Illinois, Wisconsin Home to 2 of the Most Affordable Cities in U.S.

Wisconsin and Illinois both boast cities that have made it into the top 10 most affordable places to live in America. This achievement highlights the Midwest’s strong appeal for those seeking a balance of quality living and affordability.

Most Affordable Places To Live

MarketWatch, a financial and business news site, analyzed 223 of the country’s largest cities to determine the top 10 most affordable cities.

The ranking was determined based on seven key factors:

• Median Household Income
• Unemployment Rate
• Median Home Sale Price
• Median Monthly Rent
• Grocery Cost of Living Index
• Transportation Cost of Living Index
• Miscellaneous Goods and Services Cost of Living Index

Each city was then assigned a score between 0 and 100, with 100 representing the most affordable cities.

Illinois and Wisconsin each have a city that scored in the Top 10.

The Top 10 Most Affordable Cities in the U.S.

According to MarketWatch

Tie for #9

Manchester, New Hampshire & Sioux City, Iowa

#8

Iowa City, Iowa

#7

Alexandria, Louisianna

Get our free mobile app

#6

Jackson, Mississippi

#5

Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

#4

Get our free mobile app

Springfield, Illinois

Springfield, Ill., ranks in the top 50 U.S. cities for four metrics. It has the 21st-lowest median home sales price ($139,000) and the 30th-lowest median monthly rent ($1,034).

MORE: Illinois Pizzerias With The Highest Scores From Dave Portnoy

#3

Rapid City, South Dakota

#2

Wichita, Kansas

MORE: Romantic Weekends Are Best Spent In This Wisconsin Town

#1

Green Bay, Wisconsin

Roughly 120 miles north of Milwaukee, Green Bay ranks as the most affordable city in MarketWatch study.

The median monthly rent in Green Bay, Wisconsin, was just $870 as of March 2023 — the 10th-lowest across all 223 cities. Groceries and other miscellaneous goods and services (clothing, entertainment, etc.) are also affordable in Green Bay.

Every year, a U.S. News and World Report study attempts to find the best places to live in America. That study also used affordability data, including 3 other metrics that matter to most people looking for a great place to live and thrive.

• Quality of life
• Job market
• Affordability
• Desirability

Green Bay, Wisconsin also topped the U.S News and World Report study.

MORE: 4 Of Guy Fieri’s Favorite Wisconsin Joints On Triple D