Want to move West and get the most for your money? Whether you’re looking for stunning mountain views, ocean breezes or desert landscapes, the Western states have something for everyone — including surprisingly affordable places to live.
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While the region is home to some of the priciest cities — San Francisco, Seattle and Los Angeles — there are still budget-friendly cities in every state. Here is the city in every Western state where you can stretch your dollar the farthest.
Anchorage, Alaska
Annual cost of living: $46,262
Annual rent: $19,296
Annual groceries: $7,403
According to RentCafe, the cost of living in Anchorage is 8% cheaper than the state average, but per the GOBankingRates study, the cost-of-living index shows groceries are 22% higher than the national average and healthcare is 25% more. The higher cost of living is primarily due to Anchorage’s remote location. Most goods and materials need to be transported, which contributes to the inflated price.
The good news is Alaska does not have a state income tax, giving residents a financial boost.
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Sierra Vista, Arizona
Annual cost of living: $39,046
Annual rent: $16,956
Annual groceries: $5,775
Sierra Vista is located 20 miles north of the Mexican border and is ideal for those who love outdoor adventures. The city has a population of around 43,000 and offers endless natural beauty.
It won’t cost as much to load up on your favorite foods. According to the GOBankingRates data, the cost of food is 4.6% cheaper than the national average. However, healthcare is 6.2% higher.
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Porterville, California
Annual cost of living: $39,321
Annual rent: $15,024
Annual groceries: $75,956
Situated at the base of the Southern Sierra Nevada mountains, Porterville is known for its close proximity to picturesque Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks.
The cost of food is lower than average by 1.6%, but healthcare is 15.3% higher.
Canon City, Colorado
Annual cost of living: $36,344
Annual rent: $15,288
Annual groceries: $6,089
Canon City has year-round great weather for hiking and biking, stunning views, easy access to famous sites such as the Royal Gorge Route Railroad, Royal Gorge Mansion, the Royal Bridge & Park, and the Winery at Holy Cross Abbey. It’s the whole package, plus it’s affordable.
Healthcare is 9.4% lower than the national average and transportation costs are 25.7% cheaper.
Wahiawa, Hawaii
Annual cost of living: $58,317
Annual rent: $26,652
Annual groceries: $8,371
Living in a tropical paradise is a dream for many; if Hawaii is calling your name, Wahiawa is the most budget-friendly city in the pricey state, but it will still cost you. Groceries are 38.3% higher, while utilities are a whopping 73.4% more expensive.
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Rexburg, Idaho
Annual cost of living: $33,299
Annual rent: $12,432
Annual groceries: $5,581
Rexburg is an alluring small town 80 miles from Yellowstone National Park and Teton National Park. It’s a great area for families and has good public schools. The city is also easy on your wallet. Groceries are 7.8% lower than the national average, but healthcare is 13.7% higher.
Great Falls, Montana
Annual cost of living: $33,130
Annual rent: $11,676
Annual groceries: $6,059
In Great Falls, Montana you can enjoy big city amenities without the traffic and at a lower cost. The area is beloved for its outdoor activities like hiking, biking and skiing and is affordable all around in terms of healthcare, food and transportation.
Pahrump, Nevada
Annual cost of living: $38,539
Annual rent: $16,104
Annual groceries: $6,089
If you love what Las Vegas has to offer, but want a slower paced life, Pahrump is the place to go. It’s just an hour’s drive from Sin City and has its own shopping, dining, wineries and casino resorts — but it is much cheaper. While Vegas is over-the-top expensive, Pahrump’s healthcare is 12.3% less than the national average and transportation costs are 4.7% lower.
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Clovis, New Mexico
Annual cost of living: $32,853
Annual rent: $13,740
Annual groceries: $5,672
Located near the Texas border, Clovis is a small rural city surrounded by striking landscape and architecture. The locals are friendly and welcoming and the town offers a variety of cultural experiences.
Groceries are 6.3% lower than the national average, and healthcare is 14.9% cheaper.
Klamath Falls, Oregon
Annual cost of living: $34,981
Annual rent: $14,124
Annual groceries: $5,890
Klamath Falls is a remote location that’s known as the gateway to Crater Lake National Park. It’s the ideal place for outdoor enthusiasts who love to kayak, hike, bike and fish while taking in stunning scenery.
The bonus: It’s really cost effective. Groceries are 2.7% lower than the national average, and transportation is only about 69% of the U.S. average.
Cedar City, Utah
Annual cost of living: $36,876
Annual rent: $16,200
Annual groceries: $5,575
People are drawn to Cedar City for its raw beauty, rugged mountainous views, lively cultural scene and outdoor activities. Plus, the cost of living is affordable. Groceries are 7.9% lower than the national average and utilities are 11.4% cheaper. Healthcare, however, is 8.9% higher.
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Yakima, Washington
Annual cost of living: $35,811
Annual rent: $15,120
Annual groceries: $5,986
Yakima is a unique blend of community, endless outdoor activities and affordability. According to RentCafe, the cost of living is 25% lower than the national average, while healthcare is 13.1% cheaper, per GOBankingRates’ data.
Rock Springs, Wyoming
Annual cost of living: $36,846
Annual rent: $13,008
Annual groceries: $5,557
Known for its mining industry, Rock Springs is the fifth most populous city in Wyoming and relatively cheap to live. Stocking up at the grocery store is 8.2% less expensive than the national average, according to GOBankingRates’ data. However, healthcare is soaring and will cost you 46.6% more.
Methodology: For this piece GOBankingRates looked at the 2,500 largest cities in terms of housing market size, according to Zillow’s March 2025 data. With these cities isolated, GOBankingRates found the city with the cheapest 2025 rent and from there found the annual essentials (Rent, Groceries, Utilities, Transportation, and Healthcare) cost of living for these places. Cost-of-living figures were calculated by first finding the annual average expenditure, as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2023 Consumer Expenditure Survey, and from there used cost-of-living indices sourced from Sperling’s Best Places. For ME, ND, and VT the market size was relaxed to 4,000. All data was collected on and is up to date as of May 14, 2025.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Here’s the Cheapest City in Every Western State
