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The 2026 Most Affordable Towns Index ranks U.S. towns of 5,000 people or more by rent as a share of income, the BEA regional price level, a state and local tax model, and the state electricity price. Cost & Benefits is an independent site. We are not a government agency, and we do not approve benefits.
6,664 towns are ranked. 61 places of 5,000 or more are left out because rent or income was not published, and 35 more are left out because home value was not published. The formula is on the index page.
Key national findings
Press-ready summary
- 6664
- Towns ranked. Each has at least 5,000 people and a published Census rent, income, and home value.
- Douglas, Wyoming
- Number 1 in the country. Median rent there is 12.1% of median income.
- 15.0% vs 20.4%
- Median rent share in the national top 100, then among every ranked town.
- 4 of 5
- 4 of the five most affordable towns are in Wyoming.
- Tennessee
- Tennessee has the most towns in the national top 100, with 19.
- #1 Douglas, Wyoming — rent share 12.1%
- #2 Green River, Wyoming — rent share 13.0%
- #3 Evanston, Wyoming — rent share 12.6%
- #4 Mount Carmel, Tennessee — rent share 11.2%
- #5 Rawlins, Wyoming — rent share 13.7%
How to cite this
Free to quote and reuse if you credit Cost & Benefits and link to this page. Please do not say a government agency made the ranking.
Cost & Benefits. "2026 Most Affordable Towns Index." October 16, 2026. https://costandbenefits.com/reports/most-affordable-towns-2026
https://costandbenefits.com/reports/most-affordable-towns-2026
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