The 10 Cheapest States for Household Bills
This article originally appeared on Money Talks News
Whether you are planning to retire in another city or simply want a new place to call home, finding somewhere with a low cost of living helps.
Keeping your household bills to a minimum is one of the best ways to make a new home more affordable. And where you live can have a large bearing on how much you pay for these monthly obligations.
Doxo — a bill payment center and digital filing cabinet service — recently released a report that looks at bill payment activity covering more than 97% of U.S. ZIP codes.
It then compiled a list of the most and least expensive states to live in based on average monthly household bill payments in the following categories:
- Mortgage
- Rent
- Auto loan
- Utilities (electric, gas, water and sewer, and waste and recycling)
- Auto Insurance
- Cable, internet and phone
- Health insurance (consumer-paid portion)
- Mobile phone
- Alarm and security
- Life insurance
Following are the places where household bills are the cheapest.
1. West Virginia
Average monthly household bill expense: $1,452 (for the 10 most common bills paid)
Paying bills here is breeze, at least compared with other states. For example, Hawaiians pay more than double the cost for household bills — $2,911 — than West Virginians do.
Here, residents spend just 38% of their household income on bills. West Virginia also is among the “9 States With the Lowest Property Tax Rates.”
2. Arkansas
Average monthly household bill expense: $1,552 (for the 10 most common bills paid)
Those who live in Arkansas spend slightly more on bills than residents of West Virginia, but costs are still low, accounting for just 40% of household income.
Arkansas is also one of the “15 States With the Fastest-Growing Economies.”
3. Mississippi
Average monthly household bill expense: $1,559 (for the 10 most common bills paid)
Another Southern state rounds out the top three. Bills here run you just $7 a month more than in Arkansas and account for 42% of household income.
The rest of the top 10
Here are the rest of the top 10 on the Doxo list and how much average monthly bills will set you back in those states:
- Indiana: $1,607
- Kentucky: $1,627
- Oklahoma: $1,634
- South Dakota: $1,654
- New Mexico: $1,663
- Alabama: $1,688
- Nebraska: $1,696
The 25 Best Places To Retire in America in 2023
These cities rank highly based on health care, affordability, activities and quality of life.
Not everyone can retire like TV’s “Golden Girls,” moving in with a group of sarcastic and sassy buddies in a warm-weather climate. For some, staying close to family and friends is the most affordable and comforting choice.
But if moving is an option, there are pros and cons for senior living in each U.S. city.
For its latest annual analysis of retirement destinations, personal finance website WalletHub compared the “retiree-friendliness” of more than 180 U.S. cities based on 45 factors and then gave each city an overall score out of 100 points.
The analysis examined factors affecting affordability, quality of life, activities and health care.
To no one’s surprise, Florida cities scored high — but one of the nation’s most legendary cold-weather cities snagged the No. 14 spot, and another famously snowy zone landed at No. 7. Here’s a look at the top-ranked towns.
25. Pembroke Pines, Florida
This metropolitan area’s total score: 52.95 out of 100 possible points
Pembroke Pines, not far north of Miami, ranked No. 15 for quality of life in WalletHub’s study. The city of about 170,000 residents has “28 superior parks and lush landscaping throughout neighborhoods and public places,” and seven golf courses.
24. Madison, Wisconsin
This metropolitan area’s total score: 53.34 out of 100 possible points
Often thought of as a college town, Madison is actually a good retirement town, according to WalletHub. The city also ranked No. 8 for quality of life.
However, if travel in retirement is important to you, it might not be the best fit. The average airfare here is relatively high, as we noted in “The 10 Most Expensive U.S. Airports — and the 10 Cheapest.”
23. Cape Coral, Florida
This metropolitan area’s total score: 53.42 out of 100 possible points
This city on the Gulf Coast is a popular place for boating. It’s also particularly susceptible to flooding and one of the cities most at risk from climate change, according to Moody’s Analytics.
22. Missoula, Montana
This metropolitan area’s total score: 53.59 out of 100 possible points
Missoula ranks No. 3 on health care, and is well-situated for nature lovers. Glacier National Park lies a few hours north, with a gorgeous drive along the way. Yellowstone National Park is a bit further to the southeast. In practically every other direction lie national forests and wilderness areas.
21. Cheyenne, Wyoming
This metropolitan area’s total score: 53.64 out of 100 possible points
Cheyenne is one of the most affordable retirement cities in the country (No. 4), and that’s not the only reason you’ll be breathing easy here. It’s also among the 11 Places With the Cleanest Air in America.
19. San Diego (tie)
This metropolitan area’s total score: 53.91 out of 100 possible points
San Diego is half of the only tie in this list. This city at the southern end of California is, of course, known for its beaches and warm climate. It also took the No. 9 place for quality of life.
19. Columbia, South Carolina (tie)
This metropolitan area’s total score: 53.91 out of 100 possible points
The other half of the only tie on the list is the capital of South Carolina. Interestingly, it also scored No. 9 in one of WalletHub’s major categories — affordability.
18. Pittsburgh
This metropolitan area’s total score: 54.06 out of 100 possible points
This place is just the Pitts, and that’s a good thing. About 15% of the population are seniors, many of whom live alone. It’s a good place to retire early, all the better to enjoy the local rivers and the city’s many food festivals — including one devoted to pickles.
17. Boise, Idaho
This metropolitan area’s total score: 54.56 out of 100 possible points
Boise ranks No. 16 for quality of life and has been catching the eye of many folks. During the pandemic, the housing market was a wild ride, in part due to newly remote workers taking the opportunity to relocate here.
16. Tempe, Arizona
This metropolitan area’s total score: 54.67 out of 100 possible points
Like Madison, Tempe is a college town moonlighting as a retirement haven. It’s a great place for fishing, kayaking, hiking and biking — not to mention a lot of less-active activities such as food festivals, performances and museums.
15. Las Vegas
This metropolitan area’s total score: 54.75 out of 100 possible points
It will come as no surprise that Las Vegas is a place with lots to do, giving it the No. 7 ranking for activities in WalletHub’s list. Less expected is that once you step outside the Strip, “Sin City” can be a pretty low-key, relaxing place.
14. Minneapolis
This metropolitan area’s total score: 55.43 out of 100 possible points
Minneapolis has snowy winters, that’s a fact. But the lively City of Lakes has plenty to do in all weather, and it scored No. 9 in WalletHub’s activities analysis. The Minneapolis area is also a bike lover’s paradise.
13. Wilmington, Delaware
This metropolitan area’s total score: 55.66 out of 100 possible points
Wilmington is Delaware’s largest city, but don’t start picturing urban sprawl — just over 70,000 people live here. You may also find some tax relief here. Delaware recently made a WalletHub list of states with the lowest property tax rates.
12. St. Petersburg, Florida
This metropolitan area’s total score: 55.68 out of 100 possible points
There’s a lot of Florida on this list. St. Pete boasts 361 days of sunshine per year and an average temperature of 74 degrees. And if you want to spend some of those days out on the water, the city reeled in a first-place tie with four other cities for most fishing facilities per capita.
11. San Francisco
This metropolitan area’s total score: 55.74 out of 100 possible points
Longing to stay active in retirement? The City by the Bay was ranked No. 2 in the study for activities, only behind Washington, D.C. Let’s hope you saved up during your working years, however, as real estate site Redfin reports that the median home sale price here is $1.4 million.
10. Atlanta
This metropolitan area’s total score: 55.85 out of 100 possible points
Busy Atlanta enjoys a mild Southern climate as well as all the perks of a major city. It ranked as No. 8 in WalletHub’s analysis when it came to examining a city’s options for activities, which cover everything from bingo halls to art galleries. It ties for most museums per capita, against the likes of Washington, D.C., and two other cities.
9. Charleston, South Carolina
This metropolitan area’s total score: 55.93 out of 100 possible points
Charming Charleston is the oldest and second-largest city in South Carolina, with a history that goes back to 1670. It scored high for both activities and affordability, and was one of the five cities tying for most fishing facilities per capita. Just keeping it reel.
8. Cincinnati
This metropolitan area’s total score: 56.29 out of 100 possible points
Cincinnati might not be what you think of when you think of retirement havens. But the Ohio city scored high for activities, and it’s home to multiple major sports teams, such as football’s Bengals and baseball’s Reds. And since money is usually a concern in retirement, it’s good to know that Cincy made a Porch list of cities where your dollar goes the furthest.
7. Denver
This metropolitan area’s total score: 56.99 out of 100 possible points
Not all retirees are ready to retire from outdoor activities. For active seniors, there’s Denver, with its famous mountains, ready for skiing and climbing. And you might have many years to enjoy those sports, as Colorado recently turned up on a list of states where retirees have the longest lifespans.
6. Casper, Wyoming
This metropolitan area’s total score: 57.22 out of 100 possible points
Uncrowded Casper is home to fewer than 60,000 people, so you won’t lack for room to roam or to stretch out. It’s budget-friendly, too — coming in at No. 2 in WalletHub’s affordability category.
5. Miami
This metropolitan area’s total score: 57.47 out of 100 possible points
Miami combines the sunshine and mild weather of Florida with the lively activities of a big city. And for jetsetting types, it’s one of the best places for deals on travel.
4. Orlando, Florida
This metropolitan area’s total score: 58.09 out of 100 possible points
Your grandchildren will constantly be clamoring to visit if you retire to Orlando, the home of numerous theme parks, including Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. The Orlando area also made the list of 15 cities building the most homes, meaning home prices should be going down.
3. Fort Lauderdale, Florida
This metropolitan area’s total score: 58.17 out of 100 possible points
Fort Lauderdale was famously “Where the Boys Are” in the 1960 film with that name. But its beaches and sunshine attract folks who are well past spring break age. That sunshine can get hot — no wonder that the city is No. 1 on LawnStarter’s list of the best cities in which to own a swimming pool.
2. Scottsdale, Arizona
This metropolitan area’s total score: 59.87 out of 100 possible points
You likely won’t be the only retiree on your block in Scottsdale. WalletHub found the city to be second on the list of cities with the highest percentage of residents who are 65 and older. It also landed at No. 4 for cities with mild weather. And property taxes are low, helping the city onto a SmartAsset list of the 10 best U.S. cities for an early retirement.
1. Tampa, Florida
This metropolitan area’s total score: 59.93 out of 100 possible points
Back to Florida again for rankings leader Tampa, a neighboring city to St. Petersburg. It’s considered one of the most underrated cities in the U.S., and also part of WalletHub’s five-city tie for most fishing facilities per capita.
America’s 15 Most Affordable Cities for Retirees
If you’re rich, you can retire anywhere. But here’s where to go if you need to live on a budget in your golden years.
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Gael F. Cooper • March 6, 2024
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There are many things to consider when choosing a retirement haven.
Many retirees want, or need, to be close to family. Others consider health issues and decide to make their home in a city close to acclaimed hospitals and doctors. Some require mild weather and long to put those snow-shoveling days behind them.
And then there’s money. If you have plenty of it, no problem. Retire to the beach, the mountains, a resort community, the French Riviera — the sky’s the limit. But most of us have to think seriously about which cities fall in the affordable range. And that range is different for everyone.
For its latest annual ranking of U.S. retirement destinations, personal finance website WalletHub compared the “retiree-friendliness” of more than 180 cities based on 45 factors, including multiple measures of affordability.
Overall, Tampa, Florida, came in first as the best retirement city, and big metro areas such as Minneapolis, Denver, Miami and Atlanta also made the list.
But when you shake things up and rank the cities only by affordability, you get different results. Smaller places where the cost of living is lower dominate the list. That might not be right for you, or it may sound like a golden-years dream come true.
Here’s a look at the top retirement cities for affordability, according to WalletHub.
15. Chattanooga, Tennessee
The city famed for the 1941 hit song “Chattanooga Choo-Choo” is an affordable retirement choice. Chattanooga’s nickname is “The Scenic City,” and you can see why if you take a trip to the top of scenic Lookout Mountain, reached by the Incline Railway. Not only that, but as of 2021, Tennessee no longer taxes any type of income.
14. Fayetteville, North Carolina
Originally settled by Scottish immigrants in 1739, Fayetteville was chartered as Campbellton in the 1760s and later renamed for a French major general who served during the Revolutionary War, Marquis de Lafayette.
Today, Fayetteville is perhaps best known for its proximity to Fort Liberty (formerly known as Fort Bragg), among the largest military bases in the world. But many of its other fine attributes — from botanical and rose gardens, to cultural heritage trails and museums — are not to be ignored.
13. Augusta, Georgia
The third-largest city in the Peach State, Augusta lies across the Savannah River from South Carolina. Singer James Brown, known as the Godfather of Soul, grew up in the city, and the Augusta Museum of History displays costumes, photos and other memorabilia from Brown’s life.
12. Dover, Delaware
Dover is Delaware’s capital and the state’s second-largest city — but don’t think that means crowded streets and urban sprawl. Less than 40,000 people live here. Love to shop? Here’s a bonus: Delaware does not impose a state or local sales tax.
11. Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville, Alabama’s most populous city, has its eyes on the skies. It’s home to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center as well as the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal.
10. Birmingham, Alabama
Four Alabama cities made WalletHub’s top 15 list of affordable retirement cities. Birmingham scored high in the activities category, and its golf courses, music venues and museums will keep retirees busy. Hungry? Birmingham calls itself the “Dinner Table of the South” for its culinary offerings and Southern-food heritage.
9. Columbia, South Carolina
Another Carolina city, Charleston, came in at the overall No. 9 spot for retiree friendliness. And the city has another benefit: State residents age 60 and older enjoy free access to classes at the University of South Carolina, located in Columbia.
8. Fort Smith, Arkansas
Fort Smith, Arkansas, may be the least familiar city name listed here. Think Old West town snuggled into America’s New South. Fort Smith, which lies on the Arkansas-Oklahoma border and along the Arkansas River, was once a Western frontier military post and is now home to the Fort Smith National Historic Site. Its affordability, and mild winters, make it a favorite with modern Americans, too.
7. Memphis
Memphis is known as both the “Home of the Blues” and the “Birthplace of Rock and Roll.” The lively city is bursting with music and history, from the raucous bars of Beale Street to the thought-provoking exhibits of the National Civil Rights Museum. Snow is sporadic here in the winter, but it happens. And here’s a good fact to know: Tennessee has no state income tax.
6. Huntington, West Virginia
Huntington, West Virginia, may seem much smaller than many of the cities on this list, as the city’s population is only around 50,000. But that doesn’t mean you’ll be missing big-city amenities. Huntington is the hub of a metropolitan area that spans three states and boasts more than 365,000 residents. It helps that Huntington is home to a lively college campus — Marshall University has called H-Town home since 1837.
5. Mobile, Alabama
If fishing and outdoor recreation star in your retirement dreams, Mobile might be for you. This scenic Southern city, Alabama’s only deep-water port, sits on the Mobile River. There’s history aplenty too — Mobile is some 300 years old and boasts Battleship Memorial Park, home to the retired battleship USS Alabama and the submarine-turned-museum USS Drum.
4. Cheyenne, Wyoming
Cheyenne is Wyoming’s capital and largest city, but don’t worry about crowds — no city in Wyoming is bursting at the seams. Cheyenne’s population is only around 65,000. And there’s a real cowboy flair here. Look for the artist-painted, 8-foot-tall cowboy boot sculptures decorating the city — there are more than 30 of them.
3. Knoxville, Tennessee
Back to Tennessee again for the charming city of Knoxville on the banks of the Tennessee River. The state’s first capital, Knoxville stays lively and active thanks in part to the flagship campus of the University of Tennessee. And you can choose between city living with all its amenities or branch out and buy or rent in the scenic area leading to the Great Smoky Mountains.
2. Casper, Wyoming
Beach bunnies, the city of Casper isn’t the place for you. But for those who long for inexpensive living among natural beauty like nearby Casper Mountain, blended with all-American cowboy culture — yee-haw, you might be home. And it’s good to know Casper is in one of the nine states with no income tax. It’s just one reason why retirees are flocking to Wyoming.
1. Montgomery, Alabama
Alabama’s capital city of Montgomery took the top spot on WalletHub’s list of affordable places to retire, the highest ranking of the four Alabama cities that made the list. More good news for your budget here: Alabama is among the 10 cheapest states for household bills.
9 States With the Lowest Property Tax Rates
Homeowners in these U.S. states have the lowest property tax burdens in the country.
If you own a home, where you live plays a major role in how much you pay in property taxes.
Recently, finance website WalletHub analyzed real estate taxes in every state and the District of Columbia. To get the effective real-estate tax rate in each state, the site divided the median real-estate tax payment there by the median home price.
Following are the states that have the lowest effective real-estate property tax rates, according to WalletHub.
We also include other tax information from the Tax Foundation so you get a better picture of how much a resident might owe in each state.
West Virginia
State’s effective real-estate tax rate: 0.55%
The annual property tax bill for a median-priced home in West Virginia is $809.
Income taxes range from 3% to 6.5%, and the state’s sales tax rate is 6%.
Utah
State’s effective real-estate tax rate: 0.55%
The typical property tax payment on a median-priced home in Utah is $2,241.
Taxes on income are a flat 4.85%, and the state sales tax rate is 6.1%.
Delaware
State’s effective real-estate tax rate: 0.55%
The typical property tax payment on a median-valued home in Delaware is $1,674.
Income tax ranges from 2.2% to 6.6%. There are no sales taxes in Delaware.
Louisiana
State’s effective real-estate tax rate: 0.55%
The typical property tax payment on a median-priced home in Louisiana is $1,087.
Income tax ranges from 1.85% to 4.25%, and the state sales tax rate is 4.45%.
South Carolina
State’s effective real-estate tax rate: 0.53%
A typical South Carolina homeowner pays $1,138 in property taxes each year on a median-priced home.
Income tax rates range from zero to 6.5%, and the state sales tax rate is 6%.
Nevada
State’s effective real-estate tax rate: 0.50%
In Nevada, the typical household spends $1,884 on property taxes if they have a median-priced home.
There is no income tax in Nevada. The state sales tax rate is 6.85%.
S
Colorado
State’s effective real-estate tax rate: 0.49%
The median spending on real-estate property taxes in Colorado is $2,278.
The income tax is a flat 4.4%, and the state sales tax rate is 2.9%.
Alabama
State’s effective real-estate tax rate: 0.39%
A typical Alabama homeowner with a median-priced house pays $701 in property taxes each year — the lowest in the nation.
Income tax ranges from 2% to 5%, and the state sales tax rate is 4%.
Hawaii
State’s effective real-estate tax rate: 0.27%
In Hawaii, the typical household spends $2,054 on property taxes for a median-valued home.
Income tax rates range from 1.4% to 11%, and the state sales tax rate is 4%.