Most Affordable Counties

Affordability is about more than low prices — it's about the relationship between what people earn and what they pay. Our cost score evaluates each county's median housing costs (both rent and mortgage) relative to median household income, using Census ACS data. Counties that score highest offer the best balance: reasonable housing costs paired with decent earning potential. Many top-ranking counties are in the Midwest and South, where housing supply is more abundant and cost of living is structurally lower. However, some surprising entries appear in states like Pennsylvania and Ohio, where older housing stock keeps prices moderate despite proximity to metro job markets. Understanding affordability through this lens helps families and retirees find places where their dollar stretches furthest without sacrificing access to employment and services.