Tony Robbins’ 10 Best Cheap Cities With a High Quality of Life

Although Americans relocate for many reasons — for a new job or relationship, starting school or being close to loved ones, for example — it can be a stressful and expensive life event. With rents high and money tight, many individuals and families are looking to find a place to live that mixes cheaper accommodation with a lower cost of living or other amenities that help them get their money’s worth.

To help loyal readers figure out the best cities for them and their families, Tony Robbins compiled a list of 10 cities that offer high quality of life and oodles of amenities. Here are the 10 best cheap cities that are on the rise, according to Team Tony.

Also, check out Tony’s top 100 money tips that are always relevant.

To the outsider, Buffalo might be known for its wings, sports and snow, but the city is booming in other ways. The second-largest city in New York is ideally located in the western part of the state, just 17 miles south of Niagara Falls.

Although income and property taxes are high in New York, Buffalo’s housing and health care costs are below the national average. According to RentCafe, the cost of living in Buffalo is 26% lower than the state average and 5% below the national average.

With a low cost of living here — in fact, RentCafe said that the cost of living is 9% lower than the national average — Fort Wayne offers the delights of living in a big city, without the big city prices. This lower cost of living is a major reason why Fort Wayne was ranked 20 in the U.S. News & World Report of best places to live.

“Summit City” is known as being a family friendly, “bigger” mid-sized city. It boasts a zoo, plenty of sports and entertainment options and operates and 2,840 acres of parkland at 87 sites, per fortwayneparks.org.

According to Team Tony, the city is a great place to live for families and young professionals. Known primarily for being the largest corn-processing city in the world, the cost of housing in Cedar Rapids is 17% lower than the national average per RentCafe.

It’s easy to find reasons why Cedar Rapids is an attractive draw for those looking to make a move, but the prime argument is affordability. And you won’t be lacking for job opportunities — Cedar Rapids is the home of several Fortune 500 companies. 

The smallest city on Robbins’ “Make a Move to Live Well — For Less” list has enjoyed a period of prosperity, thanks to a boom in “clean energy, manufacturing and software development.”

According to RentCafe, there a number of areas where the costs of living in Round Rock is much more affordable than the national average. The cost of housing in Round Rock is 11% lower than the national average, while food prices are 15% lower. Transportation costs are a whopping 20% lower than the national average.

Well-known for its wealth of colleges and its successful football program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the second-largest city in the state has so much more going for it. While it might have a young population, people of all ages love the city’s affordable housing, which RentCafe lists as a massive 20% lower than the national average.

With a cost of living lower than the national average and a thriving economy, Lincoln attracts tech workers to its many companies — like healthcare software leader TELCOR and sports-tech firm Hudl.

Although residents claim summer in Seattle is its best kept secret, it’s considered the best city for outdoor activities, the third best city of young professionals and the sixth healthiest city in America by Niche rankings.

Although its cost of living has become increasingly expensive, Seattle has no income tax, which can save you a significant amount every year. It costs more to live in Seattle than most of the others listed here, but the Emerald City attracts new residents for its beauty, vibrant culture and thriving tech scene.

The twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are frequently lumped together for convenience due to proximity, but they are separated by the Mississippi River and have their own distinct history and flavor.

It’s not hard to understand why people would flock to Minnesota, with RentCafe reporting that the cost of living is 5% lower in Minnesota than the national average. Housing, in particular, is more affordable, coming in at 15% lower than the national average.

Out of 228 cities, Plano was ranked the seventh best city in which to buy a house by Niche. In general, Texas is one of the top moving destinations due to its low taxes, robust economy and abundant sunshine all year round. However, there’s something about Plano’s smaller suburban living that appeals to out-of-towners.

Plano is within driving distance to the Dallas/Fort Worth area, but rent prices are lower and purchasing power higher. The town prides itself on having a great public school system and is an appealing place to raise a family.

From a rough mining community to a progressive, health-conscious metropolis, Denver has a lot of major cities beat in the scenery and outdoor activities departments. But when it comes to cost of living, it’s average.

However, according to the Denver Relocation Guide, Denver’s cost of living is still lower than other areas like San Francisco and New York.

A capital city with a small-town feel, Madison tops Robbins’ list. Known for its excellent cuisine and friendly demeanor, Madison possesses a ton of other amenities and entertainment and is very affordable compared to other cities in the Midwest.

“A hotbed of the health care, information technology and manufacturing industries, Madison has steadily welcomed new residents over the past decade and is growing to accommodate and entertain these transplants,” stated U.S. News & World Report.

Laura Bogart contributed to the reporting for this article.