These are the nation's most affordable large metro areas

McAllen, Texas, nestled next to U.S.-Mexico border, is the most affordable metro area in the country.

That’s largely because of how inexpensive housing there is, with the median home there in August selling for $280,000, compared to the national median of $420,000. Meanwhile, the average rent for a 900-square-foot apartment in McAllen is $925 per month, according to RentCafe, far less than the national average of $1,702 per month.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis’ Regional Price Parity index is a measure of how much goods, housing and other services across the country cost in a specific metro area compared to the national average. The Business Journals took that data and ranked the largest 100 metro areas by size to find the most affordable cities in the country.

Those with a score below 100 in the index are cheaper than the national average while those above 100 are more expensive. McAllen was 87.7 in 2021, the latest data available. The housing index for McAllen checked in at 56.2, significantly below the national average.

The most affordable metro areas across the country tend to be clustered in the Midwest and the South. Jackson, Mississippi; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Knoxville, Tennessee; Toledo, Ohio; and Memphis, Tennessee, are among the most affordable cities.

San Francisco topped the list of the most expensive metro areas, at 119.8, followed by San Diego, Honolulu, New York, Seattle and Los Angeles.

The most expensive cities were clustered largely in the Northeast and in California alongside popular migration destinations such as Boise, Idaho, and Denver.

It’s worth noting there was much less variation in the overall cost of goods relative to the national average. Wichita, Kansas, had the lowest score for goods, at just under 94, while its housing cost was at 69.9. Seattle had the highest score for goods, at 114.9.

But historically high inflation in 2022, in which the consumer price index hit 9.1% year-over-year growth, pushed many businesses to raise their prices on everything from services to food, although that has tapered in recent months.

Andrew Latham, financial planner and director of content at Supermoney.com, said these cities are where a dollar stretches the furthest — and that could make them more attractive.

He said most of the cheapest cities are in the Midwest and the American South. Those regions historically have lower housing costs, which heavily influences overall affordability. That comes with less population density and greater availability of land that ensures more supply, thus keeping prices down.

“As the world of work evolves and the ramifications of the pandemic continue to unfold, these metro areas may increasingly become hotspots for those seeking a balanced, cost-effective living experience,” Latham said. 

Historically, those looking for lower-cost options once had to relocate to those areas, and usually receive subsequent lower pay, but remote work has changed the dynamic and given many workers a chance to choose, Latham said.

“Metro areas with a lower RPP index, such as those listed, stand out as attractive options. They offer more bang for the buck without compromising on key amenities and quality of life,” Latham said. “As businesses become more flexible with remote-work policies, employees are more empowered to choose where they live, making these affordable metro areas viable options.”

But, Latham stressed, it’s not affordability alone that determines where people move — or where they might want to move in the future. Other factors in those decisions usually include job opportunities, cultural amenities, the strength of the educational system and even health-care availability.

The Covid-19-fueled “Great Migration” may have slowed in recent months, but people are still on the move, according to an analysis conducted by Bank of America, using anonymized customer data. Those who are moving are often choosing the South while avoiding the pricier metros that topped our list.

The Sun Belt cities that saw big inflows are still seeing more people move there, while cities that struggled with migration during the pandemic, such as San Francisco; San Jose, California; New York and Boston, continued to see people leave over the past year.

A separate analysis by background check and employee screening company Checkr found many of America’s “boom towns” were in the South or the West, specifically in Utah, Idaho, Florida and Texas. Meanwhile, some smaller towns are trying to lure high-dollar remote workers with cash and other incentives in an effort to seize the work-from-home moment and sustain new growth.