The ten hidden gem US towns where the cost of living has gone DOWN
The small-town life has become all the rage, and as Americans are looking to escape high prices, these ten affordable small towns have actually managed to reduce the cost of living.
The small-town life has become all the rage, and as Americans are looking to escape high prices, these ten affordable small towns have actually managed to reduce the cost of living.
They are towns that arent so small that there is nothing to do, said Seamus Nally, CEO of property management software company TurboTenant in Colorado said of the list of affordable towns compiled by Realtor.com.
There still decent population sizes and lots of opportunities for things involving community and entertainment, but it doesnt cost an arm and a leg to live there.
Americans are finding their money is stretching further in smaller cities, and theyre able to afford bigger spaces for better prices.
Census data taken from Realtor.com revealed the most attractive US micropolitan-areas where Americans arent spending their whole paycheck and still enjoying recreational activities.
The outlet analyzed micropolitan-areas, counties with populations between 10,000 and 50,000 people, and how money was being spent per 100,000 residents to reveal the ten most affordable towns.
Branson, Missouri
The town of Branson lies in the heart of the Ozark Mountains in the state of Missouri
Nicknamed the entertainment capital of the Ozarks, the town offers live music, drama, magic or comedy and has a show every night of the week.
The Missouri town of Branson in the heart of the Ozark Mountains holds plenty of opportunities to stay busy with its year-round entertainment including more than 50 theaters and venues,
The town is nicknamed the entertainment capital of the Ozarks and offers live music, drama, magic or comedy and has a show every night of the week.
The town has a median price list of $274,950 and its cost of living lies 15 percent below national average, meaning Branson can offer the hustle of a big city without the cost.
The population of 57,490 also enjoys low unemployment and crime rates, as well as an influx of tourists.
Their College of the Ozarks also offers great opportunities with more than 30 academic programs in a Bachelor of Arts or Science, as well as free education if students are willing to work alongside their courses.
If it isnt the arts that can keep you entertained, the many lakes offer opportunities for a range of outdoor activities for fishing, boating and swimming, as well as cave exploring or hiking at Table Rock State Park.
The family-friendly town also has entertainment for children, theme and water parks, golf courses, and their Hollywood wax museum and Titanic Museum attractions.
Springfield, Illinois
Springfield is the capital of Illinois and the home of Abraham Lincoln, with a population of 206,063 who enjoy a median price list of $209,900
The city of Chicago is also only four hours away by train, giving residents an opportunity to not completely give up the big city and still keep costs down
The capital of Illinois and the home of Abraham Lincoln, Springfield has offerings of budget-friendly homes and a strong sense of community with a rich melting pot of culture and history.
Its population of 206,063 enjoys a median price list of $209,900 and a cost of living at 10 percent below the national average.
Residents say they love the low cost of living and the community in the town, as well as the offerings of a rich range of the arts, community sports and more than two dozen parks.
The city of Chicago is also only four hours away by train, giving residents an opportunity to not completely give up the big city and still keep costs down.
The towns history lends plenty of culture and beauty, with architecture such as the Old State Capitol that was built in 1839, as well as plenty of museums and war memorials including the home of Abraham Lincoln.
Sandusky, Ohio
The town of Sandusky, Ohio, sits an hour west of Cleveland and a cost of living sitting 23 percent below national average
Their population of 74,145 enjoys the waterfront of Lake Erie, which also offers easy access to nearby islands with lively nightlife
Described as a coastal getaway the small town of Sandusky, Ohio, sits on the waterfront of Lake Erie, offering easy access to nearby islands with a range of seasonal attractions and a lively nightlife.
The town sits an hour west of Cleveland and a cost of living sitting 23 percent below national average.
Sandusky is also only a few minutes distance from one of the Midwests major amusement parks, Cedar Point, known as the Roller Coaster Capitol of the World.
Their median price list is $337,950, and the town has a population of 74,145.
Glen Falls, New York
Hometown USA, Glen Falls, New York, is one of the oldest settled areas in the country with several historical buildings and architecture
Their median price list is $352,450 with a cost of living at 1.5 percent below national average, and a population of 126,131
Dubbed Hometown USA, Glen Falls, New York, is one of the oldest settled areas in the country with several historical buildings and architecture.
The town is surrounded by natural beauty such as Glen Falls and lies near the Adirondack Mountains.
The town holds a range of activities and entertainment, such as dance, theater, outdoor adventures, museums and wineries. The town often holds outdoor movie nights, farmers markets and the Adirondack Theatre Festival.
Their median price list is $352,450 with a cost of living at 1.5 percent below national average, and a population of 126,131.
The town is also home to the Hyde Museum, one of the Northeasts exceptional small art museums with collections of European and American artwork. Their core collection holds pieces by renowned artists such as Boticelli, Picasso and Homer.
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City draws in more than 27 million visitors a year but is slowly becoming more family-friendly with a population of 276,008
Their median price list is $389,999 with a cost-of-living 6.1 percent below national average
Despite its reputation, Atlantic City is home to much more than casinos.
The New Jersey town holds sightseeing opportunities such as the Atlantic City Boardwalk, with a four mile stretch of restaurants, bars, shops and carnival games, as well as the historic Absecon Lighthouse which was built in 1857 and stands at 171 feet tall.
The New Jersey town holds sightseeing opportunities such as the Atlantic City Boardwalk as well as the historic Absecon Lighthouse
Known as the hub for gambling and an eccentric nightlife, Atlantic City was initially settled in the 1800s as a health resort where you could bask in the calming waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
Their median price list is $389,999 with a cost-of-living 6.1 percent below national average.
Atlantic City draws in more than 27 million visitors a year but is slowly becoming more family-friendly with a population of 276,008.
Baraboo, Wisconsin
Devils Lake State Park can be found in Baraboo, stretching over 9,200 acres, it is Wisconsins largest state park
Surrounded by beautiful state parks and rich with history, Baraboo lies along the Baraboo River and sits just two hours from Milwaukee and less than an hour from Madison.
The town is home to the International Crane Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting cranes. Devils Lake State Park can also be found in Baraboo, stretching over 9,200 acres, it is Wisconsins largest state park.
Baraboo is also known as Circus City, the towns historical ties to the circus world is largely due to the birth of the Ringling Brothers Circus and it now offers the Circus World Museum and the Clown Hall of Fame.
Baraboo offers plenty of activities from zoos, waterparks, wineries and distilleries, as well as an annual Oktoberfest
Baraboo lies along the Baraboo River and sits just two hours from Milwaukee and less than an hour from Madison
The median price list sits at $369,900 with a cost of living sitting 14.7 percent below national average and a population of 66,174.
Baraboo offers plenty of activities from zoos, waterparks, wineries and distilleries, as well as an annual Oktoberfest.
Altoona, Pennsylvania
The town of Altoona was primarily established as a railroad hub in the 1800s and home to the Horseshoe Curve, an area of railroad tracks that wind around the curve of a mountain.
Altoona, in Blair County, Pennsylvania, lies at the base of Brush Mountain and is home to plenty of history and natural beauty.
The town of Altoona was primarily established as a railroad hub in the 1800s and home to the Horseshoe Curve, an area of railroad tracks that wind around the curve of a mountain
Altoona, in Blair County, Pennsylvania, lies at the base of Brush Mountain and is home to the Canoe Creek State Park
Home to the Canoe Creek State Park, which spreads across 961-acre and features a 155-acre lake, as well as wetlands and forests. The lake is a popular spot for fishing and swimming, and the park also offers trails, a sandy beach and a range of wildlife.
The median price list sits at $149,000 with a cost of living at 22 percent below national average.
The population of 120,089 enjoy amusement parks and museums, as well as historic sites and hiking trails.
Fairbanks, Alaska
Fairbanks is the second-largest town in the state of Alaska, despite its population of 95,739
Established in 1901, the town of Fairbanks, Alaska, had a boom in population during the Fairbanks Gold Rush.
It is the second-largest town in the state, despite its population of 95,739. While a bit remote and surrounded by wilderness, the town boasts the University of Alaska.
The area is home to the Angel Rocks Trail as well as the Fairbanks Ice Museum, and the cold temperatures that regularly drop below zero degrees work perfectly for the annual World Ice Art championship.
Fairbanks is a great spot to see the Northern Lights, and host to lodges and tours dedicated to witnessing the beauty of the display
The median price list is $315,000 and the towns cost of living is a whopping 24 percent below the national average.
Fairbanks is also a great spot to see the Northern Lights, and host to lodges and tours dedicated to witnessing the beauty of the display.
Kearney, Nebraska
This family-friendly town has been dubbed the cultural heart of Nebraska. Kearney is two and a half hours west of Omaha and home to a rich arts community including Merryman Performing Arts Center and the World Theatre, which hosts year-round shows.
Kearney, the cultural heart of Nebraska, has a median list price of $319,900 and a cost-of-living 11.9 percent below the national average, the town offers community and recreational activities for all
With a median list price of $319,900 and a cost-of-living 11.9 percent below the national average, residents enjoy everything the town has to offer while hanging onto their cash.
The town offers plenty of recreational activities to its population of 57,843 such as horseback riding, tennis, golf, Fort Kearney boat rides and several parks for nature lovers.
Great Falls, Montana
Great Falls, Montana, is tucked away between four mountain ranges, three rivers, two wilderness areas, and a wildlife refuge, and host to a rich culture and history.
The population of 85,333 can enjoy the towns ten museums, hunting buffalo, as well as spending time of the Rivers Edge Trail or at Montanas State Fair.
Great Falls, Montana, is tucked away between four mountain ranges, three rivers, two wilderness areas, and a wildlife refuge
The population of 85,333 enjoy the towns ten museums, hunting buffalo, as well as spending time of the Rivers Edge Trail or at Montanas State Fair
They have a median listing price of $424,500 and their cost of living is 12.1 percent below national average. The town is also home to art museums, history museums, and a center devoted to Lewis and Clark.
The town is a great place for outdoor lovers with year-round activities such as hiking trails, skiing in winter at Showdown Mountain, as well as access on and along the Missouri River in the summer.
