What $2,500 a Month Gets You in America’s Cheapest States

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A $2,500 monthly budget can feel completely different depending on where you live.

In some states, it barely covers rent. In others, it can stretch across housing, groceries, transportation, and everyday bills.

If you’re weighing a move, downsizing, or simply comparing costs, understanding where your money goes the furthest matters. Using cost-of-living data and average one-bedroom rents, here’s what $2,500 per month gets you in America’s cheapest states.

Mississippi

Mississippi consistently ranks among the most affordable states in the country, driven largely by low housing costs and below-average everyday expenses.What $2,500 a month can cover:

• Rent (one-bedroom): Around $725, based on median one-bedroom rents
• Utilities: Roughly $370 per month
• Food: About $335 for groceries and basic food spending
• Transportation: Around $900 per month on the low end, reflecting car-dependent living

Lower housing costs do most of the heavy lifting, helping offset transportation expenses in areas where owning a car is essential. Mississippi is best suited for those prioritizing affordability over access to large metro amenities.

West Virginia

West Virginia regularly ranks as one of the lowest-cost states in the country, with especially affordable housing and below-average everyday expenses. What $2,500 a month can cover:

• Rent (one-bedroom): Around $800
• Utilities: Roughly $670 per month
• Food: About $425
• Transportation: Around $900 per month on the low end, reflecting car-dependent living

Lower housing costs help balance higher utility and transportation expenses, particularly in rural and mountainous areas. West Virginia is best suited for those prioritizing low rent and quiet living over convenience and urban density.

Alabama

Alabama remains one of the more affordable states in the country, supported by relatively low housing costs and below-average everyday expenses. What $2,500 a month can cover

• Rent (one-bedroom): Around $850
• Utilities: Roughly $400 per month
• Food: About $320 per person
• Transportation: Around $880 per month on the low end, reflecting car-dependent living

Moderately priced housing helps keep overall expenses manageable, even as transportation costs vary by location. Alabama is best suited for those seeking balanced affordability without straying too far from mid-size cities and job centers.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma consistently ranks among the most affordable states in the country, with housing costs and everyday expenses that remain well below the national average. What $2,500 a month can cover:

• Rent (one-bedroom): Around $835
• Utilities: Roughly $355 per month
• Food: About $273 per person
• Transportation: Around $900 per month on the low end, reflecting car-dependent living

Lower housing and food costs help keep everyday expenses in check, even as transportation remains a key factor in a car-dependent state. Oklahoma is best suited for those prioritizing day-to-day affordability over walkability.

Missouri

Missouri offers a mix of Midwestern affordability and access to larger job markets, keeping overall living costs below the national average.What $2,500 a month can cover:

• Rent (one-bedroom): Around $865
• Utilities: Roughly $425 per month
• Food: About $325 per person
• Transportation: Around $850 per month on the low end, reflecting car-dependent living

Moderate housing costs paired with access to mid-size metros help balance everyday expenses. Missouri is best suited for those prioritizing affordability while still wanting proximity to established job centers and city amenities.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania stands out as a Northeast outlier, offering lower overall living costs than many neighboring states while still providing access to major metros and job markets. What $2,500 a month can cover:

• Rent (one-bedroom): Around $1,025
• Utilities: Roughly $400 per month
• Food: About $280 per person
• Transportation: Around $375 per month on the low end, reflecting a mix of driving and transit depending on location

More moderate transportation costs help offset higher housing expenses compared to other states on this list. Pennsylvania is best suited for those prioritizing Northeast access and transit options without paying the premium associated with nearby coastal markets.

Editor’s note: Cost-of-living data was sourced from SoFi, RentCafe and Zillow.

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