County | West Virginia | $483/mo | $111,200 | $41,421 |
| 24 | Chouteau County | Montana | $485/mo | $185,100 | $56,927 |
| 25 | Shackelford County | Texas | $485/mo | $176,900 | $64,659 |
What Makes These Counties So Affordable?
The most affordable counties in America share several characteristics:
- Rural locations: Most are in rural areas far from major metro centers, where demand for housing is lower and land is abundant.
- Lower cost of services: Smaller populations mean lower costs for local government, which translates to lower taxes and fees.
- Older housing stock: Many affordable counties have homes built decades ago. While these may need updates, the entry cost is dramatically lower.
- Regional economies: Many are in the South and Midwest, where the overall cost structure — groceries, healthcare, transportation — is also lower.
Affordability Is Not Just About Rent
A $500/month apartment means little if the nearest hospital is two hours away or if there are no jobs in the area. When evaluating affordability, consider the full picture:
- Employment opportunities: Are there jobs in your field, or can you work remotely?
- Healthcare access: How far is the nearest hospital or clinic?
- Commute costs: Low rent can be offset by long, expensive commutes.
- Internet connectivity: For remote workers, broadband access is non-negotiable.
- Quality of life: Schools, safety, recreation, and community all matter.
The best "affordable" county for you is one where low costs align with your lifestyle needs — not just the one with the cheapest rent.
How Rent-to-Income Ratio Tells the Real Story
Financial advisors generally recommend spending no more than 30% of gross income on housing. The rent-to-income ratio captures this relationship better than rent alone.
Many of the counties on this list have rent-to-income ratios well below 20%, meaning residents spend less than a fifth of their income on housing. Compare that to high-cost metros where the ratio can exceed 40%.
You can view the rent-to-income ratio for any county on its detail page here on CostByCounty.
Thinking About Relocating?
If you are considering a move to a more affordable area, here are some practical steps:
- Research remote work policies: If your employer offers remote work, you can earn a metro salary while living in a low-cost county.
- Visit before you commit: Spend a week in the area. Talk to locals. Get a feel for the community.
- Factor in moving costs: Long-distance moves can cost $2,000-10,000+. Budget accordingly.
- Check the job market: Even if you work remotely, having local backup options provides security.
- Consider the transition: Moving from a city to a rural county is a lifestyle change, not just a financial one.
Methodology
All data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). Counties are ranked by median gross rent. Counties with missing rent or income data 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.