Skip to content

Top Navigation

Food & Wine Food & Wine
  • Recipes & Cooking
  • Drinks
  • Travel
  • Holidays + Events
  • News
  • F&W Classic
  • Video
  • Lifestyle
  • F&W Pro
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Your Profile

Your Profile

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • F&W Classic Insiders this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Wine Club
  • Podcast
  • Food & Wine Books this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout
Login
Subscribe Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Food & Wine

Food & Wine Food & Wine
  • Explore

    Explore

    • F&W Cooks

      F&W Cooks

      Food and Wine presents a new network of food pros delivering the most cookable recipes and delicious ideas online. Read More
    • Our 22 Best Crock Pot and Slow-Cooker Recipes

      Our 22 Best Crock Pot and Slow-Cooker Recipes

      Looking to amp up your beef stew but unsure where to start? A slow cooker can can take your comfort food to the next level. Read More
    • 50 Affordable Wines You Can Always Trust

      50 Affordable Wines You Can Always Trust

      We’ve assembled a list of 50 of the world’s most reliable, inexpensive wines – bottles that offer amazing quality for their price year in and year out. Read More
  • Recipes & Cooking

    Recipes & Cooking

    See All Recipes & Cooking
    • Chicken
    • Comfort Food
    • Breakfast + Brunch
    • Salads
    • Desserts
    • Vegetables
    • Pasta + Noodles
    • Chefs
    • Meat + Poultry
    • Soup
    • Appetizers
    • Side Dishes
    • Fruits
    • Seafood
    • Special Diets
    • Cooking Techniques
    • Steal This Trick
  • Drinks

    Drinks

    See All Drinks
    • Wine
    • Cocktails + Spirits
    • Coffee
    • Juices
    • Beer
    • Champagne + Sparkling Wine
    • Tea
  • Travel

    Travel

    See All Travel
    • Wine Regions
    • Restaurants
  • Holidays + Events

    Holidays + Events

    See All Holidays + Events
    • Valentine's Day
    • Halloween
    • Passover
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • Gifts
    • Super Bowl
    • Easter
    • Thanksgiving
    • New Year's Eve
    • Holiday Entertaining
  • News
  • F&W Classic

    F&W Classic

    See All F&W Classic
    • F&W Classic Insider
    • Food & Wine Classic in Aspen
  • Video
  • Lifestyle
  • F&W Pro
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Profile

Your Profile

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • F&W Classic Insiders this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Wine Club
  • Podcast
  • Food & Wine Books this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Lifestyle
  3. 7 of the Most Affordable Cities in America

7 of the Most Affordable Cities in America

By Food & Wine Updated July 28, 2017
Skip gallery slides
FB Tweet
St. Louis, Missouri
Credit: © Greg Goodman
When it comes to city living, the price varies greatly from state to state. While coastal meccas New York and San Francisco continue to offer up sky-high rents, Forbes's list of America’s most affordable cities is serving up some handsome alternatives, with the magazine measuring overall cost of living based on housing, food, utilities, gas, transportation, medical, and daily expenses. If you dream of bigger, better living quarters, cleaner air, or just plain more bang for your buck, keep scrolling!This piece originally appeared in MyDomaine.com.
Start Slideshow

1 of 7

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham, Alabama
Credit: © AL

Whether you’re looking to take in some live jazz or indulge in a day hike through the trails at Ruffner Mountain, family-friendly Birmingham is rife with options. Steeped in good old-fashioned Southern hospitality, the cultural scene offers up killer fine dining and rich history galore. Population: 212,238Median Family Income: $61,000Median Home Price: $130,000Cost Below (or Above) National Average: Groceries: 5.4%; Utilities: (3.5%); Transportation: 13.2%; Health: 16.6%; Misc.: 2.6% Domaine Pick:Ore Drink and Dine

1 of 7

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 7

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Knoxville, Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee
Credit: © Just Ripe Knoxville

Located in East Tennessee, the fast-growing Knoxville is situated at the scenic foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. The state's third largest city plays host to the University of Tennesee and a slew of corporate headquarters, granting it a vibrant youth culture and healthy job market. Population: 717,400Median Family Income: $60,500Median Home Price: $145,600Cost Below National Average: Groceries: 11.2%; Utilities: 7.7%; Transportation: 14.7%; Health: 7.7%; Misc.: 8.0%Domaine Pick: Just Ripe

2 of 7

3 of 7

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Buffalo, New York

Buffalo, New York
Credit: © Voice of Niagara

The western New York town, flanked by Lake Eerie, is about as pocket-book-friendly as the east coast gets. While it's also known for dense, snowy winters, Buffalo boasts the sunniest summers of any northeastern city. In typical New York fashion, the culture is a true melting pot of influences, lending great eats and eclectic events citywide. Population: 261,000Median Family Income: $63,900Median Home Price: $118,000Cost Below National Average: Groceries: 7.1%; Utilities: (7.1)%; Transportation: (2.4)%; Health: 11.8%; Misc.: 10.7%Domaine Pick:Hotel Lafayette

3 of 7

Advertisement

4 of 7

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Credit: © Zach Nash

The capital and largest city in Oklahoma, Oklahoma City lives up to its nickname "The Big Friendly." Luckily, the warm southern hospitality and vibrant culture is robust enough to offset the at-times extreme climate, which includes uber-humid summers and an active severe weather season. Population: 579,999Median Family Income: $61,400Median Home Price: $139,000Cost Below National Average: Groceries: 10.1%; Utilities: 10.1%; Transportation: 2.1%; Health: 6.0%; Misc.: 7.7%Domaine Pick:Café Do Brasil

4 of 7

5 of 7

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Cincinnati, Ohio

Cincinnati, Ohio
Credit: © Cincinnati Best Restaurants

Sportsmen will dig the vibe of this southwestern Ohio metropolis. Home to two major sports teams, the Cincinnati Reds and the Cincinnati Bengals, there is a steady stream of team pride to indulge in year-round. The midwest town also has a bold reputation for chili, with more chili restaurants per capita than any other city in the world. Foodies rejoice. Population: 296,943Median Family Income: $68,500Median Home Price: $133,000Cost Below National Average: Groceries: 4.6%; Utilities: 5.9%; Transportation: (0.2)%; Health: 0.3%; Misc.: 7.2%Domaine Pick: Boca

5 of 7

6 of 7

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis, Tennessee
Credit: © Screenwriting From Iowa

The "youngest" of Tennessee's major cities is known for a strong music culture. Elvis's infamous roost, Graceland, is a must for any visit. The Mississippi River acts as the western border of Memphis, lending a lush riverwalk park system. Climate wise, expect four distinct seasons and the occasional dramatic temperature shift. Population: 646,889Median Family Income: $56,700Median Home Price: $140,000Cost Below National Average: Groceries: 8.3%; Utilities: 12.9%; Transportation: 9.7%; Health: 5.0%; Misc.: 10.3%Domaine Pick: Graceland

6 of 7

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 7

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis, Missouri
Credit: © Greg Goodman
See all of the most affordable cites on MyDomaine.com

Named after King Louis IX of France, the midwest town and port city, nicknamed The Gateway to the West , was historically a last stop for early pioneers en route to the Pacific. Nowadays, it is home to the regional offices of several major companies, fom AT&T to Bank of America. The largest metropolitan area in the state, it is full of distinctive culture.Population: 319,294Median Family Income: $67,100Median Home Price: $140,000Cost Below National Average: Groceries: 2.2%; Utilities: 9%; Transportation: 1.2%; Health: 0.9%; Misc.: 4.1%Domaine Pick: Gateway Arch

7 of 7

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Food & Wine

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 7 Birmingham, Alabama
    2 of 7 Knoxville, Tennessee
    3 of 7 Buffalo, New York
    4 of 7 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
    5 of 7 Cincinnati, Ohio
    6 of 7 Memphis, Tennessee
    7 of 7 St. Louis, Missouri

    Share & More

    Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print
    Food & Wine

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Books from Food & Wine
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithFood & Wine is part of the Meredith Corporation Allrecipes Food Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Food & Wine. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.foodandwine.com

    Sign in

    View image

    7 of the Most Affordable Cities in America
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.