Affordability is an important factor when choosing a place to live or start a business in the United States. The cost of living can greatly impact decision-making for individuals and families, whether they are looking to purchase a home or rent an apartment.
In this article, we will explore the 20 cheapest zip codes in the United States. By examining these areas, readers can gain insight into the most affordable places to live and potentially find a new location that aligns with their financial means.
48505: Flint, MI
48505, the zip code that covers the area of Flint, Michigan, is the cheapest zip code in the US. With a median rent of $750 and median home price of $25,941, the area offers affordable housing to its population of 18,740. The rental percentage among residents is relatively high, making it an attractive option for renters. Additionally, the cost of living index is a low 78.3, well below the US national average of 100. Overall, 48505 offers an affordable living option with a low cost of living index.
71103: Shreveport, LA
Shreveport, Louisiana’s 71103 zip code offers an affordable place to live with a median rent of $815 and a median home price of $26,846. The population in this zip code is 6,133, and the cost of living index stands at 84.6. Residents can enjoy a relatively low cost of living in this area.
17935: Girardville, PA
Girardville is a small community located in Pennsylvania with a population of 1,586. The cost of living index is 81.4, making it an affordable option for those looking to relocate. The median house rent is $800, while the median home price is $32,642. However, the community faces economic challenges with an unemployment rate of 17.7%.
24736: Matoaka, WV
Matoaka, WV, with a population of 702, offers affordable living with a median apartment rent of $691 and a median home price of $40,829. Despite a relatively high school attainment rate, the area struggles with an older demographic and has a cost of living index of 82.9.
71601: Pine Bluff, AR
In Pine Bluff, AR, zip code 71601 is known for its affordability, with a median rent of $750 and a median home price of $46,187. Despite this, the area’s unemployment rate remains high at 17.2%. Additionally, the cost of living index in zip code 71601 is 79.7, indicating that the area is relatively inexpensive to live in.
61832: Danville, IL
Danville, IL, with a population of 33,391, offers affordable living with a median home price of $52,849 and a median rent of $625. The unemployment rate is relatively low at 9.6%, and 18.2% of the population holds a bachelor’s degree or higher, providing educational opportunities. The cost of living index in this zip code is 81.3, making it an affordable option for those seeking to live in Illinois.
24724: Bramwell, WV
Bramwell, WV, with a population of 108, offers affordable living options with a median rent of $534 and a median home price of $53,433. The cost of living index is 90, indicating that the cost of living is lower than the national average. However, the high unemployment rate of 47.2% suggests that the local economy may face challenges.
72036: Cotton Plant, AR
The zip code 72036 in Cotton Plant, AR is known for its affordable cost of living with a cost of living index of 77.7. The median monthly rent is $441 and the median home price is $65,426, making it an economical option. However, the area struggles with a high unemployment rate of 20% despite its small population of 598.
25142: Seth, WV
Seth, WV is a small community with a population of 471 and a cost of living index of 80. Despite its size, it offers a median rent of $705 and a median home price of $66,718. However, economic revitalization efforts may be necessary due to the high unemployment rate of 21.2% and the lack of residents holding bachelor’s degrees or higher.
63136: Jennings, MO
Jennings, MO, a city with a population of 44,513, has a median rent of $1,150 and a median home price of $67,011. Despite having a relatively higher median home price compared to other cities on this list, it still remains affordable. The cost of living index in Jennings stands at 94.6, which is lower than the US national average of 100.
72123: Patterson, AR
Patterson, AR, located in zip code 72123, is known for its affordability. The median apartment rent in this area is $486, and the median home price is $68,062. The unemployment rate is relatively low at 6.0%, and the cost of living index is 76.4. With a population of 314, Patterson offers a comfortable living experience for those seeking an affordable lifestyle.
48224: Detroit, Michigan
The 48224 zip code, located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan, offers an affordable cost of living index at 94.2. With a population of 39,079, residents can expect a median rent of $1,100 and a median home price of $70,298. However, the region faces economic challenges with a high unemployment rate of 14.7%. Despite this, the zip code remains an attractive option for those seeking urban living at an affordable price.
47302: Muncie, Indiana
Muncie, Indiana is a city with a population of 25,258 residents and a zip code of 47302. The median rent in this area is $880, while the median home price is $77,595. Despite a low unemployment rate of 7.0%, the local economy faces challenges. However, Muncie offers educational opportunities with 12.3% of residents holding bachelor’s degrees or higher. The cost of living in Muncie is also below the national average, with a cost of living index of 83.9.
21217: Baltimore, MD
Zip code 21217 in Baltimore, MD, is home to 31,902 residents. The median rent in the area is $1,121, and the median home price is $79,038. The cost of living index is 107, which is relatively high compared to other zip codes in this list. However, the area faces an unemployment rate of 13.4%, which is a major concern.
19140: Philadelphia, PA
Zip code 19140 in Philadelphia, PA, provides affordable living options for its 55,191 residents. Despite being located in an urban setting, it is one of the cheapest zip codes in the US to buy a house. The median rent for a studio in 19140 is only $761, and the median home price is $80,579. This makes it an ideal location for those seeking economical living options in the city.
38109: Memphis, TN
Zip code 38109 in Memphis, TN, is known for its affordable living options. With a median rent of $959 and a median home price of $82,886, residents can enjoy a low cost of living. However, the area faces a high unemployment rate of 21.4%, which is a major challenge for the community. Additionally, the cost of living index in 38109 is 102.7, which is slightly higher than the national average.
46953: Marion, Indiana
Marion, Indiana has a population of 23,512 and is home to zip code 46953, an affordable place to live with a cost of living index of 75.8. The median rent in this area is $760, and the median home price is $88,204. While Marion faces economic challenges with an unemployment rate of 11.0%, its youthful population and affordability underscore its potential for growth and development.
14904: Southport, NY
Southport, NY’s 14904 is considered one of the most affordable zip codes in the United States. The population of 14,792 enjoys a median rent of $1,150 and a median home price of $88,388. While the cost of living index is near the national average at 101.3, Southport offers affordability within the state. However, the community faces typical economic challenges with an unemployment rate of 7.9%.
43952: Steubenville, OH
Steubenville, OH’s 43952 is a highly affordable zip code with a median rent of $650 and a median home price of $90,806 for its 17,542 residents. The cost of living index is below average at 88.7, making it an affordable option compared to national standards. However, the unemployment rate is currently at 9.1%, reflecting the economic landscape of the region.
46218: Indianapolis, IN
The zip code 46218 in Indianapolis, IN is considered to be one of the cheapest zip codes in the US with a cost of living index of 87. Despite its population of 29,446, the area faces an unemployment rate of 13.6%. The median rent in this area is $800, while the median home price is $95,779.
