Stretch Your Dollar in the Most Affordable Counties Across the U.S.

President Trump announced sweeping tariffs on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 2, 2025. Although the world was expecting his announcement on tariffs, many economists expressed surprise at the minimum 10% tax on nearly all imports. Stock markets dropped as economists warned Americans that prices will rise on everyday items from coffee to footwear to toys. The U.S. also imposed steep tariffs in the 1930s, which experts believe contributed to the worsening of the Great Depression. According to Senate.gov, the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, passed by the Senate in 1930, was “among the most catastrophic acts in congressional history.”

With inflation high and prices continuing to rise, Americans are looking for more affordable places to live. At 24/7 Wall St., we took a look at some of the most affordable places to live in the country, places where the cost of living is considerably lower than in other parts of the country.

24/7 Wall St. identified the least expensive county to live in in each state with data from the U.S. Department of Commerce. We ranked every county or county equivalent on estimated regional price parity (a measure of the cost of living relative to the national average). We also included median household income and median home values from five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey. Population data came from the U.S. Census Bureau’s latest data.

(This article was updated on April 5, 2025, to reflect recent news regarding President Trump’s global tariff announcement on April 2, 2025.)

Why It Matters Now

Due in part to its wealth and economic strength, the U.S. has a relatively high cost of living. However, many similar market forces contribute to variations in the cost of living within the United States, and in nearly every state, there are communities where consumer prices are far less expensive than average. However, the cost of living is a top issue for many Americans, and new tariffs are expected to raise consumer prices on many everyday products. Finding an area with a low cost of living can help your dollar stretch further, although salaries in those locations are likely to be lower as well.

These are the least expensive counties to live in in every state:

Alabama: Franklin County

• Est. cost of living in county: 21.3% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 12.2% less expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $47,359 ($59,609 statewide)
• Median home value: $121,600 ($179,400 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 67
• Population: 31,874

Alaska: Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area

• Est. cost of living in Census Area: 5.2% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 2.0% more expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $61,779 ($86,370 statewide)
• Median home value: $220,800 ($318,000 statewide)
• Number of county equivalents considered in state: 30
• Population: 5,746

Arizona: Santa Cruz County

• Est. cost of living in county: 24.4% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 0.1% less expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $51,885 ($72,581 statewide)
• Median home value: $196,700 ($321,400 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 15
• Population: 50,508

Arkansas: Monroe County

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.4% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 13.4% less expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $41,786 ($56,335 statewide)
• Median home value: $84,600 ($162,400 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 75
• Population: 6,514

California: Glenn County

• Est. cost of living in county: 8.1% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 12.5% more expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $64,033 ($91,905 statewide)
• Median home value: $295,400 ($659,300 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 58
• Population: 28,304

Colorado: Baca County

• Est. cost of living in county: 25.2% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 2.3% more expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $42,115 ($87,598 statewide)
• Median home value: $119,700 ($465,900 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 64
• Population: 3,367

Connecticut: Windham County

• Est. cost of living in county: 3.9% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 6.4% more expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $71,418 ($83,572 statewide)
• Median home value: $217,300 ($286,700 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 8
• Population (2021): 116,418

Delaware: Sussex County

• Est. cost of living in county: 4.3% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 2.0% less expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $75,406 ($79,325 statewide)
• Median home value: $324,400 ($305,200 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 3
• Population: 271,134

Florida: Gadsden County

• Est. cost of living in county: 14.6% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 2.1% more expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $45,721 ($67,917 statewide)
• Median home value: $137,300 ($292,200 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 67
• Population: 44,151

Georgia: Brantley County

• Est. cost of living in county: 17.4% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 4.2% less expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $40,166 ($71,355 statewide)
• Median home value: $91,900 ($245,900 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 159
• Population: 18,795

Hawaii: Hawaii County

• Est. cost of living in county: 6.4% more expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 10.8% more expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $74,238 ($94,814 statewide)
• Median home value: $454,900 ($764,800 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 5
• Population: 209,790

Idaho: Minidoka County

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.5% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 8.2% less expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $63,594 ($70,214 statewide)
• Median home value: $198,400 ($331,600 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 44
• Population: 22,691

Illinois: Pope County

• Est. cost of living in county: 18.0% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 1.3% more expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $57,582 ($78,433 statewide)
• Median home value: $137,500 ($239,100 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 102
• Population: 3,703

Indiana: Washington County

• Est. cost of living in county: 17.7% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 8.2% less expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $60,695 ($67,173 statewide)
• Median home value: $158,200 ($183,600 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 92
• Population: 28,345

Iowa: Ida County

• Est. cost of living in county: 18.1% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 11.6% less expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $63,125 ($70,571 statewide)
• Median home value: $108,000 ($181,600 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 99
• Population: 6,810

Kansas: Wallace County

• Est. cost of living in county: 16.5% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 10.0% less expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $57,708 ($69,747 statewide)
• Median home value: $96,200 ($189,300 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 105
• Population: 1,472

Kentucky: Butler County

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.0% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 10.6% less expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $47,589 ($60,183 statewide)
• Median home value: $102,200 ($177,000 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 120
• Population: 12,551

Louisiana: West Carroll Parish

• Est. cost of living in parish: 16.4% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 9.4% less expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $45,035 ($57,852 statewide)
• Median home value: $100,600 ($198,300 statewide)
• Number of parishes considered in state: 64
• Population: 9,254

Maine: Aroostook County

• Est. cost of living in county: 11.3% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 0.8% more expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $50,843 ($68,251 statewide)
• Median home value: $125,400 ($244,800 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 16
• Population: 66,776

Maryland: Garrett County

• Est. cost of living in county: 14.2% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 5.0% more expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $64,447 ($98,461 statewide)
• Median home value: $220,100 ($380,500 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 24
• Population: 28,393

Massachusetts: Dukes County

• Est. cost of living in county: 4.5% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 9.4% more expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $93,225 ($96,505 statewide)
• Median home value: $998,100 ($483,900 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 14
• Population: 21,061

Michigan: Huron County

• Est. cost of living in county: 15.7% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 6.6% less expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $54,475 ($68,505 statewide)
• Median home value: $129,500 ($201,100 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 83
• Population: 30,780

Minnesota: Jackson County

• Est. cost of living in county: 16.9% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 2.3% less expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $68,368 ($84,313 statewide)
• Median home value: $140,500 ($286,800 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 87
• Population: 9,861

Mississippi: Kemper County

• Est. cost of living in county: 20.9% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 12.7% less expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $42,947 ($52,985 statewide)
• Median home value: $89,300 ($151,000 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 82
• Population: 8,562

Missouri: Ripley County

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.5% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 8.9% less expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $42,541 ($65,920 statewide)
• Median home value: $103,700 ($199,400 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 115
• Population: 10,715

Montana: Chouteau County

• Est. cost of living in county: 16.9% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 9.7% less expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $51,791 ($66,341 statewide)
• Median home value: $172,000 ($305,700 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 56
• Population: 5,880

Nebraska: Thurston County

• Est. cost of living in county: 16.5% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 10.2% less expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $63,459 ($71,722 statewide)
• Median home value: $90,000 ($205,600 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 93
• Population: 6,637

Nevada: Eureka County

• Est. cost of living in county: 15.1% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 3.6% less expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $73,929 ($71,646 statewide)
• Median home value: $177,400 ($373,800 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 17
• Population: 1,877

New Hampshire: Coos County

• Est. cost of living in county: 6.7% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 7.6% more expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $55,247 ($90,845 statewide)
• Median home value: $157,900 ($337,100 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 10
• Population: 31,094

New Jersey: Cape May County

• Est. cost of living in county: 5.8% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 8.8% more expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $83,870 ($97,126 statewide)
• Median home value: $372,300 ($401,400 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 21
• Population: 93,875

New Mexico: Union County

• Est. cost of living in county: 20.1% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 9.0% less expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $41,714 ($58,722 statewide)
• Median home value: $126,900 ($216,000 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 33
• Population: 3,926

New York: Lewis County

• Est. cost of living in county: 11.3% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 7.6% more expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $64,401 ($81,386 statewide)
• Median home value: $146,100 ($384,100 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 62
• Population: 26,570

North Carolina: Montgomery County

• Est. cost of living in county: 17.2% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 5.8% less expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $55,523 ($66,186 statewide)
• Median home value: $139,900 ($234,900 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 100
• Population: 26,364

North Dakota: Benson County

• Est. cost of living in county: 16.4% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 11.3% less expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $63,220 ($73,959 statewide)
• Median home value: $79,300 ($232,500 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 53
• Population: 5,756

Ohio: Adams County

• Est. cost of living in county: 17.1% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 8.6% less expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $46,234 ($66,990 statewide)
• Median home value: $138,700 ($183,300 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 88
• Population: 27,671

Oklahoma: Cimarron County

• Est. cost of living in county: 18.3% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 11.2% less expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $57,100 ($61,364 statewide)
• Median home value: $77,900 ($170,500 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 77
• Population: 2,133

Oregon: Malheur County

• Est. cost of living in county: 10.3% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 6.6% more expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $48,371 ($76,632 statewide)
• Median home value: $187,500 ($423,100 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 36
• Population: 32,315

Pennsylvania: Forest County

• Est. cost of living in county: 14.1% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 3.8% less expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $46,188 ($73,170 statewide)
• Median home value: $102,300 ($226,200 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 67
• Population: 6,601

Rhode Island: Kent County

• Est. cost of living in county: 0.9% more expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 4.7% more expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $85,732 ($81,370 statewide)
• Median home value: $306,000 ($343,100 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 5
• Population: 172,450

South Carolina: Allendale County

• Est. cost of living in county: 17.6% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 6.4% less expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $37,096 ($63,623 statewide)
• Median home value: $61,800 ($216,200 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 46
• Population: 7,551

South Dakota: Harding County

• Est. cost of living in county: 16.4% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 12.0% less expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $71,484 ($69,457 statewide)
• Median home value: $128,300 ($219,500 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 66
• Population: 1,325

Tennessee: Hancock County

• Est. cost of living in county: 18.7% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 8.2% less expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $31,809 ($64,035 statewide)
• Median home value: $112,600 ($232,100 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 95
• Population: 7,038

Texas: Maverick County

• Est. cost of living in county: 16.9% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 2.5% less expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $48,497 ($73,035 statewide)
• Median home value: $125,000 ($238,000 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 254
• Population: 58,829

Utah: Emery County

• Est. cost of living in county: 18.7% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 5.5% less expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $67,056 ($86,833 statewide)
• Median home value: $168,700 ($408,500 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 29
• Population: 10,161

Vermont: Essex County

• Est. cost of living in county: 10.1% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 1.1% more expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $55,247 ($74,014 statewide)
• Median home value: $151,200 ($272,400 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 14
• Population: 6,037

Virginia: Scott County

• Est. cost of living in county: 18.8% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 2.1% more expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $44,535 ($87,249 statewide)
• Median home value: $122,300 ($339,800 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 133
• Population: 21,388

Washington: Asotin County

• Est. cost of living in county: 19.1% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 9.8% more expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $63,724 ($90,325 statewide)
• Median home value: $266,400 ($473,400 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 39
• Population: 22,523

West Virginia: Calhoun County

• Est. cost of living in county: 16.0% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 10.8% less expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $39,031 ($55,217 statewide)
• Median home value: $111,000 ($145,800 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 55
• Population: 5,873

Wisconsin: Menominee County

• Est. cost of living in county: 15.8% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 7.7% less expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $62,194 ($72,458 statewide)
• Median home value: $104,300 ($231,400 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 72
• Population: 4,286

Wyoming: Niobrara County

• Est. cost of living in county: 14.7% less expensive than US avg.
• Est. cost of living in state: 8.1% less expensive than US avg.
• Median household income: $54,375 ($72,495 statewide)
• Median home value: $195,600 ($269,900 statewide)
• Number of counties considered in state: 23
• Population: 2,301

The post Stretch Your Dollar in the Most Affordable Counties Across the U.S. appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..