The most affordable small town in each US state if you're looking to escape a big city

Tuttle is the most affordable small town in Oklahoma.

City of Tuttle

• Cost of living is a big part of deciding where to live.
• The coronavirus pandemic has some Americans rethinking residing in big cities.
• Using data from the Census Bureau, we found the small town in each state with the highest share of households paying an affordable share of their incomes on housing.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

During the coronavirus pandemic this year, some people moved or temporarily relocated out of their homes, including those in the city. As the pandemic continues and some people can still do their job remotely, some people might reconsider living in densely-populated and expensive cities even after the pandemic.

Cost of living is a big part of deciding where to live, and housing affordability is one of the major factors driving how expensive different places are. 

Using the newly released data from the Census Bureau's 2015-2019 American Community Survey, we found the small town in each state with the highest share of households paying affordable housing costs.

For our universe of small towns, we took places as defined by the Census Bureau that had populations between 5,000 and 20,000 people, excluding college campuses and military bases. To determine housing affordability, we looked at the share of households in each of those towns paying less than 30% of their household income on housing costs, a fairly common cutoff for whether or not housing is within a family's means.

The American Community Survey includes data for three types of households - homeowners with a mortgage, homeowners without a mortgage, and renters. For our affordability measurement, we took the average of the shares of each of those household types paying less than 30% on housing, weighted by the number of each type of household in each town.

Here's the most affordable small town in every state, based on the share of households paying less than 30% of their income on housing. Population estimates noted for some of the places are also from the most recent five-year American Community Survey.

Alabama: Moores Mill

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90.60% of homes are affordable.

Moores Mill is part of Madison County and Huntsville, Alabama, where several aerospace companies operate, including NASA and Boeing. According to the 2019 five-year American Community Survey, 86.9% of homes are owner-occupied in this town and have a median value of $175,200. 

Alaska: Sterling

Joshua Corbett/picture alliance/Getty Images

79.73% of homes are affordable.

Sterling is perfect for those who enjoy the outdoors. According to Travel Alaska, the small town is near Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, which is filled with campsites, rivers, and trails to explore. There is also fishing and plenty of wildlife to see. Although the town has affordable homes, Best Places writes the cost of living is about 18% higher than the national average.

Arizona: Tuba City

Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images

87.57% of homes are affordable.

This small city of around 8,600 people is part of a large Navajo Reservation, according to the Visit Arizona site. People can visit the Explore Navajo Interactive Museum to learn more about Navajo culture and its history. 

Arkansas: White Hall

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83.17% of homes are affordable.

This small town with a population a little over 5,000 is about 40 miles away from Little Rock. According to Best Places, White Hall has a low cost of living, estimated at 25.8% lower than the US average, and decent home prices.

California: Hilmar-Irwin

The census-designated place Hilmar-Irwin is located within Merced County, pictured above.

Diego Grandi/Shutterstock

78.75% of homes are affordable.

This census-designated place with over 5,700 people is a small town in central California. The CDP is located in Merced County, and Niche ranks Hilmar High School the second best public high school in the county. According to the 2019 five-year American Community Survey, 64.6% of homes are owner-occupied and have a median value of $284,300. 

Colorado: Battlement Mesa

Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post/Getty Images

84.56% of homes are affordable.

This small town located along the Colorado River is great for people who enjoy participating in outdoor activities. People can walk along some of the trails or join the Battlement Mesa Golf Club to play the 18-hole course surrounded by the scenic landscape.

Connecticut: Kensington

The census-designated place Kensington is part of Hartford, Connecticut, pictured above.

Pat Eaton-Robb / AP

75.14% of homes are affordable.

The town is within the southern part of Hartford County, Connecticut and has nearly 8,000 people. According to Niche, this small town has a relatively good cost of living and is a good place for families, contributing to its overall ranking on the site. Niche ranked it the 25th best suburb in the county.

Delaware: Pike Creek

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79.96% of homes are affordable.

A town in New Castle County, Pike Creek is close to several family-friendly attractions, including local farmer's markets, the historical Hagley Museum, and Carousel Farm Park and Equestrian Center, which offers riding lessons for all ages.

Florida: Timber Pines

Hernando Beach, Florida, pictured above is near the census-designated place Timber Pines.

Jeffrey Greenberg/Education Images/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

82.27% of homes are affordable.

Timer Pines is a census-designated place with a population of about 5,200. The CDP is home to a private community of older adults. Per its website, it offers "Country Club Living for Active Adults" with golf courses and tennis courts. It is a short drive away from Hernando Beach on the Gulf of Mexico, which according to Niche is home to many retirees.

Georgia: Holly Springs

Wikimedia Commons/Thomson M

83.90% of homes are affordable.

This small town in Georgia is said to be "named after a spring surrounded by holly trees," according to New Georgia Encyclopedia and has plenty of national forests and parks to visit nearby. Holly Springs, which is 37 miles away from Atlanta, was named the second safest town in Georgia by the National Council for Home and Safety Security.

Hawaii: Waihee-Waiehu

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73.37% of homes are affordable.

Waihee-Waiehu is a small beachfront community on the island of Maui, the second largest Hawaiian island. Maui's natural beauty is stunning, but Waihee-Waiehu also offers a golf course, surfing, and whale watching.

Idaho: Fruitland

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78.79% of homes are affordable.

This small city has a population of over 5,200. It is located close to the state's border with Oregon, perfect for people who want to live a short distance away from the adjacent state. According to the 2019 five-year American Community Survey, 71.6% of homes are owner-occupied where these homes have a median home value of $154,400.

Illinois: Washington

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83.86% of homes are affordable.

This city is located in Tazewell County, about a 20-minute drive away from Peoria, Illinois. According to the city's website, Washington was founded in 1825 when a man named William Holland Sr. moved there from Peoria. His family were the only residents there for a year and the population has since grown to over 16,500 residents.

Indiana: Dunlap

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85.38% of homes are affordable.

This census-designated place has a population of nearly 6,700. It also ranks highly on Niche's ranking as one of the places in the state with the lowest cost of living. Elkhart County, where Dunlap is located, is home to more than 650 lakes, according to the county's website, making Dunlap is a great place for people who like the outdoors and water activities. 

Iowa: Le Mars

Francis Dean/Corbis/Getty Images

86.04% of homes are affordable.

Le Mars has a population of over 9,900 residents. This small city is known as the "Ice Cream Capital of the World," per its website. According to Wells Visitor Center and Ice Cream Parlor, previously known as Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor, Le Mars was given this title in 1994 after producing the most ice cream. The family-owned Wells Enterprises located in this city makes Blue Bunny ice cream.

Kansas: Park City

Park City Kansas website

86.86% of homes are affordable.

Park City is part of Sedgwick County, Kansas. According to the county's website, while many people work in the town, plenty of residents commute to work in larger cities nearby, such as Wichita. The small town of around 8,000 people is about seven miles away from Wichita State University. Some notable places in Park City include the Park City BMX tracks.

Kentucky: Hebron

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91.86% of homes are affordable.

Located in northern Kentucky within Boone County, Hebron has nearly 6,500 residents and the majority or homes are owner-occupied. These homes have a median value of $159,200 per the 2019 five-year American Community Survey. This census-designated place is close to the border of Kentucky and Ohio. It is only a short drive away from Cincinnati, Ohio and the Ohio River.

Louisiana: Chackbay

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89.48% of homes are affordable.

This CDP has over 5,300 residents and is located in the southern part of the state. With areas like the Mississippi River nearby, this place is great for people who want to be a short drive away from rivers and lakes. According to the 2019 five-year American Community Survey, the majority of homes are owner-occupied at 93.0%. These homes have a median value of $166,300. It is about an hour drive away from Baton Rouge, the state capital.

Maine: Gorham

Ben McCanna/Portland Press Herald/Getty Images

79.87% of homes are affordable.

This CDP in southern Maine is located within Cumberland County. The town of Gorham includes the Gorham campus of the University of Southern Maine and Baxter House Museum. According to the Baxter Memorial Library, James Phinney Baxter, who served as Portland mayor for six years, was born in the house and gave over the house to be turned into a museum when he was older. The town is also great for people who enjoy nearby water with Sebago Lake, the second-largest lake in the state, just a short distance away.

Maryland: Poolesville

Education Images/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

88.16% of homes are affordable.

Poolesville was named after two brothers, John Poole Sr. and Joseph Poole Sr., who owned land in the area. Until 2010, however, its official name was left as "The Commissioners of Poolesville" due to a clerical error. Its motto is "Small town character, down home charm."

Massachusetts: Cochituate

Lake Cochituate

John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe/Getty Images

76.83% of homes are affordable.

Cochituate is a great place to live in the state if you want to be a short driving distance away from Boston. People can visit Cochituate State Park which includes Lake Cochituate, perfect for people who enjoy being by water and participating in different water activities like sailing. According to Niche, it is highly ranked in the state for families and has good public schools.

Michigan: Freeland

Saginaw News, Melanie Sochan/AP

90.36% of homes are affordable.

Freeland was home to the Chippewa, Ottawa, and Pottawatomi tribes before the arrival of European settlers in the early 19th century. The town is named after Mammy Freeland, who was the owner of a popular tavern that served local lumberjacks in the mid 1800s. 

Minnesota: Victoria

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88.01% of homes are affordable.

The city's website calls itself the "city of lakes and parks." There are several lakes within Victoria and nearby. This includes Lake Minnetonka, Steiger Lake, and Piersons Lake, making it a great place for people who enjoy being by water.  

Mississippi: Pontotoc

Pontotoc City website

85.19% of homes are affordable.

This small rural town is home to about 6,000 residents. Based on the town's website, their motto is "where family comes first and we love every second." Residents can walk along the 43.6-mile Tanglefoot trail which includes the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and different counties. The trail's website says it is a great place to enjoy the slow pace of Mississippi small towns.

Missouri: Dardenne Prairie

Dardenne Prairie City Hall

87.64% of homes are affordable.

Dardenne Prairie is located in St. Charles County and has a population over 13,000. This small city ranks high on several state rankings on Niche. For instance, it is the eighth best place to buy a house in the state.

Montana: Sidney

The Richland County Courthouse is located in Sidney, Montana.

Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

78.30% of homes are affordable.

Located in eastern Montana close to the border of the state and North Dakota, this city is home to about 6,400 residents. With its close proximity to the Yellowstone River, it is great for people who enjoy the outdoors and scenic views. The town is great for retirees looking to move to a small town, and Niche ranked it the 12th best place to retire in the state.

Nebraska: Chalco

Wehrspann Lake by Chalco, Nebraska.

Bob Walker/Getty Images

82.42% of homes are affordable.

This census-designated place is located in eastern Nebraska, close to part of the Missouri River. According to the 2019 five-year American Community Survey, 75.3% of homes are owner-occupied and have a median value of $153,100. People can visit the Chalco Hills Recreation Area to take a scenic walk around Wehrspann Lake and take a bike around on one of the trails.

Nevada: Spring Creek

Nevada State Parks website

87.59% of homes are affordable.

Spring Creek has over 13,600 residents. It is situated between the Elko Hills to the northwest, and the Ruby Mountains to the southeast. 

New Hampshire: South Hooksett

Currier Museum Of Art in Manchester, New Hampshire, is about 3 miles away from South Hooksett.

Dina Rudick/The Boston Globe/Getty Images

77.05% of homes are affordable.

This CDP is home to 5,800 residents and is located within Merrimack County. It is about 3 miles away from Manchester, great for people who want to live in a small town but still be close to the state's largest city. According to Niche, South Hooksett is the 18th best suburb for public schools in the state and the 14th best to buy a home. 82.6% of homes are owner-occupied, per the 2019 five-year American Community Survey.

New Jersey: Yardville

A Janick/Getty Images

77.79% of homes are affordable.

This CDP is located in Mercer County. It is by the Delaware River and Philadelphia, great for people who want to live in a small town but also less than an hour drive away from the city. The town is also a short driving distance away from fun activities like Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, or Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, New Jersey.

New Mexico: White Rock

Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket/Getty Images

90.94% of homes are affordable.

White Rock, New Mexico has around 5,700 residents and is next to multiple mountains, Santa Fe National Forest, and the Rio Grande. It is less than 9 miles away from Los Alamos National Laboratory, which was used in World War II for the Manhattan Project and continues to be a key site for scientific research. Niche ranked the town the best suburb to buy a house in the state.

New York: Big Flats

Big Flats New York website

87.28% of homes are affordable.

Big Flats is in western New York, near the Pennsylvania border. It boasts nearby national forests, is close to the city of Elmira, and is only a short drive away from New York's Finger Lakes.

North Carolina: Wesley Chapel

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84.31% of homes are affordable.

This small town in North Carolina was officially incorporated as a village in 1998 but has existed as a community since the 1800s, according to real-estate site Carolina Small Town Living. Niche ranks the small town as the sixth best place to live in Union County, North Carolina.

North Dakota: Devils Lake

Feifei Cui-Paoluzzo/Getty Images

80.15% of homes are affordable.

This city with a population of around 7,300 is named after the lake that borders it. Devils Lake is great for people who like to be surrounded by water and enjoy outdoor activities, especially fishing. According to Devils Lake's website, people can fish year-round, including in the winter where people can try ice fishing.

Ohio: Delhi Hills

Delhi Hills Township

85.75% of homes are affordable.

Delhi Hills is just outside of Cincinnati, on a bluff near the Ohio river. Delhi Hills' main attraction is Delhi Pike, a popular strip of highway lined with fast food eateries and stores.

Oklahoma: Tuttle

Tuttle is the most affordable small town in Oklahoma.

City of Tuttle

83.49% of homes are affordable.

The first person born in Tuttle, in 1902, was Tuttle Meder, named not only after the town, but after its namesake, James H. Tuttle, a local rancher who was one of the town's founders. It maintained a low population for decades, until more residents settled there and brought the population up to its current number around 7,200.

Oregon: Cedar Hills

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78.78% of homes are affordable.

Located in Washington County and around 10 miles away from Portland, this CDP is home to nearly 9,000 residents. On Niche, Cedar Hills ranks highly in some of the state rankings. It is the fifth best suburb to live in the state and the best in the state for young workers, according to Niche. 

Pennsylvania: Swoyersville

Aimee Dilger/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images

85.62% of homes are affordable.

This borough in Luzerne County is by the Susquehanna River and is around 20 miles away from Scranton. Around the area, there are plenty of parks and trails to visit, like the Pocono Whitewater for kayaking nearby. According to the 2019 five-year ACS, 80.4% of housing units are owner-occupied and these units have a median value of $125,500. 

Rhode Island: Cumberland Hill

Office of the Mayor - Town of Cumberland

72.34% of homes are affordable.

Cumberland Hill is a suburb of Providence, Rhode Island's capital. The town is a residential community mostly made up of families. The public schools are highly rated, according to Niche.

South Carolina: Powdersville

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85.39% of homes are affordable.

Located in the westernmost part of South Carolina in Anderson County, According to Niche, Powdersville is the 12th best place to buy a house in the state. According to the 2019 five-year ACS, 75.4% of housing units are owner-occupied and these units have a median value of $188,300.

South Dakota: Harrisburg

Jacob Boomsma/Shutterstock

87.67% of homes are affordable.

Harrisburg, a suburb of Sioux Falls, is an active community with several attractions. Locals enjoy Lake Alvin Recreation Area, which offers beaches, fishing, and boating. Good Earth State park has two miles of trails for anyone looking to enjoy the outdoors.

Tennessee: Nolensville

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87.09% of homes are affordable.

This small town, whose motto is "Community, History, Proximity" per the town's website, is great for people who want to live close to the city but still enjoy small town life. It is only about a 30-minute drive away from Nashville. According to the town's website, most families have lived in the town for generations, some for around 200 years.

Texas: Dalhart

Jacob Boomsma/Getty Images

86.43% of homes are affordable.

Located in northern Texas within Dallam and Hartley Counties, Dalhart has a population of around 8,700. According to the Texas State Historical Association, Dalhart usually hosts the XIT Rodeo and Reunion, to commemorate the historical, large XIT Ranch from the 1880s. The XIT Rodeo and Reunion site's website boasts that this event has the world's largest free barbecue, along with other activities.

Utah: West Point

West Point City

88.84% of homes are affordable.

Located about 30 miles away from Salt Lake City, West Point is a rural small town with over 10,600 residents. It is a few miles away from Hill Air Force Base and close to Farmington Bay.

Vermont: Montpelier

Walter Bibikow/Getty Images

69.80% of homes are affordable.

Montpelier, the capital of Vermont, is the least populous state capital in the United States, with only over 7,400 residents. Its small population doesn't prevent it from having a capital city's personality, with its stately buildings and lively downtown.

Virginia: Franklin Farm

Justin T. Gellerson/The Washington Post/Getty Images

86.64% of homes are affordable.

This census-designated place within Fairfax County is highly ranked for its schools, housing, and families on Niche. According to the 2019 five-year American Community Survey, 93.0% of homes are owner-occupied and have a median value of $633,600.

Washington: Clarkston Heights-Vineland

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87.01% of homes are affordable.

This census-designated place in Washington with around 6,300 residents is also close to Oregon and Idaho. According to the 2019 five-year American Community Survey, most homes in the CDP were built in the 1970s followed by the 1990s. The majority of homes are owner-occupied at 92.6%.

West Virginia: Cross Lanes

John Raby/AP

86.98% of homes are affordable.

There are many activities people can do in this small town, like visit the Mardi Gras Casino and Resort or join the private Lake Chaweva Club. Niche ranks it the 30th best place to live in the state.

Wisconsin: Suamico

Suamico village, Wisconsin is next to Green Bay.

JamesBrey/Getty Images

87.41% of homes are affordable.

This village is located next to Green Bay, great for people who enjoy scenic views by the water. The small town has different trails and parks to visit where people can enjoy the open land and nature.

Wyoming: Green River

Lee Cohen/Getty Images

85.75% of homes are affordable.

Green River is great for people who want to live surrounded by nature. People can visit the river that shares the city's name and enjoy fishing or the scenic views. According to the 2019 five-year American Community Survey, most homes in Green River are owner-occupied at 77.2% and have a value of $213,800.

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