In what cities do you get the most bang for your buck? (low income, 2015)

[AllTheWayToMemphis]

I guess I'm mostly talking about the salary vs. cost-of-living ratio...where are salaries relatively high, but the cost of living relatively low? I'd also be interested to know where you get the most bang for your buck culturally, as well, though...what cities offer a lot to do but don't stretch your dollar just to get by? I live in Baton Rouge right now and it's very nice, and also relatively inexpensive, but there's just not a whole lot going on except for 7 Saturdays a month in the Fall (college football).

[ColdAilment]

Indianapolis is routinely voted one of the most affordable large cities in the country. Very low property taxes, low income taxes, houses go for relatively cheap, and wages in Indianapolis are pretty decent since Indiana overall is a very cheap state. Indianapolis is showing steady growth but it isn't a hotbed like Austin or Houston where everyone is gobbling up all of the land. Indy has a lot of big city attractions like the Pacers and Colts, AAA baseball team, minor league soccer and hockey team, Brickyard 400 and Indy 500, not to mention a decent assortment of museums and only 3 hours from Chicago.

I'd also put Columbus, Raleigh, Cleveland, and Minneapolis on that list as best bang for your buck, and even Atlanta.

[Tall Traveler]

Houston has the 2nd most Fortune 500 companies after NYC, had the highest average salary increase the last few years, highest job increase, housing that is reasonable and no state income tax...Austin not bad either.

[Mini-apple-less]

It's definitely nowhere on the West Coast or BosWash, that's for sure.

[ColdAilment]

Originally Posted by Mini-apple-less

It's definitely nowhere on the West Coast or BosWash, that's for sure.

Agreed, the further inland the better generally. The only exception may be the Gulf Coast, Tampa, Pensacola, Mobile, Biloxi, Gulf Port, New Orleans, Corpus Christi, and Houston, though it is inland a bit.

[ckhthankgod]

What do you like to do, OP?

When you are referring to bang for your buck, are you referring to something like this?: Syracuse area named most affordable major housing market - LocalSYR.com powered by NewsChannel 9 WSYR Syracuse

http://www.nahb.org/en/news-and-publ...t-quarter.aspx

St. Louis looks like a good possibility.....

[cheese plate]

Many southern and "rust belt" cities.

[2e1m5a]

I remember reading something that said Houston actually has the best income/col ratio in the country-seems plausible.

Philly works great for some people-me included. I live here surprisingly cheaply, and it allows me to have more money for travel and other things.

[AllTheWayToMemphis]

Thanks for the advice so far everyone! Many seem like great options.

I will say that while the salaries in Houston are very high, rent within the city has skyrocketed an unbelievable amount in the last few years. Seems like most one-bedrooms are in the $1600+ range.

[ColdAilment]

Originally Posted by AllTheWayToMemphis

Thanks for the advice so far everyone! Many seem like great options.

I will say that while the salaries in Houston are very high, rent within the city has skyrocketed an unbelievable amount in the last few years. Seems like most one-bedrooms are in the $1600+ range.

That's what I've been saying. A city growing as fast as Houston is will be a hotbed for rising prices. The Midwest metros are probably your best bet. Word got out that Texas is the place to be and now everyone is moving there.