Single Adults' Guide: Where to Find the Lowest Living Expenses Across America

Planning a move to stretch your budget further? For single adults looking to minimize monthly expenses, choosing the right state can make a substantial difference in your financial flexibility. A comprehensive analysis of spending patterns across all U.S. states reveals significant variations in the cost of living, with some states offering dramatically lower expenses than others.

The Most Affordable Places: States With the Lowest Cost of Living

The affordability gap between states is striking. Your monthly expenses could vary by hundreds of dollars depending on where you choose to settle, making location a critical factor in personal financial planning.

Oklahoma leads the pack with a cost-of-living index of 86.2, offering single adults the most economical option nationally. Monthly expenses break down as follows: groceries at $321.04, healthcare at $315.30, utilities at $284.21, transportation at $676.06, and an average mortgage payment of $1,239.21.

Mississippi follows closely at 86.3, where you’d spend $330.56 on groceries, $335.05 on healthcare, $248.90 on utilities, $640.28 on transportation, and $1,087.15 for mortgage—making it particularly attractive for housing affordability.

Kansas ranks third with an index of 87.1, featuring moderate expenses across all categories: $330.56 groceries, $329.94 healthcare, $308.52 utilities, $657.81 transportation, and $1,363.63 average mortgage.

Mid-Range Affordable States

West Virginia (87.7 index) stands out for exceptionally low mortgage costs at $981.01 while maintaining reasonable expenses in other categories. Alabama (88.3 index) and Missouri (88.5 index) continue the trend of solid affordability, with Alabama particularly competitive in healthcare costs at $296.24 monthly.

Arkansas offers a 89 index with well-balanced expenses, while Tennessee and Iowa both score 90.3, providing good value across multiple spending categories. Tennessee notably features lower transportation costs at $647.58 compared to national averages.

Additional Budget-Friendly States

The next tier includes Michigan, Georgia, Nebraska, Louisiana, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, South Dakota, Wyoming, Texas, and New Mexico—all with cost-of-living indices ranging from 90.6 to 94.

Georgia (90.8 index) and Michigan (90.6 index) offer strong Midwestern and Southern affordability respectively. Louisiana stands out with the lowest utilities cost among all analyzed states at $243.11. New Mexico, ranking at 94, still qualifies as affordable relative to national standards with particularly low grocery costs at $327.84.

Understanding the Expense Breakdown

When evaluating affordability, expenses typically cluster in five categories: groceries (averaging $321-$347 monthly), healthcare ($285-$342), utilities ($243-$309), transportation ($640-$751), and mortgage payments ($981-$2,076). The mortgage component often represents the largest variable, ranging from under $1,000 in West Virginia to over $2,000 in Wyoming and Georgia.

Single adults in the most affordable states can expect total monthly living expenses—including housing—to fall between $4,800 and $5,200, depending on their specific consumption patterns and the state they choose.

Making Your Decision

The difference between living in an affordable state versus a higher-cost area can amount to $300-$500 monthly or more. For those seeking to build wealth, reduce financial stress, or simply live more comfortably on a fixed income, relocating to one of these lowest cost of living states could provide meaningful financial relief. The key is identifying which state not only offers overall affordability but also matches your lifestyle preferences and career opportunities.

Methodology note: This analysis draws on state cost-of-living indices from the Missouri Economic and Research Information Center combined with 2022 Consumer Expenditure Survey data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Mortgage calculations assume a 10% down payment using 30-year fixed rates and current home values, with data current as of April 2024.