The Cheapest Cities in America

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If you find your bills overwhelming, one solution is to move. Take a good luck at your finances and ask yourself, "Am I living in an area above my means." Although most of us enjoy living in popular urban areas, the recession and its aftermath have left many Americans struggling to make payments. Stop accumulating debt, and make your payments on time by relocating to one of the cheaper areas of the U.S.

A recent study has come up with the cheapest places to live in America, based on per capita income and the price of housing. Whether you are looking to relocate in order to decrease what you owe in monthly bills, or are just looking to buy your first home, moving to one of these areas is an affordable solution.

Kokomo, Indiana is a small city in the Midwest where the average home costs $94,000 which is $50,000 cheaper than the national average and $5,000 cheaper than Indianapolis. The air quality in Kokomo is one of the best in the country, adding to the benefits of moving to this peaceful city. It is a great place to raise your children, as Midwesterners are known for their values. Another factor that makes Kokomo so cheap is the average income, which ranks 72 in the country at $25,053.

If you have been living in Chicago, you might want to consider moving a few miles away for a big savings. If you are looking to go to school or work in Chicago, consider moving to Springfield or Rockford instead. The average cost of a home is $80,000, and the tax is one percent less than the national average. If you haven't found work yet, no need to worry. In Springfield unemployment is only 3.5%. Job growth in Rockford, Illinois is expected to be 12.8%, which is higher than the expected 10.8% national average. The income for residents in Rockford is also $2,000 higher than that of those living in Chicago.

Syracuse is no New York City, but you can get away with making half as much as you would in the big city. Syracuse, New York is 200 miles away from New York City, but the two and a half hour drive will allow you to live comfortably on $40,000 a year. The average cost of a home in Syracuse is $70,000, and you are going to get a lot more land for your dollar.

If all those Jersey reality shows have sparked your interest, consider moving to the Millville-Bridgeton section of New Jersey. Houses in this area are a little more expensive, but the average income is $10,000 higher than it is in Philadelphia.

If you have always wanted to try Southern cooking, consider moving to Fort Walton Beach or Tallahassee, Florida. These Southern cities are as cheap as it gets. Fort Walton Beach is only a two and a half hour drive from Louisiana, and offers cheap housing and affordable health care. The crime rate is also low. There are countless beaches, beautiful resorts, and a great retirement community. Tallahassee has a lively college scene with two great universities, Florida A&M and Florida State. The average home costs $99,790, plus great weather and low prices. The city is also known for special events and tourist activities.

Instead of moving to L.A., consider moving to Bakersfield, California where it costs $130,000 less to buy a home. Employment opportunities are more abundant, with 8% more opportunities than you would find in Los Angeles. The air is also considered to be 13 times better.