The pandemic caused rent drops throughout the U.S., including in major cities like D.C. and L.A. However, in some places, the overall cost of living beyond just rent, including grocery costs, utilities, and general expenses, have gone down too.
As many business owners shift their businesses to their homes and work online, and companies continue to encourage employees to work remotely, some are considering relocating to places where their income might go farther.
Here are the 9 places where the cost of living dropped the most in the U.S. during 2020, according to data released by Apartment Guide. Check out the 9 places below if you’re considering moving, and if you need help organizing all the details for your move, like switching your residency and license registration, consider enrolling in a 15-day trial of Skip Plus.
9 Places to Consider Moving for a Lower Cost of Living
Below are the nine U.S. regions that experienced the largest drop in overall cost of living in 2020. Check out these areas if you're looking for somewhere to move that's more affordable.
1) Flagler County, Florida
Flagler County, a northeastern county on the coast of Florida, has seen a 3.4% drop overall in cost of living, and a nearly 14% drop in cost of groceries. Flagler County, home to the city of Palm Coast, is a popular tourist destination in Florida because of its natural, less-crowded beaches.
2) Johnson City, Tennessee
Johnson City, in East Tennessee, is a smaller city surrounded by mountains and valleys. It was ranked one of the top 100 best places in the country to live in 2018 by Livability due to its affordable housing, quality education and access to nature. It has experienced a 3.3% drop in cost of living, and a 12.6% drop in grocery costs.
3) Huntsville, Alabama
Although it’s known primarily for being home to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, a massive space museum, Huntsville is also an affordable midsize city with ample parks and recreation opportunities for families. It experienced a 3.1% drop in overall cost of living, and a 7.4% drop in transportation costs.
4) Casper, Wyoming
The mountain community of Casper, Wyoming, which attracts outdoor enthusiasts looking to hike or ski, also has affordable healthcare and housing and some of the lowest tax rates in the country. Casper has had a 3% drop in overall cost of living, and an 8.5.% drop in grocery costs. If you’re hoping to move to the Rocky Mountain region, Casper would be a good option for you.
5) Will County, Illinois
Will County, IL, a suburb of Chicago, is an affordable place to live to have easy access to the city. It’s experienced a 3% drop in cost of living, and nearly an 8% drop in grocery costs. If you want to live in the Midwest without being too far from a major city, Will County would be a great place to move.
6) Minot, North Dakota
Minot, in western North Dakota, has grown in recent years as an influx of jobs arrived in the city from oil and natural gas. It also has a local Air Force base and a robust local agricultural economy. It’s experienced a 3% drop in overall cost of living, and nearly a 6% drop in housing costs. North Dakota is overall more affordable than many other places in the U.S., according to Best Places.
7) Sussex County, Delaware
The coastal county of Sussex in Delaware is known for its beaches and historic towns, as well as easy access to outdoor activities like hiking and canoeing. The cost of living in Sussex County has dropped 3%, and grocery costs have dropped 9%. If you’re looking to relocate somewhere on the coast, Sussex County would be a good option for you.
8) Central California
Both Stockton and Bakersfield, California, which are in the state’s Central Valley, have experienced cost of living drops. Both have had overall cost of living drops of about 3%. Located between the more expensive hubs of San Francisco and Los Angeles, the Central Valley is one of the more affordable places to live in California.
9) Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery has long been known for its rich Civil Rights history, but it also has several universities, affordable housing and a bustling nightlife scene with plenty of local Southern restaurants. Montgomery’s cost of living has dropped 3%, and it’s housing costs have dropped over 6%.
Conclusion: Relocating Could Save You Money
If you have the flexibility to run your business or work for an employer from home, you could consider relocating to somewhere where the overall cost of living is dropping. Although rent in some major cities has tumbled dramatically, the overall cost of living, like groceries and utilities, may not have. In the 9 regions above, the total cost of living is going down. If you’re considering a big move, we can help you navigate all the details with Skip Plus.
