3 Ohio cities ranked among most affordable places to live in US

NEW YORK – In an age of inflation and rising housing costs, finding an affordable living situation has become more difficult across the U.S. in recent years.

Fortunately for those looking to plant roots in Ohio, three Buckeye State cities were recently ranked among the most cost-friendly places to live in the country.

Youngstown, Ohio, is the second most affordable city to live in within the U.S., according to U.S. News & World Report. The news outlet published its Top 25 Most Affordable Places to Live in the U.S. in 2023-24.

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“Located halfway between Pittsburgh and Cleveland, Youngstown is still reflective of the steel industry’s collapse in the 1970s. But this Rust Belt city is in the midst of a cultural and economic renaissance that combines rich historical tradition with the zeal of a new generation,” U.S. News & World Report says. “The area is seeing a resurgence of business in its once-empty downtown area, including restaurants, bars, galleries and local shops, while organizations like the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation seek to shore up the urban neighborhoods. The strong work ethic the region is known for is helping to make the revival happen.

“Typical of most Midwestern cities, Youngstown’s residents are friendly and regularly gather to celebrate their community. The downtown area is surrounded by farmland, and residents enjoy shopping at local farms and Amish markets.”

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Beyond No. 2 Youngstown, two more Ohio cities also cracked the Top 25 most affordable cities to live in list. Toledo, Ohio, and Dayton, Ohio, are ranked 21st and 22nd on the list, respectively.

“Though tourists might not flock to Toledo as they do to some nearby metropolitan areas, residents know what makes the area great, including a low cost of living and a wealth of outdoor activities,” U.S. News & World Report says in its rankings. “Known as the “Glass City” for its roots in the glass-making industry, Toledo is just a short drive from other major Great Lakes metro areas like Detroit and Cleveland. But that doesn’t mean residents are quick to get out of town. Toledo is home to an array of attractions, from museums to sports venues to kid-friendly activities, which keep those who live here entertained.”

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Dayton, which is located about an hour north of Cincinnati, was referred to as having “a downtown area full of unique activities and suburbs that provide close-knit communities for those who call the region home,” according to U.S. News & World Report.

The Top 10 most affordable cities to live in the U.S. in 2023-24, according to U.S. News & World Report, are:

1. Hickory, NC

2. Youngstown, OH

3. Huntington, WV & Ashland, KY-OH metro area

4. Huntsville, AL

5. Fort Wayne, IN

6. Beaumont, TX

7. Peoria, IL

8. Green Bay, WI

9. Quad Cities, IA-IL (Davenport-Bettendorf, IA, & Moline-Rock Island, IL)

10. Knoxville, TN

U.S. News & World Report’s full rankings of its Most Affordable Places to Live in the U.S. in 2023-24 can be found online. The rankings’ methodology uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. Department of Labor, the FBI, and the publication’s own internal resources.