10 Most Desirable States To Live in — Which One Is Cheapest?

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The cost of living may not be the only factor when choosing where to live, but it’s an important one.

According to North American Moving Services, states with higher income tax saw the largest number of people leaving in 2025. This includes California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Washington. But where are people moving to?

GOBankingRates compiled data from North American Moving Services, the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, moveBuddha’s 2025 Moving Trends Report, RentCafe, Zillow, Visual Capitalist and the latest U.S. Census data to find out. These are the states that are not only the most desirable, but also the cheapest to live (ranked by overall cost of living).

Alabama

• Overall cost-of-living index (MERIC): 87.9
• Overall cost-of-living rank: Third cheapest
• Cost of living compared to the national average (RentCafe): 12% lower
• Average income needed to live comfortably: $84,000
• Average home sales price: $231,003 (up 0.3%, one-year)

Both South Dakota and Alabama have an in-to-out ratio of 1.34. Alabama also ranks as one of the cheapest states to live in the country.

Arkansas

• Overall cost-of-living index (MERIC): 89.3
• Overall cost-of-living rank: Seventh cheapest
• Cost of living compared to the national average (RentCafe): 7% lower
• Average income needed to live comfortably: $79,000
• Average home sales price: $216,341 (up 0.9%, one-year)

The in-to-out ratio in Arkansas is 1.33. While this technically makes it the least-popular state to move to on this list, the overall low cost of living does make it more desirable on that front.

Tennessee

• Overall cost-of-living index (MERIC): 90.3
• Overall cost-of-living rank: Eighth cheapest
• Cost of living compared to the national average (RentCafe): 10% lower
• Average income needed to live comfortably: $86,000
• Average home sales price: $327,001 (down 0.2%, one-year)

In Tennessee, the in-to-out ratio is 1.51. Not only that, but the state ranks fifth-highest in terms of net volume of searches for those moving in at 9.6%.

South Dakota

• Overall cost-of-living index (MERIC): 91.8
• Overall cost-of-living rank: 14th cheapest
• Cost of living compared to the national average (RentCafe): 8% lower
• Average income needed to live comfortably: $81,000
• Average home sales price: $311,504 (up 2%, one-year)

South Dakota’s in-to-out ratio is 1.34 — a little behind Delaware. However, it’s one of the cheaper states to live, which may factor into its overall desirability. There’s also no state income tax.

South Carolina

• Overall cost-of-living index (MERIC): 92.5
• Overall cost-of-living rank: 18th cheapest
• Cost of living compared to the national average (RentCafe): 6% lower
• Average income needed to live comfortably: $88,000
• Average home sales price: $299,690 (down 0.7%, one-year)

The Palmetto State had the highest rate of population growth from July 2023 to June 2024, at 1.26%. For the sixth year running, people have had more than double the interest to move to the state than out. The Q3 2025 in-to-out ratio was 1.97.

South Carolina also had the second-highest number of inbound moves in 2023, at 66%.

North Carolina

• Overall cost-of-living index (MERIC): 97.4
• Overall cost-of-living rank: 26th cheapest
• Cost of living compared to the national average (RentCafe): 4% lower
• Average income needed to live comfortably: $90,000
• Average home sales price: $330,565 (down 0.7%, one-year)

The Tar Heel State’s in-to-out ratio is 1.61. The state also has the highest volume of net searches for people considering moving from other states, at 17.5%. This is followed by Florida, South Carolina, Texas and Tennessee.

North Carolina had the third-highest number of inbound moves at 65%.

Idaho

• Overall cost-of-living index (MERIC): 99
• Overall cost-of-living rank: 29th cheapest
• Cost of living compared to the national average (RentCafe): 6% lower
• Average income needed to live comfortably: $89,000
• Average home sales price: $465,545 (up 0.7%, one-year)

Idaho had the highest number of inbound movers in 2024, with 69% of movers heading to the state last year. The in-to-out ratio is 1.60.

Delaware

• Overall cost-of-living index (MERIC): 102.8
• Overall cost-of-living rank: 35th cheapest
• Cost of living compared to the national average (RentCafe): 1% higher
• Average income needed to live comfortably: $94,000
• Average home sales price: $397,840 (up 2.2%, one-year)

Delaware is one of the top states with the highest moving demand this year, just behind Wisconsin, Mississippi, Minnesota and Michigan. In fact, demand is up by 27%. The in-to-out ratio is currently 1.41.

Maine

• Overall cost-of-living index (MERIC): 114.2
• Overall cost-of-living rank: 44th cheapest
• Cost of living compared to the national average (RentCafe): N/A
• Average income needed to live comfortably: $92,000
• Average home sales price: $401,109 (down 0.2%, one-year)

Maine’s in-to-out ratio is 1.49, meaning more people are moving in than leaving. Again, the cost of living is on the higher side. It’s less of a deterrent, however, in part to the overall low combined sales tax.

Alaska

• Overall cost-of-living index (MERIC): 127.7
• Overall cost-of-living rank: 48th cheapest
• Cost of living compared to the national average (RentCafe): 25% higher
• Average income needed to live comfortably: $97,000
• Average home sales price: $378,640 (up 3.3%, one-year)

Alaska’s in-to-out ratio is 1.56, putting it just behind Idaho. Notably, Alaska is one of the more expensive states to live in. So, while it may be highly desirable, the cost of living is something to consider.

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