Explore 24,000+ US cities with real data from BLS, HUD, Census, and Zillow. 103 cities with full cost-of-living breakdowns.
103 cities found
Sorted by affordability (lowest COL index first)
The cost of living in the United States varies dramatically from city to city. While coastal metros like San Francisco, New York, and San Jose top the charts with cost-of-living indices well above 150, dozens of cities across the South and Midwest offer indices below 90 — meaning your dollar stretches 10-20% further than the national average.
Our rankings use a composite index based on six weighted categories from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey: housing (33.3% weight), transportation (17.5%), miscellaneous expenses (21.5%), groceries (12.8%), healthcare (7.9%), and utilities (7.0%). A score of 100 represents the national average. Housing is the single largest factor, and cities with indices below 85 typically offer one-bedroom rents under $800/month - compared to $2,000+ in high-cost metros.
In 2026, the affordability gap continues to widen. Remote work has made it possible for many workers to earn coastal salaries while living in cities like Laredo, TX (COL index: 81) or Fort Wayne, IN (COL index: 83). For someone earning $75,000/year, the estimated monthly living cost in Laredo is just $4,925 - versus $12,222 in San Jose, CA. That's a potential savings of $87,564/year.
Texas and Ohio dominate the affordability rankings, with cities like Laredo, El Paso, San Antonio, Cleveland, and Fort Wayne all posting indices below 85. These cities combine low housing costs with growing job markets in healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics. Meanwhile, mid-size cities like Des Moines, IA (insurance and finance hub) and Omaha, NE (fintech and agriculture) offer a balance of affordability and career opportunity with indices around 90-91.
Data sources: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey (2023), HUD Fair Market Rents (2024), U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (2023), and BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages. Home price data from Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI). Estimates are for a typical household; individual costs will vary based on lifestyle, family size, and spending habits.