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The 20 Cheapest Places to Live on the East Coast

Raleigh, North Carolina

If you're tired of paying high rent or home prices on the East Coast, some cities offer much more affordable neighborhoods without sacrificing the quality of life.

We researched cities that are located on the East Coast to find those that offer the lowest cost of owning a home or paying a monthly rate per the average household income. While America's East Coast tends to be a more expensive place to live, you might be surprised at the 20 cheapest places to live there.

Wilmington, North Carolina

20. Wilmington, North Carolina

List With Clever is a real estate agency that mined 7 of the most affordable places to live on the East Coast for 2021. The 20th on our list is Wilmington.

This is a city that is both east coast and southern, so you get all of the charm and exceptional comfort food options of the south. Wilmington is one o the fastest growing cities in job creation with a decent growth rate.

The cost of living is below the national average. The median home value is $230,400, which is quite affordable when there is a surplus of good-paying jobs.

Dover, Delaware

19. Dover, Delaware

Dover is the capital city of Delaware. It's a good place to live if you're ready willing and able to get a job. There are a lot of jobs available in healthcare, technology, government, and manufacturing.

Software developers and nurses are the most in-demand jobs in Dover. These are excellent paying jobs. With the median selling price of a home at $175,500, this makes Dover one of the most affordable places to live on the East Coast.

The quality of life in Dover is high. It's a historically significant town with a lot of local history to see and learn about. It's also a hot spot for NASCAR races at the International Speedway, the annual Dover Days, the Firefly Music Festival, and more.

Baltimore, Maryland

18. Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore is a large metropolitan city and there are some expensive neighborhoods in the city, but there are also some exceptionally affordable places. Greektown and Little Italy are diverse and culturally diverse communities that offer some great places to shop and eat. Overall, Baltimore is an affordable place to live compared to other nearby cities.

The median selling price of homes is $142,200. If you have a job this is highly affordable. Although Baltimore has an unemployment rate a little above the national average, the hourly wages are higher on average than other places in the nation. Tech and healthcare are the fields that have the most opportunities for employment in Baltimore.

Fort Pierce, Florida

17. Fort Pierce, Florida

Fort Pierce is situated on the Treasure Coast, and it lives up to its name. There's a feeling of the history of the region with parts that are like stepping back in time. It's also undergoing modernization projects.

You'll find palm trees lining the streets at the city's waterfront with plenty of good dining, shopping, and fishing for outdoorsy types. There are tons of museums and other things to do in Fort Pierce. The median home selling price is a low $154,800.

Charleston, South Carolina

16. Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is known for its lavish restaurants, its historical landmarks, its emerging music culture, and ample opportunities for entertainment and recreation. The city is 350 years old and it offers a rich history to explore.

The median selling price of nice homes in Charleston is $293,900. While this is higher than some of the other cities on our list, the economy is booming and the job growth rate for those in tourism and the tech industry is booming. Wages are higher and the income to cost of living ratio makes this one of the more affordable cities on the East Coast.

Savannah, Georgia

15. Savannah, Georgia

Savannah is a southern city on the East Coast that is dripping with southern charm and hospitality. Some streets are made of cobblestone and the historic district will give you plenty to do as there are some of the most amazing mansions and homes still standing from the 1800s to explore.

The cost of living in Savannah is 12.1 percent less than the national average with the average home value at $134,600. It's one of the most affordable cities on the East Coast with a high livability rating.

Jacksonville, Florida

14. Jacksonville, Florida

If you love beach towns, then Jacksonville might be one of the better options for you. The livability score is high for Jacksonville, a city that is home to a host of retirees and young couples as well.

The beaches are less than a half-hour's drive, and there are plenty of other things to do in the city. Shopping, dining out, entertainment and recreation are all available in good supply The median selling price of a home is $165,800 in Jacksonville, with a low cost of living overall.

New Haven, Connecticut

13. New Haven, Connecticut

US News lists their picks for the most affordable places to live on the East Coast and they start with New Haven. This city is a metropolitan area with a population of over 859,000. It offers all of the amenities of a big city, but the median home price is a low $206,942.

The average family income is $57,920. Yale University is home in New Haven and another attraction of the city is New Haven Harbor on the Atlantic Coast.

Trenton, New Jersey

12. Trenton, New Jersey

Trenton is a city with a large population base of more than 368,000 residents. It offers the amenities of a big city with a bustling metro line and plenty of dining, shopping, and recreational activities available.

There are plenty of jobs in Trenton and the average family income is $10,000 higher than the national average at $63,700 annually. The median home price is a low $205,583. The unemployment rate was low before the pandemic making it one of the most affordable cities on the East Coast.

York, Pennsylvania

11. York, Pennsylvania

York is a larger city in Pennsylvania with a population of more than 444,000 residents. It's only 100 miles from the Atlantic Ocean if you enjoy spending time at the beach.

This is a historic town with a huge population but more of a small-town feeling with historic landmarks and a rich history to explore. York has a lower cost of living than most cities in the area. The average household income is $46,930 with the median home price of $171,292. It's easy to make a go of it in York.

Providence, Rhode Island

10. Providence, Rhode Island

Providence is one of the bigger cities on the East Coast with a metro population of more than 1.6 million residents. The median home price is $270,408, and the annual household income is $53,730, making it easier to get by thanks to the lower cost of living. Providence is home to the Citizens Financial Group, Brown University, the Roger Williams Medical Center, and more.

Virginia Beach, Virginia

9. Virginia Beach, Virginia

Virginian Beach is a city with a population of more than 1.7 million in its metro area. It's one o the largest cities on the East Coast but it's also one of the most affordable. Virginia Beach offers an average annual income of $48,450.

The median home price is $235,025, which provides a solid income-to-cost ratio when it comes to affordability. Virginia Beach offers all of the amenities that you could ever want in city living. It's one o the most desirable places to live in the region.

Springfield, Massachusetts

8. Springfield, Massachusetts

Springfield is a large city that has a metro population of more than 630,000 residents. It's just 60 miles from the heart of the city and all of its amenities to the coastline of Connecticut for fishing and beach activities.

This is a highly desirable place to live because of the amenities including shopping, fine dining, recreation, and entertainment. The median home price is $210,708 in Springfield with the average annual salary coming in at $52,540. This makes it an affordable place to live within a city that offers a high quality of life.

Reading, Pennsylvania

7. Reading, Pennsylvania

Reading is an inland metropolitan city that is within 100 miles of the ocean and recreational beaches. The population of the city is 416,642 residents with a full range of desirable amenities.

There is plenty to do in Reading, but what makes it such a great place to live in is the low cost of living. The average annual salary is $48,480 with a median home price that is extremely low at just $154,092.

Hartford, Connecticut

6. Hartford, Connecticut

Hartford is one of the large cities in Connecticut with a population of more than 1.2 million residents. Hartford's population has an average annual salary o $60,820. This is higher than many of the other places nearby.

The median home price is also very low at $217,358. The annual salary is almost $9,000 more than the national average which makes this one of the most affordable places to live.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

5. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach is one of the most popular vacation spots on the East Coast. The city has a population of 447,775 residents. It's a fast-growing city because of its desirability with good standards of living.

The rapid growth of the city is in part, because o its affordable cost of living. Although the average annual salary is only $36,950, the median home price is low at $184,675.It's a good place to raise a family and there is plenty to do in Myrtle Beach.

The city is loaded with all the amenities one could ever want. It's listed as one o the best places to live on the East Coast.

Forest Acres, South Carolina

4. Forest Acres, South Carolina

According to Stacker, Forest Acres is a smaller town in South Carolina with a population of only 10,433 residents. In this town, 75% of its residents own their homes and 25% rent. This is one of the best places to live if you're looking for an affordable place.

The average annual household income is $64,926, which is higher than many small towns. The median home value is low at $186,700 with rent averaging $922 per month.

The town is community-minded and enjoys a healthy schedule of activities and events. There are rooftop concerts, seasonal gatherings, and a weekly farmers market from spring to fall. Forest Acres also has several parks in its neighborhoods.

Clemmons, North Carolina

3. Clemmons, North Carolina

Clemons is a smaller city with a population of 20,050 residents. It's on the outside of the Winston-Salem metropolis in a lovely village-like setting. Clemmons ha a rich history and plenty of amenities.

There's a lot to do in this town with lots of museums, shopping, restaurants, and if you're into the outdoors, there are miles of trails to hike. The median household income is high at $70,918 annually but the cost of homes is low with the median home value t $214,400.

74% of residents own their homes. Those who rent also catch a break with the average monthly rent at $878. This is one o the most affordable places to live on the East Coast.

Raleigh, North Carolina

2. Raleigh, North Carolina

Raleigh has a population of 457,159 residents. It's a city that is hopping with vibrant cultural diversity. It has a rich and storied history as the city was founded in 1792, and serves as the capital of North Carolina.

The arts and culture scene is thriving and there are plenty of places to go for entertainment and recreation. It's loaded with places to shop, museums to visit, a healthy nightlife, outdoor recreation, and find ding. The median household income is $63,891. The median home value is $236,700 with an average monthly rent of $1,074.

Avon, Connecticut

1. Avon, Connecticut

Avon is a smaller town with a population of just 18,338 residents. It's situated in the Farmington Valley and is one o the more affluent towns on the East Coast. It's the home of the prestigious boarding school the Avon Old Farms School.

The median home value is $385,100 with 86% of the residents owning their homes. The median household income is $132,500, which is high, making it a highly affordable place to live.

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Liz Flynn

Written by Liz Flynn

Liz Flynn has worked as a full-time writer since 2010 after leaving a career in education. She finds almost all topics she writes about interesting, but her favorite subjects are travel and food. Liz loves the process of researching information, learning new things, and putting into words what others who share her interests might like to read. Although she spends most of her time writing, she also enjoys spending time with her husband and four children, watching films, cooking, dining out, reading, motorsports, gaming, and walking along the beach next to her house with her dog.

Read more posts by Liz Flynn

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