What state is best for low income?

Asked by: Corine Schaden  |  Last update: June 19, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (13 votes)

12 States With the Lowest Cost of Living
  1. 12 Cheapest States to Live in for 2024. Here are the 12 states with the lowest cost of living: ...
  2. West Virginia. West Virginia's cost of living is 16.2% below average—making it the lowest in the country. ...
  3. Oklahoma. Let's head west! ...
  4. Kansas. ...
  5. Alabama. ...
  6. Mississippi. ...
  7. Arkansas. ...
  8. Missouri.

What is the best state to live in for low income?

Oklahoma consistently ranks as one of the states with the most affordable housing costs. The state also has a number of financial assistance programs through staples like SNAP and WIC, as well as local nonprofit Bethel Foundation for single mothers and young children.

What state has the best benefits for low income?

At $385, Hawaii had the highest average monthly SNAP benefit per household member in fiscal year 2023; it was double many states' average monthly benefits. In fiscal year 2022, California had the largest number of SNAP participants of all states and the District of Columbia, with 4,627,700 people in total.

What state is the easiest to get low income housing?

These Are the 10 Best States for Housing Affordability
  • Mississippi.
  • Alabama.
  • Kentucky.
  • Oklahoma.
  • South Dakota.
  • North Dakota.
  • Louisiana.
  • Iowa.

What state has lowest cost of living?

  • Arkansas. #1 in Cost of Living. #47 in Best States Overall. ...
  • Mississippi. #2 in Cost of Living. #48 in Best States Overall. ...
  • Alabama. #3 in Cost of Living. ...
  • South Dakota. #4 in Cost of Living. ...
  • Iowa. #5 in Cost of Living. ...
  • North Dakota. #6 in Cost of Living. ...
  • Oklahoma. #7 in Cost of Living. ...
  • West Virginia. #8 in Cost of Living.

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26 related questions found

What is the best state to move to start over?

Here's a list of the 10 best states to relocate to, according to Shoreline Immigration's report.
  1. New Hampshire. New Hampshire, the live free or die state, is the fifth-smallest state by area and the 10th least-populous state in the country. ...
  2. Wyoming. ...
  3. Virginia. ...
  4. Rhode Island. ...
  5. Wisconsin. ...
  6. Connecticut. ...
  7. North Dakota. ...
  8. Utah.

What state has the lowest paying rent?

Top 5 Cheapest States to Live In for Renters, by Median Rent
  • West Virginia – $831.
  • Arkansas – $868.
  • South Dakota – $878.
  • Mississippi – $896.
  • Kentucky – $902.

What state has the shortest housing waiting list?

Consequently, housing assistance wait times vary by state, ranging from as little as eight months in Wyoming to as many as 42 months, or three years and six months, in Massachusetts in 2023.

What is considered low income in the states?

According to the most recent report from the U.S. Census Bureau, the poverty threshold for a family of four is $29,960. For an individual, the poverty threshold is $14,891.

What state helps poor people the most?

Berman's key finding: Vermont ranks as the most generous state with the average low-income person receiving about $26,000 in benefits. This is due largely to the fact that, using my measure, Vermont has the most generous Medicaid program and Medicaid accounts for about half of all of the programs I consider.

How can I move out of state with low income?

Lower-income individuals and families can use relocation assistance grants to partially relieve some of the financial burden of moving. These grants may be offered through private nonprofit organizations as well as through federally funded programs. The programs may differ depending on your destination.

Which state is best financially?

5 best states for saving money
  • North Dakota. North Dakota scored the top spot on our list as the best state for saving money. ...
  • South Dakota. ...
  • Kansas. ...
  • Iowa. ...
  • Nebraska. ...
  • Hawaii. ...
  • 2. California. ...
  • Massachusetts.

Where is the nicest but cheapest place to live?

Most Affordable Places to Live in the U.S. in 2024-2025
  • Fort Wayne, IN.
  • Huntsville, AL.
  • Wichita, KS.
  • Springfield, MO.
  • Davenport, IA.
  • Hickory, NC.
  • Montgomery, AL.

What is the best state for free healthcare?

The top five states for healthcare access are:
  • Hawaii.
  • Massachusetts.
  • Connecticut.
  • Rhode Island.
  • Vermont.

What state pays you the most to live there?

Alaska. Alaska has one of the longest running incentive programs in the country: the Permanent Dividend Fund. Started in 1976, it pays every resident an annual stipend as long as they lived in Alaska during the previous calendar year. The amount depends on the state's annual revenue, but averages around $1,600.

What state is the easiest to get housing assistance?

Colorado ranked the top state in the nation for housing assistance from 2018 to 2019. Connecticut saw a 23.6% decline in homelessness from 2018 to 2019. In 2019, it was estimated that nearly 568,000 were experiencing homelessness. As of November 2020, 10.74 million Americans are unemployed.

What state has the lowest cost of housing?

Iowa. Iowa ranks as the most affordable state to buy a house in the U.S., with a median home price of just $147,800. Known for its vast farmlands, Iowa is the leading corn producer in the country, but it also offers urban living in cities like Des Moines, Iowa City, and Cedar Rapids.

What city has the biggest housing shortage?

Unsurprisingly, the nation's two largest cities — New York and Los Angeles — have the largest estimated overall housing shortages at roughly 390,000 and 337,000, respectively. Between 2021 and 2022, New York City's housing shortage increased by more than 3.5%, according to Zillow.

Where can I live in the US for $500 a month?

Without further ado – and in no particular order – here's what $500 per month can get you in ten affordable U.S. cities:
  • Greenville, OH. Listing: Wayne Crossing. ...
  • Wichita, KS. Listing: Eagle Creek. ...
  • Lawton, OK. Listing: Sheridan Square Apartments. ...
  • Amarillo, TX. ...
  • Indianapolis, IN. ...
  • Searcy, AR. ...
  • Shreveport, LA. ...
  • Jackson, MS.

What state can you live cheap?

Mississippi: According to World Population Review, in 2023, Mississippi holds the title of the cheapest state to live in the United States. Its cost of living index is 85, and overall costs in the state are 17% lower than the national average.

Where is rent cheapest in the US?

The U.S. state with the lowest average monthly rent: West Virginia. West Virginia has the lowest rent costs with a monthly average of $846, according to the doxo report. It is also the most affordable state for mortgage payments, with an average of $961.

How can I move states with very little money?

12 Cheap Ways to Move Out of State
  1. Pile Up Cash for Moving Expenses. ...
  2. Declutter So There's Less to Move. ...
  3. Pack With Free Supplies. ...
  4. Negotiate for a Relocation Package. ...
  5. Ask Your Friends for Help. ...
  6. Move During Winter or Weekdays. ...
  7. Use Public Transportation. ...
  8. Haul a Cargo Trailer.

Where is everyone moving to in 2024?

In the Southeast region of the United States, several states – including South Carolina (62%), North Carolina (60%) and Arkansas (58%) – continue to increase in popularity with a high percentage of inbound moves in 2024.

Where is the best place to start over with nothing?

Raleigh, North Carolina, is the best city for a fresh start.

Prices in Raleigh are lower than those at the national level, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.