10 Cheapest Places to Live in the US

2) Harlingen, Texas

Harlingen is the cheapest place to live in the United States, according to the Council for Community and Economic Research. It’s located in the Rio Grande Valley about 30 miles from the coast. The population is almost 75,000 and the cost of living is 18.4 percent less than the national average. The average home cost is $229,558, and the median income is $34,096. Unfortunately, the low costs come with another set of problems. Harlingen has a higher poverty rate than the state or national average. About a third of the population lives below the line. One factor contributing positively to the local economy are the retirees who live in the area for part of the year, taking advantage of the mild winter. There is no state income tax. Home property taxes average around $3,500 per year.