It goes without saying that looking for a house to live in can be an adventure all in its own, not to mention actually trying to find out WHERE you want to live. Unfortunately, thanks to the economy, it can be difficult to find a place where you can actually afford to live, let alone living comfortably. If you’re thinking that a transition might be in your near future, then check out this list of 13 cities in the United States where you can comfortably live for under $60,000 a year!Fresno is what you would consider the economic hub of Fresno County and California’s San Joaquin Valley. Because most of the surrounding areas are predominantly tied to large-scale agricultural production, Fresno is a mecca for those in other industries. The cost of living in Fresno is $29,308, but if you’d like to live a bit more comfortably in the area, you should definitely make more than $58,000 a year!
Wichita, Kansas may not sound like a place that you would want to go, but with a rich history and a cost of living of under $28,000, you might just want to do a little research. Known as the “Air Capital of the World,” Wichita was once the home of aircraft pioneers Clyde Cessna, Walter Beech, and Bill Lear. If you’re interested in working in the aviation industry, then you might want to look into the firms that still exist in Wichita today, such as Beechcraft and Cessna. If you’d like to pay less than $56,000 a year to live comfortably, then Wichita should be the next place on your list.
It may come as a surprise to find out that Las Vegas has a cost of living of $28,304, but it’s true. Even with an income of less than $57,000, people can comfortably enjoy living in Las Vegas, which is well-known for its shopping, fine dining, and of course, its gambling. Infamously known as “The Entertainment Capital of the World,” Las Vegas requires its citizens to be particularly open-minded, especially considering that “Sin City” has several forms of entertainment for adults.
If you’re looking to move to a place with a breathtaking view and a cost of living of under $28,000, then you should see what Tucson, Arizona has to offer. With the Santa Catalina Mountains in the north, the Tucson mountains to the left, and the Rincon Mountains to the east, Tucson is calling out to those who have an adventurous spirit with a need to explore. For those that are looking for work, Tucson’s major employers include the University of Arizona, the U.S. Army Intelligence Center, Fort Huachuca, and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, which is probably why it takes less than $56,000 to live comfortably in Tucson.
Even though Tulsa was once heavily dependent on the oil industry, they have proudly branched out into other industries, such as finance, technology, and aerospace. Citizens of Tulsa, who are fortunate enough to live comfortably for under $58,000, are able to appreciate the fact that Tulsa is known as the “cultural and arts center of Oklahoma.” With a full-time opera house, ballet companies, two world-renowned art museums, and a cost of living of $28,993, Tulsa is one of best places to live, especially if you’re interested in seeing one of the country’s largest concentrations of art deco architecture!
When you think about San Antonio, you think about the Alamo, River Walk and the Tower of the Americas, but those aren’t the only reasons why people are drawn to this city, where the cost of living is $29,252! Not only is there a strong military presence in San Antonio, but there are also eight four-year colleges to choose from! The city, which proudly hosts the annual San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, has a rich culture and history that can be seen within its vibrant art community!
With a living cost of $26,692, Albuquerque, New Mexico, is set in the middle of the New Mexico Technology Corridor. The area, which is made up of private companies and government institutions, sits alongside the great Rio Grande. If you’re interested in working with an attendant contracting company, and wouldn’t mind paying less than $56,000 to live comfortably, then Albuquerque might be for you since it’s the home of Sandia National Laboratories and Kirtland Air Force Base!
Columbus, Ohio may not seem like the most glamorous place to live, but it sure does feel that way when you take a look at the cost of living! Considering that they’ve spent a lot of effort into promoting business growth, the cost of living for Columbus is only $29, 487! Apparently, if you’re looking to start your own business Columbus is the place to be, but according to local owners, you should make sure to check out the environmental rules before you do anything!
Now, don’t get us wrong, Detroit doesn’t necessarily scream “I’m a great place to live,” especially since it only takes a little over $52,000 to live comfortably there, but hear us out. Detroit was once considered to be the mecca of the automobile industry and the place where “Motown” started. Even though the city has seen a decline in different industries, they have been branching out into the fields of information technology, biotechnology, and nanotechnology.
If you’re a huge fan of country living and would like to pay less than $58,000 a year to embrace the lifestyle, then you should definitely check out Memphis, Tennessee. In a city where AutoZone, International Paper, and FedEx came from, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the cost of living is only $28,716! If you’d like to get your fingers filthy with some record-breaking barbeque sauces, then Memphis might just be the place for you!
Standing on the Rio Grande, and split in half by the Franklin Mountains, is the city of El Paso, Texas. One of the largest military complexes in the United States, Fort Bliss, can be found in the east and northeast directions of the city. Even though the cost of living may seem low at $50,150 to live comfortably, El Paso is perfect for family members of military personnel, who train in the area, as well!
Thanks to huge contributions from the industries of health care, finance, and education, Indianapolis has an economy full of diversity. The city also brings in an incredible number of tourists for sporting events like the Indianapolis 500! In a city where you can live comfortably for under $59,000, there are plenty of things for someone to do. In Indianapolis, where the cost of living is just under $30,000, there are a number of galleries and museums to appeal to sports fans, history buffs, and art lovers!
If you’ve ever heard of the Kentucky Derby, then you’re already familiar with Louisville area. Branching away from their infamous horse race, which is held at the historic Churchill Downs, Louisville has recently entered the industries of medical science and health care. Louisville not only has a cost of living of $28,643, but they’ve also taken the lead in advancements of heart and hand surgery, plus cancer treatment.
