Amarillo, Texas and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma may seem to be the U.S. cities with the lowest living costs. Still, in 2024, one city stands out from the rest in affordability, that is, Decatur, Illinois which has been ranked as the least expensive city to settle down in the entire country. With a more than 20% regional average cost of living, Decatur has affordable accommodation, services and costs of living.
Why Decatur, Illinois, is the most affordable city
Located in the Central region of Illinois, Decatur is a small city with a simple lifestyle and a rich cultural history. One of the major reasons why the city is considered affordable is because housing is less expensive compared to other cities. The Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) placed housing costs in Decatur to be roughly at 33%, lower than nationwide averages, making it a suitable place for anyone wishing to own a house or rent one without incurring exorbitant costs.
The economy of the city is mainly focused on the manufacturing sector and especially agribusiness activities in which the company Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) is one of the leading contributors. This means that although the cost of living is low, job opportunities in certain sectors are available in the city.
How Decatur’s cost of living compared to other affordable cities
Compared to cities like Amarillo and Oklahoma City, Decatur’s overall cost of living is significantly lower. For example, Amarillo has a cost of living that’s about 14% lower than the national average, while Oklahoma City’s cost of living is 15% below the national average. Both are affordable, but Decatur’s cost advantage is clear when factoring in housing, transportation, and utilities.
Utilities in Decatur, in particular, are an area where residents can save. Utility costs run approximately 30% lower than the U.S. average. Groceries and healthcare also come in at 6% and 5% below the national average, respectively, ensuring that residents save money on everyday necessities.
Quality of life in Decatur: What you should consider
The major selling point of Decatur is its affordability but it is equally important to look at the overall quality of life in the region in question. Similar to other less populated cities in the mid-western regions, Decatur offers a slower pace of life and fosters strong community ties among its residents.
However, as Tyler Baines from the Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness says,”Job seekers should not only consider the size of their paycheck when figuring out where they should call home.” Opportunities in Decatur can generally be limited even though most of them are focused on manufacturing and agribusiness sectors. If you work in such an area with scarce options, you might consider doing telecommuting jobs or getting a job in other cities like Springfield or Champaign which are not very far from Decatur.
Is Decatur the right fit for you?
For anyone searching for the cheapest city in the United States to live in, Decatur in Illinois as the cost of living in this city is quite affordable in almost all these cities. There is no doubt that Decatur’s housing estate and its affordability makes it the most attractive region to live in in 2024 regardless of whether you are a retiree, a family wishing to raise kids, or any other person looking for a reasonable place. But as it is with any move, one has to consider the availability of jobs and culture in the location and whether such a place as Decatur will be fulfilling to you.
