Cheapest cities to live in the United States

How would you like to save more and spend less? There are certain parts of America where you’ll be able to do that with less effort.

Bloomberg/BusinessWeek  has published a new list of the cheapest cities in America. Topping the list is Harlingen, Texas, a Rio Grande Valley city that also has a very low income level. Following closely behind as cheap havens are Pueblo, Colo., Pryor Creek, Okla., McAllen, Tex., and Cookeville, Tenn.

Isn’t it interesting that three of the lowest cost places to live are in places with no state income tax? I have a bias against state income tax. I believe state revenues should be funded some other ways than through taxes. But that’s another conversation for another day.

Where are the most expensive places to live in the United States? New York City tops the list because it has a cost of living that’s twice the national average. Next on the list of most expensive cities to live you have Brooklyn, Honolulu, San Francisco and Queens.

Editor’s note: Today’s show originally aired July 2011.