Living in the USA on a tight budget is possible if you know where to look. If you’re wondering where can I live for $500 a month in the USA, there are still some affordable small towns and rural areas offering low-cost housing and living expenses.
Here are some places where $500 a month might cover rent and basic utilities:
- Harlingen, Texas – One of the cheapest cities in the U.S., with low rent and cost of living.
- Pueblo, Colorado – Offers affordable housing, especially in older neighborhoods.
- Muncie, Indiana – Home to Ball State University, Muncie has budget-friendly apartments and utilities.
- Toledo, Ohio – Known for low property values and inexpensive rentals.
- Memphis, Tennessee – While parts of the city are pricey, there are neighborhoods with low-cost rent options.
- Norman, Oklahoma – A college town with shared housing and low rental rates.
- Wichita Falls, Texas – A small city with low living costs and affordable apartments.
Tips for Living on $500 a Month in the USA
- Look for shared housing or roommates to reduce rent.
- Choose rural or small-town areas where housing is much cheaper.
- Use housing assistance programs if eligible.
- Cut unnecessary expenses like dining out or cable subscriptions.
Consider Smaller Cities
f you want to live cheaply, the best place to start is by looking at smaller cities. This can be done by checking out the cost of living index on sites like Numbeo or Expatistan. Another option would be to simply search online for cheap places to live in your desired location.For example, if you’re searching for somewhere with low rent and a high cost of living index, you may come across Tempe, Arizona. There are also neighborhoods near universities that are affordable but don’t offer as many opportunities for employment.
Cheapest rent in america
- Wichita, Kansas consistently ranks as the most affordable major city, with average rents under $750 per month for 1‑bedroom units(Rent.com).
- Grand Forks, North Dakota and Fargo, North Dakota offer exceptionally low rents—Grand Forks around $800 for 1‑bedrooms, Fargo $826, making them among the cheapest in the nation(Rent.com).
- Lawton, Oklahoma leads smaller cities with an average 1‑bedroom rent of just $550/month(Apartment Guide).
🏙️ Additional Affordable Metro Areas
According to a broader compilation, these cities offer very low 1‑bedroom rents:
- Toledo, OH (~$695)
- Cedar Rapids, IA (~$748)
- El Paso, TX (~$750)
- Akron, OH, Lincoln, NE, Fort Wayne, IN — generally in the $700–850 range(Raj Properties).
💰 Rent‑to‑Income Affordability
A WalletHub report ranked Bismarck, North Dakota as the most affordable city for renters, with rent averaging just 15.3% of median household income. Other top cities by this metric include Sioux Falls, Cedar Rapids, Fargo, and Cheyenne(ctinsider.com).
🎥 For a quick visual overview
Cheapest Cities to Rent in USA (Top 10)
This video highlights top affordable rental cities, including some lesser-known places.
📋 Summary Table
| Category | City | Approx. Monthly Rent (1‑Bed) |
|---|---|---|
| Major metro, cheapest overall | Wichita, KS | Under $750 |
| Small city, lowest rent | Lawton, OK | $550 |
| Very affordable North Dakota | Grand Forks / Fargo, ND | $800–826 |
| Other low‑rent metros | Toledo, Cedar Rapids, El Paso | $695–750 |
| Best rent‑to‑income ratio | Bismarck, ND | ~15% of median income |
⚠️ Considerations
- Many of these rent figures refer to median or average 1‑bedroom apartments, often excluding premium areas.
- The most affordable rentals may be located in less central or rural areas.
- Smaller cities or rural towns may offer even lower rents than those listed, but often at the expense of job opportunities or amenities.
- Rent‑to‑income ratios are a critical measure—places like Bismarck or Sioux Falls may offer better financial balance than simply absolute rent amounts.
✅ So, what’s the cheapest rent in America?
- In major cities, Wichita, KS offers the lowest average rent (under $750).
- For smaller cities, Lawton, OK tops the list at around $550/month.
- But for long‑term affordability per income, places like Bismarck, ND or Sioux Falls, SD strike the best balance.
Decide On a City
Austin, TX Austin is the capital of Texas and has many benefits, including a low cost of living. There are apartments available around the city that are under $500 per month and have great amenities. The average commute time to work is about 24 minutes, but with the vibrant downtown area, you might not mind spending some time getting to work. Austin also has one of the best public school systems in America so your child will be well-educated. With such an affordable housing market, it’s easy to see why this city is on our list of where can I live for $500 a month in USA.
Save Money While Living in an Apartment
Saving money while living in an apartment is difficult, but there are some ways you can cut costs. Make sure to avoid paying extra for services like parking or garage access. Buy your groceries at the store instead of subscribing to a service like Fresh Direct and make meals at home as often as possible. Turn off lights when they aren’t needed, use energy-saving bulbs, and unplug appliances when not in use. How do I save money while renting in the USA? You could also consider a room with roommates, shop at discount stores, or seek out alternatives such as carpooling or taking public transportation where available.
Use Public Transportation
This is a tough question, and the answer will depend on your location. If you’re living in an urban area like New York City, then commuting to work is most likely not an option. You’ll need to find housing that’s within walking distance or close to public transportation options (bus, train). The good news is that many cities have low-cost apartments just outside of the city center.For example, Washington DC has plenty of affordable rentals near Metro stations. If you commute by car, there are also opportunities as well. Check out our post: Where can I live for $500 a month in USA?
In the post Where Can I Live For $500 A Month In USA? We found four neighborhoods with high walkability scores and with listings below 500 dollars per month:
1) Apt Building
2) Columbia Heights
3) Shaw/U Street
4) Navy Yard/Mt Vernon Square
Buy Used Furniture and Electronics
If you’re looking to spend as little money as possible, it’s best to buy used furniture and electronics. You’ll find many thrift stores and consignment shops that will allow you to sell anything you don’t want back after one year.If you are looking for something specific, try the classified ads or Craigslist. They often list free items or very low prices, depending on your location. Buying from people is also an option if you prefer living among locals rather than tourists.
USA Where can I live for $500 a month in USA
Use Coupons and Deals
Coupons and deals are an excellent way to save on rent. Sometimes, landlords will offer discounts on their monthly rates if you agree to pay the rent upfront. You may also be able to negotiate the price of rent with your landlord if you have good credit and enough cash upfront.Rent might be more expensive in certain areas than others. There are affordable apartments all over USA, so make sure you do some research before making a final decision about where to live.
Cook In, Don’t Eat Out
If you’re looking to cut your monthly cost of living, one way is to cook at home more often and avoid eating out. Eating out tends to be more expensive and take more time than cooking at home. Plus, since the average person spends around 40-45% of their food budget on eating out, it’s an easy way to save money. Here are some places where you might find affordable housing with cheap rent:
Get Involved In Community Activities
Volunteering is not only good for your community, it’s also good for you! Studies show that volunteering offers many psychological and physical benefits, including reduced levels of stress and increased life satisfaction. It’s an opportunity to meet new people and make connections with those around you while getting involved in your community.For example, if you’re moving to the US on a budget – where can I live for $500 a month in USA – one way to do this is by volunteering with local nonprofits who need extra help with administrative work or fundraising activities.
Stay Active By Walking Around Your Neighborhood
In order to stay active, walk around your neighborhood and explore the surrounding area. You might find some hidden gems that you didn’t know existed! Don’t forget to take a snack with you, so that if you get hungry or thirsty, you’ll have something on hand.
Make Friends Who Share Common Interests
If you want to meet people with similar interests, find an online forum where like-minded people gather and join the conversation. You’ll make friends who share your interest and get the opportunity to participate in discussions on the topic of your choice. Best way to find good deals is by looking on craigslist or googling Where can I live for 500 dollars per month USA
