UPDATE: Check out our new 2023 Best Cities to Live in the U.S. list.
#2. Dayton
Considered the birthplace of American aviation, you won’t find soaring costs of living in Dayton, OH, the No. 2 city on our list of the Best Affordable Places to Live. Residents here spend nearly 8 percent less on combined living expenses than the average American, according to The Council for Community and Economic Research. The city’s median home value of $69,600 is almost 33 percent below the national average, making it the cheapest city for housing on this list. Trips to the grocery store and visits to the doctor in Dayton typically cost less than they do in most other cities.
Things to Do in Dayton
The real bargain that comes from living in Dayton is the high quality of life residents enjoy. Located near one of the busiest crossroads in America (where I-75 meets I-70), Dayton offers a rich assortment of things to do, from outdoor recreation that includes canoeing and ice skating to cultural amenities, like the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center. Several attractions in Dayton are free, including the National Museum of the United States Air Force and The Wright Cycle Company. Dayton often hosts major college, high school and amateur sporting events, such as the Adidas Warrior Soccer Tournament and games in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.