12 Cheapest Small Towns in America
There's a lot to be said for small-town living: Less traffic, a strong sense of community and a slower pace of life. Then, of course, there's the cost of living, which is typically more affordable in small towns than in expensive big cities.
To get a better sense of what inexpensive small-town living really has to offer, we compiled a list of the 12 cheapest places to live in America with populations under 50,000. We based our rankings on the Council for Community and Economic Research's calculations of living expenses in 270 urban areas. Its Cost of Living Index tracks prices for housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, health care, and miscellaneous goods and services (such as going to a movie theater or hair salon.)
Before you pack up and relocate to one of the 12 cheapest small towns in America, weigh the pros and cons. A low cost of living is attractive, but the allure lessens if jobs are scarce, paychecks are small or the area lacks things to do. Plan an extended visit to ensure the small town fits your lifestyle.
12. Danville, Va.
Cost of Living: 14.2% below U.S. average
City Population: 43,055
Median Household Income: $34,951 (U.S.: $57,652)
Median Home Value: $90,900 (U.S.: $193,500)
Unemployment Rate: 5.4% (U.S.: 3.8%)
Danville sits on the southern border of Virginia about 70 miles south of Lynchburg, which happens to be Once a textile, railroad and tobacco hub, Danville has pivoted with the
