12 Most Affordable Towns To Live In The United States

Burlington, Iowa

Cost of living: 14.3% below national average

City population: 24,974

Median household income: $47,540

Median home value: $93,200

Unemployment rate: 6.9%

Located on the Mississippi River, Burlington is a small and friendly town, perfect for raising a family or spending your golden years. The main employers in the area include Great River Health System and American Ordnance, an ammunition manufacturer for the U.S. army.

Burlington residents pay around the same amount for healthcare costs while utilities cost 12 percent more than the U.S. average. But don't let that fool you. The cheap housing cost is what truly makes the difference here. These are 35 percent below the national average, with rents almost 40 percent cheaper than what the average American has to shell out.

The average income might be 28 percent below the national average but the 60 percent discount on median home values well than makes it up for it.