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5 most affordable cities in America

July 29, 2009

winston salemWant to vacation somewhere inexpensive? Try Winston-Salem, N.C., which is the most affordable major American city, according to Mercer’s latest city ranking.

What makes the Twin City so cheap? Just about everything, according to the survey. Rent for a luxury two bedroom unfurnished apartment averages just $900 a month. A bus fare costs $1, and a burger will set you back by only $4.59. Mercer uses these prices to calculate the average cost of living.

Which other cities made the “most affordable” list?

Here are the top 5 cities.

1. Winston-Salem

2. Pittsburgh

3. Portland, Ore.

4. Detroit

5. St. Louis

Time for a little reality check. Destinations like Detroit have a limited appeal for leisure travelers, so while it may be affordable, it probably isn’t going to draw a lot of visitors with its low prices. But Portland, St. Louis — heck, even Pittsburgh — might see a little action as the result of these numbers. You never know.

So which US cities were the most expensive?

1. New York

2. Los Angeles

3. White Plains, NY

4. San Francisco

5. Honolulu

Somehow, I don’t think these scores will stop people from visiting New York or Hawaii …

Christopher Elliott is the author of Scammed: How to Save Your Money and Find Better Service in a World of Schemes, Swindles, and Shady Deals. Critics have called it “eye-opening” and “inspiring” — it’ll “grab your attention and won’t let go.” Order your copy now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or iTunes.

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12 comments

  • Chicky

    Winston-Salem is a beautiful place, and Old Salem is definitely worth a visit.
    One of my favorite destinations is Nashville, Tenn. Yeah, yeah, the capital of country music. True, but many other music varieties are represented, and the city has a thriving music club scene, as well as the Belcourt Theater, which shows indie and foreign flicks. The shopping is great, even if you don’t set foot in Opry Mills, and the dining is wonderful. With one out of every 7 or 8 Nashvillians being foreign-born, great ethnic food is available everywhere. Hotels can be had for a reasonable price, and the Frist Museum, the Parthenon, Cheekwood Botanical Gardens, the Hermitage and Belle Meade Plantation are just a few non-country music attractions. Nashville is one of my very favorite cities.

  • http://parkrideflyusa.com/blog Sharon Hurley Hall

    Agreed. I’m in no rush to visit Detroit while I’d be happy to go back to New York, despite the prices. Not sure that cost of living is always a prime concern when booking a holiday, though perhaps it should be. ;)

  • Katie

    I grew up in Pittsburgh (family still there) and have lived in NYC for the last 5 years, so I can definitely testify to the differing affordability! And despite living now in “the greatest city in the world,” I still rally people to visit Pittsburgh whenever I can. There are great museums, lots of theaters, and amazing restaurants, not to mention being coupled with availability of outdoor activities as well. All of the colleges/universities mean there’s also a decent night-life – all of this in a city that still retains a “small-town” feel, with tons of friendly people and a slower, family-oriented vibe. I actually tell people a lot that Park Slope, Brooklyn reminds me so much of the Shadyside/Squirrel Hill areas in Pittsburgh (granted, on a smaller scale).

    I think I’m a little too used to the insane fast-pace of NYC to settle back into Pittsburgh just yet, but would recommend either city to anyone looking for somewhere to go.

  • http://visitdenver.com tylerw

    How is White Plains, NY one of the top 5 most expensive cities in the US? Just curious!

  • Jim

    Don’t be so quick to dismiss Pittsburgh. Since my daughter moved there in 2003, I’ve visited numerous times. It’s a great city once you get to know it. Excellent cultural and athletic venues, wide range of good eating of every type and ethnicity, and few cities have a more beautiful center than the three rivers convergence. Give Pittsburgh a chance and you’ll like it.

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  • Jeff

    San Francisco and Honolulu are much more expensive to live in than Los Angeles. Who did this study?

  • bisco

    I happen to live in Winston-Salem, and I am surprised at this finding. But I do have a very nice 2 bedroom 2 bath apartment for $600… guess thats not so bad.

  • ageekymom

    Surprise! Surprise! Another travel blog dismissing Detroit! Perhaps you should rethink your position. Detroit (and surrounding communities) have a lot to offer visitors. Offhand comments, such as yours, are some of the reasons that Detroit is still seen as it was 15-20 years ago.
    Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford museum, along with Cranbrook Education Community offer days worth of high-quality sightseeing. I urge you to take another look at Detroit!

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  • Carl G.

    The link from:
    “…Mercer’s latest city ranking….”
    …does NOT have any list of city rankings. I wanted to see where Cincinnati falls in the list. It’s quite often on ‘most affordable’ lists. No way to tell from that link, though.

  • BillW

    The only reason I can think White Plains is on this list is the ridiculous taxes one has to pay as a resident of Westchester County — known for the highest property taxes in the USA. Also, White Plains is within commuting distance of New York City, which drives costs up. There is very, very little of interest or appeal when it comes to White Plains itself. It’s not worth a visit. I know because I live a few miles away from it. White Plains should not have even be included in this article.

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